Healing

Today I will sit quietly and let my body heal. 

I will do my part and I will give God time to do God's part.

(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 25 January)

28 February 2014

God Be With You

It was a long while ago that the words God Be With You disappeared into the word goodbye, but every now and again some trace of them still glimmers through.
(Frederick Buechner, Listening To You Life, 20 October)
27 February 2014

Easy Life

Life seldom gets easier with time.

(David Jeremiah, Journey, 25 August)

26 February 2014

Blessings

I bless my anger. It tells me that I am alive.

I bless my sadness. It reminds me that I am real.

I bless my confusion. Out of it comes clarity.

I bless my tears. They heal me.

(Perry Tilleraas, The Color Of Light, 21 October)

25 February 2014

The Work Of The Lord

[The work of the Lord] ...

• requires sacrifice, 
• it requires effort, 
• it requires courage to speak out and faith to try.

(Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand A Little Taller, 30 January)
24 February 2014

Still Small Voice

Dear Lord, You speak to me through the Bible, through teachers, and through friends. And Father, You speak to me through that still, small voice that warns me when I stray from Your will. In these quiet moments and throughout the day, show me Your plan for my life, Lord, that I may serve You.
(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 74)
23 February 2014

Guilt

Guilt is a healthy regret for telling God one thing and doing another.

(Max Lucado in 100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 73)

22 February 2014

Inconvenience

... learning to live with inconvenience is one of our primary tests as Christians, as human beings, and certainly as married couples. It has been said that contentment is not getting what you want and enjoying what you have.
(Harry and Emily Griffith, This Love We Share, 9 December)
21 February 2014

Don't Drop Out!

We cannot drop out of human involvement without endangering our spiritual health.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 13 July)
20 February 2014

Reading

Heavenly Father, help me to understand what I am about to read.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember what I have just read and to put it to work in my life.
(Jan Dargatz, 52 Simple Ways To Giver Your Spiritual Life A Life, p. 60)
19 February 2014

Are You Talking To Me?

As you hear [or read] a sermon, continually look for points that are applicable to your present circumstances in life. Don't assume that the words are for someone else. Assume they are for you and that you need to hear them.
(Jan Dargatz, 52 Simple Ways To Give Your Spiritual Life A Lift, p. 54)
18 February 2014

Taking A Stand

Taking a stand against hurtful things that people do and against the things that are opposed to the life that God wants you to create is one of the most positive spiritual things that you can do. God's way is to stand up against bad things. That is what He does, and it is what He tells us to do as well.
(Cloud & Townsend, God Will Make A Way, p. 153)
17 February 2014

Purifying Effect

Daily application of God's Word has a purifying effect on our minds and heart.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 3 November)
16 February 2014

Will Of God

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
(Romans 12:2 Holman CSB in 100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 74)
15 February 2014

For Little Things

Thank You, God for little things

that often come our way,

The things we take for granted

but don't mention when we pray.

The unexpected courtesy,

the thoughtful kindly deed,

A hand reached out to help us

in the time of sudden need.

(Helen Steiner Rice in 

Whispers Of Blessing, Day 42)

15 February 2014

Unbelief

Unbelief is as much of a choice as belief is. What makes it in many ways more appealing is that whereas to believe in something requires some measure of understanding and effort, not to believe doesn't require much of anything at all.
(Frederick Buechner, Listening To Your Life, 19 August)
13 February 2014

As If

Work as if you were to live a hundred years.
Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.

(Benjamin Franklin in Journey by David Jeremiah, 6 July)
12 February 2014

Come Boldly

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come "boldly."  Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is your King. But also come with bold assurance because he is your Friend and Counselor.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 6 December)
11 February 2014

Pray At All Times

How can anyone pray at all times? One way is to make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Another way is to order your life around God's desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 6 December)
10 February 2014

Love

Love ... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV, in Grace For The Moment, Vol. II, by Max Lucado, 23 January)
9 February 2014

Changing Seasons

Help me weather the changes and seasons of my life, Dear Savior.

(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 24 January)

8 February 2014

Troubles

Troubles surround me - too many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage. Please, Lord, rescue me!
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 28 October)
7 February 2014

Old Habits

It is hard to give up old habits, but it is even harder to go against one's own will.  Yet, if you cannot overcome small, trivial things, when will you overcome difficult ones?  Fight the urge when it starts, and break off bad habits, lest perhaps, little by little, they lead your into greater trouble. Oh, if you could only know how much peace for yourself and joy for others your good efforts could bring, I think you would be more anxious for spiritual growth.
(Thomas 'a Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 11)
6 February 2014

Seek To Live A Clean And Holy Life

• Seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
• Make every effort to apply the benefits of ... [God's] promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence.
• A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.
• Knowing God leads to self-control.
• Self-control leads to patient endurance, and
• Patient endurance leads to godliness.
• Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and
• Finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

(after The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 15 November)
5 February 2014

Plans, Truth

Dear Lord, give me wisdom and perspective. Guide me according to Your plans for my life and according to Your commandments. And keep me mindful, Dear Lord, that Your truth is -- and will forever will be -- the ultimate truth. Amen.
(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 55)
4 February 2014

Expectations

Lord, You've given me a life that abounds in rich blessings, and You've guaranteed that because of this, You also have great expectations of me. Help me to be faithful to these expectations. Amen.
(Whispers Of Blessing, Day 23)
3 February 2014

Each New Day

Each new day is a gift from God, and if we are wise, we spend a few quiet moments each morning thanking the Giver.

Daily life is woven together with the threads of habit, and no habit is more important to our spiritual health than the discipline of daily prayer and devotion to the Creator.
(100 Days Of Prayer For Women, p. 62)
2 February 2014

I Can't Do It

So many times we say that we can't serve God because we aren't whatever is needed.

We're not talented enough or smart enough or whatever.

But if you are in covenant with Jesus Christ, He is responsible for covering your weaknesses, for being your strength.

He will give you His abilities for your disabilities!
(Kay Arthur, in 100 Days of Prayer For Women, p. 80)
1 February 2014