Thanksgiving Friday!

It's Thanksgiving Friday!

This week I'm thankful to be able to just take a break and rest. My mom, sis, and I are on a getaway right now. It's been a long time coming, and I'm looking forward to having some time to breathe and relax. Even The Lord took some time to rest. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a chance to rest!

I'm also thankful for Gods peace-keeping power. There has been so much drama going on at my job this week! Thankfully, I have the peace that passes all understanding flowing in my soul. I've been pulling on that peace every day. Thank you, Jesus, for your peace!

Finally, I'm thankful for experience. Having gone through so much this past year, I've gained some wisdom, empathy, and insight. I've been able to use my painful experiences to minister to others, to pray for them, and to testify to them of what God can do. I am so thankful that I didn't just go through for nothing! Thank you, Father, for giving me such a rich experience that can help others come to know your amazing love!

What are you thankful for this week? Let The Lord hear you praise Him! 

Have a lovely weekend!

Verse of the Day: You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothes me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O. Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalms 30:11, 12 (NLT)

The Lord's Prayer (Part One)

I've been meditating on the Lord's prayer lately. Working at a Catholic school, it's almost like the 'default' prayer for people to say. Yet, when you sit and think about it, this prayer is pretty powerful.

When His disciples came asking Jesus how to pray, Jesus responded with this model for them to follow. If we go along with this example as well, we will find our prayer lives prospering.

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name...

 

Jesus opens His prayer with worship. He begins by acknowledging how holy and sovereign God is. This not only shows the Lord respect, but it gives us the opportunity to remind ourselves of the great One that we have been privileged to talk to one-on-one.

 

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven...

 

After acknowledging the greatness of the Lord, who else's will would suffice? Nothing can trump God's awesome power, infinite wisdom, and omniscient wisdom. Opening ourselves up to the Lord's heavenly will allows us to walk out His kingdom desires on the earth. Isn't it amazing that God trusts us with the privilege of carrying out His plans in our daily lives?

 

In your prayer time today, start off in worship to the Lord. Remind yourself of how great He is. Meditate on His grand splendor. Then, open yourself up to His great will. Relinquish your plans to Him, and allow your Heavenly Father to orchestrate your day.

 

Verse of the Day: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9,10

Anchored in God

With floods washing away whole communities in Colorado, fires wiping out the progress in New Jersey, and a shooter on the loose in DC, America has been buffeted by one tragic scene after another these past few days.

Looking at this kind of news and seeing the devastation just reminds me of how important it is for people to be anchored in the Lord. We were never promised perfectly happy lives. God never told us that He would make every single day for us a perfect one. Some sort of storm will rain on our parade through the course of our lives.

God has given us the tools to make it through anything that comes our way. Even when it seems like everything is falling apart and tragedy is all around, God has made a way for us to go through with His strength, wisdom, and peace. We just have to stay anchored in Him.

Being anchored in the Lord means that whatever we go through, we keep ourselves firmly planted in Him. We stay in touch with Him through prayer, we continue to follow the path He has for us, and we walk according to His will in all things.

It's best to get anchored in God while the sun is still shining and no storm clouds are in sight. It's hard to hunker down when the wind is whipping and the waves are crashing into you.

Anchoring yourself in God consists of knowing His voice, having His word planted on the inside, and building a firm foundation of faith in Him.

God's voice will guide you when you don't know where to turn. Having God's word on the inside of your spirit will allow the Holy Spirit to bring those verses to your remembrance when your hope is fading. A firm foundation of faith will keep you from giving in to despair and will give you assurance to keep going.

Are you anchored in God? If a storm passed your way today, would you be able to stand firm in faith? Take some time while the sun is still shining to gird up yourself in the things of God, so you can successfully walk through whatever comes your way.

Verse of the Day: So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:18, 19

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.