Daily Bible Verse

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalm 119:10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 145:18-19 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

This comes in a timely manner. I experienced some uncalled for treatment on Friday by a fellow co-worker. It appeared by the time I left that he did not realize his actions were demeaning to me and made me feel stupid and uncomfortable. All I can say is I'm glad to be reminded to "pray for those who mistreat you".



"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."


Luke 6:27-28 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150:6 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

We, personaly, survived Hurricane Ike and we are definitely thankful and praise God amidst all the wreckage, loss of power, fuel, etc... I lift up everyone that has had some sort of loss in their lives, be it home, loved ones, discomfort due to loss of power or water. We all need to band together and help each other out. Reach out to those in need and make a change in someone's day or life.


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (New International Version)

Witnessing

Being the Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13-20

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

I have found that God has placed me in a very unique place in my life. My life is at it's best, and I am so thankful and grateful to God for all that I have been carried through. If I can be a source of light for a few other women that are experiencing some of the things that God has brought me through, then I pray and ask God for His blessings so that I may be ever faithful to His wishes and His will.

Lord, I pray and ask that your light shine through me, that I may be a witness to Your ever loving Grace, Love and Power.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4NASB

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Christian Witnessing - We're Merely Called to Share

Christian witnessing is merely sharing our heartfelt faith in Christ - what He's personally done to change our individual lives! We're not called to argue or debate anyone into heaven. We're merely called to share! As in the courtroom, we're called to be a witness for the Gospel, not the lawyer, judge or jury… Leave that up to God!

I praise you Lord, for my trials and tribulations, for they have made me stronger.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 (New International Version)

Weekly Wisdom

Every problem is an opportunity to trust God.

Christ must be at the center of your relationships because He provides a stable, fixed point of reference; otherwise, your relationships will be frail and fragile.

Christ Notes

Daily Bible Verse

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)

Spiritual Corner

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning.

Face it, friend - He is crazy about you.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Daily Bible Verse

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:12 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version)

Christ Notes

Daily Bible Verse

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

In every situation, there are always two stories—the story you see and the story God sees.

Sometimes life seems to be taking us down a huge detour and everything looks like it's not going our way. In those situations, our life and our story seems to be a disaster.

This is exactly what happened to Joseph, whose story is found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph's brothers jealously hated him and sold him into slavery. Joseph was wrongfully put in prison for raping Potifer's wife, when really he refused to compromise his integrity by sleeping with her. Then, Joseph helped get the chief cupbearer out of jail; however, when the cupbearer had an opportunity to return the favor and get Joseph out of jail, the man forgot about Joseph. Joseph ended up spending thirteen years in jail for something he didn't do.
At this point Joseph's story was going haywire, but God's story was right on track. That's because God had an amazing plan for Joseph's life; God was going to use Joseph to save Egypt and the surrounding lands for seven years of devastating famine. What looked to Joseph like a huge detour was really a great plan of God to provide food for countless people, including the very brothers that had sold Joseph into slavery.

At the end of this, Joseph realized that God had a bigger plan for his life, and after his brothers come to him for food, he tells them: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

All along, God's story was right on track.

This same principle is also true in the life of Jesus. To the disciples, it looked as those Jesus would be a great king who would rule Israel and return the nation to greatness. They hailed him as a great leader. So, when Jesus was being crucified, the story they saw looked like a major train wreck—this great leader whom they had followed for the past three years was suddenly dead. However, God's story was at its peak—God was in the process of connecting humanity to himself.

There's what you see and what God sees.

When your life seems to be a major disaster; know that God has bigger plans to use your life for great things. The story you see may not reflect the long-term story God has planned. Therefore, trust God, knowing that he works for good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28).

Daily Bible Verse

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24 (New International Version)

A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

Things have been going a bit smoother since my surgery, I'm recovering well, aside from my worries of the fluid that is not being absorbed by my body. The swelling can become rather uncomfortable, bearable, but at times, uncomfortabe. I can only praise God for the healing that He has bestowed upon me.

Amidst all of my recovery, I stood strong in praying for my children and the whole family.

This prayer, should help you get through some rough times when you can't seem to see any light ahead or calm seas. Just know in your heart, that you have been extremely blessed and he has already carried you through some of the roughest storms in your life.

If all you see are your storms in life, take a minute to quiet your heart and thoughts... just long enough to say this prayer...

Heavenly Father,
send your Holy Spirit upon us, your people.
Fill our mind and hearts with the fire of your love.
In the mystery of your divine plan,
give us vision to seek your truth,
and grant us the strength and courage to lovingly accept your will.

Give us guidance in the decisions we must make,
so that in all we do,
we do it for the honor and glory of your name.

Grant that the work we do now in this world
will ensure the presence of your reign on earth,
until you come in glory.

Help us to see that what we must build
is not just brick and stone,
but love, compassion, and understanding among all people.
We are building your holy city.

In your love, hear our prayer for vision and guidance,
which we make in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son,
our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Lord, use Me to Touch the Lives of Others

Lord help me to serve You the way You want me to. Reveal to me any area of my life where I should be giving to someone right now. Open my eyes to see the need. Give me a generous heart to give to the poor. help me to be a good steward of the blessings You have given me by sharing what I have with others. Show me whom You want me to extend my hand to at this time. Fill me with Your love for all people, and help me to communicate it in a way that can be clearly perceived. Use me to touch the lives of others with the hope that is in me.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:16

Daily Bible Verse

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ... By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 11:1,3 (New International Version)

Prayer for Life's Journey

May we know that it is the journey that is important. May we find our own truths and the divine within ourselves and in doing so help our fellow travelers to find their own. May we see each other through spirit and not through worldly eyes.

Namaste

- Beliefnet member DivineJourney

Daily Bible Verse

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:16 (New International Version)

Thought for the day

Getting married is easy. Staying married is more difficult. Staying happily married for a lifetime should rank among the fine arts.

-- Roberta Flack

Daily Bible Verse

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.


James 3:9-10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4 (New International Version)

Lord, Prop Us Up

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, ”Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.”

After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed it so fervently. He answered, “Well sir, you see, it's like this....I’ve got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time and withstood a lot of weather, a lot of storms. It's stood for many years. In fact, it's still standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I’ve been around a long time. I've withstood a lot of life's storms and bad weather. I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop me up on my leaning side. I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times. Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward fowl language, leaning toward depression, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. We need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side,' so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.”

-- Author Unknown

Daily Wisdom

• We want God to change our circumstances, but God wants to use our circumstances to change us.

• Don't doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.

Read detailed explanation

Daily Bible Verse

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Happy Easter

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:5-7 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"

Daniel 4:34-35 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)

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Spiritual Corner

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.

Daily Bible Verse

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

John 15:12 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 57:10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 (New International Version)

Lenten Daily Devotion

So, I'm late on this... I've been so caught up with life itself, I keep having to remind myself to slow down and revel in the day to day, minute to minute glories that God gives me.

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:19-31

"There was a rich man who... dined sumptuosly each day. And lying at his door was a poor man... who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table"

(Luke 16:19-21a)

My Offering to God:
I will not eat between meals, and I will send a gift to feed the hungry.

Colossians 3:12-14 (New International Version)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

James 4:1-3 (New International Version)

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

I can only pray that this can help some people near and dear to me at this time.

Daily Bible Verse

W hen God takes something from your grasp; He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence.....

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)