It’s Ahead

22 10 2015

DSC_0288 (2)_Walking in RomeBrethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Philippians 3:13-15

My goal is ahead.  It is in front of me and not in what happened last year, last week or even yesterday.  My goal is in front.  I have to keep pressing. Even when I am tired, He is faithful to renew my strength.  When my vision becomes murky about what is important, He provides clarity.  When I am not sure about next steps, He is faithful to direct my path.  So I keep pressing. I will do my part to be faithful to His calling.  I will keep my heart encouraged and focused.  I will keep striving for the goal ahead.

 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:15-16 MSG


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Release

21 10 2015

Lifted handsTrust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; Proverbs 3:5-6

I am trusting God with everything; today, tomorrow and even the baggage from yesterday.  God’s capable hands can transform every detail of my life into something good.  God can change the good, the bad and the ugly into something beautiful.  At times I am tempted to hold on to the situation, nurse the wound or worry about something that I can’t change.  These are fruitless actions that don’t help me to move forward.  Change comes, only when I release it all to God.  I release it in faith that my Heavenly Father loves me.  I release it in faith because His grace and His mercy are available in abundance. I release it with a heart of full of gratitude that change will come.  I release it in faith because He can do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  He is well able.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20


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It will get Better

20 10 2015

giving image

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!  Psalm 31:24

We experience seasons where discouragement seem to take up residence in our hearts. Discouragement is not of God and should be resisted with all of our might.  Jesus came that we might have life, abundant life.  He came that we could live a life full of HOPE, PEACE AND LOVE.  We can put our complete trust in Him. We can trust Him with the heartbreak.  We can trust Him with every wound in body and spirit.  We can trust Him with the disappointment.  We can trust Him with every inch of our existence.  Our lives in His hands can transform the hurt into healing and the discouragement into hope.  We can trust Him that things will get better.

Dear God,

We thank you for another day.  We thank you that you came to give us abundant life.  Our hearts are heavy Lord and we know that discouragement is not of you.  We are releasing the burden of heartbreak, disappointment and depression to you.  We are ready to receive the blessings of hope, peace and love into our hearts today that comes through a relationship with you.  You are the Living God that brings deliverance and salvation.  We are so thankful for this abundant blessing.  We will nurture peace, love and hope through a closer walk with you.  We are thankful that we are never alone and that You are available to us every step of the way.  We receive that gift of hope that things will get better. 

In Jesus Name –

Amen


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Don’t Worry

16 10 2015

Philippians 4_67


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A Future and A Hope

14 10 2015

jeremiah 29


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Kind, Compassionate and Forgiving

12 10 2015

DSCF0353And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 AMP

The “one another” instructions in the Bible are powerful. They often refer to our relational world of how we are to connect to each other. We know examples – love one another, pray for one another, encourage one another. Our passage today is a reminder of our need to be kind, compassionate and forgiving of one another. At first glance, when we read these instructions we may be quick to give ourselves a pass recalling all of the past ‘”nice” things we have done. On learning more about this scripture and what God desires of us, I realize I have more work to do. Being kind is more than a smiling face. It reflects a giving spirit and a desire to be useful and helpful to one another. Demonstrating loving-hearted compassion shows our genuine concern about each other situations. Forgiving one another freely and quickly for big and small things as our Heavenly Father does for us. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness are outward expressions of who we are as God’s children. They reflect who He is and as His children we should carry His identity and His likeness in our care for one another. Carefully considering how we respond to one another and seeking to demonstrate His example puts our relationships on higher ground. More kindness, more compassion and more forgiveness in the world are reflections that will shine bright in a hurting world.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT


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A New Season

9 10 2015

DSC03705There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

At one time, I had a large Maple tree in my backyard. It was more expansive in width than it was tall with limbs and branches that made a beautiful display of God’s creativity throughout the year. It gave me hints of the upcoming season. As we transition from summer to autumn, sometime in late August or September, I could usually spot one leaf that had traded its green color for red or yellow. It was a sure sign to me that we were soon to feel cooler weather and that a new season was upon us.

New seasons in nature or new seasons in our walk with the Lord are a blessing. As the seasons change, we can anticipate different experiences, different opportunities for growth, maturity and blessings as God’s children. I am thankful that a new season is upon us. It is natural and spiritual time of harvest. We can look to see results from continual planting of seeds of faith, peace and love. We can experience the benefits from approaching our decisions with a yielded spirit to God’s will. We can see how God was moving on our behalf even when His favor and power were not visible with the naked eye throughout the season of planting. But in this new season, we can see his marvelous blessings in its entire splendor and we are thankful.


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Stand Strong

8 10 2015
Terri in Barcelona

Terri in Barcelona

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. I Corinthians 16:13 NLT

We can look to the Lord for strength when we need it. He is a strong tower that provides a place of strength and protection. In Him, we can find respite and a place of refreshing when we feel weak and unable to face what is before us. This is a time to turn to our Heavenly Father to seek His presence. We can find renewal in His presence. We can find joy in His presence. In Him we can find peace. We seek Him today for He is all powerful and all knowing. I am so thankful He knows all about us and continues to love us and provides for us what we need. We want to use His tools of powerful faith and righteousness to stand strong and to live strong. In Him we can walk in our purpose and achieve the assignment of our hands. We are thankful for His strength that is available to us to stand strong.

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Ephesians 6:10-12 MSG


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Shout!

7 10 2015

Psalm100


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Teach Us

6 10 2015

Psalm90_12


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