5th of August
"SIT QUIETLY IN MY PRESENCE while I bless you. Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it. Rest in My sufficiency, as you consider the challenges this day presents. Do not ear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures. Keep looking to Me and communicating with Me, as we walk through this day together.
Take time to rest by the wayside, for I am not in a hurry. A leisurely ace accomplishes more than hurried striving. When you rush, you forget who you are and whose you are. Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom."
Psalm 37:7; Romans 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:9
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My favorite time of day are the times I sit and have conversations with God. I admit, I don't have them as often as I should, but when I'm driving alone to a destination, sitting at home, shopping for groceries... or doing any other errand, now and then I get a tug or a poke that prods me into conversation with Him. I know I need to make more attempts to do so on my own and usually what inspires those is when I drive home and see a magnificent sunset, see the sun hitting a cactus filled hill just right where the beauty of it just shines, see the storm clouds rolling in but the streaks of light bursting through them anyway... it's an easy conversation starter as I thank Him for sharing such beauty with me. It's like He is say, "LOOK! Look what I made for you!." And I feel so blessed and so happy that He has chosen me to share that with. I only hope, pray, and wish that others are also thanking Him in that moment and feeling as blessed as I do that they were also chosen for it to be shared with.
When we rush through our day, we forget to even pay attention to those little things He has put in front of us and we end up ignoring the gifts He shares and blesses with us daily. We put our blinders on and go head-first into our busy days. We need to remember to take those blinders off and slow things down; pray before each day starts and ask for His guidance to help us through the busy days...when we do that, He blesses us with time ....time to enjoy His blessings around us.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Marriage Points
I have to share this on my blog. My best friend, Heather, shared it with me and I know many others will enjoy it as well.
It's funny because it's true!
Renowned relationship speaker Mark Gungor explains how Men and Women keep score differently and how this can work for them in relationships!
It's funny because it's true!
Renowned relationship speaker Mark Gungor explains how Men and Women keep score differently and how this can work for them in relationships!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
4 August
4 August
"HOLD MY HAND, and walk joyously with Me through this day. together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.
You don't have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts, I will guide you carefully along today's journey. Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me. "
John 16:6; Colossians 4:2
"HOLD MY HAND, and walk joyously with Me through this day. together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.
You don't have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts, I will guide you carefully along today's journey. Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me. "
John 16:6; Colossians 4:2
3 August
3 August
"WATCH YOUR WORDS DILIGENTLY. Words have such a great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image. you need help in wielding this might power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak, I have trained you to pray--"Help me, Holy Spirit"--before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you. If they are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.
Proverbs 12:18; James 1:19; Ephesians 4:29
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I think this is one of the biggest things people struggle with, besides putting all of their trust into Jesus's capable hands.
I remember my mom talking to me about this before. She would tell me to pray before I spoke, no matter what. I always kept it in the back of my mind, but was not something I would always do or apply to most conversations or instances of communication.
It's hard. Especially if it's an argument of some sort and you're in the heat of the moment.
Recently, I have been tested on more than one occasion of this exact thing.
A very good friend disagreed with me on something and used some harsh, unnecessary words towards me. Before actually reading the offending sentence (as it happened online), I was praying and asking for help for the right words to say to her, in hopes she would understand. We didn't talk for a day or so, and it really weighed heavy on my heart. I prayed about it a lot, I asked Him for the right words to say to her and the whole morning (once I got up, on the way to the barn, while I was riding, after riding, on my way home), I kept running through the best way to word my feelings in the best way. I started sending her a message when she popped up online and apologized. I knew (and had known) it was heavy on her heart too. And the words just flowed. Once I was able to get out that it was xyz that hurt/upset/angered me, I was done with it forgiving and just wanted to shower her with my love for her cause she is one of my closest and best friends. I am grateful I have a friend that can be open and honest with me about how she feels, that we can have a tift, and talk it out without causing dramatic fights.
Then came test number 2 when a small handful (of maybe 3) of people tried telling me my horse was lame--based off of a few video clips (that were not in order, mind you) of one not-so-great schooling session. The video lasted maybe 5 minutes and the actual schooling session was longer than that; about 30-40 minutes of actual riding time. While I graciously took the comments with a grain of salt, I was praying for guidance in my responses. Boy did it help. It helped to keep me calm and collected, but even after a while of repeating myself, I felt my patience start to crack and I became more firm in my responses. Not in a mean or negative way, but more fed up and frustrated that those select few didn't seem to think I knew what I was talking about. For once, I was actually slow to anger. I'm not normally like that; praying has helped me keep my cool and from flying off the handle, from saying/typing things that I may later have to swallow. It's hard, especially when it's slightly personal, but I had to remind myself; one video of a few clips of one off day for both my horse and myself. At least I showed we are not perfect, we don't always look great; that we have a lot to work on too.
Work takes time and having His guidance will get us the best quality in our work if we truly ask for it and take the time to ask Him for it.
Reading today's devotional sent my past few days flooding back to me and those experiences were meant to be learned from. I have too and continue to try to be as open as I can to everything. It's hard sometimes, but lately praying for His help before replying, speaking has helped me tremendously. I thank Him. Thank you, Jesus, for helping me when I have taken a hold of your hand and layed my thoughts, concerns, worries, and anxiety into your hands. Thank you for taking care of those for me and showing me that by asking for your guidance, that I will get it and I will learn new things in the experience. I love you, Lord, and I thank you for always taking care of me. Amen.
Bringing Him into everything we do in our daily lives can only bring positive good. It may not be right away, but it's there if you seek Him hard enough.
"WATCH YOUR WORDS DILIGENTLY. Words have such a great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image. you need help in wielding this might power responsibly.
Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak, I have trained you to pray--"Help me, Holy Spirit"--before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you. If they are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.
Proverbs 12:18; James 1:19; Ephesians 4:29
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think this is one of the biggest things people struggle with, besides putting all of their trust into Jesus's capable hands.
I remember my mom talking to me about this before. She would tell me to pray before I spoke, no matter what. I always kept it in the back of my mind, but was not something I would always do or apply to most conversations or instances of communication.
It's hard. Especially if it's an argument of some sort and you're in the heat of the moment.
Recently, I have been tested on more than one occasion of this exact thing.
A very good friend disagreed with me on something and used some harsh, unnecessary words towards me. Before actually reading the offending sentence (as it happened online), I was praying and asking for help for the right words to say to her, in hopes she would understand. We didn't talk for a day or so, and it really weighed heavy on my heart. I prayed about it a lot, I asked Him for the right words to say to her and the whole morning (once I got up, on the way to the barn, while I was riding, after riding, on my way home), I kept running through the best way to word my feelings in the best way. I started sending her a message when she popped up online and apologized. I knew (and had known) it was heavy on her heart too. And the words just flowed. Once I was able to get out that it was xyz that hurt/upset/angered me, I was done with it forgiving and just wanted to shower her with my love for her cause she is one of my closest and best friends. I am grateful I have a friend that can be open and honest with me about how she feels, that we can have a tift, and talk it out without causing dramatic fights.
Then came test number 2 when a small handful (of maybe 3) of people tried telling me my horse was lame--based off of a few video clips (that were not in order, mind you) of one not-so-great schooling session. The video lasted maybe 5 minutes and the actual schooling session was longer than that; about 30-40 minutes of actual riding time. While I graciously took the comments with a grain of salt, I was praying for guidance in my responses. Boy did it help. It helped to keep me calm and collected, but even after a while of repeating myself, I felt my patience start to crack and I became more firm in my responses. Not in a mean or negative way, but more fed up and frustrated that those select few didn't seem to think I knew what I was talking about. For once, I was actually slow to anger. I'm not normally like that; praying has helped me keep my cool and from flying off the handle, from saying/typing things that I may later have to swallow. It's hard, especially when it's slightly personal, but I had to remind myself; one video of a few clips of one off day for both my horse and myself. At least I showed we are not perfect, we don't always look great; that we have a lot to work on too.
Work takes time and having His guidance will get us the best quality in our work if we truly ask for it and take the time to ask Him for it.
Reading today's devotional sent my past few days flooding back to me and those experiences were meant to be learned from. I have too and continue to try to be as open as I can to everything. It's hard sometimes, but lately praying for His help before replying, speaking has helped me tremendously. I thank Him. Thank you, Jesus, for helping me when I have taken a hold of your hand and layed my thoughts, concerns, worries, and anxiety into your hands. Thank you for taking care of those for me and showing me that by asking for your guidance, that I will get it and I will learn new things in the experience. I love you, Lord, and I thank you for always taking care of me. Amen.
Bringing Him into everything we do in our daily lives can only bring positive good. It may not be right away, but it's there if you seek Him hard enough.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
2 August
2 August
"BRING ME THE SACRIFICE of your time: a most precious cmmodity. In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water. I, the One from whom all blessings flow, am also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try to fathom it. Instead, glorify Me by delighting in Me. Enjoy Me now and forever!"
Psalm 21:6; John 7:38; Psalm 103:11
"BRING ME THE SACRIFICE of your time: a most precious cmmodity. In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water. I, the One from whom all blessings flow, am also blessed by our time together. This is a deep mystery; do not try to fathom it. Instead, glorify Me by delighting in Me. Enjoy Me now and forever!"
Psalm 21:6; John 7:38; Psalm 103:11
August 1
1 August
"NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU from my love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: 'Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus.'
Most of mankind's misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.
Romans 8:38-39; Joshua 1:5; Isaiah 49:15-16
"NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU from my love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: 'Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus.'
Most of mankind's misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.
Romans 8:38-39; Joshua 1:5; Isaiah 49:15-16
July 31
July 31st
"TRUST ME in the depths of your being. It is there that I live in constant communion with you. When you feel fustered and frazzled on the outside, do not get upset with yourself. You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you will sometimes feel overwhelming. Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, remind yourself that I am both with you and within you.
I am with you at all times, encouraging and supportive rather than condemning. I know that deep within you, where I live, My Peace is your continual experience. Slow down your pace of living for a time. Quiet your mind in My Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing: Peace be with you."
Colossians 1:27; Matthew 28:20; John 20:19
"TRUST ME in the depths of your being. It is there that I live in constant communion with you. When you feel fustered and frazzled on the outside, do not get upset with yourself. You are only human, and the swirl of events going on all around you will sometimes feel overwhelming. Rather than scolding yourself for your humanness, remind yourself that I am both with you and within you.
I am with you at all times, encouraging and supportive rather than condemning. I know that deep within you, where I live, My Peace is your continual experience. Slow down your pace of living for a time. Quiet your mind in My Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing: Peace be with you."
Colossians 1:27; Matthew 28:20; John 20:19
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