Prayer Archives - Page 5 of 8 - Tabetha’s Devotions

October 19, 2017

Know Whose You Are

Isaiah 43:1b
Do not be afraid — I will save you.
I have called you by name — You are mine

My granddaughter will come running from anywhere in the house if she hears Moana. I have to admit, I have become quite addicted to the songs too.

There is one song in particular that is very short, but almost brings me to tears everytime I hear it.

Know Who You Are

I have crossed the horizon to find you
I know your name
They have stolen the heart from inside you
But this does not define you
This is not who you are
You know who you are

***SPOILER ALERT***

The song comes when Moana faces the angry being you are led to believe is the villain of the story. However, Moana has figured out her secret. She is the lost goddess who only became that way when her heart was stolen.

Moana knows who she is and she reminds her this evil is not the real her. She calls her out and replaces her heart. She restores her.

Now this is truly a moving moment. However, I am brought to tears because I can’t help think about God calling me out. Telling me this is not who I am. Restoring my heart. Reminding me whose I am.

God knows who you are and he comes looking for you. He will restore you. Just take a moment and don’t let your circumstance define who you are. Remember whose you are!

October 17, 2017

Future and a Hope

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

I am sorry today is so short and sweet, but my teaching life got in the way. I had parent/teacher conferences which means 12 hours at work drive home and be back in less than 12 hours. YUCK!

The glory spot of my night was two families that I have been with their children for three years. The boys have grown into some pretty awesome young men. It is always funny to see them come in as Freshmen and watch them grow up before your very eyes.

Anyways, these families make me feel like I can walk on water. They always have. Tonite was different though. One of the dads looked at the other teachers and told them, I was more than a teacher, I was family. The other dad from the other family looked up and said they would have never made it through high school without me. I have been their lifeline.

I am not trying to pat myself on the back here. I was speechless and teary-eyed. With the ins and outs of everyday life as a teacher, you often wonder if you are really touching anyone’s life. Then a parent comes to you and says something like this. For a moment you realize your life does have purpose.

Thank you, Lord, for letting me have glimpses into the good I have done. Thank you for having a plan for me. A plan to prosper me. Please continue to use me to bring a little light into my students’ and their families’ lives.

October 13, 2017

Guilty As Charged!

1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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I came across the above quote on my facebook page today. I fell in love with it immediately. Then I was reading my bible study and BOOM! It hit me. I am guilty!

I can honestly say that on an average day not seeking all-out revenge is a pretty easy idea to follow. Not that the thought doesn’t cross my mind. However, I can control myself enough to not do unto others as they do unto me.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever given someone the silent treatment or a cold shoulder? Have you ever intentionally not helped someone when they needed all because you were angry with them? This is all called being passive-aggressive and it is revenge.

Yep, this is a well-sharpened tool in my armory. I can wield it at a moments notice. In other words, I AM GUILTY!

I hope and pray that you haven’t perfected this type of revenge, but if you have don’t beat yourself up. We serve a wonderful, grace-filled, patient God; who is waiting with open arms to fill you with his spirit. Then we can all learn to use the new tools of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

There is enough hate and anger in this world. Let’s not add to it.

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October 12, 2017

A World Without Hope

Psalm‬ ‭94‬:‭18‬
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

I cannot imagine a world with no hope. I live with times in my life of severe depression and anxiety. The only thing that pulls me through is hope. Hope that tomorrow will be better. This too shall pass. Light comes in the morning. These are the concepts I hang onto to keep me grounded.

However, I know there are people out there who do not have any hope. All they see around them is hate, evil and darkness. For them, there is no hope that anything will change. This too shall not pass for them. The light never comes. How awful to walk that path. To always feel alone.

To some, Christians look like fools because we stand on this hope. We seem to always find the silver lining. We see the glass half-full. People believe we are naïve and gullible.

However, even if any of that is accurate, so what? What is wrong with being hopeful? What is so wrong with being happy?

It takes hope to be creative. It took hope to convince everyone the world is round. It took hope to put some ragtag militia together to fight elite British troops to create a new country. It took hope to invent a phone without wires that fits in your pocket or on your wrist. It took hope to sit down and write a blog.

Face it, a world without hope is nothing. I think I will stick with being a Christian and hanging on to my hope

October 9, 2017

If Paul Can, Anyone Can!

Romans 3:22
We are made right with God by placing our faith in JesusChrist. And this is true for everyone believes, no matter who we are.

I recently read an article on the “what-for” Paul gave the Galatians.

In Galatians chapter one, he was rather rough on them for not following the gospel he had left with them. Instead, some of the Jews had added to Paul’s teachings. They were adding legalism to make gentiles conform to this new Christianity. Needless to say, Paul was angry at these false teachers.

These legalistic views were tarnishing Jesus’s death and resurrection and gift of salvation. He chastised these men and women for trying to add to Gods word and was bold enough to say they needed to be cursed.

Towards the end of the chapter Paul gave his own testimony to show the people it did not matter where you came from, God wanted you.

Galatians 1:13-16
I’m sure that you’ve heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God’s church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother’s womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him.

This is good news for us in two ways. One, we are also saved by God’s grace no matter what our past. It also means, those family members who seem to be running as far away from God as possible, are still on God’s radar. So keep praying for them because their story isn’t over yeat. God has an amazing way of restoring people for His glory, just like he did for Paul.

October 6, 2017

Get Grooving to Get Satan Moving!

Psalms 18:3
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Today I am struggling to find my gratitudes. It has been a particularly rough day. I am fighting an ear infection. It has spiked a fever in me which has led to seizure activity. That is not so unusual for me. Illness equals seizures.

What has been very vexing is that my body has chosen to play games. It seems to be doing the lovely childish game of “You’re going to seize, nope psych!” It hurts! Imagine a giant charlie horse from head to toe. My muscles are so tight and they won’t release until I have the seizure.

As of this writing, I am still waiting!

I find at times my spirit seizes up also. Satan can render me immovable. I find myself unable to pray or read my bible. I feel sick. In my experience, the only way out of this situation is through praise and worship.

Yes, praise is a weapon and it happens to be my weapon of choice when dealing with Satan’s tactics of oppression.

I would love to tell you that I immediately grab this weapon and wield it willfully and methodically, but I would be lying. As a matter of fact, I often have to force myself to start with a little humming. It comes out quite strained through gritted teeth, but soon I relax. My foot starts tapping and before you know it I am belting out some of my favorite tunes.

If you will pardon the expression, “I get my groove back!”

You see victory over dark powers comes through offering praise and affirming your hope in deliverance. Satan can’t stay around a soul praising and worshipping God. So call upon the LORD – who is worthy to be praised – so you will be delivered from your enemies!

If praise and worship are the bow, the songs must be the arrows. What do you have stashed in your quiver? What are some of the songs that really get you grooving and Satan moving?

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October 5, 2017

You Can Feel…

Matthew 14:13a
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone.

When Jesus heard John the Baptist had been killed, he was sad. Yes, Jesus was sad. He needed to be alone, so he went away to a place of solitude. He needed a moment to feel his feelings and work through them before continuing on with his ministry.

So why do we think we are not allowed to do the same?

Why do we think we must be these superhuman Christians who must carry on no matter what?

I know people mean well when they are trying to cheer me up. I have tried very hard to make people feel better too. However, sometimes I really just want to be left alone. I want to, no I NEED to just feel my pain.

I have tried to be little Miss Pollyanna with the ever-present smile. Trying to please all of the people all of the time. It doesn’t work. It is not healthy and contrary to what some would have you believe it is NOT what Jesus would do.

It is OK to tell people no. It is OK to go find a place of solitude. And it is ok to be sad. Jesus did and isn’t it our goal to be just like him?

October 4, 2017

See Me

Hebrews 12:2
We must focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

God sees me. He knows all about my struggles. He sees the drama and pain. God has a plan for me. He has a path for me. he knows the bumpss and hills and even the valleys and mountains that I will climb.

God will be there for every step. His love is unfailing and his grace abounds. His promises never change and he is faithful always and forever.

So, do you want to hear the good news? He is there to do the same for you!

Whatever you’re
Facing today…
Whatever helpless or
Hopeless situations
Are around you…
Turn your heart to God
(~Leah Dipacal)

October 3, 2017

Speak to Me

Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.

This verse has crossed my path several times today. In my experience, this means God has a reason for it. Something in my life either now or coming my way will be tied to this verse. God is trying to tell me something.

So now the question is why. Why this verse? Why now? What is going on in my life that needs a reminder from God. How am I going to apply this verse to my life today?

1. A friend had surgery today. I sent her this verse. I prayed God would send peace and strength to all who were involved in the surgery.

2. I have struggled with my depression the past couple of days. This morning I opened my email and this verse showed up as the key verse of a devotion. The author was battling her own demons and found comfort in this verse.

3. I was trying to work on my dissertation exam and getting very frustrated. I felt lost and I looked up and saw this verse. I had written it down on an index card months ago and had put it on my bulletin board.

Now, I know many people would say you can make a verse mean anything or apply to any situation. Some would even say it is a coincidence. You have the right to believe whatever you wish. It doesn’t matter because I find comfort in the verse. That is the only thing that matters.

I hope and pray that God speaks to you. I pray he sends you a verse of comfort in all your times of need. I pray God gives you strength and he blesses you with peace.

October 2, 2017

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

Luke 1:78-79

78 All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace.

I know it is not Christmas, but today’s tragedy reminds me of a Christmas song, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It is hard to hear peace on earth when hate is so strong. It was bad enough when the shots were fired. However, the hatred that followed from my fellow Americans from both sides is more than I can handle.

There is no reason for anyone to be shouting out anything buy prayers and love right now. However, open social media and all I see is arguing over gun control. I don’t care which side you are on, this is NOT, I repeat, this NOT the time or place. Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men.

My only light is my hope and faith. To all of the doctors, nurses, police officers, EMS, firefighters, blood donors and the heroes who had no regard for their own safety and reached out to help their fellow man, I want to say thank you! Thank you for proving God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to men.

The following are the original words of Longfellow’s poem: that inspired the song:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Tag: Prayer

Know Whose You Are

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Future and a Hope

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Guilty As Charged!

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A World Without Hope

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If Paul Can, Anyone Can!

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Get Grooving to Get Satan Moving!

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You Can Feel…

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See Me

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Speak to Me

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Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

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