Do Not Let The Enemy Distort Your View

"We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity. We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don't focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Life fights to capture every ounce of your attention. Trials maneuver themselves in front of you, in order to shift your focus away from me. The enemy knows that if you're consumed and overwhelmed by what you see, he'll have an entryway to your thought processes. He seeks to smother you in the angst of what you see. But you were created for a highter way.

Set me before your eyes. Let me be the barrier between you and the problem. Look to me, and then, through the light of my glory, you'll see the trial with heavenly clarity. Filter every situation through the screen of my goodness, power, love and divinity. When my glory fills your vision, nothing is able to distort your view. Circumstances must not b allowed the opportunity to lord themselves over you. Though trials may factually be present, they must not be allowed to consume your vision. See me standing in front of you. Look through my glory, and you will see these problems through the light of truth. It is only when the light of truth has penetrated deep into your being that you will see with my perspective.

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Posted by Sylvia Medina on Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Scripture to Memorize

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." Proverbs 31:10-11

At the end of the day, we simply can't know what our lives will be like tomorrow.

You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. James 4:14 "At the end of the day, we simply can't know what our lives will be like tomorrow. It's not within our capacity as fallible human beings, but God has not left us here alone, He knows our form and fears. What's more, He knows our future, and since He does, wouldn't it be the wisest thing of all to draw close to the One who knows the answer to what we may be anxious about? He's our peace as we set our minds on Him. His word is our guide. His loving kindness never ceases and His compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning...." "Prayers for Freedom over Worry and Anxiety by Bruce Wilkinson"

Day 1 - Placing our full confidence in God

 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 

Proverbs 31:10-11 

"For your Maker is your husband-- the Lord Almighty is his name--the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit-- a wife who married young, only to be rejected," says your God. 

Isaiah 54:5-6 

"Dear heavenly Husband, how I thank you for choosing me to be your bride! I don't pretend to understand all that this means, but I do know your Word says it's true. You are my Husband. You are the one who loves, protects, and provides--even if you do it through my earthly husband. I acknowledge that you are the one behind every good thing in my life. It's awesome to know that you are almighty. You have all might, all power in your hands. Therefore no situation in my life and no challenge I'll encounter during these next ninety days will be more than you can handle. Thank for being a redeemer, the one who can take something worthless and transform it into something valuable. I invite you to redeem every area of my life that has potential for greater value. 

Thank you for calling me back to a closer walk with you. At times I have felt deserted, distressed, and abandoned, sometimes by people in my life and sometimes--I want to be honest enough to admit--I've even felt like you have deserted me. Thank you for promising to never leave me or forsake me. The truth is, whenever there's been a distance between us, I'm the one who has walked away from you. I long to draw near to you once more; draw me close to you through the pages of this book. Thank you for calling me back once again." 

Amen 

'To be noble means to be dignified and gracious.... In the Amplified Bible, the word for noble is rendered "capable, intelligent, and virtuous women who inspire full confidence in those who rely on us most, whether our husband, children, employer, or co-worker. The people around us can have full confidence in us because we have full confidence in God and we live accordingly." 

This is how I have always wanted to live my life, but because I am human and with confidence issues, I have failed on so many levels and had so many regrets having failed. So many obstacles, that were allowed on my part because I was searching for approval and love in human form. Instead of looking to God. This has all been quite a journey....  and I am in a better place for it all. Why? Because "God wants us to stand out as women who know we have something valuable to offer the world. We ARE capable, intelligent, and virtuou8s women who inspire full confidence in those who rely on us most. I am an empty nester, I am single... again, but I also know who is in the midst of my situation....  "a loving God who cares so much for me, that he paid the ultimate price so that He and I never have to spend even one day apart." 

This first day reveals to me, everything that I have felt and heard for so many years, but was made to believe that I was wrong.... that I need to listen for His encouragement along my journey. I had very critical husbands, difficult marriages and relationships and people in my life in general that always felt they knew what was ideal for my life or me and I was so blindly accepting their thoughts.... I have known people in my life that were determined to discourage me and people that dragged me down. I no longer focus on human feedback... Praise God!! I focus on my heavenly Husband and live to please only Him. As I work to transform my life, I hope to become an ever more beautiful woman whose noble character eventually brings me praise from the most important people in my life, my children, grandchildren and extended family and small circle of friends. I know it will not happen overnight, but I do acknowledge what God has done in and through our lives. I believe someday my children will stand up and acknowledge what God has done in and through my life. THAT alone is my second goal above pleasing God....   

Proverbs 31:10-31 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar....     

If you find an excellent wife, do nothing to her that would break her spirits down. It's all I have ever wanted since I can remember, to be an excellent wife... and yet, only to have selfish men, arrogant men, do everything they could to break me down, to suit their own selfish needs. Those times are over.... Praise God!

My Journey Continues

Many times, we attempt to play God in our own lives. We attempt to play God by trying to control everything for our own selfish reasons. I've done it, numerous times, and let me tell you, it wasn't easy to let go of what I thought was good control of my own life. Thing is, I never had control.... in fact, I was giving ALL my control away to men, and friends, that didn't have a real clue as to what was best for me. I wasn't even attempting to be the center of my own universe. I was more concerned about being the center of other's lives because of fear of abandonment, fear of not being loved, not being accepted. When all along, these people had no real interest in me personally. I tried to control my image, I cared so much about what other people thought of me. I didn't want anyone to know what I really was like, when in fact, I was and am, a very beautiful soul. I actually believed that their view of who I should be, was more important. When in fact, I now know and see what a wonderful person I am. I'm not about to share ALL my hurts, habits and hangups here, in this platform. We play games, we wear masks, we pretend and we fake it. We want people to see certain sides of us while we hide other's. We deny our weakness and we deny our feelings. Why are we afraid to tell people, who we really are? Answer, "If I tell you who I really am and you don't like me, I'm in trouble - because then... I'm all I got." You see, those four little words... have always scared me. The thought of being alone was petrifying!!! The real pain comes when we realize, in our quieter moments, that no matter how hard we try, we're not in control. That realization can and IS very scary. I have been very blessed these last three years... I have learned that God forgave me for ALL my past, a very long time ago. Everything... things I had no control of and things I should have had "some" control. I've been learning to forgive myself for everything and most importantly, make my amends to everyone and most importantly, myself. I've been learning to live WITH JUST myself. For those who have been a part of my journey these last three and a half years... Thank you! But most importantly... Thank you Lord for Your Love and Grace! No anger, no hatred AND no fear. It hasn't been easy, but ... it's been more peaceful for my heart and soul. This lady is still learning to be accepting of herself and to not need anyone in her life to make her feel like she's important. I already am, I have been in His eyes this WHOLE time.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Family Strength Quotes And Short Bible Verses About Family

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 “Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 19:19 “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” – Proverbs 17:6 “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed.” – Proverbs 23:15 “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” –Mark 10:9

Healing the Soul of a Woman by Joyce Meyer

"Can a woman who has been deeply hurt by life's circumstances be healed, heart and soul? If she has been wounded by a man she loved and trusted, can she love and trust again? As a woman who endured years of abuse, abandonment, and betrayal by those closest to her, Joyce meyer can answer with a resounding "Yes!" 

Healing the Soul of a Woman

Equip Me Lord

With feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace**. May I reflect the Gospel in my words and actions, that through me, with my every encounter, others may be drawn one step closer to You. 

Ephesians 6:15

Genuine and False

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, "Sir, did you now sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?" He said to them, "An enemy has done this." The servants said to him, "Do you want us then to go and gather them up?" But he said, "No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." 

Here is the church--true and false converts sitting alongside one another until the fearsom Day of Judgment arrives when God will sort out the genuine from the false. It shold make us tremble at such a thought. Fear is a friend if it brings us in genuine repentance to the foot of the cross: "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6) 

Soul Search 

Do I have a healthy fear of God? How will this be evidenced when I am tempted to sin? 

Prayer: 

Father, make me wise with my eyes. 

Faith during these difficult times

Where to even start...

Let's start with my Faith...  it's always been what has carried me in life. Through all my trials and tribulations, through good times and through dark times. None the Less My Faith Is Strong! Even through this Pandemic.

I am a Technical Analyst at a Hospital, I am considered "Essential", which by all means, I consider myself blessed and grateful...  I'm finding that this "Stay At Home" Sheltering and staying away from my children and grandchildren are starting to wear on me...  I found myself praying over the anxiety that I am starting to feel from not being around family, worried for all my children and their personal health and my grandchildren's health. Family is everything to me...  So, I am trying to focus on our loving God and pray for peace of mind as He always tells us he is ready to give us, if we only focus on Him.

There are so many families that have lost so much more than I, family members, jobs, income, and normalcy of their lives. I will focus on praying for all affected by this pandemic.

Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones to the corona virus. Even as their hearts are breaking, we pray they would know your nearness and comfort. We pray that you compassion, Lord, would be felt through the Holy Spirit's ministry and through the ministry of friends and neighbors who come around them. We pray against despair; we pray new mercies every morning.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6-7

 

Stay safe 

Love Others Like You Love Yourself

 

You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: 

"Love others as you love yourself." 

James 2:8 

We all know how to love and dote on ourselves. But if we want to fulfill God's grand plan for our lives, we need to follow the Royal Rule and consider the needs of others. We need to give generously (not just when we deem someone worthy). We need to forgive (even when we were clearly wronged). We need to avoid gossip and slander (speaking kindly even to the mean-spirited). So who needs your love today? 

Dear God,

Today I pray for my children, my family and friends.
I pray that they may experience your deep spiritual
understanding, strength,
endurance, and patience.
I pray that you can give them more knowledge of youself
during this difficult season.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:9-12

Give me strength and courage to pray for those around me who do not yet know your name

God still touches the lives of those who do not even heed his name. As with the Epistle Paul, it is not for us to pass judgment or rancor on unbelievers, but rather it is up to us to offer our prayers, our thanks, or goodwill to the Lord upon their behalf, so that each and every one might have the opportunity to find their own salvation.

Prayer

God Almighty, give me strength and courage to pray for those around me who do not yet know your name. For those who need your word Lord, help me turn them towards the light. Help me not turn them away with condemnation, but do your work in spreading acceptance and benevolence. Grant me God, the generosity of spirit and the kindness of heart, to help grow our congregation. Give me all this, Lord, so that voices of the many may multiply, and the psalms offered up to your name may grow. Amen.

Principle 7A Verses

1 Timothy 4:16

'As God's messenger I give each of you God's warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." 

Romans 12:3

"Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right." 

1 Timothy 1:19 

"Cross-examine me, O Lord, and see that this is so: test my motives and affections too." 

Psalm 26:2 

"We can justify our every deed but God looks at our motives." 

Proverbs 21:2 

"A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks, and suffers the consequences." 

Proverbs 27:12

"Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." 

1 Timothy 4:16

"So be careful. If you are thinking, "Oh, I would never behave like that' -- let this be a warning to you. For you too many fall into sin." 

1 Corinthians 10:12

"Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late." 

Mathew 5:25 

"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." 

James 1:2-3 

"A relaxed attitude lengthen a man's life; jealousy rots it away." 

Proverbs 14:30 

Forgiveness

Today, we read the familiar story of Peter’s denial. Each time he is asked whether he knew Jesus, Peter grows more vehement in his rejection of him. 

Peter who had earlier professed that he would lay down his life for Jesus is now scared off by a servant girl.

When the rooster crows, Peter remembers – the conviction in his heart is immediate. He weeps bitterly.

While the passage doesn’t mention it, Peter becomes the first great voice of the gospel. 

Underneath his mistake were the arms of Jesus. Peter allowed the conviction of sin to strike him and he allowed the forgiveness of sin to lift him up again.

I think of the verse: though he stumble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37: 24). That was Peter. And that was his faithful God.

Our smallest goof-ups and blunders and our biggest, darkest sin – none of it is beyond God’s redemption.

Bringing It Home

Do I sometimes feel like God can’t forgive me of a certain sin? Do I feel like even if God forgives me, I can’t forgive myself? What if God is telling me that the slate is wiped clean and that he has put a new spirit within me?

Lean In 

Father God, Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. I don’t deserve the second, third, sometimes hundredth chance you give me. You are faithful and you lift me out from the ashes and put a new song on my lips. Amen

It’s okay to share your heart’s burdens with others

Today's reading

The scene in today’s reading shifts from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane. The mood gets heavier and more somber. Jesus calls three of his closest disciples and summons them to pray with him.

While I’ve mulled over Jesus’ tribulation in the garden before, I’ve never dwelt on the fact that he invited his friends to grieve with him and pray with him.

It’s not like the God of this universe needed them. It’s not like he didn’t know they would be catching up on naps instead of praying.

Yet, by sharing his sorrow with them, Jesus was clearly demonstrating that it’s okay to share your heart’s burdens with others. Just because you have God in your life doesn’t mean you have to be poised and stoic and invulnerable. It’s okay to say, “Hey, would you mind coming along with me for this?” and give someone else the opportunity to pray with you and for you.

Jesus displayed a beautiful openness in inviting his closest disciples to come alongside him.

No, we don’t depend entirely on our loved ones. Nor do we act like faith erases them from the picture.

Bringing It Home

What am I trying to handle alone today? Has God shown me specific people I can share my heartaches and my dreams with? Am I willing to be invited into another person’s burden, even if it means sacrificing my time and my pursuits?

Lean In

Heavenly Father, Help me grasp the fact that asking for help or asking for prayer does not chip away at my faith. Help me to be humble enough to invite people I trust to come alongside me on my faith walk. Amen

Today's Prayer

Father, I don’t want to do life without depending on you. In you I live and move and have my being. I can’t stand firm unless I’m standing on the Rock that is higher than I. Thank you for being my Rock. Amen

Keeping Pace or Keeping Peace

Today's Reading

Luke 12:16–21
Parable of the rich man who stores up grain

No matter what you’re tempted to compare, there will always be someone with more than you, and there will always be someone with less. Whether you compare husbands or hair, there will always be someone else to envy and someone envying you.

So you have a choice: either keep pace or keep peace.

Comparison will tempt you to keep pace, to accumulate more. But the parable in today’s reading illustrates that accumulating more is a worthless pursuit if what you’re accumulating isn’t put to good use for God’s purposes. The wise choice is peace with what God has entrusted to you.

In some areas, he’s given you more than others—maybe you’re a talented singer or gifted writer. In other ways, you may come up short—perhaps you had a challenging childhood or disappointing marriage. But God doesn’t ask you to change what you’ve been given. He asks you to use what you’ve been given.

Whether a lot or a little, what you have is less important than what you do with what you have.

TRY THIS: We all have a surplus of something. Brainstorm one area in which God has given you a surplus and commit to one thing you can do today to better use it for him.