Month: November 2021

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I use to teach middle school students with social-emotional and behavioral disabilities. These are the kiddos that could not always control their emotions. Some would even see them as the ‘bad’ kids because they would often say black just because you said white. I adored these kids!

I learned very quickly, the best way to help them was to make definite expectations and consequences and stick to them. They would love to try my boundaries to see if I would budge. I didn’t. They always had choices and each choice came with rewards or consequences and they knew that I would always provide both and not shift like shadows. It made them feel safe. They always knew what would happen. Because of this, I saw a lot less frustration and anger issues out of them that led to better behavior.

One of God’s perfect gifts to us is His also gives us choices and we know the rewards and consequences. He does not waver or change. His other perfect gift is grace. Just like my kiddos, we know God will still be there even when we mess up and make the wrong choice. He will love us and help pick us up, dust us off and send us to try again. God is good all the time!

Thank you, Lord, for boundaries and rules. Thank you for grace when I stumble. ~amen

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So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

Continue to live your lives. That can be really hard to do when you have lost a loved one, a job, or your health. You often ask, how am I supposed to go on living. Everything around you seems dark and takes your will to live away. Even if you have a will to live, you don’t see how you possibly can get through life.

Living your life in Jesus doesn’t mean everything will always be beautiful and wonderful, and you will never face pain. No, it means you will walk through the darkness, troubles, and pain. You just will never walk alone. You will be strengthened through your faith. You will know that today may not be OK and tomorrow may not look so good either, but someday you will be better. Until then, God has you in His hands. He knows what you are going through, and feels your pain. The Holy Spirit is providing you the strength and even the peace you need to keep on keeping on today.

Eventually, you will feel the overflowing of thankfulness in your spirit again, but today just continue to live your life through Christ, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.

Lord, thank you for the strength to just keep on keeping on when the days look bleak. ~amen

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Have you ever had to do something that you really didn’t want to do, but you knew it was in your best interest. I mean mammograms, colonoscopies, and prostate exams are not usually on anyone’s fun things to do list. However, you know they need to be done. Not everything good is made up of rainbows, unicorns, and butterflies.

I would be the last one to tell you that your child dying, or your cancer diagnosis was good for you. I can tell you God is still working for you. He is still there. No, He did not stop these things from happening, but He didn’t cause them either. I can promise you this, He loves you and is walking with you through them. God is working for your good by loving you, holding you, and staying by your side even when you are hating Him.

God has big shoulders. Be angry! Let Him know how much you are hurting. It is so OK to not be OK. When you have exhausted yourself from crying and hating, God will still be there. When you are ready, He will dust you off and help you see the sun shining again. I promise God is working His good for you.

Lord, thank you for always being by my side. I know You are working for my good. My tests today will be my testimony someday. ~amen

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Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalms 4:6-7

Lord, I pray prosperity in love, faith, peace, and wisdom, and that joy abounds throughout the year for all that read this. ~amen

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But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24

Fear can be a really debilitating thing. Just today, I had the silliest fear hit me. If you know me, you know I am petrified of sharks. I mean pee my pants when Bruce comes on the screen in Nemo fear. To get over my fear, my x-husband had me ride the Jaws ride in Sea World. Needless to say, IT DID NOT HELP!!!!! Today is the perfect example. My mom and I were walking along the pond in our local park on this wooden sidewalk. All I could do was look into that water and expect Jaws to jump up over the railing, mouth wide open, ready to eat me at any moment. I know, small freshwater pond. Sharks not happening, but that is what fear does to you.

Samuel did not mean for us to have that kind of fear for God. He is talking about a reverent fear. That fear of not wanting to disappoint or let Him down. The fear that motivates you to try your best and serve him with all of your heart. Yes, you are going to make mistakes and when you do that fear is going to make you feel repentant. Then God will swoop down and extend you grace, pick you up dust you off, and send you out to try again. I promise He is nothing like Jaws waiting to grab you and chew you up into a million pieces.

Lord, I so don’t want to disappoint you. I am trying my best and thank You for not destroying or giving up on me when I mess up. ~amen

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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

There are lots of things we have to do that we don’t like to do. For instance, I really hate cleaning the bathroom. I also hate grocery shopping and laundry. Oh and I just love meetings, said no teacher, anywhere!

It seems we have a couple of options when faced with dreaded tasks. We can not do them and face the consequences, like running out of clean underwear. We can do them grumbling and complaining the entire time making the task even more unbearable. Our other option would be to do it the Colossians 3:17 way. Do it in the name of the Lord and give thanks to God.

You know the old spoonful of sugar routine? Well here is your sugar. Find the blessing in the task. I am thankful I have clothes, a washer and dryer in my home, and clean water to wash them. You try it! What is the blessing of your task? Concentrate on it instead of grumbling about it. Maybe like Mary Poppins, you will find that the medicine goes down in the most delightful way!

Lord, help me find the blessings in all my tasks! ~amen

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Do you find it comforting that the Christians in both Philippi and Thessalonica needed to be reminded of these words? Pray, always pray! The answer to everything in your life is simply, pray.

If it were only that simple. You have to remember God is not a genie in a lamp and your prayers are not wishes. We have a part to play in these prayers. Prayers are talking to a trusted friend and getting help. We come to God with all our troubles and fears. He gives us peace. Then, we have to accept it. We have to lay down those anxieties. We have to choose joy and give thanksgiving.

I want you to understand one very important part. God is never too busy for you. You will not bother Him and yes, He does care about everything in your life. There is no request too big or too small. So ask! Then be thankful and receive your peace that it is all under control!

Thank You, Lord, for letting me come to You with ANY problem. ~amen

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Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalms 100:3-4

Today’s verses remind me of one of my favorite songs we sing in church.

I Will Enter in His Gates
https://youtu.be/lUPihaH9p-Y

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad-ah-ah

He has made me glad, oh, He has made me glad
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad
He has made me glad, oh, He has made me glad
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad

Somedays I cling to this song and the first few words of this verse: “Know that the Lord is God”. When you find yourself slipping or plunging into a dark place listen to this song and just repeat the words over and over. Fake it til you make it. The Son will shine again because the Lord is God. It is he who made you, and you are his; you are his child, a sheep of his pasture. Now enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Lord, today I choose to enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart because I am Your child! ~amen

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Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Psalms 97:11-12

Let your light shine before men so they can see your good works and praise your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). The world ‘light’ is mentioned 263 times in the New International Version (NIV) Bible. So, why is light so important? Why do we need to shine it?

OK, we all know light represents God. Jesus, Himself said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Darkness hinders us. We have no idea where we are going or what is in front of us. Have you ever stepped on a lego on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. . . OUCH! My point is, we need the light to show us where to go. You will find peace and comfort in the light. It has been proven that we need natural light for better mental health. Light represents all the good in life.

So, why is light so important that God mentions it 263 times? We all need the light to keep us from the darkness. It dispels the darkness. It keeps us safe and on track. It illuminates our lives and spreads into others’ lives. So go ahead and let the light shine in!

Lord, thank you for filling me with your light. I will do my part to share your light with others around me so they can glorify you. ~amen

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It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
Psalms 92:1-2

When the kids were younger we played a game at dinner. We would go around and tell something good about your day, bad about your day, and something you wanted us to know. It was a way to get the kids to open up about their day. It was also to make them see there was always something to be grateful for in your day.

I still do something like this everyday. I know some people keep name 5 or 3 things they are gratitude log or journal. I write down or sketch the one thing I was most grateful for each day. Just like my kids, it is always good to remind myself every day holds something good. Yes, even on those dark days.

When you search for the good, it causes you to concentrate on what God has done for you. Before you know it you are praising the Lord, proclaiming His love in the morning, and His faithfulness at night. Give it a try. What are you grateful for today?

Lord, today I am grateful for the gift of art. I love painting and making people smile. ~amen

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