Give A Smile Day

One year ago today, my amazing father went to be with Jesus. He had the largest, most brilliant smile on the planet! My dad always found a way to bring other people joy and happiness.



My Daddy!

Not having my dad here this last year has been difficult getting adjusted to. There's so much I want to share with him and questions that I want to ask him. All sorts of things small and large remind me of him. Yet, I know he's in heaven having a blast, so that makes things a bit easier.

I don't want to spend today depressed or wallowing in sadness. I may shed a tear or two, but I don't want to give in to sorrow. My dad wouldn't like that.

So, I am christening today "Give A Smile Day". I am going to go out of my way to do something special for someone that will make them smile as big as my dad did. It may be one person or two, someone close to me or a complete stranger. I just am aiming to bring a big bright beautiful smile to someone's face. I just want to give person a feeling of joy.
It would be so lovely if you join me! Purpose in your heart to make someone smile. It doesn't have to be a big thing or overly complicated. It could be as simple as paying for the person behind you in the drive thru lane, baking your friend their favorite treat, buying the homeless person on the corner lunch, or spending some quality one-on-one time with a loved one...

The possibilities are endless!

Let me know about all the smiles you create in the comments section! I'll fill you in on mine as well.

Verse of the Day: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22

Thanksgiving Friday!

It's Thanksgiving Friday again!

This week I'm definitely thankful to be back blogging. I'm so grateful to be back sharing morning devotions and getting all of our days off to a wonderful start! Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful gift!

I'm also thankful for fresh vision. Recently I've been working with our children's ministry at the church on revamping our ministry. It has been so encouraging to work with the team to implement what God has for us at this point and time. I've been blessed with some amazing people! God is so good.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to give back this week. Our school is doing a special walk for the Special Olympics today. It was heart warming to see their pledges come in for such an amazing organization. Thank You, Father, for all of those who care enough to give of their time, their money, and their talents for others. It's such a blessing to be a part of the human race.

What are you thankful for today? What has God done for you this week? How are you showing the Lord your gratitude for what He's done?

Have a great week!

Verse of the Day: O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3

You Can Do It!

Today was one of those wake up and hit the ground running kind of days. There's nothing like getting awakened out of your sleep with multiple requests for substitutes from teachers who can't come in. Then having each sub on your list unavailable to come in. Praise the Lord for strength and a working brain. I definitely needed it this morning. I was up to the daunting task and able to work everything out.

The Lord dropped in on Moses one day and made some pretty daunting requests. Moses had fled for his life from Egypt and had found a safe haven in the desert. Here, he had married a wife and established a way of living for himself by tending sheep.

Then God showed up.

The Lord asked Moses to return to Egypt. On top of that He asked Moses to speak to the Pharaoh. On top of that the Lord wanted Moses to ask the Pharaoh to release his Israelite slaves. On top of that Moses was to lead these freed slaves into the Promised Land God had chosen for them.

Whew!

Despite these drastic and intimidating requests, Moses chose to answer the Lord's call. He chose to be obedient to the tasks the Lord had placed in his path. We all know the epic results that followed.

What is God asking of you? Has He awakened your spirit to a great challenge? Is He asking you to take on a task that seems daunting?

One thing you can be sure of: you can do anything that God asks of you. If He's calling you to do it, you are well able to take on the challenge. Don't allow fear and intimidation to keep you from your great calling in God. You can do it!

Verse of the Day: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Wednesday's Word: Send Out Some Prayers

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

 

God is faithful.

 

Despite all that has happened... In the face of all that is brewing on the horizon... God is faithful.

 

He has never left us or forsaken us. Ever.

 

As we are remembering the events of 9/11 today, please pray for all those affected by the tragedy. Yet, praise God for how he has guided us. He kept us through war, He stabilized us through choppy political waters, and He is yet keeping America strong.

 

Pray for our leaders. Pray for our President. Pray for Congress. Pray for all those who work behind the scenes.

 

Pray over your state, your city, and your community. Cover your place of residence in prayer.

 

Our Heavenly Shepherd has been faithful. In spite of it all our cup is yet overflowing with blessings. Praise the Lord for His guidance and love.

Give It Up!

One day, a man came to Jesus looking for the key to eternal life. This man was a person who followed after the Law from when he was a child. The Bible points out that he was rich and he had the status of a ruler among the community. This man was wise enough to see that Jesus had insight that other leaders of the day had not attained.

However, Jesus expertly tapped into the young man's weak spot:

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Luke 18:22, 23

 

This young man could not give up everything to follow after Jesus. Even though he recognized the wisdom and power Jesus had, he could not give Jesus full reign of his life. He could not give up his title, his money, and he possessions for the eternal life that Jesus had for him.

 

What do you have in life that is precious to you? It may be your job, your car, your status in your church, or your beautiful home. Can you honestly say that those things aren't more important to you than your relationship with Jesus? If He asked, would you freely give it all up for Him?

 

Today, check your heart. Are you holding on to something that God is asking you to let go of? Are you placing something of this world as your first priority instead of your Savior?

 

Don't miss out on your eternal blessings for the temporary things this world has to offer! Allow yourself to put Jesus first, so you can reap the heavenly rewards that never expire. No matter how dearly you held the things you give up, they can never match what the Lord will give you in return.

 

Verse of the Day: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luke 18:29, 30

 

 

Stay Faithful!

This past week, my church has been reading the book of Nehemiah. This man of God was a bold, determined, prayerful man of God. I encourage you to read his story. It has definitely helped push me back into what I know God has placed in my hands.

When Nehemiah heard about the state of the wall of Jerusalem, he was so moved that he gave up his distinguished position in the king's palace and travelled back to Jerusalem to make things right. He gathered together the people of Israel and inspired them to work as a team to rebuild the walls.

There were people who ridiculed Nehemiah's mission. There were naysayers who dissed the quality of his work. Enemies sent up threats to attack his efforts.

At every turn, Nehemiah consulted the Lord in prayer. His resolve to stay prayerful kept him from making mistakes. His connection to God maintained his strength and resolve to finish what had been placed on his heart.

Nehemiah's faith led him to do what would have seemed impossible. With his leadership, the group was able to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem in fifty-two days.

What did God lay on your heart? What moved your spirit so much that you knew God was calling you to action? What 'wall' is waiting on your rebuilding touch?

Don't allow the haters, the detractors, or your enemies to keep you from completing what God has placed in your hands. Stay faithful to what you have been called to complete. You are in the midst of walking out a miracle. You can't give up!

Today, purpose in your heart to keep going. Stay prayed up, so you can finish the work. God gave you the project. Don't let it fall to the wayside.

Verse of the Day: So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

My Apologies

I have been missing.

I am sorry.

Originally, I was just going to be taking a break to complete my master's degree. I got it. (Hallelujah!) Then, I was taking a break to recover.

One week turned into two. Two weeks flipped into a month. Before I knew it, several months had passed, and I had not returned to writing.

It wasn't for a lack of desire. I love writing these posts. I enjoy praying and asking God what to share. I consider it a blessing to be able to use my gift to inspire, equip, and uplift the body of Christ.

Yet, I allowed complacency, laziness, and procrastination to steal these last few weeks from us. I apologize to you, and I have apologized to my Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for your words of encouragement and inquiries about the status of this blog. It meant so much to me to hear that you all missed your "Morning Ti". I pray you can forgive me. I ask you to keep me in your prayers moving forward.

Morning Ti, anyone?

See you in the morning!

Tiara