Category Archives: God Loves You

Jesus Has What You Need to Change Your Life

Has your life changed because of Jesus? Fear of change can keep us from trusting Him completely. But the change Jesus gives us is always full of blessings! #DevotionalJournal #LifeChange #Hope #Faith #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Has your life changed because of Jesus?

I wonder if we sometimes resist growing closer to Jesus because we don’t like the idea of change.

I bought our dog, Sadie, new dog dishes the other day because I was told that the ones that are elevated off the floor are healthier and better for their spines. But Sadie hates change. And she refused to eat or drink until I put her food and water back into her old bowls.

The truth is, many of us hate change because we’re well aware of the fact that it can be wonderful but it can also be uncomfortable, uncertain, uncontrolled, and undesirable. And personally, I am not of fan of the “un”s.

But Scripture is clear. A personal relationship with Jesus changed people’s lives!

The Amplified Version of the Bible translates Matthew 4:17 this way…

Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Although that verse challenges me, it’s the following one that I found downright hard to even think about…

 He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].

Luke 9:23 (AMP)

For years, fear and that one verse kept me from fully surrendering my heart to Jesus and allowing Him to change me. I wanted control and I was terrified of the possible uncomfortable changes or cross carrying I might have to face.

I wanted to believe that if I controlled everything I could experience easy, smooth water comfort. I wanted happiness with just enough faith to assure my salvation and go to heaven but not so much that satan targeted me with Job-like pain or problems.

But there’s a question that always presents itself with that kind of thinking…

“How much faith is just enough?“

Big faith? Little faith? Somewhere in the middle?

Whatever the size of our faith—eventually life will confront us with cross-carrying.  Everyone’s life will at some time or another include changes that are challenging and difficult. No matter how hard you and I try life simply isn’t going to always be the safe and comfortable easy walk we want.

But…

God taught me something very important during one of my difficult times of challenging change.

Those are the times when God’s miraculous work of grace happens.

Has your life changed because of Jesus? Fear of change can keep us from trusting Him completely. But the change Jesus gives us is always full of blessings! #DevotionalJournal #LifeChange #Hope #Faith #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

When God pours His grace over a time of challenging change, you and I learn to trust Him and with His Spirit’s help we start to surrender our fear of cross-carrying and experience His better blessings.

Blessings like:

♥ Freedom from fear.
♥ Peace beyond understanding.
♥ Hope for the future.
♥ Love that forgives.
♥ Joy and courage and strength and hope and so much more.

Things I’d always wanted but always denied myself because of my fear of change and cross-carrying.

It’s hard to explain, but living through the very things I feared allowed God to turn them into some of my life’s greatest blessings. I learned through change and challenges that God is always greater than our circumstances. And He is always faithful to His promises to be with us, to strengthen us, and to give us everything we need when we trust His love and surrender our lives to Him.

Jesus said…

“Be sure of this: I [Jesus] am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Matthew 28:20

And Paul wrote…

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; He’ll always be there to help you come through it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)

This life will have changes that challenge us and like it or not, some will even feel like cross-carrying. But God is greater! I promise! If He can transform and change me for the better, He is able to transform and change you for the better, as well.

You can trust Him . . . His perfect love for you will never fail!

I’d like to tell you I never have lapses—that I trust perfectly 24/7 and that the enemy never tempts me with fear but that wouldn’t be true. I still want life to be easy, calm, and without challenges.

That’s why I have to stop and surrender my life to the Lord every single day.

I recently wrote the 52-WEEK DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL FOR WOMEN, a book filled with short devotions and journal and prayer prompts to inspire you to trust God with your life and the changes that challenge you.

52-WEEK DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL FOR WOMEN _ Prompts and Prayers to Reflect and Connect with God

And I thought it might be fun to share WEEK 1 with you here:

IN HIS PRESENCE

My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8

I once asked a group of friends, “How do you picture Jesus when you pray?”
Some said they pictured themselves sitting at Jesus’s feet. Others said they imagined Him sitting on the throne or saw themselves kneeling before Him. There were those who held His hand as they took walks with Him, and a few leaned into Him with their head on His shoulder.
I sometimes picture Him sitting quietly in a beautiful field with a smile on His face, inviting me to simply “come and talk.” He knows I’m tired and worn out. He knows I’ve messed up a million times. He knows my weaknesses and failures. And He says, “Let’s talk.” No judgment. No disappointment. No guilt. Just an invitation to be in His presence.
It’s so easy to get lost in the busyness of life, isn’t it? Jesus understands. He was constantly surrounded by people asking Him to tell another story, feed another hungry stomach, or perform another miracle. But He also got away to sit and talk with His Father.
He knew the blessings of comfort, peace, and strength that could only be found in those quiet conversations.
I hope this book encourages countless encounters with your Savior this year. Take a moment each day this week to hear Him say, “Come and talk with me.” Then picture yourself responding, “Lord, I am coming,” as you enter His presence and talk about life.

How do you picture Jesus when you pray?

How does it make you feel that Jesus wants you to “come and talk” with Him? Joyful? Humbled? A little intimidated? Write about it.

Make a list of times and places you can add prayerful, quiet conversations with Jesus to your day (in the car, in the shower, while you’re doing laundry. etc.)

Jesus loves you so much that He wants to hear from you in good times or bad. Write a prayer thanking Him for always wanting you to be in His presence.

Jesus Has What You Need to Change Your Life

Has your life changed because of Jesus? Fear of change can keep us from trusting Him completely. But the change Jesus gives us is always full of blessings! #DevotionalJournal #LifeChange #Hope #Faith #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I wrote this Devotional Journal and filled it with personal stories because loving Jesus changed my life and I believe He has what you need to change your life, too!

No, my life isn’t free of challenges or of cross-carrying . . . but my weaknesses are forgiven and by God’s grace, I have what I need each day to surrender everything to the Lord trusting Him to give me the peace, joy, hope, strength, and love I need moment by moment.

And those blessings have made my life so much better!

My prayer for you is that you will discover the better blessings of trusting God and completely surrendering your life to Him. I want you to KNOW that—He is who He says He is and He always keeps His promises!

I would love for you to take a journal journey with me and connect your heart to the One who…

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

I am so excited to tell you that my book releases tomorrow, December 22nd. But you can preorder your copy today. So, if you’d like to learn more head on over and check it out here: https://amzn.to/2Jfu3nM

May your week overflow with God’s blessings and love as you celebrate Jesus the One who loves you more than you can imagine!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!


Who is the God-Man – Jesus

The Bible says that Jesus is the God-Man. Fully God and fully man. This takes a closer look at what that means . . . a closer look at the Word made flesh. #Prayer #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #WordMadeFlesh #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Who is the God-Man – Jesus?

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.

John 1:1–3

Jesus is the Word made flesh . . . God-Man.

100% God. 100% Man.

Impossible to understand, yet essential for faith. But that’s why we call it faith, isn’t it? Believing even when we don’t understand.

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

Although Jesus took upon Himself full humanity and lived as a man, He never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and the source of eternal life.

That perfect creation the Lord made fell into sin. People became sinners and sinners need a Savior. You and I need a Savior. We need Jesus!

The God-Man Jesus who came to earth to:

  • suffer our punishment. (Romans 6:23)
  • die for us. (Romans 5:8)
  • save us. (Romans 10:9)
  • show us God. (Romans 15:8 & John 14:9)

Every word of Scripture from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 points to Jesus – the God-Man . . . God’s grace, mercy, and love in human form.

But why? Why would God choose to create us with a free-will knowing we would selfishly fail to use it well?

John Piper wrote…

God created the world for His glory. [And] We were created to see His glory, be thrilled by His glory, and live so as to help others see Him and savor Him for what He really is — to know, to love, to show His glory.

And Bible.org says…

He desired to share His life with others.

His love is so great for people created in His image that He chose to graciously make a way to save us from our sinful nature so that we might love and trust Him and spend eternity with Him thrilled by His glory.

So today, we’re praying and thanking God for the Word Made Flesh . . . for Jesus, the God-Man, the One who physically showed us God’s character of grace, mercy, and love. We can trust Him. He took a fallen and broken world and began the beautiful process of redemption . . . of making all things new!

And [Jesus] the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” 

Revelation 5:21

Thank God for the God-Man – Jesus

The Bible says that Jesus is the God-Man. Fully God and fully man. This takes a closer look at what that means . . . a closer look at the Word made flesh. #Prayer #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #WordMadeFlesh #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Son of God

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:35

Thank you, Father, for Jesus. He is our Emanuel . . . God with us. Deity in human flesh. It is impossible for me to fully grasp or understand but by Your grace, I believe!

We all carry our inherited sinful human nature but because of Your great love for us . . . through Jesus, we can all enjoy a new spiritual nature. Because of Jesus, our guilt can be replaced with forgiveness. He suffered our punishment so that we might live in freedom forever.

I thank and praise You, Lord! Your plans are full of love. Your grace is sufficient.

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.

John 1:18 (NIV)

Father, thank you for allowing us to know You through Jesus. He showed us how merciful You are. He made it possible for us to know that You are faithful even though we are not. He demonstrated that Your character is full of love and forgiveness. He is the living example of Your compassion and care for us.

I love knowing that I can honestly come to You with my questions, feelings, and emotions. You never turn Your children away. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14) Please give me childlike faith that I might love and trust You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Son of Man

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:28

Jesus, how can we ever sufficiently thank You for paying the price to rescue us from the chains of sin and death. You perfectly loved and cared for people when You lived on earth and because You have redeemed us, You will continue to love and care for all who trust You for the rest of forever and always.

You showed us how we are to sacrificially love and care for each other. Please help us, Lord. We can be so selfish and self-absorbed. We can get so focused on what we want, we fail to live with gratitude thanking You for giving us everything we need. And we fail to serve one another the way You want us to. Lord, please forgive us and by Your grace, help us to share Your generosity by giving of ourselves to those You place around us.

“The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:10

Oh, Lord Jesus, You came to seek out those who are lost in selfishness and sin and to offer them a brand new way to live. You not only sat with people who were broken and hurting, You made a way to heal and restore them. Our sin caused You to experience pain and rejection. You know and understand all our emotions. You are God. You could have left us to find our own way and yet, You made a way for us. David wrote, “God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:32)

Thank you, Lord Jesus. Please help me keep my heart and mind focused on You and help me live each day in ways that will bring glory to Your holy name!

Word Made Flesh

In the beginning, the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:1,14
The Bible says that Jesus is the God-Man. Fully God and fully man. This takes a closer look at what that means . . . a closer look at the Word made flesh. #Prayer #Jesus #HopeoftheWorld #WordMadeFlesh #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Father, Your Word tells us that You sent Your one and only Son to save the world from sin. And these words written by John and inspired by You tell us that He has always been. Your Word says that You and Jesus and the Spirit are One God. You have always and will forever be on the throne, the Great I AM.

Thank you. Through Jesus, You have shown us the source and foundation of all truth. You have shown us Your unfailing love and faithfulness. You have shown us Your glory. Please help us to never minimize either His divinity or His humanity. He is Lord of All—God in human flesh.

I thank and praise You for who You are, for all You have done and continue to do. You are the One my heart and soul need. You are my Lord and Savior. Please help me seek You first, love You with all that I am, and live each moment of my life for Your glory. Amen.

Jesus the God-Man! The One who saves us!

Stop for a moment each day throughout this Christmas season and beyond to thank God for becoming Man! Not part God and part man but fully God and fully man!

He is not God who sits far off leaving His creation to take care of this mess they’ve made. He is God with us! He is the Son of God and Son of Man. He is the Word Made Flesh. He knows our weaknesses and understands our emotions. He is unfailing love and faithfulness.

He is the reason to celebrate Christmas and Easter every single day of the year!

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Jesus is the Sacrifice of Love You Need

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray . . . trusting His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Have you ever doubted God’s love or His willingness to care for you?

Maybe you had a heart’s desire prayer that He didn’t answer as you’d hoped. Maybe one of His followers broke your heart or betrayed you and you blamed God. Maybe life’s circumstances have you in a pit of despair and you feel hopeless.

Jesus is God’s answer of LOVE to all of our doubts and pain.

John wrote:

God is love!

1 John 4:8

He is holy, just, and perfect, and even when we don’t understand His ways we can always trust His heart!

How do we know?

JESUS!

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.

1 John 4:9

Jesus said:

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! 

John 14:9

Jesus showed us God’s justice, righteousness, care, and compassion. Jesus showed us God’s LOVE.

Because He is God! He is the Word made flesh!

Jesus is the Light in the darkness to show us the way, the Bread of Life to feed our spiritual hunger, the Vine to give us the nutrition we need to be fruitful, and the Sacrifice of Love we need to pay the penalty for all our sins once and for always.

So today, I’m going to God with thanks and praise for His love and for all He has given us in and through Jesus. And I’m surrendering all doubt and pain to Him. I’m thanking Him for…

Jesus the Sacrifice of Love You Need

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray to trust His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:12

Lord, thank you for being the LIGHT! The darkness of sin and evil can feel like a heavy burden but You are the light that overcame and continues to faithfully overcome that darkness. Your gift of forgiveness overcomes the darkness within us and replaces it with the glow of Your love. You light our path and help us trust Your will and follow Your ways. You provide, protect, and lead us with grace and mercy! I thank and praise You! Help me live in ways that reflect Your light and give You glory!

Bread of Life

The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.

John 6:33–35a

Lord Jesus, You satisfy the emptiness within me. You satisfy my spiritual hunger and sustain me with life-giving nourishment. Lord forgive me for failing to pause each day to spend time in Your Word and prayer. May I faithfully spend time with You each day that You might fill me with the truth and counsel I need to trust and obey Your perfect will. You are the Giver of Life may I forever make You the center of my life.

The Vine

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:1

Father, this is my prayer! With all my heart, I pray to remain connected to Jesus, the Vine. My heart’s desire is to produce fruit that will glorify You. I know the truth of the words, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Please forgive me. By Your grace, please help me grow in faith and in knowledge of Your truth. Please fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit that I might share Your blessings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Your grace is sufficient. Thanks and praise now and forever.

Sacrifice of Love

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

1 John 4:9–10

Father, Your love overwhelms me. You provide everything I need today and forever. You gave Jesus.

Thank you for allowing us to know You through Him. Thank you for saving us through His sacrifice. Thank you for showing us the truth of Your perfect love.

Your Word says that because Jesus is the sacrifice for sin, the only sacrifice You want from Your children is a broken and repentant heart. (Psalm 51:17) You want us to humbly turn to You in repentance admitting that we are unable to save ourselves and acknowledging out need for Jesus.

So, I come to You once again to ask You to forgive me and to thank you for promising that through Jesus I am forever Yours.

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 8:3

Father God, no matter how hard I try or how badly I want it . . . I can never earn Your grace and mercy. I cannot save myself. Yet, You freely give Your grace and mercy. You graciously pour undeserved blessings into my life and mercifully spare me from the punishment I deserve. Rather than making me pay the price for my own sin . . . You sent Your Son to save me. And then, You ended the reign of sin’s control in my life. You give me Your Spirit to give me courage, strength, and power. Your Son continues to sit at Your right hand to plead for me.

I praise You! And I surrender myself to You. I trust Your promises and rest in Your love. By Your grace, help me live each moment of my life for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, who is the Sacrifice and the source of my faith. Amen.

When fear and doubt overwhelm us, we can turn to God's Word and pray . . . trusting His promise that Jesus is the sacrifice of love now and for all eternity. #Jesus #Prayer #God'sPromises #JesusSacrifice #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Jesus is the Sacrifice of Love

Friend, whatever concerns you today, whatever your doubts . . . give it all to the Lord. He gave His all for you and me. He is the Sacrifice who saves us, the Light to guide us, the Bread of Life to nourish us, and the Vine to give us everything we need to live for God’s glory.

May you be blessed today and enjoy the peace of His grace, mercy, and love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Praising God for Jesus the Hope of the World

Whatever is going on in your life right now, no matter how difficult because of Jesus, the Hope of the World, you can face the day with confidence. #Hope #Jesus #Prayer #PeaceofMind #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Do you need hope?

It can be hard to feel hopeful when we’re exhausted from carrying life’s burdens. Then we look around and the world is overwhelmed by problems and confusion.

I don’t know about you, but I have times when it’s hard for me to look past my momentary feelings and view the future with hope.

Truth is . . . I need hope! Everyone needs hope!

Because hope believes that things will ultimately get better. Hopelessness believes that nothing will improve that what is wrong will at best remain and likely get worse.

Synonyms for hopeless are: impossible, pointless, useless, despondent, downhearted, irreparable, and more.

It’s depressing isn’t it? Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that so many people suffer from depression. The enemy of our souls wants us to focus on at life with a “what if, ain’t it awful” attitude.

That’s why I’m so thankful that this is not where our journey ends. You and I don’t have to live without hope. No matter how AWFUL things appear or how hopeless the enemy wants us to believe things are, you and I can live full of hope. We can surrender our hopelessness at the foot of the cross and give it to the One who is our hope. The One who said…

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28–29

I like the way The Message says it as well…

“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Because of Jesus, you and I can have a hope that makes it possible for us to live freely and lightly covered by grace!

Praise God, it is possible to have a present and future filled with hope when we place our trust in Jesus – the Hope of the world.

Today, I’m surrendering my hopelessness to Jesus – the Hope of the World, trusting Him to give me peace today and a hopeful future. I’d love for you to pray with me.

Praising God for Jesus the Hope of the World

Whatever is going on in your life right now, no matter how difficult because of Jesus, the Hope of the World, you can face the day with confidence. #Hope #Jesus #Prayer #PeaceofMind #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Hope of the World

“And His name will be the hope of all the world.”

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy He has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Matthew 12:21 and 1 Peter 1:3 (NCV)

Father, Please forgive us. We have distorted and twisted Your Word of promise. We cling to the fragile changing and temporary things of this world and fail to fully place our trust in Your Son, our Messiah. We foolishly try to define who we want Jesus to be and what we want to define as Your will. Please transform us. You have given us everything we need for this life and for eternity. Thank you!

Thank you Jesus, for being my Hope and the Hope for the whole world. Because of Your death and resurrection I have the hope of salvation. Because of Your victory over the enemy . . . all of creation is full of promise. You are the hope of the world. You are the hope of my heart and because of You, it is well with my soul.

Our Advocate

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

1 John 2:1–2

Father, thank you for Jesus, our Advocate. I so badly want to honor and obey You with my life but like Paul, I fail to do the good things I want and I do sinful things that I don’t. (Romans 7:18–19) But because of Your mercy, grace and love, Jesus pleads on my behalf. Because of Your love and His sacrifice, I am forgiven. And by His Spirit, I am being transformed.

Jesus, how can I begin to thank you for all You have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for being my Savior and my Defender. Because of You, my sin is not only forgiven . . . it is erased. By Your blood, I am washed clean. I surrender my life to You. Please use me for Your glory!

The Living Cornerstone

You are members of God’s family. Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Ephesians 2:19b–21

Father, thank you for Jesus, our Cornerstone. Our faith as a community of believers is not based on new or “progressive” ideas, it is built on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus Himself. Please unite us as a loving and caring family. The world is watching us. People look to Your children to understand who You are, what You are like, and what You want for the world You created. Please help us show them Your love. Help us show them the sacrificial love of Jesus. Make us forgiving and kind, caring and compassionate. Make us one and grant us Your peace.

Rock of Our Salvation

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:5–6

Father, through Your grace, mercy, and love demonstrated in and through Christ Jesus, my faith is built on the Rock of My Salvation. Because He is my safe place, I can live free of worry and anxiety. I can let go of resentment and forgive as I have been forgiven. I can rest on the hope I have in Him and wait quietly for Your perfect timing to be revealed. Thank you, Father. Because of You, I can trust that I have a hope-filled future planned for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) I can seek Your Kingdom above all else and trust You to give me everything I need to live each day by Your grace and for Your glory.

The King Eternal

God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; He alone is God. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:16–17

Lord, You love me! You really love me! You claimed me when I was a sinner and began a life-changing work in my heart, my mind, and my soul. Oh, how I want everyone to know, love, and trust You for every moment of their lives . . . now and for eternity. I pray for all those I hold dear to my heart and for those I’ve never met around the world. Each soul is Your creation. Each one is dearly loved and precious to You.

By Your grace, help me live this prayer of faith now and forever…

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; He alone is God. Amen.

Whatever is going on in your life right now, no matter how difficult because of Jesus, the Hope of the World, you can face the day with confidence. #Hope #Jesus #Prayer #PeaceofMind #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Thank you so much for praying with me!

Whatever is going on in your life right now, remember . . . Jesus, the Hope of the World is your Advocate, the Cornerstone of your faith and the Rock of your Salvation. He is the Eternal King forever and ever. He is the One who redeems you and promised to give you everything you need today, tomorrow, and forever.

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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Leave your prayer requests…

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Trust God’s Love When You are Suffering

How do you trust God's love when you feel like He is the One who is allowing your pain and suffering? 5 ways to trust God's "no" when it's hard. #StrengthinSuffering #TrustGod'sLove #Faith #Hope #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

What do you do when you feel like God is the One who is allowing your pain and suffering?

You’ve prayed to get well, to be free of pain, for a healed relationship . . . for the desire of your heart.

The Bible says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4

You’ve done your best to do “good.” You’ve tried to obey His commands. Maybe you’ve even dedicated your life to serving Him in ministry. You’ve made every effort to “delight” in Him.

Yet for reasons beyond your ability to understand, no matter how much you pray in faith . . . God seems to be saying ‘no!’

And you can’t seem to shake the one thought that keeps repeating . . . it’s not fair!

To make things worse, like salt in a wound, everywhere you look, people who don’t even seem appreciative, have the very thing your heart longs for and you find yourself giving in to jealousy, tantrums, and self-pity.

So, you add whining and complaining to your prayers, like a child trying to get a parent to soften and give you what you want.

But nothing changes…

You wait and pray and wait and pray some more but you’re still sick. Still in pain. Still single. Still longing for a child, a job, a home, a _________.

This may be your story. It has been mine.

I had a heart’s desire years ago and I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it . . . God’s ‘no’ was simply unacceptable. I pouted, complained, whined, and refused to trust that God had a better plan for me.

Without giving you all the ugly details, I’ll tell you I learned a very big lesson the hard way.

Praise God for His forgiving grace, mercy, and love. He patiently showed me His better way. He taught me that I can trust His “no” even when it’s hard and I don’t want to. He taught 5 important truths . . . reasons I can trust His will even when it’s not my desire.

How to Trust God’s Love When You are Suffering

How do you trust God's love when you feel like He is the One who is allowing your pain and suffering? 5 ways to trust God's "no" when it's hard. #StrengthinSuffering #TrustGod'sLove #Faith #Hope #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

5 Reasons Why You and I can Trust God’s “No”

1. Trust God’s NO because EVERYthing God allows is filtered through His love.

Love is God’s character and He cannot do anything that is outside of who He is. He sees the big picture of our lives and always knows and does what is best for our eternal future even though we don’t understand and it doesn’t feel like it.

Joni Eareckson Tada once wrote…

“Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God’s motives, but in understanding His character, in trusting in His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well.”

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Psalm 143:8

2. Trust God’s NO because His goodness covers EVERYthing He allows.

God is good! Everything He does is good! You and I live in a sinful broken world and often have to live out the consequences of that truth. But although this life can be hard, God is always at work for our good in ways that will give Him glory.

All He does is just and good, and all His commandments are trustworthy. 

Psalm 111:17

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. 

Romans 8:28

3. Trust God’s NO because He sees the beginning from the end and may be saying “no” to protect you. 

You and I make God too small. He is everlasting. He knows your past and your future. He knows the lives you will touch and knows how best to bless you always keeping your eternal future in mind.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

2 Peter 3:8

4. Trust God’s NO while you do what you can and leave the rest to Him.

It’s important for you and me to get up each day and focus on what we can do. It helps me to focus on counting my blessings and remembering what I have rather than dwelling on what’s lacking. My goal is to do my best with the Spirit’s help to trust God’s plans and purposes one day at a time remembering they always include love . . . very big love. And because of His love, He will give me what I need to endure whatever He allows.

“Harness the power of today. Seize the blessings of today! Make something happen, enhance your life, make someone laugh, help a friend, love, love, love!”  ~Steve Maraboli

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
    His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22–23

5. Trust God’s NO as you lean deep into His love through prayer and study of His Word.

When life is hardest . . . I need God the most. So, I turn to Him through His Word and prayer, and by His grace, I begin to rest in His love. With the Spirit’s help, my experience has been that when I lean into the Lord in faith, He is faithful to give me what I need to live that day.

The Lord also keeps safe those who suffer. He is a safe place in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will put their trust in You. For You, O Lord, have never left alone those who look for You. 

Psal, 9:9–10 (NLV)

“I won’t tell you it will be easy. It won’t.”

Walking through a valley of grief and heartache is an arduous journey but it is not one we have to take alone.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Psalm 23:4

Satan will consistently use your pain, your broken heart to tempt you to doubt God’s love, give up, and to try to take care of things on your own.

Martin Luther said that his tactics have never changed … the lie is still the same as it was in the Garden…

“The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands” ~Martin Luther

I have learned the hard way – that God’s ways are best. I’ve lived out the consequences of falling for the enemy’s lies, and I’ve come to believe with all my heart that God’s grace saturates everything He allows and His protecting hand of mercy surrounds anything He denies.

This isn’t fatalism. It’s faith!

Whatever you are facing today, remember…

God will walk with you through this valley. You can trust His goodness and love … He has proven just how much through His Son, Jesus. You are not alone!

He promised…

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

2 Corinthians 12:8–9

I love this quote from Babbie Mason in Trust His Heart…

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand.
When you don’t see His plan.
When you can’t trace His hand.
Trust His Heart!

My friend, Horace Williams, has written an awesome new book,
The Furnace of Affliction

In The Furnace of Affliction: How God Uses Our Pain and Suffering for His Purpose, Horace Williams Jr. tackles this challenging topic. Based on the Word of God, insights from other leaders, and his studies, he addresses several key points, including: 

  • How pain develops our faith
  • How pain determines our path
  • How pain delivers comfort, joy, and peace
  • And how pain deepens our commitment to God. 

Packed with personal stories and scripture to support his points, Horace shares his insights on the problem of pain. His candid and straightforward communication style engages the reader as he addresses this critical topic for the body of Christ today. 

I really loved this book. I’ve known Horace for a number of years but there was so much of his story I didn’t know. God has allowed pain and problems in his life and Horace is turning it into an opportunity to give God glory. This book is both powerful and inspiring. It even offers study questions at the end of each chapter to help you personalize your own journey.

Finally, leave a comment and tell us how you are learning to trust God’s love even when you’re suffering.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Know and Trust God’s Will for You

Do you worry about the future? Have you ever struggled to trust God's will? These 5 Steps will help you know and trust His plans for your future. #Faith #Trust #God'sWill #Hope #Fearless #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

One of the hardest sentences in my life has been…

“Lord, not my will but Yours be done.”

I’ve had more than a few times when I’ve gone into and through things kicking and screaming that seemed to be God’s will, or at the least, they were things He allowed!

Honestly, the idea of completely surrendering my life to the Lord terrified me.

Jesus said…

  • Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. (John 16:33)
  • You will be hated because you are my followers. (Matthew 24:9)
  •  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. (John 15:19)
  • If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:28)

I also looked around and witnessed the ways the enemy attacked God’s children.

Because of my weak and immature faith, I didn’t fully believe that I could…

Trust that God is who He says He is.
Believe He is able to do what He says He will do.
Live in peace knowing His love is greater than any circumstances.

I doubted His willingness to give me everything I need.

You’d probably admit that it’s easier to surrender to God’s will when life is easy and He’s working in ways that please you. It’s harder when you can’t understand your current situation or when the road ahead looks hard.

Maybe, like me, you want stronger faith. You want to face each day with obedient surrendered faith without an attitude that says, “MY will be done.”

So, I’ve challenged myself to read and repeat the following until I believe the truth . . . that living completely surrendered to God’s will is by far the best way to live. Until this truth becomes the only way I want to live.

How to Know and Trust God’s Will

Do you worry about the future? Have you ever struggled to trust God's will? These 5 Steps will help you know and trust His plans for your future. #Faith #Trust #God'sWill #Hope #Fearless #CountingMyBlessings

1. Know and Trust God’s Love for You

It’s hard to follow someone who doesn’t want what’s best for us and since the Garden of Eden, Satan has used whatever he can to tempt people to doubt God’s love.

Have you ever heard a child say “you don’t love me” to a parent’s “no?” Yet the job of a loving parent isn’t to make their children happy, it’s to do what is best to keep them safe and help them grow and mature.

I’m learning that as our loving Heavenly Father, God is at work in my life and yours guiding us, protecting us, and helping us grow and mature in faith and love.

And if you need a reminder of just how much God loves you…

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 

1 John 4:9–10

That is HUGE love you and I can trust!

2. Know and Trust God’s Ability to Care for You

If fear and anxiety were Olympic sports, I’d have a trophy case full of medals. The list of things I’ve worried about is too long for this space. Even though I memorized the verse “don’t worry about tomorrow” as a child—applying it seemed beyond my anxiety overwhelm.

But you and I are not doing tomorrow yet. We are living today! It took several major crises before I learned that I just needed to let God help me through this present moment and trust Him to give me what I need in the next. That’s living through faith…

Believing God will meet each need one moment at a time!

Your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

Luke 12:30b–31

 3. Know and Trust God’s Mercy and Healing Grace

Dwelling on the past overwhelmed by guilt is as much of a problem as worrying about the future.

Through Christ Jesus, God completely forgives those who come to Him in repentance. With His help, we can trust Him and rest in His grace and mercy.

Part of surrendering means going to God in prayer asking Him to forgive our past and to help us by giving us everything we need to forgive others. When you and I focus on regret and revenge it’s impossible to surrender to God’s will. Lack of forgiveness will always rob us of God’s perfect peace and joy.

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:9

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

4. Know and Trust God’s Timing

I’m not good at waiting … lines, doctors offices, etc. I have a schedule to follow. You too?!

But the truth is, there is no peace when I’m tapping my foot and staring at my watch. And there’s no peace when I try to put God on my prayer-answering timetable.

With the Spirit’s help, I’m surrendering my impatience to God, asking Him to help me trust His timing. And while I wait . . . I’m also asking Him to give me His peace and strength.


But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.

Isaiah 40:31

5. Know, Trust, and Obey God’s Will

I’m a creature of habits and truthfully, not all of them are good. It’s easy to make light of my sins, after all they’re not THAT bad. But all sins are a big deal. They rob me of peace, cause unpleasant consequences, and fail to glorify God.

Lately, I’ve been asking God to reveal to me the things culture and the church excuse that I have come to think of as acceptable to Him. I want to know, trust, and obey His will.

So, I’m asking God to help me know and trust His truth and commands. I’m asking Him to help me believe that His perfect will is best and that He will give me a heart for obedience … not to earn His favor but to glorify Him and testify to His love.

Lord, we show our trust in You by obeying Your laws;  our heart’s desire is to glorify Your name.

Isaiah 26:8

I’ll admit that I’m still a work in progress. I have so much to learn about completely surrendering to God’s will.

My sinful self wants to have total control over all that happens in my life. Most of the time, I want what I want and I want it now.

But experience has taught and is teaching me that fighting God’s plan for me will never offer me lasting happiness or peace. It hasn’t happened in the past and I doubt it will in the future.

I believe God wants to help us know and trust His perfect love and surrender to His will because He wants what is best for us today, tomorrow, and always.

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.

Isaiah 46:9

So with the Spirit’s help, I will surrender my will to God today.  

Not on my own.

But…

I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

And that is everything we need!

Do you worry about the future? Have you ever struggled to trust God's will? These 5 Steps will help you know and trust His plans for your future. #Faith #Trust #God'sWill #Hope #Fearless #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG #BlessingBloggers

Here are a few quotes that inspire me. 

♥ “If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!”~Elisabeth Elliot

♥ “It is wonderful what miracles God works in wills that are utterly surrendered to Him” ~Hannah Whitall Smith

♥ “Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.” ~Warren Wiersbe

♥ “Peace is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.” ~Author Unknown

Daily Prayers of Surrender to God’s Will

Years ago, a dear friend shared this morning prayer with me.

Father God, I surrender this day to You. I will follow where You lead me and do Your will as You reveal it to me. Please help me live this promise – that my life might glorify You alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Hannah Whithall Smith also wrote the following prayer:

Lord, I am Yours, I do yield and leave myself entirely to You and I believe You accept me. Work in me all the good pleasure of Your will and I will only lie still in Your hands and trust You. Amen. 

I hope these prayers bless and encourage you as you make it your heart’s desire to know and trust God’s will for you.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Promises That Will Give You Hope When You Need It Most

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Terrorism, politics, illness, heartbreak, loss, and pandemics…

Sometimes this broken world feels like it’s too much … too painful. Too hard.

Then I stop and remember Solomon’s words:

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

Nothing’s new. It’s all happened before.

No, I’m not trying to totally depress you, especially when I promised you hope.

But the truth is … our hope is not in this broken world. Our hope is in Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus stepped into a painfully dark and broken time in history. Roman dominance. Temple dissension. Hurting broken people.

Remember … there’s nothing new under the sun.

But Jesus came to give us something new. A NEW that He alone could give.

New life. Changed life. Purposeful life. Redeemed life. Abundant life. Eternal life.

History may repeat itself. But the truths and promises of the newness you and I have in Jesus are only repeated as they become new lives in people who turned to Him in faith.

And that is what gives us hope. Real, renewing, and lasting hope. Promises of hope!

It’s a hope that reminds us we can trust every promise about Jesus that was ever made. So, let’s surround ourselves with Jesus’ hope today.

Let’s lay down our fears, anger, frustration, and hopelessness as we embrace the truth of promises that are forever true. Promises that give us eternal hope no matter what is happening in the world around us.

Having these promises we can count on in this nothing new under the sun world changes everything. Because under the Son, our everything is full of hope through His grace, mercy, and love.

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

20 Promises of Jesus that will Give You Hope

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28–30

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:26

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16–17

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“I am the good shepherd. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:11, 27–30

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” John 14:27–28

“I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” John 15:26

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” John 17:20

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:2–3

“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8

“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:17–18

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelations 22:12–13

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Having the promises of Jesus gives us hope when life is uncertain. His Words offer encouragement for today, tomorrow, and into the unknown future. #PromisesofGod #HopeinJesus #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Praying the Promises of Hope

Father, Thank you so much for loving us so much that the moment we sinned You had a plan to save us. You Word says You love us so much that You gave Your only Son to save us … the highest price You could possibly pay. All because of love!

Thank you for Your Word! You want us to KNOW You. You want us to live each day knowing we are safe and secure in Jesus. He is the WAY of Life, He is the TRUTH we need for Life, and He is LIFE itself. He gives us the promise of eternal life and the blessing of a full and abundant life now.

Today, I come to You for rest. I bring You the junk of my life. Please forgive me for the ways I have failed to follow Your will and change me into the person You want me to be. I believe Your way is best. I want to trust and obey You in everything I do and say. I want my thoughts to be focused on Jesus, the One who is the source of my faith and the One who strengthens me and gives me all I need each day.

So, I’m pausing to thank and praise You! By Your grace, it is well with my soul. Help me live this day for Your glory. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Friend, I’m asking God to bless you today! I’m asking Him to hold you close and surround you with the love of Jesus as He reminds you that in Him … you have everything you need. His promises are true and His mercies are new every morning. He is faithful to keep His promises of hope.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Get your copy here!

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I’m asking God to bless you today!

Pray When You Need to be Confident of God’s Goodness

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Do you trust God’s goodness?

We say God is good, but do we really believe it?

I recently shared this on social media…

After you have suffered a little while, [God] will restore, support, and strengthen you.

1 Peter 5:10

And an individual responded by saying … “a load of nonsense.”

I don’t think you or I would say it like that but if we’re honest, we have our doubts. We wonder … God will you let me suffer like this indefinitely? Are you really good?

We want to trust those words God’s goodness completely but sometimes when we’ve prayed and prayed and asked God to help and then we have what seems like an endless wait something happens. Occasionally in the wait, worry is followed by a little doubt and before we know it we’re questioning God’s goodness.

And that’s when I need to pause and ask for His help.

Because I need His Holy Spirit to give me confidence that God’s goodness is personal. I need His help to know God sees me, forgives me, provides for me, and that He has a plan and purpose for my life. I need His Spirit’s help to remind me of His perfect love when I grow impatient in the waiting.

I need the Spirit’s help to know with everything in me that . . . God is good!

Jesus said,

When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

That’s what I need … maybe you do too! That reminder of God’s promises of His love and goodness.

So, that’s where I’m going today …. to God’s promises and I’m praying them back to Him because the more turn to Him through His Word and prayer, the more confident I become that He is who He says He is.

I’d love for you to pray with me…

Pray When You Need to be Confident of God’s Goodness

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Everything God made is good. That includes you! 

God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!

Genesis 1:31

Lord, Everything You make is good. Your Word says, in the beginning, it was very good. And through Your love, You suffered and died to forgive my sins and give freedom to the goodness You created in me. It also says that because of Your goodness and love, You will give me everything I need. maybe not everything I want … but everything I need. Help me believe that, Lord. Help me trust Your promises and give me patience and peace when worry creeps in and doubts arise.

God loves you. Always and perfectly. You are His child. 

The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children.

1 John 3:1

Father, You call me your child. I was an orphan, lost and alone and You adopted me. Through Jesus, You made me part of Your family. That defines Your goodness. There is no way to sufficiently thank you.

When I am tempted to focus on my current problems, please help me focus on Your grace, mercy, and love. Help me remember what an awesome blessing it is to be called Your child. You are my Father and You are good. Help me love You with all that I am and by Your grace, help me live each day with the confidence that Your will is always for my good.

God sees and knows everything about you. 

“You are ‘God who sees me,’” because she said to herself, “Have I really seen God who sees me?”

Genesis 16:13

Father, You are the God who sees me. Thank you! Nothing is hidden from you.

Like David, I can say, “You know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (Psalm 139) And Jesus said, You even know how many hairs there are on my head. (Matthew 10:30)

I can have peace for today and hope for the future when I remember that I am constantly under Your watchful care.

God is good, kind, and merciful to you. 

The Lord is kind and shows mercy. He does not become angry quickly but is full of love. The Lord is good to everyone; He is merciful to all He has made.

Psalm 145:8–9

Father, Your Word tells me You are kind and merciful, patient, and loving.

I want to trust and follow wherever You lead … but I have to admit, I fail. I don’t love You and trust You with all I am. I don’t love my neighbors as I love myself. I get angry. I worry. I procrastinate and I find comfort in things. Please forgive me. I need your merciful goodness. By Your grace, please help me do better. Help me trust Your perfect will for me. Help me faithfully live confident of Your goodness, kindness, mercy, and love.

God is ready and willing to forgive and help you. His perfect love never fails.

O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.

Psalm 86:5

Father, This promise fills me with hope. You are always ready to forgive those who come to You. You don’t want me to live with the guilt that so often creeps in. You don’t want me weighed down by the past. Your plan for me is a life of freedom through Your goodness and grace.

Through Jesus, You endured my punishment. The price for my sins has been paid. Help me quickly bring my sins to You in repentance, trusting Your promise of unfailing love and forgiveness. Help me live free of doubt and worry … trusting You are faithful to do what You say You will do.

God is your provider. Don’t be afraid or worry. He will meet your every need.

“Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

Luke 12:24, 27, 31–32

Father, You don’t want me to be afraid or worry. You want me to live free of anxiety and doubt. You promise that You will meet every need.

Please forgive me for too often believing my wants are needs. By Your grace help me trust You. Make me satisfied with what You want for me. Help me help others out of the abundance You provide. Be my heart’s desire. With Your help, I will seek Your Kingdom above all else. Help me trust Your goodness without worry or fear.

The most common question about faith is "How can I believe in God's goodness when He allows suffering?" When doubts arise it's time to turn to Him in prayer. #Prayer #GodisGood #BibleStudy #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

God meets every spiritual need and gives you everything you need to live for His glory. 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:2–3

Father, through Your goodness and love You meet every one of my spiritual needs. You make it possible for me to know You. You show me Your will. You hear my prayers. You comfort and strengthen me. You give me hope for the future and the peace I need today.

Thank you. Forgive me for foolishly and selfishly doing things on my own, for thinking my way is better. I’m sorry, Lord. With Your help, I surrender this day to You. I will follow where You lead and trust Your will as You reveal it to me. You are good, Father. May I live today covered by Your grace for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

 God is good!

His love for you and me is personal. He provides for every physical and spiritual need. His unfailing forgiveness is always available. He sees, knows, and cares. He is good.

You and I can be confident of God’s goodness!

And just a quick follow-up to tell about the comment to my social media post. I responded by telling him I was sorry that he felt that way but that based on my experience, God is faithful to restore support and strengthen when we need Him.

That began a dialogue where I’ve been able to share my testimony and tell him why I believe in God’s goodness.

I’m so thankful that when I begin to doubt … His Spirit draws me back through the truth of God’s promises.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

You Need to Consider This When You are Heartbroken

The life you planned came crashing down and you're heartbroken. Here are the 5 steps God uses to heal a broken heart. I believe they work. They worked for me! #Heartbroken #BrokenRelationship #Grief #Hope #Faith #BibleStudy #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

15 years ago today, I was curled up at the foot of our bed … I cried until my tears ran dry.

I pleaded and prayed … asking God to change hearts and change the situation. I hoped with faith that it would be days, weeks, even months, but not years. I longed for the time we would look back on things and praise God for His healing grace.

And yet, here we are 15 years later and we’re still waiting and praying and hoping in faith.

There is good news though…

What the enemy of our souls wanted to use for evil … God used for good!

Our situation may not have changed but I have! And that’s what I want to tell you about today…

I want you to know how God is able to take your broken heart and piece it back together with His grace, mercy, and love. How He can remove your life-long fears, gave you strength, and increase your faith.

I want to tell you how … by the power of His Spirit, God took a heartbroken mess and gave me a new life of purpose by making me a life-long SEEKer who’s free to enjoy His peace, trusting that I have everything I need in Christ Jesus.

The change didn’t happen in one miraculous moment; it’s been a long season of growth. But if you’ve got a couple of minutes, I’d love to tell you about the process God used to transform me … one that I believe He would love to use in You and in the people you love.

5 Steps God Uses to Heal the Heartbroken

The life you planned came crashing down and you're heartbroken. Here are the 5 steps God uses to heal a broken heart. I believe they work. They worked for me! #Hope #Faith #BibleStudy #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

1. God Pursues Those Who are Heartbroken

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!

Matthew 18:12–13

I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know and trust Jesus for my eternal future. I knew He was my Lord and Savior, that He died for me, and I believed He would take me to heaven when I died. But…

When it came to daily living … I was afraid.

Afraid of disappointing people and disappointing God. Afraid that if I completely surrendered to Jesus, the cross He asked me to carry would be too difficult and I’d disappoint everyone.

So, I frantically tried to juggle all the parts of my life on my own until all those balls I’d been juggling fell at my feet. And that’s when the Lord came and found me and held me. And gently carried me to His Word.

2. God Speaks to Those Who are Heartbroken

As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.

Psalm 18:30 (AMPC)

I needed HOPE!

Not the kind words and assurances of people. I needed hope that would give me the strength I needed to get out of bed each day.

God had given me hope for my eternal future through Scripture; so, I turned to His Word looking for the hope I so desperately needed to get me through each day.

I picked up my Bible and I couldn’t put it down. And by God’s grace, it became my lifeline. I devoured it, Genesis through Revelation, in just three months.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

And God used the TRUTH of His inspired Word in an interesting way.

In my brokenness, I didn’t relate to the heroes of faith so much as I saw myself in the doubters and the fearful. I saw myself in Eve and the grumbling Wilderness Wanderers, as well as the Pharisees and the fleeing disciples.

The more I read God’s Word … the more I was humbled, ashamed and repentant.

3. God Forgives the Heartbroken Who Come to Him in Repentance

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28–29

I carried all my brokenness, my failures, and my weaknesses … I took my sins to Jesus and asked Him to heal and forgive me.

The Bible says that when you and I carry the heavy burden of our sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us and change us … well, He said, “the angels rejoice!”

I tell you, it is the same way among the angels of God. If one sinner is sorry for his sins and turns from them, the angels are very happy.”

Luke 15:10

Praise God!

That’s the blessing of God’s Word. It’s the Law that shows us our sin and then it’s the Good News Gospel that shows us God’s LOVE!

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Psalm 86:5

What other god promises unfailing love and forgiveness to everyone and anyone who repents and asks for help to change? What other god is able to give people everything they need to accomplish the change He desires? What other god promises freedom through faith and forgiveness?

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

John 8:36

And it’s not just freedom for an eternal future in heaven but freedom to LIVE today with peace, joy, hope, courage, strength, and everything else you and I need!

The life you planned came crashing down and you're heartbroken. Here are the 5 steps God uses to heal a broken heart. I believe they work. They worked for me! #Hope #Faith #BibleStudy #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

4. God Replaces What is Broken with What is Needed

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

Luke 12:31

What I began to learn was that the more I completely surrendered myself to the Lord the more intentionally He gave me everything I needed.

And one of the first things I needed was to be lifted out of the pit of despair…

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.

Psalm 40:1–2

I’m not going to tell you how many times God lifted me out of the pit that I turned around and jumped right back in. A broken heart for any reason needs to grieve … but Paul wrote:

You have no reason to have sorrow as those who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

And that’s truth! Not only grief over death but hope for the heart that is broken for any reason. It’s not a hope that is dependent on our circumstances changing but hope that whatever our circumstances … God will give us everything we need!

5. God Strengthens the Heartbroken with His Promises

Something I didn’t even know I needed but a gift for which I will be eternally grateful … is the blessing of specific promises to encourage me.

The first promise and the one that has become my life verse is…

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

Psalm 73:26

And He has been the strength of my heart.

Remember, I said fear was one of my greatest struggles.

God has been faithful to the promise of my life verse. He has given us what we needed to get through circumstances that before I would have considered “impossible.”

He has been my strength. His presence has given me everything I need each day.

The two verses before my life verse say…

You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.

Psalm 73:24–25

By God’s grace … I trust that He will guide me each day until I arrive at my “glorious destiny” in heaven. How can I not desire that more than anything else this life has to offer?

The life you planned came crashing down and you're heartbroken. Here are the 5 steps God uses to heal a broken heart. I believe they work. They worked for me! #Heartbroken #BrokenRelationship #Grief #Hope #Faith #BibleStudy #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

If you’re struggling today because of a broken heart … let me share with you one more promise that I hold close. I especially like the way The Message says it…

[God] told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10

And that is absolute unfailing TRUTH!

In the past 15 years, I’ve learned that the more I surrender my fears and frustrations, my brokenness and battles, my weaknesses and worries, my losses and longings to Jesus … the more He fills me up with everything I need to LIVE!

To live free of the things I’ve surrendered to Him and free to enjoy the blessings He wants me to have!

Blessings David expressed beautifully in Psalm 40. He said that God lifted him out of that “pit of despair” and…

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3

And that is my prayer! That’s why I write AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND LIFE!

I want you to know what God has done for me. I want you to be amazed by His love and grace and mercy. And more than anything, I want you to put your trust in the Lord!

Because if He is able to remove my life-long fears and give me everything I need to live surrendered to His loving care with freedom, peace, and joy … I believe with all my heart that He not only can but He will do that for you as well.

So, what do you say … will you consider prayerfully reading your Bible … getting to know the One who pursues you. The One who wants to speak to your heart and mind. The One who offers you complete forgiveness and everything else you need. The One who promises you freedom to LIVE sheltered in His LOVE!

I’m praying for you today and asking God to bless you and fill you with the transforming power of His perfect love!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

A Holy Week Bible Study that will Help You Focus on Jesus

A Holy Week Bible Study for individuals and families - Walk through the Gospels and spend time with Jesus. Questions and prayers to help you experience His love #HolyWeek #Jesus #PassionofChrist #God'sLove #PalmSunday #MaundyThursday #GoodFriday #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Anne Graham Lotz wrote…

Why did Jesus have to die?

If there was any other way to offer us forgiveness of sin, to reconcile us to God, to give us eternal life, and to open Heaven for us when we die, God would have found it. He never would have sent Jesus to die on the cross. There simply is no other way.

I’m taking closer look at Holy Week because I want to make it personal. I want to see myself standing with the cheering crowds, sitting at the table in the upper room, asleep in the garden, and standing at the foot of the cross.

I’d love for you to join me and maybe even spend some time talking about the questions with your family.

I don’t want to rush through the pain to get to the promise. This year, I want to pause and see myself with His disciples … fully experiencing the Jesus’ gift of love that gave me the freedom to LIVE in LOVE!

A Holy Week Bible Study

A Holy Week Bible Study for individuals and families - Walk through the Gospels and spend time with Jesus. Questions and prayers to help you experience His love #HolyWeek #Jesus #PassionofChrist #God'sLove #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Palm Sunday

Let’s start with a prayer…

Help me stop this week and look at my heart. Show me where I’m wrong. Show me my sin. Forgive me and help me change.

Thank you for saving me through Jesus. Thank you for saving the words of those who walked with Him. Thank you for allowing me to look closely and marvel at amazing grace. Teach me. Guide me. Draw me close in Jesus name. Amen.

So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for Him to ride on.

As He rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of Him. When He reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of His followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

Luke 19:35–38

Pause with me for a moment and let your heart and mind imagine the scene.

  • What do you see?
  • What do you hear?
  • What do you smell?
  • Who are you?
    • A follower?
    • A Pharisee?
    • A bystander?
    • A fan?

Are you being swept along by the excitement? Are you skeptical of the man they say can raise the dead? Are you angry? Are you confused?

  • Do you believe?

Read each Gospel account – Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–40, John 12:12–19

Later that day, Jesus said…

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to Your name.”

John 12:27
  • What would you like to say to Him?

Holy Monday

Back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Mark 11:15–18

Pause for moment…

  • What do you see?
  • What do you hear?
  • How does it smell?
  • Who are you?
    • A worshipper?
    • A priest?
    • An observer?
    • A disciple?
    • A buyer? A seller?
  • How do you feel?
  • Do you believe?

My prayer…

Father, forgive me. I’m ashamed. I’m afraid I would likely stand in the courtyard surprised by Jesus’ passion and conviction. It’s probably I would find normal and satisfactory the way things have “always” been done. I wonder if I would even realize that a place of prayer had become a marketplace.

I’m challenged to ask if I’ve allowed subtle changes in culture to distort my perception of holiness and worship.

I want a passion for Your holy presence. I want to cherish what You call holy. I want to give the highest value to truth and honesty. I want to know Your truth. I want my heart to break for those things that break Your heart and I want to hold sacred that which is precious to You.

Please help me, Father. Forgive me. Guide me by the power of Your Spirit. Draw me close. Hear my prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read each Gospel account – Matthew 12:12–17, Mark 11:15–25, Luke 19:45–48,

Maundy Thursday

A Holy Week Bible Study for individuals and families - Walk through the Gospels and spend time with Jesus. Questions and prayers to help you experience His love #HolyWeek #Jesus #PassionofChrist #God'sLove #PalmSunday #MaundyThursday #GoodFriday #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

In the Upper Room…

He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.

After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

John 13:4–5, 12–15

Let’s pause…

  • What do you see?
  • How does it smell?
  • What do you hear?
  • How do you feel?
  • Who are you?
    • Matthew?
    • Nathaniel?
    • James or John?
    • Judas?
    • Peter?
    • An observer watching from the corner?
  • Are you humbled? Are you ashamed? Are you confused or embarrassed?
  • Are you willing to serve those with stinky feet?
  • Do you believe?

Father, I picture myself with teachers I’ve respected and admired; and I can’t imagine one of them washing my feet. It seems awkward and embarrassing. It’s easy to relate to Peter’s word, “You will never wash my feet.”

But then I hear Jesus’ words and I see His humble love and I want to follow His example and love like Him.

Please forgive me. I fail repeatedly. I allow “self” to get in the way of love and service. I’m self-protective and self-righteous. Help me. Open my eyes to see those who need me to love them with humble love. Help me to follow Jesus’ example. Help me trust and obey. Amen.

Read each Gospel account – Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7–30, John 13:1–17

In Gethsemane’s Garden

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.”

Then He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Matthew 26:36,38–41

And again, let’s pause…

  • What do you see?
  • What do you hear?
  • What do you smell?
  • Who are you?
    • Peter?
    • James?
    • John?
    • Thomas? Philip? Matthew?
    • Judas?

Are you embarrassed? Are you trying to stay awake? Are you confused by Jesus’ emotion on this night of celebration? Are you afraid?

  • Do you watch and pray?
  • Do you believe?

Lord, I can’t imagine the anguish of that hour. The pain of knowing what was about to happen. The pain of knowing the beginning to the end. Knowing the pain, the betrayal, denials, lies, rejection…

I am so sorry. Please forgive me. My sin. My shame. My punishment.

Help me to live by the power of Your Spirit. Help me to embrace the freedom you’ve given. Help me to love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Help me to love like Jesus. In His name and for His sake I pray. Amen.

Read each Gospel account – Matthew 26:36–46, Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:39–45,

Good Friday

Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put a purple robe on Him. “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped Him across the face.

John 19:1-3

Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

John 19:16–19

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Mark 15:33–34

Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”

When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

John 19:28,30

And finally, let’s pause to make it personal one more time…

  • What do you see?
  • What do you hear?
  • What do you smell?
  • Who are you?
    • John?
    • Mary Magdalene?
    • A Soldier?
    • Mary, His mother?
    • A Mocker?
    • An Observer?
    • A Thief?
    • A Priest?
  • How do you feel?

Are you afraid? Are you appalled? Are you ashamed? Self-righteous? Devastated? Confused? Satisfied?

  • Who is this man? Who is Jesus to you?
  • Do you believe?

Father, Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 

Draw me close, Father. Pull me to the foot of the cross. I don’t want to look away . . . to shrug off hard to face truths. That my sin caused Jesus suffering and death. My hand held the hammer. I stand with the mockers and Pharisees.

I want to see myself as John or one of the Marys. But that’s just my foolish pride. It allows me to judge those who history credits as causing your death. It allows me to separate myself. It makes it possible for me to think—at least I’m not as bad as…

But, I’m wrong. Forgive me. I am a sinner. As hard as I try, I will always fall short of Your perfect will for me. I’m so sorry.

Thank you for never giving up on me. Help me to keep my eyes, my heart, and my mind focused on Jesus—the One who authored and perfected my relationship with You through faith. I come to the cross that brings me to You. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Read each Gospel account – Matthew 32 27:32–56, Mark 15:21–41, Luke 23:26–49, John 19:16–27

A Holy Week Bible Study for individuals and families - Walk through the Gospels and spend time with Jesus. Questions and prayers to help you experience His love #HolyWeek #Jesus #PassionofChrist #God'sLove #PalmSunday #MaundyThursday #GoodFriday #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

I’m praying for you this Holy Week.

I’m asking God to bless you and remind you once again of how very much He loves you…

 God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, “I love you.” ~ Billy Graham

And I’d love for you to join me on Friday when I’m going to God with prayers inspired by the things Jesus said from the cross.

May God encourage you and hold you close as you SEEK Him.

Don’t forget to bookmark this Holy Week Bible Study so you can refer back to it throughout the week and focus your heart and mind on Jesus.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

What is Jesus’ Truth? 5 Important Things You Need to Know

Jesus' truth is still followed more than 2000 years later. So, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things His truths continue to give His followers #Hope #Truth #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

How would you define the word “truth?”

I always hate when the dictionary defines a word by using a variation of the word.

Truth is:

  • the quality or state of being true.
  • that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
  • a fact or belief that is accepted as truth.

Of course, that last one may or may not be “truth” at all.

I suppose the Dictionary definition I’m most comfortable with is…

  • a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, or principle.

Have you ever stopped to ask … what is truth?
Not … what is the truth? But simply … what is truth?

Pontius Pilate did. In the middle of His trial, Pilate asked Jesus:

“What is truth?”

John 18:38

The Life Application Bible Notes add the following:

Pilate was cynical; he thought that all truth was relative. To many government officials, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals.

It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Maybe we need to ask a deeper question about “truth.”

Is truth simply what the majority believes and agrees with or is there a standard, an absolute truth?

The LAB notes continue…

When there is no standard or acknowledgement of truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power.

And we might include … those who want to be in power.

I’ll admit, this unsettles me … because “relative truth” that can be used to manipulate and exploit people in order to gain power may not be “truth” at all.

And maybe that’s one of the reasons our world continues to struggle. Maybe too many are chasing after “truth” that isn’t really true at all.

Jesus responded to Pilate’s question with the following:

Jesus said, “I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

John 18:37

And Jesus’ truth still stands more than 2000 years later. His promises have not and will not fail. So, I thought it might be helpful to take a closer look at some of the things Jesus said are true.

Things that will encourage and bless us when the relative truth of the world is leaving us unsettled and concerned.

Jesus' truth is still followed more than 2000 years later. So, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things His truths continue to give His followers #Hope #Truth #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

5 Important Things to Know About Jesus’ Truth

1. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Life

This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

John 3:16–17

Some people look at the Bible as a book Christians use so they hyper-critical of others but the truth is that the Bible is a book of life-giving forgiving love.

Adrian Rogers wrote…

Cut the Bible and it will bleed. The blood of Jesus is on every page.

That’s the greatness of God’s love for those of us who fail Him every day.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

And John wrote the following about Jesus…

We know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life.

1 John 5:120

2. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Freedom

Jesus’ truth frees us of our broken sinful pasts.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live fully alive today.
Jesus’ truth frees us to live without fear of the future.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31–32

Whatever is holding you back today … fear, worry, anxiety, a broken past or an uncertain future … Jesus is able to set you free so you can LIVE with peace, hope, and joy.

3. Jesus’ Truth will Give You a Moral Standard

Jesus’ truth gives a consistent moral standard that is lasting … not a set of rules that move and change along with society’s views and opinions.

Views and opinions that tell us:

  • Lies are just a part of life. Everyone lies.
  • Abortion is a woman’s “choice.” It’s just a fetus … a clump of cells.
  • Sex with anyone anywhere anytime is harmless. If it’s what both people want.
  • A little gossip is okay if you follow it with … “we need to pray for them.”
  • I need to take care of ME. I don’t have time to help my neighbor.
  • Grace is not necessary. It’s all about what you do.
  • My sins aren’t nearly as bad as his/her sins.

Have you read this verse recently…

There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6:16–19

Do we really think God hates these things any less today than when Solomon wrote them years ago?

But there is good news! God didn’t give us this moral standard to spoil our fun or make us miserable. He knew that following His truth and obeying His will would bless us and make our lives better.

He knew it was and is the wise thing to do.

4. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Wisdom.

Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Matthew 7:24–25

I want that, don’t you?!

I want a truth that will make me rock solid. One that will give me strength when the messiness of life starts to feel overwhelming and those who are following relative truth start to throw their hands up in despair.

For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

Proverbs 2:6,9

I want truthful wisdom that will guide me and give me hope.

5. Jesus’ Truth will Give You Hope for the Future.

Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19–20

And…

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

John 14:2–3

These two promises are ones I hold close to my heart every day.

Jesus' truth is still followed more than 2000 years later. So, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things His truths continue to give His followers #Hope #Truth #Faith #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

That is seriously GOOD NEWS!

Whatever is going on in your life and mine … Jesus is always with us. We never have to face anything on our own.

I can tell you, with Jesus’ help, Rev and I have gotten through things I promise you we could never have endured on our own. He gave us peace, and hope, and strength to endure. I still don’t understand it but oh my, I am so very thankful for it.

And then … the ultimate fear — death.

Look again at what Jesus said. He is preparing a place for you and He will personally come to take you home.

People fear having to face death alone … but when you and I have faith in Jesus, we don’t have to face it alone because He promises to be with us.

I’d like to encourage you to learn more about Jesus’ truth. Not what people say about it … not just what I say about it. Please go and seek His truth yourself.

I have a couple of resources I believe will help:

I’m asking God to bless you today as He gives you hope and peace in and through Jesus’ truth!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

God has What You Need to Change Your Life

So many people are living with the fear of illness or their financial future but the miracle is God has the power to remove fear and change your life today. #ChangeYourLife #ChangeYourLifeInspiration #Faith #Hope #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Recently, someone asked me what my blog is about and after saying, “It’s about living at the intersection of faith and life,” Then I hesitated. I didn’t know what to say next.

What is my blog about and why do I write day after day?

I decided that’s a question I should be able to answer quickly and easily … for that reason I’m answering three questions so I’ll be prepared in the future. And I thought you might be interested in the answers as well.

My Backstory

Did you believe you knew the answers when something happened and you realized you didn’t even know the questions? That’s me!

I would have made a great Pharisee. You know—a rule follower and proud of it. I didn’t think of myself as being proud because fear was my rule-following motivator.

I wanted a blessed life and believed God “rewarded” obedient rule followers.

But I had it turned around.

I wasn’t responding to God’s love. I wanted God to respond to my ‘good girl” obedience.

But most Pharisees, if they’re like me, don’t know they’re well, Pharisees. They’re too busy doing it right trying to please God and earn His favor.

So, don’t be too hard on your fellow Pharisees. Believe me, they are sadly mistaken but God is working on them.

He definitely worked on me until He got my attention by allowing me to crash and burn. And all I can say is … thank you! I am so grateful! Not for the crash and burn part but for the way the Lord used it in my life.

You see, He knew that’s what it would take for me to learn that it’s impossible to “do it right.”

There is no one who does anything good, not even one.

Psalm 14:3

That’s why I needed to be free of my inner Pharisee! I needed to simply receive and trust God’s grace and mercy.

You see, I finally realized that no matter how hard I tried, I was not now nor would I ever “do it right.” My life felt like a mess and I was emotionally wrecked. So, I turned to God’s Word because I wanted to know what else I had misunderstood and mistakenly applied.

As I humbly poured over the pages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit began to heal and change my broken repentant heart. And the Bible went from being a rule book that told me the right way to live, to becoming a love letter that showed me how to LIVE fully alive under God’s grace.

That’s why I write.

Once God has transformed your heart and changed your life through His patient love and amazing grace it is just too good to keep it to yourself.

It’s a story you have to share.

So many people are living with the fear of illness or their financial future but the miracle is God has the power to remove fear and change your life today. #ChangeYourLife #ChangeYourLifeInspiration #Faith #Hope #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

God has What You Need to Change Your Life

Changing lives is what He does.

He is able to remove fear, give hope, heal broken hearts, infuse courage, provide peace and so much more. I know. Those are just some of the things He has changed in me.

Too many people spend every day stuck in discouraged fear-filled chaotic lives.

Even as I type this, many are struggling with fear and uncertainty because of the Coronavirus and falling Stock Market.

But as God’s children, you and I can have God’s peace even when everyone else is distressed. His Spirit is with us to remind us of God’s sovereignty … absolutely nothing is beyond His power and ability.

Our Heavenly Father is able and willing to give us everything we need each day.

So while people are frantically searching for answers to life’s problems, you and I can KNOW the answer we need most is found in Jesus … the One who is God’s gift of grace, mercy, and love.

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Galatians 1:3–5

I want to invite you to SEEK and KNOW.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Luke 12:31

Jesus didn’t just mean an eternity in heaven when He said, “everything you need.” (Although, an eternal future in God’s loving presence is definitely something we all need.) Jesus was telling His followers that God would faithfully give them what they needed each day.

The One who transforms hearts and minds … changes lives by giving SEEKers His love, joy, peace, patience, hope, courage, strength, and growing faith.

I love this truth from Bishop N. T. Wright…

Jesus’ resurrection matters not only for the hope of life after death; it matters for life before life after death.

God has what you need to change your life.

He gave Jesus as His gift of love … presently and eternally.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.”

John 3:!6–17

And from the beginning to the end God’s plan for us is love.

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

When you’re afraid and life feels uncertain, God wants you to know…

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–7

And when the His appointed time comes…

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:2–3

That powerful truth of God’s love will change your life!

And once God changes your life, you never have to do a single moment on your own again. The One who created and sustains everything in the universe will be with you. He promises to hear every prayer and meet every need.

So many people are living with the fear of illness or their financial future but the miracle is God has the power to remove fear and change your life today. #ChangeYourLife #ChangeYourLifeInspiration #Faith #Hope #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

One question people often ask is … How does God change your life?

It’s hard to explain but He is able to transform our hearts and minds with His love—giving us faith, hope, joy, and so much more.

Now, I have one more important truth to share with you.

I am, without a doubt, a work in progress … a follower who is still learning.

I don’t have all the answers but I am abundantly thankful that the One who does the answers invites us to SEEK and KNOW Him.

That’s called “living at the intersection of faith and life.”

So, the next time someone asks me what my blog is about … I’ll be prepared.

What is my blog about?

It’s about the God who loves them so much He gave His own life that they might have life … a changed life today, tomorrow, and forever.

I want everyone who visits Counting My Blessings to know that God invites them to SEEK Him and KNOW Him. He wants them to trust Him to give them everything they need.

And friend, I’m praying for you and asking God to bless you in Jesus today and every day as you live in Him at the intersection of faith and life.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

When You Need to Remember Who You Are In Jesus

I ran into a wall of discouragement this week. I needed a reminder of God's love. Maybe you need to remember who you are in Jesus, too. Read this... #GodisLove #GodLovesYou #Faith #YouareLoved #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings #Hope #Blessings

I have the January blahs! I began the year with all the normal enthusiasm that comes with a fresh start.

Three weeks ago, I had a writing plan that excited me, a healthy diet and exercise plan that seemed doable, books I couldn’t wait to read, family and friends who delighted me … I was full of optimism and happiness.

This week, I ran up against a wall of discouragement for no apparent reason other than a bunch of little things piled up one on top of another and I started to feel “less than.”

Not enough! Less than I want to be! Less than I believe I should be.

I decided I need a quick reminder of who I am in Christ. Maybe you need a reminder of who you are in Jesus, too. So … here we go!

Who You Are In Jesus

You are wonderful!

Yes, you!

When I feel like I have the last few days, I can quickly think of a dozen ways I am definitely NOT wonderful.

Most of the time I go straight to the superficial . . . to appearances. And all I see are my imperfections.

I see spots, blemishes, wrinkles, and sagging skin. I have lumps and bumps in places I don’t want them and well, you get the idea.

I’m also well aware of my flaws when it comes to my thoughts, words, and actions.

I could share a long list of things that are not wonderful but I’ll spare you.

I relate to these words from Paul…

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 

Romans 7:18–19

It’s reassuring to know that a pillar of faith, like Paul, did not hold himself up as the ideal of Christian perfection but let us know that we are not alone in our struggle.

And when you and I recognize our “less than” perfect qualities and characteristics we can embrace the words that follow…

What a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord!

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7:24–25a, 8:1–2, 8:38–39

That’s grace! That’s love!

That’s who you are in Jesus.

It’s good news!

Because of Jesus, God looks past our flaws and failures with eyes of grace and love and He sees the wonderful you and me … He created us to be!

I ran into a wall of discouragement this week. I needed a reminder of God's love. Maybe you need to remember who you are in Jesus, too. Read this... #GodisLove #GodLovesYou #Faith #YouareLoved #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings #Blessings

Whether you and I feel like it or not, we need to repeat the following often…

1. GOD MADE ME WONDERFUL.

I praise you because You made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What You have done is wonderful. I know this very well.

Psalm 139:14 (NCV)

I love the way the MSG. says it…

Body and soul, I am marvelously made! 

It’s not about our feelings. Whether you and I “feel” it or not.

God says in His Word that we are made in an “amazing and wonderful way” … unique and one of a kind. Perfect for His plans and purposes. Out of all the possible DNA combinations, God chose 46 or 47 specific chromosomes just for you.

There are 8,324,608 possible combinations of chromosomes and each one contains dozens to thousands of different genes.  The total possible combination of alleles (variations) for those genes in humans is approximately 70,368,744,177,664.  This is trillions of times more combinations than the number of people who have ever lived. ~Reddit.com/AskScience

Who you are…

“You weren’t an accident. You weren’t mass-produced. You aren’t an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.” ~Max Lucado

2. And It’s Okay to Celebrate Being Wonderfully Made

Obsessing about our flaws and faults simply robs us of our peace and happiness.

I believe that’s something high on the list of things satan wants for us because if he can steal our peace and joy, he can stifle our ability to fulfill God’s plans and purposes for us.

Jesus said…

The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. 

John 10:10

Jesus’ purpose is to give us a full and satisfying life.

When we stay focused on all we have and who we are in Jesus, we have everything we need to live the life He wants for us.

David followed the “amazing and wonderful” verse with…

I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
You know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

Psalm 139:15–16

What a creation!
Known. Loved. Planned.

And in Jesus … Forgiven. Redeemed. Child of God.

That’s you! That’s me!

We are not known for our flaws and faults.
You and I are God’s marvelous creation! God’s loved and redeemed children!

So, it’s time to look at things in a new way, to know who you are in Jesus. So…

Stop and Celebrate Who You Are

  1. Make a list of your greatest strengths and abilities. You’re kind. Smart. Funny. Musical. Artistic. Athletic. Strong. Caring. Helpful. Make a list of everything you do well.
  2. Make a list of things you like about the way you look. Just do it. Beautiful eyes. Cute nose. Strong arms. Dimples. Curly hair. Curvy figure. Find a minimum of 5-10 you can celebrate.
  3. Ask your closest friends to help you make your list.  They love you. You’ll be surprised by the blessings they see in you and the things they love about you.
  4. Spend less time focused on yourself and more time loving others. Avoid lengthy sessions in front of the mirror and ask God to forgive your failures. Then focus on loving your people. You will feel better about yourself. I promise.
  5. Refuse to compare your appearance, gifts, or abilities with anyone else’s. Comparing is the thief of joy and peace. Don’t do it!
  6. Take occasional breaks from social media. Everyone puts their ideal on social media. If you find yourself discouraged while scrolling through posts . . . walk away for a while.
  7. Do your best and be at peace about the rest. Live today with enthusiasm. Then put the day behind you and start again tomorrow.
  8. Reject negative self-talk. Stop it! If it’s sin, confess it, receive forgiveness and celebrate God’s grace.
  9. Do something positive every day to become the person you want to be. Let God work in you to grow you for His purposes. Learn something new. Exercise. Eat a healthy diet.
  10. Limit your time with toxic and negative people. You can’t avoid them all but you can lessen their ability to discourage and defeat you.
  11. Be patient with yourself – think long term. Expect progress, not perfection. One of my favorite sayings is, “Baby steps are still steps.”
  12. Cherish values like honesty, integrity, kindness, etc. Follow the Golden Rule and treat others the way you want them to treat you.
  13. Speak a minimum of five positive and encouraging things to yourself every day. Remember Stuart Smiley’s quote, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”
  14. Do one nice thing for yourself every day. Take a long bath. Read a chapter of your favorite book. Light a candle. Use your good dishes. Celebrate today.
  15. Pursue a close relationship with the One who created you. Spend time in prayer and Bible study. Ask Him to help you become the best version of the person He created you to be.
  16. Ask God to help you see yourself the way He sees you. He loves you so much! The God of the universe calls you precious.
  17. Remember how very much God loves you. Memorize His promises to speak truth to your heart when you feel discouraged.
  18. Remember – God looks past the surface to the heart. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Verses to Memorize:
Remember How Much God Loves You

Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. Ephesians 1:4

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. Ephesians 2:4

The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in His love; He will sing and be joyful about you. Zephaniah 3:17

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

I ran into a wall of discouragement this week. I needed a reminder of God's love. Maybe you need to remember who you are in Jesus, too. Read this... #GodisLove #GodLovesYou #Faith #YouareLoved #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings #Hope #Blessings

Finally, it’s important to…

HAVE AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. 

All of those things that discourage and annoy you are temporary.

Your soul, the person God made you to be in Him, the person created in His image … that person will live forever. 

You are God’s beautiful creation! You are someone to celebrate!

I needed that reminder today. Maybe you needed it too.

If so, you may want to write this down…

God loves me. He made ME for His glory, for His plans and purposes, and for eternity. It’s time for me to celebrate His grace, mercy, and love by remembering who I am because of whose I am. I belong to Jesus!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

When You Need to Know You are Precious to the Kingdom

Jesus said the Kingdom of God was like a merchant who sold everything to get a precious pearl. You are that priceless precious pearl! #KingdomofGod #YouarePrecious #GodLovesYou #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Jesus said…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33

He taught His followers to pray…

May Your Kingdom come!

Matthew 6:10

And I realized, I wasn’t sure I knew what to say if someone asked me to explain the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, I decided to do a little research and thought you might be interested to know what I learned.

The term the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven are used more than 80 times in the New Testament, most often by Jesus Himself. One of Jesus’ earliest proclamations was…

“The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Mark 1:15
  1. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are synonyms.
  2. The Kingdom of God is the Spiritual realm over which God reigns supreme.
  3. The Kingdom of God is the fulfillment of God’s will on earth.

The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is God’s kingly rule — His reign, His action, His lordship, His sovereign governance.

Jesus specifically taught a couple of things about the Kingdom through parables … and although I’ve read these verses countless times, I learned something new this week.

In Matthew 13, Jesus is quoted as saying the following about the Kingdom…

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

Matthew 13:44

And…

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!”

Matthew 13:45–46

Did you notice the difference in these verses?

In the first one, the Kingdom is the treasure but in the second, the Kingdom is the merchant.

In the first verse, Jesus is telling His followers that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is the most valuable thing they could have.

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

The man who discovered the treasure hidden in the field stumbled upon it by accident but knew its value when he found it. And although the transaction cost him everything, he paid nothing for the priceless treasure itself. It came free, with the field. Nothing is more precious than the Kingdom of Heaven, yet God gives it to us as a gift.

As you and I receive God’s gift of Jesus and surrender our all to Him in faith, God gives us everything we need. EVERYTHING!

How can we KNOW? How can we trust that promise?

Because of Jesus’ second description of the Kingdom.

There Jesus said the Kingdom is like the merchant.

The Life Application Bible Notes say here…

Jesus is displaying another aspect of the Kingdom. [Here] the Kingdom pays the ultimate price to possess the pearl, the price God was willing to pay to redeem us.

YOU ARE THE PRECIOUS PEARL OF GREAT VALUE!

I always thought the pearl of great value was faith … like the great treasure in the field I thought it was what I should seek. And this week I realized that Jesus was saying that I am the pearl of great value and so are you.

God saw you and He gave up everything to save you!

You are so precious to Him!

Jesus said the Kingdom of God was like a merchant who sold everything to get a precious pearl. You are that priceless precious pearl! #KingdomofGod #YouarePrecious #GodLovesYou #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Verses to Remind You How Precious You are to God

Need a reminder? Stop and put your name in the blanks in the verses that follow:

This is how God loved __________: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

God created __________ in His own image. In the image of God He created __________.

Genesis 1:27

__________ is God’s masterpiece. He has created __________ anew in Christ Jesus, to do the good things He planned for us long ago.

God showed His great love for __________ by sending Christ to die for __________ while still a sinner.

Romans 5:8

I know the plans I have for __________,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give __________ a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; __________ you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Matthew 10:30–31

“My grace is all __________ needs. My power works best in weakness.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for __________, won’t He also give everything else?

Romans 8:32

See what great love the Father has lavished on __________, that __________ should be called a child of God!

1 John 3:1

If you’re not feeling precious and abundantly loved by the Father, the Lord of all, go back and read these verses one more time.

Because you are the precious pearl of great value. You are precious to the God of the Universe … Creator, Redeemer, and Comforting Holy Spirit. You are so precious to Him that He gave up the glories of heaven to become like you … a human being in every way except sin, so He could suffer your punishment and mine.

That’s how precious we are to Him.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God was like a merchant who sold everything to get a precious pearl. You are that priceless precious pearl! #KingdomofGod #YouarePrecious #GodLovesYou #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

And that’s the message of Christmas, isn’t it?

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through Him,
    and nothing was created except through Him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and His life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:1–5, 14

Celebrate Jesus! The One who calls you precious. The One who loves you so much He gave up everything so He could give you everything.

And so … He invites you, and me, to SEEK the Kingdom of God above all else.

Because it is life’s greatest treasure.

We are invited by God Himself to surrender all of the things we think we want or need and to make it our heart’s desire to KNOW and TRUST FATHER GOD through HIS SON, JESUS.

And I think that makes Christmas the perfect time of year to offer ourselves at the manger and make a commitment to SEEK the KINGDOM of GOD today and every day for the rest of our lives.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Describe God’s Glory to a Hurting World

The Bible says God is glorious but how can you and I describe God's glory in ways that people who need Him can understand? #WWGGG #DescribeGod'sGlory #Faith #Blessings

If someone asked you, “How would you describe God’s glory?”

What would you say?

You and I live in a world full of suffering and conflict … a world that desperately needs the truth about God.

And because of that, I want everyone to know about a glorious righteous God who transforms broken and hurting people into individuals who are strengthened and filled with hope … into communities of made over through God’s love.

For me, a huge part of telling people about God has been explaining all He has done for me.

But I also want to be able to tell them about Him … about who He says He is in the Bible.

And the Bible tells me He is glorious…

Moses asked to see God’s glory.

 “Please show me your glory.”

Exodus 33:18 (NCV)

And although God would not allow him to see His face, He did reveal a glimpse and a description…

“Yahweh, the Lord, is a kind and merciful God. He is slow to become angry. He is full of great love. He can be trusted. He shows his faithful love to thousands of people. He forgives people for the wrong things they do, but he does not forget to punish guilty people.

Exodus 34:6–7

David wrote this about God’s glory…

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies announce what his hands have made.

Psalm 19:1

And John wrote…

The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw His glory—the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father—and he was full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

And finally, Jesus said.

“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

John 11:40

You see, the struggle we have in describing God’s glory is that His glory is not a part of Him. It’s a trait like height, hair color, or personality.

God’s glory is who He is!

God’s glory is His character, His nature, His way of relating to His creation.

God did not give Moses a vision of His power and majesty (although He certainly could have)…

He showed Moses His love.

God glory is demonstrated in His love and He has revealed His glory to you and me through His mercy and grace … through Jesus.

Through Jesus, He is always ready to forgive us and willing to help when we ask. He is faithful and just, slow to get angry willing to give us time to repent.

And He is always generous and gracious with His goodness, truth, compassion, and love.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians…

[ The God of Glory ] How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.

Ephesians 1:3–6 (MSG)

How beautiful is that?!

Through His glory, God has chosen you and me. He has adopted us into His family. He has blessed us with His lavish love!

Lavish!

The dictionary defines lavish as … being given in great amounts or without limit.

Think about that for a minute.

The Bible says God is glorious but how can you and I describe God's glory in ways that people who need Him can understand? #WWGGG #DescribeGod'sGlory #Faith #Blessings

God pours out His love without limit!

Satan’s greatest temptation is the lie that we should question and doubt God’s goodness and love.

But God refutes that lie through the gift of Jesus who has shown us the lavishness of His love.

Jesus … fully God and fully man is God’s glory in a human body.

He said…

The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does His work through me.

John 14:10

The Way, the Truth, and the Life – shows us God’s redeeming love.

I love this quote from John Piper…

Consider Jesus. Know Jesus. Learn what kind of Person it is you say you trust and love and worship. Soak in the shadow of Jesus. Saturate your soul with the ways of Jesus. Watch Him. Listen to Him. Stand in awe of Him. Let Him overwhelm you with the way He is.

I invited my friends to share some ways to describe God’s glory and share it with others…

Exercising a Heart of Obedience by Nicki Schroeder

… Trusting God’s plan even when it’s hard and using it to tell of His grace and give Him glory.

How to Set Goals that Glorify God Every Day, Every Year by Diana Abe

… 3 ways to plan and set goals to intentionally give God glory.

6 Marvelous Maxims that are True for Every Child of God by Melanie Redd.

… What is a maxim? A brief short expression of truth! These maxims are perfect truths to give God glory.

An Intimate Portrait of the God Who Pursues Me by Marva Smith

… God pursues you and me because He loves us so very much! His love reflects His glory.

Powerful Ways God Shows Up When You Least Expect It by Valerie Murray

… Beautiful ways simple acts of unexpected kindness show us God’s glory.

The Purpose Behind Christian Hospitality by Dawn Klinge

… Beautiful ways of opening our homes to others give God glory.

Friend, when you want to describe God’s glory … tell your story!

Tell people! Show people. Gentle and respectfully describe how…

God is your Provider…

This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:!9

God is your Healer…

O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone!

Jeremiah 17:14

God is your Savior…

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:42

God is LOVE…

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16

John 4:16
The Bible says God is glorious but how can you and I describe God's glory in ways that people who need Him can understand? #WWGGG #DescribeGod'sGlory #Faith #Blessings

That’s it! Simply…

Tell the nations of His glory; tell all peoples the miracles He does, because the Lord is great; He should be praised at all times.

Psalm 96:3–4a

Oh, there’s one more thing…

After Moses had been with God:

… he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. 

Exodus 34:29b

Don’t you just love that?!

Moses’ face reflected God’s glory!

Oh, how I want that!

Can you imagine the difference it could make if the faces of God’s children reflected His glory?

I want that! I want people to be able to tell that I’ve spent time with God because it shows. I want God’s glory to be reflected in everything I say and do … and even if I don’t say or do a thing. I want people to see His glory in the expression on my face.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!