Blessings…
Category: Prayer
Sunday Thoughts
So many ups and downs the past week that I seem a bit lost. But I am not lost in my heart. All is good as I know that my heart is strengthened by You. Waiting…
Blessings.
Control
My actions and reactions are mine, and mine alone. I choose to let things happen to me, right?
Finding my voice…
Blessings.
Sunday Thoughts
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV
Trying to remind myself of this today.
Blessings.
99 Days
Love and blessings.
Sunday Thoughts
“Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.” – – Jesus is Calling; John 16:33
Seems simple, right? I know that I want all of the answers to what is going on in my life. Difficulties are constant, at least in my world. I know that I struggle with being overwhelmed, taking on too much, trying to be everything to everyone as I don’t ever want to disappoint others. The list goes on and on.
All of these things will disappear if I keep my focus on Him. Seeking quiet time, praying for peace and discernment in my daily choices. I can’t do everything. I know this. Why then is it so hard to say ‘no’ or not feel guilty if I do say ‘no’ to someone or doing something.
People that know me and love me understand my limitations. Jesus knows what I can do and what I shouldn’t be doing. Again, why do I question Him? I know that I have written about this before, but I truly believe in the spoken affirmation. If we speak it (either positive or negative), we hear it and believe it. I need to speak positive, reaffirming, loving words to myself. Praying for those things, and it will be heard. He will hear it.
What words do you speak to yourself or in prayer to handle daily difficulties? I need to make mine more of hourly or even moment by moment habit.
Blessings.
Sunday Thought
I had lunch with a precious new friend on Friday. We always enjoy our time together, and we are able to talk about our frustrations with work, life and in general. We leave feeling lifted and loved.
We were leaving, hugged for our good-byes, she asked for prayers for patience.
NO! Never ask for patience from God. Background: A precious missionary wife (Marianne) was in a prayer group with me about twenty years ago, and I had asked for patience with my first husband and kids. She came up to me afterward – privately- and said “Never ask for patience, God will just you more tribulations. Ask for wisdom and discernment instead.” Now, whenever anyone asks in prayer for patience, I immediately respond with what Marianne said.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:2-5 (NIV)
Blessings.
Letting Go
Asking for God to give me the grace to let go of former things so that I can embrace what He has for me in the future.
Ecclesiastes 3:6
Blessings.
Memory Verse #5
Hurdles are difficult, especially in ministry. We all have them, hurdles, I mean. I feel led one way, you feel led another. Why can’t they be the same thing? Are they the same thing? If we are praying for guidance and discernment, and they are, why is the path different? Because I want to approach it from left field, but it has been done this way for years, why is left field wrong? Is the way that has been done wrong? No. Just different. Different gifts, different approaches. Hurdles.
I believe that God leads those that are willing to listen. A vision, path, road is given, and I have been given one. I can see it. Along the road there are hurdles. They are in the distance, and small in height. The closer I get to the hurdles the higher each one becomes. I have short, stubby legs. They are difficult to climb over large hurdles. God places the hurdles at heights reachable for me, if I continue to rely on Him. The race/path/road is long. I am approaching a storm, and lots of hurdles.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm136:1 NIV
For those that pray, please pray for guidance in my words and actions. Thank you.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
Today’s Daily Devotion
Then he said to me: “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth; “Every thief shall be expelled,” according to this side of the scroll; and, “Every perjurer shall be expelled,” according to that side of it.” Zechariah 5:3 NKJV
I am struggling with this, especially today. This is my devotion today, and the little story that came with it was about a woman witnessing another woman shoplift. She did nothing about it, and thanked the security cameras so that she didn’t have to confront the person or security to take up her time. The decision of confronting the person or turning her in was a difficult one. Is it to be made? All of us sin. We are all forgiven if we choose it.
The prayer that went along was this:
Dear Lord, heavenly Father, I pray for Your righteous justice for this woman and for everyone, because we’re all sinners. Bring us discernment and judgment as we go through each day, and help us to make the right decisions. In Your holy name, amen.
I truly want to do the right thing. Is it always what we should do? We are supposed to confront our brother or sister in Christ when we are aware of wrong doing. Someone else took care of that for her. I pray that I do what God wants me to do, especially in difficult situations. It doesn’t always work that way.
Do you watch and do nothing just to let past be the past? Do you pray for that person that you are aware of wrong doing? I struggle with that more than anything. Pray for the person? Seriously? Yes, Lord I know, what I am supposed to do, but I don’t always WANT to do it. I don’t always want to do what people tell me to do either. hmmm, I think I see a pattern. It is easier sometimes not to do anything. It causes less conflict, stress, and issues.
Then I think about my character. Is my witness and character what God would want it to be? Do I show in my daily actions of doing the right thing? Does it show that I am loving and forgiving?
Lots to pray about today. I pray that you have a good day, and that you make right decisions.
Blessings.
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