Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Thanks Giving Thursday ~ Thankful and Grateful for Peace






I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that a heart at peace gives life to the body.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)



I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that the Lord gives strength to his people;
    and blesses his people with peace.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)


I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that the peace Jesus leaves with me; 
His peace He gives me. He does not 
give to me as the world gives. 
Therefore, I will not let my heart 
be troubled and will not be afraid.
(Proverbs 14:30, niv)



Wonderful Word Wednesday ~ Purpose (Romans 8:28)


In this episode of Wonderful Word Wednesday, we are going to focus on purpose.

"And we know [with great confidence] 
that God [who is deeply concerned about us] 
causes all things to work together 
[as a plan]  for good for those who love God, 
to those who are called according 
to His plan and purpose."
 (Romans 8:28, amp)

Purpose:  (Greek word: prothesis; Strong's #4286) - a deliberate plan, a proposition and                            advance plan, an intention, a design

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,  purpose means something set up as an object or end to be attained: what one intends to do or bring about; the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered; a determination to act in a certain way.



Special Note #1A:   Even in hardship and suffering, even in bitter disappointments, even when wrongly treated, Christians can rest assured in knowing that God will work amidst such situations to fulfill His good purpose in His children. (The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)


Special Note #1B:  The situation may or may not be directly changed by God, but even if situations stay difficult God guarantees ultimate good results, including maturation of character to those who are called. (The Spirit-Filled Study Bible)



Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Trust in Him Tuesday ~ Faith Refined Like Fire


This episode of Trust In Him Tuesday is about Faith Like Refined Fire.

"In this, you greatly rejoice, though now 
for a little while, if need be, you have been 
grieved by various trials, that the genuineness 
of your faith, being much more precious 
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, 
may be found to praise, honor, and glory 
at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
(1 Peter 1:6-7)

Trust in Him, the author and finisher of our faith, and know that our trials are just for a little while.

Special Note #1:  Remember, that as you endure suffering, your faith is being refined as with fireValue your faith more than gold.  Look forward to the coming of Jesus, so that your faith, having been tested, will result in praise, honor, and glory to Jesus. (Spirit-Filled Study Bible).



Special Note #2:  All believers in Christ Jesus face all kinds of trials and tribulations as part of the testing of our faith and the refining process that burns away impurities, cultivates our devotion, and prepares us to meet Christ. (The Life Application Study Bible)


Trials activate our faith in action and teach us patience and help us grow to be the kind of people God wants to be.



Heavenly Father, I trust in You to teach me, prepare me, guide me, and to cultivate me through the refining process of my trials.  I pray for patience because I know and trust that my suffering is only for a little while.  In Christ, Holy, and Matchless name, I pray.  Amen.




                                                  

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Selah Sunday ~ Psalm 4:3-5



Welcome to another episode of Selah Sunday!  In this post, we are going to focus on Psalm 4:3-5.

You can be sure of this:
    The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
    The Lord will answer when I call to him.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
    Think about it overnight and remain silent. Selah
Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
    and trust the Lord.
(Psalm 4:3-5)

Special Note:  We can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call on Him.  Sometimes, we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of Godly living.  But if you put your trust in the Lord, He will listen and forgives us.  He hears and answers, although His answers may not be what you expect.  (The Life Application Bible)



Special Note: Do not speak out of anger.  Take time to think, lie down, be still, and righteously reflect on the situation.  Put your trust in God.




Selah Sunday encourages us to pray, rest, meditate, breathe, and be still.
  • Pray for Confidence. Be confident in God in knowing that He hears and answers your prayers.
  • Rest in God's peace.  Rest in God's word and His peace so that anger will not get the best of you and cause you to sin.
  • Meditate on His Faithfulness.  Meditate on God's faithfulness to do what He has promised us according to the Word.
  • Breathe in silence. Breathe out anger.  Breathe in silence, peace, and breathe out anger.  Breathe in feelings/emotions opposite of anger such as joy, love, happiness, etc.
  • Be still in God's presence.  Be still in God's presence so that He can give you the strength to remain silent.  In turn, you will not give place to the devil.

Sleep in Peace.
Wake in Joy!



Saturday, February 20, 2021

Simply Saturday ~ God's Everlasting Love




We hope you are enjoying your Saturday.  For today's Simply Saturday, we are sharing bible scriptures that encourage us to love each other, to share and embrace God's unconditional, unending everlasting love.




God’s Everlasting Love
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written:

“For Your sake, we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-38)






Thursday, February 18, 2021

Thanks Giving Thursday ~ Thankful and Grateful for God's Love



I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that love will cover a multitude of sins.
(Proverbs 10:12) (1 Peter 4:8)


I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that God is love and He lives in me.
(1 John 4:16)


I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that there is no fear in love 
and that perfect love drives out fear.
(1 John 4:18)


I am so thankful, so grateful and 
so blessed that love is patient, love is kind, 
and it keeps no record of wrongdoings.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)



Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Wonderful Word Wednesday ~ Love (John 3:16)


For today's episode of Wonderful Word Wednesday, we are going to focus on Love.


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."


Loved -  Strong's#25:  Greek word~agapaƍ  (pronounced ag-ap-ah'-o); unconditionally love, love by choice and by an act of will.  This kind of love will never seek anything but the highest good for fellow mankind.



Special note:  In John 3:16, God's love made manifest in an infinitely glorious manner.  God's love is not static or self-centered.  It reaches out and draws others in.  Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships - when you love someone dearly, you are willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice.  (Spirit-Filled & Life Application Bible)







Monday, February 15, 2021

Trust in Him Tuesday ~ Trusting God's Loving Discipline


On today's episode of Trust in Him Tuesday, we are going to focus on Trusting God's Loving Discipline.

"For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights." 
(Proverbs 3:12)



Special Note:  God doesn't correct us because He wants to punish us or make us feel ashamed.  But, because He loves us with His unconditional, unending, and unchanging love.  God's loving discipline enables us to learn the difference between right and wrong as well as being more intentional in doing so.


Remember that God chastises those He loves.  Trust in Him to love you unconditionally, but not without discipline and correction.  It is part of our spiritual growth in Jesus Christ.  However, you must see God's loving discipline through your eyes of faith to become the best version of yourself and not as a form of punishment.  



Heavenly Father, I thank you for correcting and disciplining me with love.  I pray that the eyes of my heart and faith are open to see beyond the natural and to receive your word.  I trust in God and lean not to my own understanding.  In Christ's name, I pray.  Amen.



Sunday, February 14, 2021

Masterpiece Monday ~ Loving Someone Despite of the Circumstances


On today's Masterpiece Monday, we will focus on loving someone despite the circumstances.

   Love Your Enemies
        “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." - (Matthew 5:43-44)





I think one of the hardest things to overcome when you strive to become the best version of yourself and to continually grow in Godliness is to love your enemies.  To love or not to love should not be a matter of question but something we should do.

Special note:  A major emphasis of Jesus' teaching is how to build and maintain the right relationships with God and others.  Love is not a matter of sentiment alone, but practical concern, blessing, prayer, and positive wishes for well-being extended to a friend, and an enemy alike.