A Fresh Start

3 08 2015

IMG_0160Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

We have entered the eighth month of the year.  The number eight signifies new beginnings. I am thankful that even though it is near the end of summer, we can experience a fresh start.   I need a fresh start with a renewed mind and spirit.  I am so thankful that the Lord can provide a revival for my soul.  He is faithful to give me a fresh vision for my life.  It requires faith on my part.  It requires discipline on my part to adopt the daily practices that will keep me healthy and strong in Him.  Prayer, meditation, praise and living by His word are my commitments for everyday living.  I am grateful that no matter what has brought us to this day and time, we can repent to the Lord and He is faithful and just to forgive us. Repentance is a place of sharing our regret and turning in a new direction. I am thankful today for a fresh start in Him.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! II Corinthians 5:17


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Categories : FAITH, REVITALIZATION

Resiliency

31 07 2015

Resiliency

walking feetHave I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 ESV

The power to rebound after a set-back requires courage and faith.  We need this level of constitution in our hearts and souls for everyday living.  The unexpected in our lives will at times bring events that are designed to make us feel defeated and discouraged… but God.   When we experience a set-back we may be tempted to stay where we are to nurse our wounds but know this is the time to get-up.  The Lord has given us the tools of hope, faith, courage and determination to stand up and try again when we experience failure. This is a time to muster more strength, more courage and more faith for our relationships, our health, our ministry and our work.  We may have missed the mark last time but recognize the God in us is bigger than the challenges that we face.  We are His children and we are called to be strong and courageous.  God loves us and He helps us to learn, grow and mature into our purpose.  God is working every detail in our lives together for our good.  This promise and assurance gives us the stamina to get up and start again.

 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28


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Categories : REVITALIZATION

All the Glory

30 07 2015

Lifted handsBe exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalms 57:5

We give God all the glory! We give Him all the Praise!  We are so thankful for how the Lord manifests himself in our lives.  He provides blessings above and beyond all that we can ask or think.  He is so faithful to attend to our needs and He makes a way for us in a manner beyond our imagination.  We give Him praise.  Our situations are not a surprise to Him.  He is the one that orders our steps and guides our path.  At times we may find our self in unfathomable crisis but we are never alone.  He is with us and we are compelled always to stand in faith.  Our trust should always be in Him.  Believing, trusting and praising God in expectancy of His blessings in our lives.  He is worthy of our trust.  He is worthy of all our praise.  We give God all the Glory.


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Categories : PRAISE

Wait on the Lord

29 07 2015

walking encouragedWait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14  

At times the answers to our petitions are elusive.  We have prayed and we stand in a place of faith and yet we wait.  We wait for the Lord to manifest himself in the situation that may be difficult and weighs heavily on our heart. We go through periods of great strength followed by moments of uncertainty about how things will turn out.  It is a time of testing to strengthen our faith in our Heavenly Father who is in control of all things.  It is a time for building our faith.  It is a time to surround ourselves with the things of God, His Word, songs of praise and the testimonies of the faithful.  While we wait, we seek to be steadfast and unmoveable in Him.  God is most worthy of our trust.  We can be brave and courageous.  He is working everything together for our good.  We can wait patiently on the Lord. 

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14


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Categories : FAITH

I am Thankful

28 07 2015

2014-08-24 20.02.01Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalms 106:1

I am thankful for the blessing of this day.  Today, I start anew with a fresh vision of what is possible.  I have faith that God is perfecting everything that concerns me; my life and the lives of those I love.  He is full of grace and mercy that is extended to me and to all of His children.  I approach today with an open heart to God’s will for my life.  My plans are yielded to God’s plans.  My aspirations are second to God’s plans for me.  He is my Creator and knows the plans of peace that will fulfill my destiny.  I am thankful.  Today, I start anew with a fresh vision of what is possible.  I am thankful. 


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Categories : GRATITUDE

Did We

27 07 2015

DSC_1054When it is night and we look back on today,  Did we praise GOD spontaneously?

Did we make any enemies knowingly?

Did we ponder on how we could help someone in distress?

Did we help anyone perspire any less?

Did we take stock of our life, reducing material things to mere dust?

Did we add warmth and peace where there was coldness and fuss?

Did we cause someone to smile or laugh to joyous tears?

Did we prepare for our own death without any fears?

Did we inspire anyone to do good like we knew they should?

Did we paint a picture of Christ who for everyone he stood?

Did we shine the light of Christ to help someone see?

Again, did we praise GOD spontaneously?  

by W. Clark.

Please visit www.god4good.com for more inspirations from W. Clark.


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, GUIDANCE

Nurturing my Faith

24 07 2015

TDSC_0002he apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you! 

St. Luke 17:5-6

I am nurturing my faith – my process of caring for and encouraging the growth of my solid trust in God.  I recognize that I am on a journey where I make decisions every day that can strengthen or discourage my faith. I choose to believe and trust in God. God is love and God loves me. His plan for me is a path of peace.  The day may bring uncertainty and challenge but I choose to trust in my Heavenly Father.  God is my Strong Tower.  He is my source of peace and strength in the midst of each day and every situation. I can put my full trust in God.  I seek to grow my faith with each experience reflecting on His grace and mercy that has brought me to now.  I am watering and feeding my faith with His Word and the testimonies of other faith travelers.  I am growing, nurturing and expanding my faith in Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6


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Eyes Focused and Clear

23 07 2015

walking encouragedThat’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus

and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus,

I couldn’t stop thanking God for you

—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.

But I do more than thank.

I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory

—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,

your eyes focused and clear,

so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do,

grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers,

oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him

—endless energy, boundless strength!

Ephesians 1:16-19

We need to our eyes to be focused and clear on what we are called to do. I need my next steps and next words to be directed by the Father. I need His guidance. Thanking Him in advance for clarity and focus. Thanking Him in advance for His endless energy and boundless strength.


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Categories : GUIDANCE

Always Near

20 07 2015

Always Near

Chicago viewThe LORD remains near to all who call out to him, to everyone who calls out to him sincerely.

Psalms 145:18

I am never alone.

My Heavenly Father is with me.

His love and His peace are available to my open heart.

My heart and my mind are wide open to the life possible in Him.

I am trusting in Him with all the details of who I am.

He can transform everything into light.

He can make the rough places smooth.

He can strengthen me for what I need today.

I am so thankful for His protection and His leading.

His presence in my life blesses me beyond measure.

And I am thankful.


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Confident Hope

15 07 2015

2014-08-24 20.02.01I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

 The Lord is my source of hope.

His plan for me is full of hope as I trust in Him.

I can trust Him with my whole life.

Every concern….

Even in the bright and dark places,

I can put my whole life in His loving hands.

He can transform the struggle into strength

He can transform the worry into peace

In Him, my life becomes beautiful

The Lord is my source of hope.

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.  Jeremiah 29:11


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Categories : HOPE

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