5 of the Best Ways to Guard Your Heart and Love People

Learn how to guard your heart while remaining open and vulnerable ... but do it with God's help, wisdom, and discernment. Awesome relationship advice! #Relationships #Friendship #KnowtheTruth #FaithLife #Blessings

You were determined. Things were going to be different this year. You made relationship goals and you’re trying hard, really you are.

But there’s a problem. You brought last year’s baggage into this year’s efforts and your family and friends did the same.

Doubts, disappointments, failures … memories linger and somehow get in the way of the changes you were hoping to realize.

We’re almost half-way through the year and the desires and dreams you had in January … began to fade months ago.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to give up. I want to rekindle that spark of hope. So, I’m going to God’s Word for inspiration and ideas of changes I can make to guard my heart against recurring disappointments and maybe, just maybe, bless my relationships as well.

Kind Solomon wrote in Proverbs…

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23

It sounds good but what exactly does it mean to “guard your heart”?

The dictionary defines guard this way…

to keep safe from harm and danger
to keep a close watch
to keep under control or restraint
to provide a safeguard

That’s the simple definition and it makes sense but how do you and I guard something as fragile as our hearts … especially when they are so vulnerable to the words and actions of the people around us.

If you’ve ever had your heart broken . . . you may believe “guard your heart” means never allowing yourself to be vulnerable again.

And I understand, sometimes living behind a protective wall feels safer and easier.

But you and I were made for community . . . for relationships. God wants us to live connected to Him and to each other and that means isolated living isn’t really an option, at least not a good one.

We need to learn how to remain open and vulnerable while also guarding our hearts … but doing so with wisdom and discernment.

And that is not easy!

So, here are 5 ways I believe you and I can guard our hearts and bless our relationships.

5 of the Best Ways to Guard Your Heart
and Love People

1. Know God’s Truth to Defeat Lies

The enemy of our souls is constantly whispering distractions and defeat. His goal is to rob our peace, devastate our efforts, and ruin our relationships.

If you and I want to live in community with guarded hearts, it’s essential for us to know the truth.

God’s truth.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth,” 78 times. Truth for life and truth about relationships.

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard.
John 16:13

God’s Word is full of relationship advice but it’s hard for you and me to apply it if we don’t know it.

The more we fill our hearts and minds with God’s truth the easier it is to guard our hearts while still remaining open, caring, patient, and kind.

I’m holding onto Colossians 3 as a reminder:

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:12–15

2. Carefully Control Your Thoughts

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

I bet you wanted to start with an easy one!

Thoughts pop in from everywhere. If you’re like me, you find it almost impossible to remain focused on the true, pure, and lovely aspects of life; especially when opposing views are so readily available.

And that’s true in our relationships as well.

Old habits are hard to break. Annoying behaviors get on our nerves. Conversations turn into arguments and hurt feelings leave us thinking about anything and everything but things like truth, respect, kindness, and love.

You and I can guard our hearts by…

Addressing problems kindly, calmly, and quickly. Forgiving fast. Refusing to bring up the past.

And giving thanks for small steps of progress believing that God has hope-filled plans for the future.

3. Pray for Wisdom and Strength

Plain and simple … I need God’s wisdom in my relationships.

I need God’s help! It’s impossible for me to apply verses like the one above without His help!

Honestly, I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to go to the Lord praying…

“I don’t want to be merciful, kind, humble, gentle and patient right now. I’m hurt, frustrated, and angry. Please help me see this person the way You see them and help me love like Jesus.”

Or…

“I don’t know how to handle this situation. Please reveal the truth to me, guide my thoughts, and show me what to do and say going forward. Help me set wise boundaries and bless this relationship with Your grace, mercy, and love.”

If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.

And…

The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 1:5 (NLV) and James 3:17 (NLT)

I love that the Lord wants to bless us with wisdom and tells us what it looks like!

4. Love Yourself God’s Way

I’m not very good at self-love when it comes to pats on the back and pep talks.

It’s important to stop and remember just how much God loves us!

In perfect wisdom … He cares for, provides, protects, comforts, strengthens, and saves us!

Loving ourselves means … caring for our bodies, minds, emotions, and souls. For more details about loving yourself God’s way click here.

I love this quote about God’s love by Jerry Bridges…

“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.”

And it is God’s unfailing love flowing into and through us that helps us love others.

5. Love Others as You Love Yourself

It’s easy to think of love as a warm fuzzy feeling of affection you and I have for people who are precious to us.

But I don’t believe that’s what Jesus meant when He said…

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 19:19, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27

Loving others as we love ourselves is caring for them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is love that is caring and kind, forgiving and patient … it reflects the love of Jesus.

Which is another reason why I need God’s help! My selfish nature absolutely can’t do that on its own.

Trust God with the Rest

Sometimes I think guarding our hearts this way only works in a perfect world. In a world where you and I are dealing with imperfect people like us … we must do our best to do what we can and trust the rest to the Lord’s loving care!

Guard Your Heart

Friends, your heart is precious. It is the core of who you are. What you believe takes root in your heart and reveals itself in your words and actions.

The Message paraphrases Solomon’s words this way…

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Proverbs 4:23

That’s awesome relationship advice!

Remember…

You are precious to God. The people around you are precious to Him, too. Guard your heart with His truth, reflect His love, and trust Him to help you with the rest.

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5 Verses to Pray When You Want to Seek God First

6 / 13 / 196 / 14 / 19

I want to get up each morning and seek God first. I want to live surrendered and free in Jesus! But it takes prayer. So, I'm praying 5 verses asking for the Spirit's help. #Prayer #Faith #SeekGodFirst #Blessings #BlessingBloggers

SEEK was my word for 2018, and I chose Luke 12:31 as my verse…

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

At the end of the year, I knew there was no moving on. Seek went from being my word for the year to being my word for life!

I think the reason it’s so important to me is because giving God first place in my life was something I struggled with for much of my life. I believed and trusted in Jesus for my salvation but I also struggled to surrender myself completely.

Satan had planted a seed of doubt … one that told me much was asked of those who surrendered completely. So, I held back just a little because I doubted God’s ability to strengthen me through my “what if” fears.

But I was wrong!

Life is hard whether we’re surrendered or not. Bad things happen to the faith-filled and to those without faith. But by God’s grace, I’ve learned that God is greater than my circumstances, even when they are painful and unwanted!

The Lord provided everything I needed through a season of overwhelming events and proved He is able to give me everything I need whatever my situation. I can now say…

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.
Romans 8:38

He gave me what I needed when I needed it! Never early. Never late. But right on time.

Now I cling to verses like…

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

And…

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Psalm 46:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:9

I want to get up each morning and seek God first. I want to live surrendered and free in Jesus!

But it takes prayer. So, today I’m praying 5 verses asking for the Spirit’s help to…

Seek God First

Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.
1 Chronicles 16:11

Father, Seeking is not a “sit back, wait and see” way of life. It’s spending time in Your Word, coming to You in prayer, and worshipping You in spirit and truth. Seeking is realizing I’m lost without You. It’s recognizing my need for Your mercy and grace. And it’s living a life of gratitude for Your gift of love … Jesus, the One who “came to seek and to save those who are lost” like me. Please help me continually seek You today!

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:6

Father, I want to trust and obey Your will faithfully but I fall short. Please forgive me and help me. Your Word says repentance is more than just saying I’m sorry; it is intentionally wanting to change. It’s trusting Your Word as truth and obeying Your will. It’s being willing to accept Your help in stepping off the path I’m on to take the path You want for me. Please help me apply these truths to my life.

The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him.So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25–26

Father, I hear You whisper, “be still and know … cease striving” but it’s hard Lord. My life feels like it’s spinning. Do this. Be there. Check this box. Finish that project. Run this errand. Help. Serve. Accomplish. I’m exhausted! I need You! I am stopping right now … stopping to surrender and breathe in Your goodness.

By Your grace, help me remember, I don’t have to do this alone. Your Spirit is with me to counsel and guide. Make me constantly aware of Your sweet presence as I depend on Your truth to guide me and give me strength.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21

Father, I know when I have You, I have everything I need. But the world shouts at me. My schedule harasses me. Some days … life simply wears me out.

With the help of Your Spirit, turn my focus from the chaos and desires of the world to the treasure I have in You. Fill me with Your peace. Help me replace the noise of life with the simple sounds of worship and praise. Give me a passion for Your Word and prayer. Be my treasure and my heart’s desire. Satisfy me with Your love.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given,
Psalm 105:1,4–5

Father, Thank you! When I remember all You have done in the past, I’m overwhelmed by Your grace and mercy. You have sustained and strengthened, healed and helped, provided and protected. I am overwhelmed. Thank you!

I surrender this day to You. I will follow where You lead and obey Your will as You reveal it to me. I will seek You with all I am and love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Please fill me with Your Spirit that I might willingly and faithfully keep this promise … by Your grace and for Your glory.

Seek God First

Jesus promised…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31

Everything! And the next verse…

So don’t be afraid … it gives your Father great happiness to give You the kingdom.
Luke 12:32

Great happiness! Wow! What a blessing it is to know our prayers to “seek God first,” are prayers our Father loves to answer!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

Be Who God Created You to Be

by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
@ Hope Prevails

Feeling Betrayed by a Friend – Be Honest

by Diane Ferreira
@ Worth Beyond Rubies

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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Jesus is the One Who Can Unite People in a Call Out World

6 / 10 / 196 / 10 / 19

Is it okay to call out all the people with whom we disagree? What about other Christians? I've challenged myself to find out what the Bible says. #BibleStudy #ChristianCommunity #SocialMedia #CountingMyBlessings

Eight years ago, I spent the months of June and July updating my passport, getting the required vaccines, and trying to figure out what in the world I should pack. Each day spent getting ready to travel to Bolivia as a member of the World Vision Bolivia Bloggers Team.

I was considerably older than the rest of the team’s members and I definitely had the smallest platform … I’m still in awe of the ways God worked to graciously allow me to go on this life-changing trip.

If you’re curious about the trip itself … you can learn more here.

The trip itself is not the reason for this post.

You see, the reason I’m writing this is … I met Rachel Held Evans that week.

I chose not to speak out while she was ill and following her death. But recently, I’ve felt the Lord’s nudge to share some thoughts with you.

Not as much thoughts about Rachel as thoughts about the rest of us.

You see, I struggle with being judgmental. There is something self-righteously satisfying about stopping to call out the people we deem”false teachers.” The people we believe are doing or say “it” wrong. Whatever we decide “it” is.

Honestly, I caught myself being guilty again just the other day.

So, I’m definitely not here to preach at you. Like you, I’m on a journey of faith … honestly sharing the things the Lord lays on my heart. They are things I need to hear and so I wonder if you might need them too.

Back to Bolivia and meeting Rachel…

Rachel and the others in the group were the ages of my children. Their life experiences differed from mine in almost every way. Although, I probably shared my thoughts with them more than I’d like to admit … I hope I asked lots of questions and listened intentionally because several of their ideas were new to me and I wanted to know more.

Rachel was in the middle of writing her book – A Year of Biblical Womanhood.

The following is the first paragraph of the book’s synopsis on Amazon.

Strong-willed and independent, Rachel Held Evans couldn’t sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment—a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decides to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year.

I smiled as I read those words because I don’t remember Rachel, as being strong-willed, although I’ll admit I only spent a week with her.

What I do remember about her is her smile and willingness to laugh, her kindness, and her passion for the children and families we were visiting and her heart for the ministry of World Vision.

Did I agree with everything that was said that week? No.

But I cared for and about everyone on the trip … including Rachel. When I heard she was ill, I prayed and prayed and prayed that God would heal her. And it broke my heart to learn she had died.

There was something else that broke my heart…

People using that heart-breaking time to say cruel and hateful things about her on social media because they disagreed with what she wrote.

Jesus is the One Who Can Unite People in a Call Out World

So, why am I writing about this now weeks later?

Last week, the Lord tapped me on the shoulder as I was read the following in Jonah and 1 John…

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh.

Why? Because Jonah hated the Assyrians and believed they deserved God’s judgment. Jonah had judged them and believed they deserved whatever God’s punishment.

So, when God asked him to go and “deliver the message” … Jonah took off in the opposite direction.

Which is how he found himself in the belly of a big fish.

God graciously and mercifully turned him around and gave him a second opportunity to obey. Which he did.

Jonah went to Nineveh and gave them God’s message:

“Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”
Jonah 3:4

And do you know what happened?

The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
Jonah 3:5

But Jonah was not happy…

“Didn’t I say before I left home that You would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.
Jonah 4:2

As I sat there pondering my own judgmental attitudes, I turned to my New Testament reading in 1 John 2:

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.
1 John 2:7

So, my heart was hearing … don’t judge people—love them!

I kept reading…

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.
1 John 2:9

The Life Application Bible Notes say:

John’s words focus on the attitude that causes us to ignore or despise others, to treat them as irritants, competitors, or enemies. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. We can choose to be concerned with people’s well being and treat them with respect, whether or not we feel affection toward them.

And I would add, whether or not we agree with them.

The LAB Notes also say:

Love should be the unifying force and identifying mark of the Christian community. Love is the key to walking in the light.

Friends, you and I are representing Jesus to the world. Why would anyone want what we have … when we publicly ridicule, condemn, and call out those with whom we disagree.

When we don’t agree, you and I are called to speak the truth in love.

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.
Ephesians 4:15

Maybe we need to be more focused on love because too often we forget that part, choosing to speak the truth with a sledgehammer.

What if speaking the truth in love looked more like…

Worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
1 Peter 2:15b–16

What if we did a better job of humbly telling our own broken stories that share the transforming power of God’s love!

What if we just told people about Jesus, the One who not only knows the truth but who is the Truth and the Way and the Life.

You see, He’s the One who prayed..

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, You have given me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.
John 17:11

He prayed for us to be united by His love and I want to honor Jesus’ prayer.

So, I’m asking God to give me eyes to see everyone as a soul desperately in need of His love. I’m asking Him to make me gracious and merciful in the way I treat others. I’m asking Him to help me listen more and call out less.

Because…

I don’t want people to know the truth according to Deb. I want people to know Jesus and experience the power of His transforming love.

1 John 4:8 says:

God is love!

Overwhelming love! Love who never gives up … who mercifully and patiently seeks out people and transforms lives.

Love who can unite people in a broken and sinful world. Love who can heal hearts and relationships. Love who has promised us LIFE!

I want to care more about people and less about being right. I want to treat everyone with caring kindness and compassion. And I want to be silent when I’m tempted to call out.

I’m praying with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will do a better job of loving like Jesus.

Will you please pray with me?

Father, thank you for faithfully showing me Your grace, mercy, and love. Please, please forgive me for failing to extend the same grace, mercy, and love to others. Please help me realize that I don’t have to agree with someone to be respectful, caring, and compassionate. Help me to be a better example of Your love in my home, at work, at church, in my community, and online. Unite us, Father, by Your love. In the name of Jesus. By Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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Know What You Believe and Why – The Logic of God

6 / 6 / 196 / 7 / 19

I jumped at the opportunity to review Ravi Zacharias’ new book, The Logic of God and I can’t wait to share it with you.

If you want to ground your beliefs on the truth and feel more comfortable sharing what you believe, The Logic of God by Ravi Zacharias, is for you. #BookReview #Faith #Christian #CountingMyBlessings

I love that Zacharias says this in his introduction…

God wants us to know Him personally and live out our faith day by day in meaningful ways, but the noise, chaos, clutter, and busyness of life so often overwhelm that we find it difficult, if not impossible. We also can just routinely go through life not even conscious of His existence and end up trapped in a vicious cycle of wrong thinking and believing…

You see, everyone has a worldview … an idea about how it all began, what it means, who and what defines right and wrong, and how it all ends.

We all want answers! We want something to believe and a reason to believe. We want Truth!

The Logic of God

The test for that truth includes three questions…

Is it consistent and lasting?
Is it relevant to my life?
Is it based on fact/history?

When submitted to these tests, the Christian message is utterly unique and meets the demands for truth.

This book will make you think … in a good way.

It’s divided into 52 chapters and Pastor Zacharias recommends that the reader take a week to challenge and stir his/her heart and mind with the text, questions and applications.

I couldn’t wait a whole week to start the next “experience.” So, I’ve been reading it more quickly but keep going back to the section I want to focus on to flesh out each truth for myself.

If you want to ground your beliefs on the truth … a truth you’ll feel more comfortable sharing as you tell your personal story, this book is for you as it faithfully points to Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life … the one and only way to the Father.

Quotes from The Logic of God:

Truth can exist only if there is an objective standard by which to measure it. That objective, unchanging absolute is God, further revealed to us in the person of Christ.

There is only one place in the world where love, forgiveness, and justice come together, and that is at the cross.

Might we sit still long enough to take in what God has for us? That is the greatest investment we will ever make.

And my favorites…

The weighty differences of worldviews can separate us from others but in my work of offering a defense of the Christian faith, I know firsthand they can be discussed without compromise and without animosity, with gentleness and respect … It is critically important to know that behind every belief is a believer and behind every question is a questioner.

Christianity is not a religion or perspective; it is God’s self-disclosure in Christ!

Book Description:

Jesus Christ alone answers our deepest questions.

We all have doubts that challenge our faith. We wonder whether the Bible still matters, or whether God is truly as loving and personal as we hope. In his first ever devotional, The Logic of God, apologist Ravi Zacharias offers 52 readings that explain how and why Christianity, the Bible, and God are still relevant, vital, and life-changing for us today. To all our dilemmas Ravi says, “I am convinced that Jesus Christ alone uniquely answers the deepest questions of our hearts and minds.”

With a remarkable grasp of biblical facts and a deep understanding of the questions that trouble our hearts, Ravi tackles the most difficult topics with ease and understanding. But The Logic of God is more than intellectual; it is also personal, offering thoughtful wisdom on:

when Jesus draws especially near you.

the deep ray of hope found in God’s Word.

how God transforms disappointments.

why prayer matters.

how genuine peace is possible.

making sense of suffering.

Ravi makes profound biblical truth easy to understand. And if your life is busy, this book is designed for you! It addresses 52 topics that you can read over the course of one year or slowly digest at your own pace. Each entry includes a Scripture, questions for reflection, and some practical application steps.

When you’re struggling with questions and doubts, confused, curious, or just want a clearer way to express your faith The Logic of God has answers that satisfy the heart and the mind.

How would you like to win a signed copy of The Hope of God? Click here.

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

How to Enjoy a Happy and Fruitful Christian Life

by Diana Abe
@ Diana’s Diaries

The Only Name that Matters

by Maryann Lorts
@ Coming to Light

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

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Deb Wolf
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Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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

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When You Need to Know God Never Changes

6 / 3 / 196 / 1 / 19

I have something to confess…

When life feels fragile and the news is upsetting, I need to remember that God never changes and wisdom says there is nothing new under the sun. #Faith #BibleStudy #Wisdom #Truth #SeekFirst

I can be a pretty passionate hand-wringer.

I know, I’ve told you I’m in recovery when it comes to worry and anxiety, and I am … really! At least that’s what I tell myself. (Picture an awkward smile here.)

But the truth is … the news, a controversial post on social media, or a divisive op-ed can agitate me in a matter of seconds.

When I see the ways the enemy is at work trying to turn us against each other, I’ll admit I occasionally find myself worrying about the future for us, for our children and our grandchildren.

I’ve even been known to do a little ranting about it on occasion. Based on the emails I receive, and the posts and comments I read online … I’m not the alone in this struggle.

Which is why I’m stopping today to remind myself of one very important truth…

God Never Changes!

It’s easy to look around, focus on the negative, and get upset when it seems like culture is on a path to self-destruction. But take a look at the wisdom of Solomon…

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9

When I read through Bible as history … the evidence is clear, sin has been sin since the Garden.

People are selfish, prideful, and power hungry. They manipulate the truth for personal gain and do what it takes for popularity.

But God said about Himself through James…

Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
James 1:16–17

And through the writer of Hebrews, He said this…

God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.
Hebrews 6:17–18a

And the promise is Jesus…

These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest.
Hebrews 18b–19

Which makes me stop and ask the question…

How do I keep my hope anchored on the truth when the world shouts louder than God’s gentle whisper?

And that’s when I realize this 3-part answer…

1. Read God’s Word – Old and New Testaments.

I know, life is busy and our time is limited. So, if you and I are able to find time to read our Bibles at all, it’s tempting to stick with the parts that are interesting and easier to understand.

I get it … traveling through the wilderness with the Children of Israel can seem like it’s actually taking 40 years and it’s easy to wonder how the accounts of judges and kings apply to the 21st Century. But reading through the Old Testament reminds me how often I sound like a whiney wilderness wanderer and begin to know that it’s true … “nothing under the sun is truly new.”

This year I’m following the Bible Reading Plan at the back of the Life Application Bible. It “offers a complete view of Scripture and does so without being overwhelming” by skipping repeated material. I have a little more time for study this year, so I decided to add a Psalm or a few verses from Proverbs, and a section from my favorite books of the New Testament (John, Romans, or 1, 2, 3 John).

As I’m reading, I write the verses that stand out to me in my journal and when I’m done I write a prayer based on what I’ve read.

So, part #2 is…

2. Pray

About everything always!

Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2

You and I can trust the God who promises to hear us…

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14

And calm our fears…

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

Because He loves us…

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

I haven’t always kept a prayer journal but I’ve discovered this year that I love writing my prayers. Putting my words on paper slows me down and helps me really think about what I’m praying. And I love being able to go back and see the ways God has worked on my heart and mind as I’ve cried out to Him.

The next one is important. At least it is for me…

3. Take the Philippians Challenge.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise … then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:19, 20b

Last week, I made the decision to stop following anything or anyone that posts negative rants on social media and I stopped watching all news outlets.

I get to choose what I read, listen to, and watch. I also need to carefully choose what I think about and I’ve decided that for me, it’s self-defeating to dine on a constant diet of messages that discourage my mind and hurt my heart.

When I do these three things, I am better able to…

Trust the God Who Never Changes

The One who has faithfully kept His promises in the past and will keep His promises in the future … God never changes!

What makes me so sure?

He gave us Jesus, the fulfillment of all God’s promises … from the Word spoken in the Garden, to kings and prophets—Jesus is God’s answer.

And when I’m “still.” When I fix my focus on Jesus. When I listen to the Holy Spirit … I’m not worried!

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.

“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.
John 14:26–27

Because God, who created everything, sent Jesus to suffer our punishment and give us eternal life. And for today’s struggle, He has given us His Spirit’s presence to help us remember the truth about His grace, mercy, and love.

So, I’m taking some time to turn away from the stuff that agitates me and spending more time thanking God for the gift of the peace I have in Jesus. And with the Holy Spirit as my Helper … I will reject hand-wringing and remember – God never changes!

Care to join me?!

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Things You Need to Do That Will Heal Your Broken Heart

5 / 20 / 195 / 20 / 19

You loved big and you weren't loved in return and the pain feels overwhelming. But there are things you can do that will heal your broken heart. #BrokenHeart #Faith #Hope #Marriage #Parenting #Relationships

Your heart is broken! You loved big and you weren’t loved in return and the pain feels overwhelming.

If you click over to the Blessing Counters Prayer Page, healing and restoration of broken hearts caused by broken relationships is the number one prayer request.

No matter how hard you and I try, rejection is an unfortunate part of life and to say it hurts is an understatement. We simply can’t make everyone love us.

Something I’ve learned, from experience and from watching others, is that the closer the relationship and greater the love … the more intense the pain.

So, what are you supposed to do when your heart is broken?

When the pain is so great that you don’t want to get out of bed or do anything?

C. S. Lewis said,

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.”

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing your heart is broken and you’re grieving, not the death of a person but the death of a relationship.

I’ve been where you are and I know the fear you’re feeling comes from wondering if—you’ll ever feel like yourself. You’ll ever trust again. You’ll ever love or be loved again.

You’re wondering if you’ll ever be happy again.

I want you to know, you will. You will heal and you will be happy again.

But be patient with yourself. Grieving takes time … it’s a process without a timetable. It’s something you walk through, not around or over. You have to live it out one day at a time.

The following is a list of things I actually used as I walked through my own season of heartbroken grief.

I believe they can help you walk through yours…

Things You Need to Do That Will Heal Your Broken Heart

1. PRAY! Pray again and pray some more.

Cry out to God. He knows what you’re going through. He understands and He will help you.

Ask the Lord to comfort you and give you His strength and peace. And as hard as it may seem … ask Him to help you forgive the person who broke your heart.

I remember how letting go of the pain seemed impossible. I knew I needed God’s help.

So, I turned to the Psalms and prayed…

Father, I am sad and tired. Make me strong again as You have promised. (Based on Psalm 119:28)

Father, Your Word says You hear our prayers when we call out to You for help … it says You rescue Your children from their troubles. It tells me that – You are close to the brokenhearted and rescue those whose spirits are crushed. I need Your help and Your healing touch. (Based on Psalm 34:17–18

Father, You understand what I’m going through. You know what it’s like to be rejected. I trust Your perfect and unfailing love. Please heal my broken heart. Amen.

2. Turn to God’s Truth and Trust His promises.

God never rejects or betrays His children when they come to Him for help. Never! His promises are true! He proved every single one in and through Jesus.

It’s hard to function when grief is overwhelming. I remember struggling to accomplish even the little things and going through the motions of life in a numb fog. By God’s grace, He guided me to grab my Bible and for the first time in my life, I read it … not for knowledge but with a hunger in my heart. I spent every spare moment in the Word with the Lord, allowing Him to fill me with His truth and promises.

Promises like…

He gives strength to those who are tired and power to those who are weak.
Isaiah 40:29

I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

And the one that became my life verse…

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 knowing He was able to hold me close and give me strength, help me to…

3. Breathe and Take Time to Heal.

Broken hearts don’t heal over night any more than broken bones do!

Accept the fact that healing will take time. Get counseling if you need it. Find a wise friend who has walked this path before you … who will walk alongside you giving you hope and encouragement.

You may have friends who don’t understand … that’s okay. This is your life, your journey … ask God to surround you with people who will simply be with you not try to fix you.

I like the following quote because even when the steps are small and the progress is slow … if you’re moving forward, you’re heading in the right direction.

“Take all the time you need to heal emotionally. Moving on doesn’t take a day. It takes a lot of little steps to be able to break free of your broken self.”
Author Unknown

Something I needed to remember was to…

4. Stop Reliving the Painful Memories.

Repeatedly reliving painful memories only robbed me of peace, contentment, and joy.

But I’ll be honest with you, this one was really hard for me. I kept wondering … What if I hadn’t said this; what if they hadn’t done that. What if!

I’m not going to tell you it’s easy, it’s not. But there is an important truth to remember… you and I get to choose what we think about.

Negative thoughts and painful memories will inevitably come to mind … the enemy loves to taunt and discourage us with them but we get to decide how long we will allow them to linger and upset us.

One of the things I learned to do was to…

Set grieving appointments. I gave myself 15-30 minutes each day, to feel big and express painful emotions. I could cry, rant, stomp my feet, or punch a pillow. Whatever I needed to release what I was feeling. When the time was up, I’d take a breath and tell myself to let it go for that day. Then … when negative thoughts upset me, I’d remind myself that I would deal with them later at my appointment.

And when negative thoughts tried to derail me, I do my best to remember the following truths…

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
Proverbs 4:23

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

5. Do Things that Make You Happy

It’s easy to believe that feeling happy somehow denies your pain and grief. It doesn’t. Do things that bless you … things you love will help you heal.

Go out for coffee with a friend. Take a walk in the park. Buy yourself flowers. Eat a piece of chocolate. Make a list of your favorite things to do and check them off … one by one.

“Today I choose to let go of pain, hurt, resentment, sadness, guilt, and negativity that I’ve been holding onto and allowing to control my life. Today I choose happiness and above all love.” ~Author Unknown

6. Surround Yourself with Love

Don’t let your broken heart define you.

Spend time with people who love you. Allow the people who do love you to fill your joy tank. Pour yourself into the people God has placed around you. Look for someone to help … someone else who needs hope and encouragement.

“Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people’s souls.”
Melody Beattie

Friend, God is greater than your helplessness and hopelessness. He is able to heal your broken heart.

He understands the pain of rejection. You can give the pieces of your broken heart to Jesus and let Him help you heal.

I’ll admit that occasionally painful thoughts still pop into my head but that doesn’t mean God hasn’t healed my broken heart. All it means is that it’s time to repeat these six steps and trust God to once again give me His perfect peace and fill me with joy.

The One who holds the universe in the palm of His hand loves you! He is able to give you everything you need. He will heal your broken heart!

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
Psalm 147:3–5

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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5 Verses to Pray When You are in a Time of Change

5 / 16 / 195 / 16 / 19

It’s that time of the year…

I’ve heard friends are calling it #Maycember.

And I understand. I still remember overstuffed calendar pages filled with end of the school year events and activities, and although the days were long and exhausting, that wasn’t the hardest part…

The hardest part was dealing with impending CHANGE!

Any time of change is part of life but it's not always a welcome part. It can spike your stress level and leave you sleepless. Let's pray about it... #Prayer #Faithblogger #LinkParty #SeekGodFirst #GoodNews

The end of every school year was another reminder that my children were growing up!

Change is part of life but in all honesty, it’s not always a welcome part of life, is it?

Our children growing up makes us emotional but it’s anticipated and expected … honestly, they’re supposed to grow up.

But what about the unexpected changes that spike our stress levels and leave us staring at the ceiling each night.

Things like…

losing a job.
receiving a difficult diagnosis.
caring for an ailing parent.
having an unforeseen/overwhelming expense.
moving.
finding out you’re pregnant.

Good or not so good – change is often stressful.

So today, we’re taking our time of change to the throne of grace … asking God to meet every need and give us His hard to understand peace.

5 Verses to Pray When You are in a Time of Change

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

Father, You have faithfully given me everything I need in the past and I know You are with me today. Why is it so hard to simply wait trusting You will faithfully give me what I will need tomorrow.

Life is hard. When I look around it’s easy to see that plenty of bad things happen. And this change, Father, feels like it could go either way. So, please help me remember all You have done for me in the past. Help me trust You to give me all I need tomorrow. And fill me with Your Spirit that I might experience Your hard to explain or understand peace.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8

Father, I love this promise. It comforts me. I can trust You to guide me and You always guide with love and wisdom because You are Love and Wisdom! I am never alone, even during this time of change! You are watching over me. Your Spirit is with and within me guiding me according to Your will. Help me quickly and willingly follow wherever You lead.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

Oh, Father, please help me remember this … You are with me. You will never leave me. And Your love never fails. Through this time of change calm my fears and help me defeat discouragement as I continually keep in mind that whatever tomorrow may bring—You are already there. Nothing comes as a surprise to You. Father, You know exactly what I need today and exactly what I will need tomorrow.

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in You,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3–4

Father, I do trust You. I will not be shaken when I trust Your Word and Your promises. I can experience peace even through uncertain times when I remained focused on who You are and all You’ve done. You are my Creator, Redeemer, Comforter, Helper, Healer, Shepherd, and Provider. You are my Lord and Savior … I can face tomorrow secure in Your mighty power and unchanging love.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Father, thank you! Your Word, from beginning to end, points to Jesus. John called Him the Word, with You from before the beginning of time. (John 1:1) The One promised in the Garden. (Genesis 3:15) The Word made flesh … full of unfailing love and faithfulness. (John 1:14) The Alpha and Omega … the One who always was and always will be forever. (Revelation 1:8) The One who sits on the throne. (Revelation 5:13) The One who is coming soon. (Revelation 22:21)

When I keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus with an eternal perspective … this time of change simply becomes part of the adventure we are taking together.

Father, thank you for never leaving me to face day to day adventure alone and thank you for making it possible for me to know with confidence that my adventure will continue forever in Your presence. By Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.

Friend, if you’re going through a time of change…

My Bible reading this week included Psalm 103…

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things He does for me.
Psalm 103:1–2

David continued by naming things he wanted to remember. Things like…

forgiveness
healing
righteousness and justice
redemption
tender mercy
compassion and patience
grace and unfailing love

You and I can trust God through each and every time of change be He is unchanging. We love, trust, and pray to the same heavenly Father that David did and all of those “good things” He did for David … He continues to do in your life and mine.

When I remember all that God has done for me in the past I have strength and courage for today and hope for tomorrow.

Praise the Lord!

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Before She Was Your Mother

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When I Tell You I’m a Mess…

5 / 13 / 195 / 12 / 19

When I tell you I’m a mess, I’m admitting I’m a sinner … I’m not saying it’s okay.

When I say that my life is a mess, I’m recognizing that I am living out the consequences of my sin and the sins of the people around me … every single day.

When I talk about the world being messy, I’m pointing out the fact that we live in a world broken by sin … and we need help.

Like so many, I hesitate to use the word SIN because too often that word shuts down the conversation. You see, we live in a society of “specks and logs.”

Jesus said,

Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?
Luke 6:41

And we’re guilty aren’t we?

Many Christians love to talk about and condemn sexual sin and abortion; while rarely admitting or even thinking about the fact that they are guilty of doing many of the things the Bible says “God hates.”

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

Which one of us can honestly say we’ve never had a moment of arrogance or “better than you” pride? Who has never told a lie? Who hasn’t stirred up a little family unrest?

And those are things the Lord hates.

What about Paul’s list of things that come from a “sinful nature.”

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.
Galatians 5:19–20

Yes, he starts with the ones we love to condemn but what about lust, quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfishness, etc.

Seriously, aren’t we all guilty of at least a few of those?

And then there was the time a Pharisee asked Jesus…

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Matthew 22:36

And Jesus replied…

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37–40

I don’t know about you, but I fall short of that kind of love every single day.

So, when I tell you I’m mess, I’m admitting I’m a sinner.

AND IT’S NOT OKAY!!

I don’t want to make excuses for my sins while pointing out someone else’s. I want to come alongside other “messy” people and lovingly tell them they don’t have to make excuses or pretend like they’re perfect.

There is a better way.

Jesus said,

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

“Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 5:20 and Luke 7:38

And Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus, said…

And He [Jesus] ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.”
Acts 10:42–43

And friend … forgiveness is so much better than denial.

You see, we all know the truth. We know we are broken and messy people living out the consequences of sin in the world and in us.

John wrote…

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
1 John 1:8

We are only fooling ourselves!

But 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

Forgiven and clean.

That is just better! Don’t you want that for everyone you know? Don’t you want them to know and love the One who is able to forgive their sins and give them eternal life?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

I will continue to tell you that I’m a mess … not because I want you to believe it’s okay to be messy. It’s not! I don’t want to be a mess. I hate living out the consequences of my messes. I hate living out the consequences of other people’s messes. And I hate the messes we’ve made for ourselves in this broken world because we’re excusing the things the Bible clearly says “God hates.”

I will tell you I’m a mess … because I want you to know that I’m a sinner saved by God’s grace through Jesus. I want you to know there’s a better way to be free of sin than to pretend it doesn’t exist.

And that way is Jesus…

“the way, the truth, and the life.”
John 14:6a

Jesus said He is the way and then He added…

“No one can come to the Father except through Me!”
John 14:6b

Jesus is the One who took my mess and yours, my sin and yours, upon Himself. He suffered our punishment so we can come to the Father freed and forgiven.

When I tell you I’m a mess … I’m saying I need Jesus!

So, when I tell you I’m a mess … I’m not saying it’s okay.

I’m telling you I care about you and I’m inviting you to bring your mess alongside mine and walk with me to the foot of the cross … to Jesus. And I’m admitting that I will never be mess free this side of heaven no matter how hard I try … but I am trying.

And maybe, just maybe, you’d like to try with me and together with God’s help we can be a little more loving, compassionate, and caring. Maybe we can be a little less messy together as we link arms in faith united by His grace, mercy, and love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

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5 Verses to Pray Before You Tell Your Story

5 / 2 / 19

Thank you so much for SHOUTING your disapproval and disagreements on social media and blog comments. You’ve convinced me how much I really need to know your Jesus.

Said no one ever!

5 verses and prayers to help you be prepared to tell your story with gentleness and respect ... not to be right but to share God's love. #Prayer #SocialMedia #BibleStudy #VersestoPray #CountingMyBlessings #faithblogger

So many of those disagreements have to do with the things we consider moral and immoral, right and wrong, good and bad … you know the things we call the law!

There is an account in Scripture where Jesus addresses the subject with an “expert in religious law”…

Jesus asked, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” And the expert answered…

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27

And Jesus said, “Right!”

He didn’t correct the man or remind him of that well-known list of shalts and shalt nots. Jesus agreed that love is the way to sum up the message of that law. It’s interesting to note that love is also the message of grace.

If love is the message of the law and the gospel … I can’t help but question how well we’re sharing the message when I read through finger pointing posts and contentious discussions on social media.

So today, I’m praying about ways we might do a better job of sharing God’s love … not by telling people they’re wrong but by showing them through our kindness and compassion how God’s amazing grace and love is able to transform lives. By telling our own transformation stories.

I’d love for you to pray with me…

5 Verses to Pray Before You Tell Your Story

Father, I want to live for Your glory! I want to tell people about Your amazing grace, mercy, and love. I want to show them Your love. Please help me.

The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with Him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
Luke 8:38–39

Father, I was a broken mess and You delivered me. I am overwhelmed by Your grace and mercy. What a blessing to know Your perfect unfailing love covers me. How I want everyone to know the hope and joy only You can give. Please fill my heart with love and help me to go and tell all the “great things” You have done for me in and through Jesus.

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
1 Peter 3:15–16a

Father, Give me a heart of gratitude and worship. Make me mindful of all the blessings I have as Your child. And through Your Spirit, help me tell my story with gentleness and respect. Help me remember that I don’t have to be “right” because I know and love the One who IS RIGHT! Help me humbly remember that it is not my job to change hearts and minds … You do that. I just need to “always be ready” to tell my story of faith and hope.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14–16

Father, I am so aware of my weaknesses and faults. Please forgive me for the countless times I fail to shine for Your glory. You have given me an amazing light-filled story to share. A story of the transforming power of Your love. A story of fear to faith, doubt to hope, and anxiety to peace. A story that knows Your grace really is sufficient. Help me shine … not so people will see me but so people will see You.

“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 15:4–5

Jesus, please hold me close. Help me remain in You, producing fruit for Your glory. You said that I will “remain in You” when Your words remain within me. Then … You invited me to ASK! So, I’m asking today that You will help me make knowing Your Word and prayer a priority in my life. Please help me love You, Lord, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength … and help me love my neighbor as You want.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34–35

Jesus, You made it known it is our love that will show the world we belong to You. Forgive me. Too often, I have failed to love because I’ve been quick to criticize and judge. Forgive me. Too often, I’ve expected people to clean up and conform before I’ve accepted and loved them. Forgive me. Too often, I’ve refused to listen with love and compassion. Please help me love as You love. Make me humble and caring. Help me bear the fruit of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help me love! That the world may know You! Amen.

Always be prepared to tell your story.

Friend, I believe that by God’s grace we can do this … maybe not perfectly but certainly better. We can tell our stories of God’s grace with gentleness and respect. And with His help, you and I can love each other in ways that show changed lives for God’s glory.

One more thing…

I am not throwing out the Commandments nor am I saying the Law no longer matters. What I am saying is that Jesus Himself said that the list of rules we love to wave like a banner is about unselfishly loving God and loving others. It doesn’t throw them out … it’s just a better way of looking at them.

Here are a couple of articles I received this week that I believe speak to this…

Today’s Apostasy by Billy Graham, Decision Magazine

A Divided American – 3 Responses for Christians by Ronnie W. Floyd, National Day of Prayer Website

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

What You are Missing When You’re Not Honest With God

by Carlie Lake
@ From Dust Towards the Heavens

PERSONAL COMMUNION – ARE YOU JUST “MOWING GOD’S LAWN”?

by Diane Ferreira
@ Worth Beyond Rubies

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

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No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
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5 of the Best Faith Books You Need to Reread Every Year

4 / 29 / 194 / 29 / 19

I’ve read a handful of books in my life that I would say have been “life-changing” in the ways they have challenged me and grown my faith.

Books I simply call – the Best Faith Books!

These are books I reread often. Most have them have been around for a while. I’m guessing that even if you’ve read them … it was some time ago. So, I thought I’d take a few minutes to tell you why I think it may be time to read them again…

5 of the Best Faith Books

♥ Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg

How would you describe your soul?

If you’ve always wanted to know the answers to questions like:

1. What is the soul?
2. What does sin have to do with the soul?
3. What does the soul need?
4. How to restore an injured or hurting soul?

John Ortberg does an excellent job of explaining how you and I are more than a body, a mind, and free-will. You and I are souls, and there may be nothing more important than knowing about our soul’s care and keeping.

Pastor Ortberg draws upon his years of study and mentorship under the late Dallas Willard to provide readers with a guide to their souls, the gateway to a deeper relationship with God.”Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you. It is your life.”

Quotes from Soul Keeping…

“You’re a soul made by God, made for God, and made to need God, which means you were not made to be self-sufficient.” In one of his books, Dallas has further explained, What is running your life at any given moment is your soul. Not external circumstances, not your thoughts, not your intentions, not even your feelings, but your soul. The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self. The soul is the life center of human beings.”

“Our world has replaced the word soul with the word self, and they are not the same thing. The more we focus on our selves, the more we neglect our souls.”

My mind may be obsessed with idols; my will may be enslaved to habits; my body may be consumed with appetites. But my soul will never find rest until it rest in God.

♥ The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

I reread Lee Strobel’s books because they deal with facts … they always encourage my faith and give me tools I can use to share my own story of faith.

Lee Strobel wrote the following about this journey…

For much of my life I was a skeptic. In fact, I considered myself an atheist. To me, there was far too much evidence that God was merely a product of wishful thinking, of ancient mythology , of primitive superstition.

Then he spent nearly two years interviewing thirteen scholars and authorities on his quest for the truth about Christ. His “Case for” books present the facts and information gathered to the reader as a litigator would present evidence to a jury … facts and information that forever changed his life.

The reason I recommend reading and rereading Strobel’s books is I believe they will encourage your faith and give you tools you can use to share your faith with others.

Quotes from Lee Strobel…

“To continue in atheism, I would need to believe that nothing produces everything, non-life produces life, randomness produces fine-tuning, chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness, and non-reason produces reason. I simply didn’t have that much faith.”

“Christian faith is not an irrational leap. Examined objectively, the claims of the Bible are rational propositions well supported by reason and evidence.”

“I believe in Jesus on the basis of the historical evidence, but my relationship with Jesus goes way beyond the evidence. I have to put my trust in him and walk with him on a daily basis.”

♥ Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God – by John Snyder

This is by far, the best books on prayer I’ve ever read. It’s a book God placed in front of me in the middle of a book store when I was going through a very difficult time.

I’ve read and prayed through this book several times and I’m currently reading and journaling my way through it again.

When the need is so great, so seemingly impossible that only God’s direct intervention will ever bring it about, it takes a different kind of prayer. Your 100 Day Prayer is designed to take you straight to the heart and will of God by seeking him for a specific need. This book includes:
A dedicated page to express your need before God on the day you start your 100 day of prayer,
100 entries to help you focus your prayer through the truth of God’s Word and character,
Leading prayers to give you a jump start,
Writing space to capture your conversations with the Father and the spiritual transformation you experience day by day, and
A concluding page to memorialize how God answered your prayer and transformed you through the process.

Quote from Your 100 Day Prayer – A Prayer To Begin

Lord, as I embark on this journey of prayer, come and banish from my heart every last trace of self-reliance and captivate my mind with the truth that you are sufficient for my every need, great or small. Transform me by increasing my confidence in you, in all your extravagant forgiveness and mercy, and strengthen my trembling knees in the face of trouble. Cause my loved ones and me to emerge from this season of prayer with a fresh vision of Your glory, a new and lasting fearlessness, and a renewed devotion to Your purpose for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

♥ The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

This is another book I’m currently rereading…

I love the first question … What on earth am I here for?

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions of life … swimming around in your own little fishbowl, feeling like there ought to be more?

If you’re longing for more … if you need a new perspective and new hope it just may be time to reread this book.

Quote – Rick Warren dedicated The Purpose Driven Life to you…

Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life. it is no accident that you are holding this book. God longs for you to discover the life he created you to live—here on earth and forever in eternity.
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)

And finally the #1 most important book you need to read, reread and then reread it again.

♥ The Bible … The Word of God

I promise you the more you read the Bible … the more you will fall in love with reading the Bible.

I’ve participated in more Bible Studies than I can count and although I’m still a fan, studies are primarily reading what someone else has to say about various and specific sections of Scripture.

And although valuable, I don’t want to rely simply on what someone else thinks about God’s Word … I want the Holy Spirit to speak God’s Word of truth directly to my heart and mind.

You see, through faithfully reading through the Bible every day I’ve not only fallen in love with reading the Bible … I’ve fallen in love with the Author.

Quotes from The Bible…

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12

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.
2 Timothy 3:16

Jesus prayed…

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:17–19

You are so very loved by the God of the universe.

The 5 best faith books will bless and encourage you and if you’re like me you need that reminder most when you’re caught in the middle of life’s daily routine!

P.S. I don’t benefit from the sale of any of these books and have not linked to any resources for you to purchase them. They are all available through Amazon as well as a variety of other book distributors. However, I am adding a link to my favorite version and translation of the Bible because the New Life Translation plus the Life Application Bible Study Notes blesses me.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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Father, Help Me to be Humble and Kind – Make Me Like Jesus

4 / 18 / 194 / 13 / 19

So much happened on Thursday of Holy Week. Jesus washed His apostles’ feet. He celebrated a Passover meal with them. He walked with them and taught them about faith and faithfulness. He warned them of the world’s hatred and promised them the presence of the Holy Spirit.

And He prayed.

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus served and taught His disciples and He prayed. I'm inviting you to pray with me as I ask God to make me humble and kind—more like Jesus. #BibleStudy #Prayer #MoreLikeJesus #CountingMyBlessings

Today, I’m praying and asking the Father to work in me and make me like Jesus.

Father, Help Me to be Humble and Kind Make Me Like Jesus

Father, I want to be humble and kind. I want to be like Jesus … to live for Your glory and love as He loved. But I fall so far short. I can be self-focused and selfish. I can get so busy doing I fall short of loving.

I’m sorry! Please forgive me and help me.

I want to be willing to humbly wash feet … to take the role of a servant. Make me willing to serve You by loving Your people.

Father, make me…

strong … willing to work enthusiastically for You remembering Your promise that nothing I do for You is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58
obedient … willing to follow Your will and keep Your commands. John 14:15
a living sacrifice … serving as an act of worship. Romans 12:1
humble and gentle … willing to love and forgive for Your glory. Ephesians 4:2

It’s hard to be a servant sometimes; especially when people are demanding and greedy.

May Jesus be my example…

Help me take time to get away with You so that I might have patience and strength to serve. Help me rest when I need to so that I might have the energy I need to love like Jesus.

Make me wise and discerning that I might follow where You lead and serve as You want.

Keep me faithful to the study of Your Word that I might know Your truth and follow Your will.

And Father, I ask that You will protect Your children. Jesus said…

I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
John 15:19

And…

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
John 16:33a

This is hard, Father. It’s hard to be hated and persecuted. It’s hard to face trials and sorrows.

When I’m afraid. When I’m dealing with loss, pain, or prejudice. When my health fails and my heart hurts. Please help me remember that Jesus also said…

Take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 16:33b

And He promised…

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

With Your help, I will surrender this day to Your Spirit’s guidance and I will do my best to love like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

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

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Leave your prayer requests…

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

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, Help Me Obey and Love with Faith and Patience

4 / 16 / 194 / 13 / 19

The Lord spent the Tuesday of Holy Week teaching important truths, so we're praying Jesus, help me obey and love... #Faith #BibleStudy #TrustJesus #CountingMyBlessings

On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus spent one last day teaching in the Temple Courtyard and the leading priests and elders came to Him with a challenge…

“By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
Matthew 21:23

After answering their question with a question … He began teaching some very important lessons about obedience, love, patience, and faithfulness.

So today, we’re going to pray and ask the Lord to help us sit with Him and learn the important truths we need to love and obey His commands and patiently wait with unwavering faith.

Jesus, Help Me Obey and Love with Faith and Patience

Jesus, I am overwhelmed that even though You had cleared the Temple courtyard the day before and You knew the very leaders of that Temple would succeed in their efforts to have You tortured and killed … You returned yet again to teach them the truth. To give them one more opportunity to change their hearts and minds and believe.

Your love amazes me. You continue to pursue each one of us … offering Yourself, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Offering the transforming power of faith.

Please forgive me for the hurriedness that prevents me from sitting with You — listening and learning. Please forgive me for the times I’ve believed lies without examining them against the truths that You taught. Forgive me the many times I’ve failed to love the way You want and wait the way You ask. I’m so sorry.

I’m asking You to help me sit with Your Word today and hold the truths You taught in my heart praying…

Please Lord Jesus, help me…

Obey when You ask me to go and work. Matthew 21:28–32
Surrender my heart, my life, my all to You, the Cornerstone of our faith. Matthew 21:33–44
Prepare my heart and mind for heaven knowing that to enter, I am completely dependent upon You, my Lord and Savior. Matthew 22:1–14
Trust and obey Your commands to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself. Matthew 22:34–40
Sit and learn both the Old and New Testaments that I might know and understand the way every account and testimony points to You. Matthew 22:41–45
Help me to test the teachings of people against the teachings of Scripture that I might know the Truth that gives me forgiveness and freedom. Matthew 23:2–12
Surrender my life completely to You that I might reject hypocrisy and be clean inside and out. Matthew 23:23:13–36
Give You my all. Luke 21:1–4
Faithfully wait and watch … always prepared and ready for You to come for me personally or for Your triumphant return for us all. Matthew 25:1–13
Invest in things that matter. Make me a faithful servant. Matthew 25:14–30
Do for others in love as if I were doing for You … for this is your will for me. Matthew 25:31–46

Lord, thank you for seeing to it that Your teachings were written for us. Thank you for being the Way for us to be forgiven and restored to the Father. Thank you for being the Truth that gives us freedom today and hope for tomorrow. Thank you for being the Life we need … life that lasts forever and always.

Thank you for being all we need to heal our past, to live in the present, and to face the future with anticipation and joy.

Thanks and praise forever and always. Amen.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

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

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Leave your prayer requests…

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

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone?

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5 Simple Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You

4 / 1 / 194 / 1 / 19

Some of the best ways to study read the Bible that will help you fall in love with the God who loves you so much He died for you. #BibleStudy #BibleVerses #ChristianCommunity #CountingMyBlessings

I was supposed to read the Bible from cover to cover in college while taking the required Old Testament 1 & 2 and New Testament … I have to be honest with you and say it was a daunting task I never quite accomplished.

I’ve spent most of my adult life attending church and participating in Bible Study. Of course I have … I’m a preacher’s wife.

And I have to admit that during those busiest years most of my personal time spent in the Bible happened on the nights when stress and anxiety kept me awake in the middle of the night. During the day … it felt impossible to find time for personal anything.

But a little over a dozen years ago, a series of hard years culminated with a devastating loss and as I cried out to God … He drew me to His Word.

So I grabbed hold and read every verse from Genesis to Revelation in just three months. God used His Word to soothe my soul and heal my heart.

And I fell in love with the Bible.

So, I thought I’d share some of the ways I’ve read the Bible that have blessed me most.

5 Simple Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You

1. Choose an understandable translation.

One that you will actually read!

Over the past 15 years, I’ve read the New International Version, the Amplified Bible, God’s Word Translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, The Message, the Chronological Bible, and the New Living Translation.

I believe the two Bibles that have blessed me most are the Chronological Bible and The Life Application Bible – New Living Translation.

I really liked the Chronological Bible as it helped me understand the Old Testament better by putting the words of the prophets into the appropriate times in history.

But I love the LAB – NLT! Last year, I read the text and all the notes. The translation is easier to understand (it’s the one I use most often in posts) and the notes help me think about the ways God wants me to apply all what I’m learning to my life.

2. Pray for the Spirit’s help to understand.

Proverbs 2 says…

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3–6

And Jesus’ brother, James wrote…

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5

I truly believe that when you and I sincerely ask God to give us the wisdom to understand the truths found in His Word … that is a prayer He is happy to answer positively!

3. Start where you’ll read.

If you’ve never read the Bible before, I don’t recommend you begin in Genesis and read through the Old Testament. I know too many of us have gotten discouraged in Numbers, Leviticus, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and Lamentations.

My favorite book is the Book of John.

The Life Application Notes include the following words in the introduction to John…

Eternal, infinite, unlimited—He was, is and always will be the Maker and Lord of all that exists.

He is the Word; HE is Jesus, the Messiah.

John loved Jesus and describes himself as the “disciple Jesus loved.” His words are about relationship … the love relationship you and I can have with the Heavenly Father through His Son, the Messiah … Jesus!

After John, I recommend reading Romans, 1,2,3 John, and Proverbs. Then go to Genesis and read. Or if you prefer … there is a very easy to follow Bible Reading Plan at the Back of the LAB – NLT just before the indexes.

4. Look for Jesus in both the Old and New Testatments.

Billy Graham wrote…

The message of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the story of the Bible … it is the story of salvation, it tis the story of the Gospel, it is the story of life, peace, eternity, and heaven.

Although, I believe there is value in beginning with the books of John and Romans if you have never read the Bible before. I also believe we need to read it all from creation through Revelation’s promise.

There is a powerful quote from Roy Gustafson in this month’s Decision Magazine…

The New Testament is contained in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is explained in the New Testament.
The New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.
The Old Testament anticipates the New Testament.
The New Testament authenticates the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament the New Testament lies hidden.
In the New Testament the Old Testament lies open.
The Old Testament predicts a Person.
The New Testament presents that Person.

God promised Jesus in the Garden immediately after sin entered the world.

“I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.”
Genesis 3:15

And throughout the pages of the Old Testament prophets, priest, and kings repeated the promise that God would send a Messiah to save us.

5. Ask questions and take notes.

I keep a highlighter, pen, and notebook with my Bible. I write verses and notes that speak to my heart and I write prayers inspired by the words I’ve read.

You can also ask the following questions:

What does this teach me about God?
What does it teach me about life?
What does it teach me about other people?
Is there a command to obey or an example to follow?
Is this a promise I can claim?
How can I apply this to my life?

5 Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You - Some of the best ways to study read the Bible that will help you fall in love with the God who loves you so much He died for you. #BibleStudy #BibleVerses #ChristianCommunity #CountingMyBlessings

Friend, I believe…

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

If you were sitting across the table from me right now, I would tell you with tears in eyes how I have fallen in love with the Triune God of the universe through the pages of Scripture. I can’t wait for Him to speak to me each day through His Story.

His promises have transformed my life.

Oh, how He loves you. Read His love letter to you and find out just how much!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

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

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!

5 Verses to Pray for Your Son to be Strong, Courageous, and Wise

3 / 28 / 193 / 29 / 19

I was so blessed by Melanie’s guest post last week – 5 Verses to Pray for Your Daughter’s Spiritual Sensitivity and Growth, that I was inspired to write a post of verses we could pray for our sons as well.

Verses and prayers for your son to seek God first and to be strong, courageous, and wise as he lives in a society that tells him the opposite. #PrayforChildren #PrayforSon #BibleStudy #BibleVerses

I’ve said often that the one thing I wish I had done more often when my children were growing up is PRAY for them!

Not just for their success and happiness but for their spiritual growth.

The quote Melanie shared is so insightful…

“Most of us spend all of our time praying our kids onto the soccer team, into the club, into the school, into the sorority, into the job, and into the friend group.

But, are we really taking time each day to pray our children INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD?’’

There is nothing more important … not just for their eternal future although there truly is nothing I want more as a parent than to spend eternity with my loved ones in heaven. But the Kingdom of God is not just about their eternal future…

The degree to which our sons and daughters seek the Kingdom of God will have an impact on their lives every day from the moment they believe.

It’s why my tagline here at Counting My Blessings is “At the Intersection of Faith and Life.”

Kingdom citizenship and our relationship with God affects everything … every day!

So I’m thankful it’s not too late. I pray regularly for our children and grandchildren to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and I ask God to give them an ever growing desire to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.”

And that’s where I’m starting today as I pray for my son, son-in-love, and grandsons. I’d love for you to join me.

5 Verses to Pray for Your Son to be Strong, Courageous, and Wise

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

Father, Please give ________ a deep desire to seek a relationship with You above everything else this life has to offer. I pray that he will search the Scriptures so he might know Your heart and Your promises. Please help __________ know and follow Your will.

Make this promise true in __________’s life. Enable him by the power of Your Spirit and graciously give him everything he needs to live for You. Amen.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Proverbs 9:10

Father, Please give __________ godly wisdom. The world will confront him with lies about what is wise. But Father, Your Word says that true wisdom and good judgment come to those who fear You.

Please help __________ to know and understand what it means to fear You … to have awe and respect for who You are and obey Your commands. Protect __________ and give him good judgment. Amen.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Father, Please give __________ the strength and courage he needs to live obedient to Your Word and Your will. There will always be people who will try to dissuade and discourage him. He will be challenged by thoughts and ideas that stand against Your truth. Father, please make __________ strong … willing to take a stand against the crowd, always willing to trust and follow Your will. Assure him of Your constant presence and give him peace knowing that wherever the road before him leads … You are already there.

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

Father, just as I ask for __________ to be strong and courageous in a world that will try to weaken him; please help him to see the strength that comes in being kind, caring and forgiving. May __________ realize the blessings of loving like Jesus. Amen.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

Father, this is hard. I’ve heard it said often, “God whispers and the world is loud.” It is so very true. In fact, lately, it seems like the world is getting even louder and more frantic. So, Father, I ask that You will work in __________’s heart and mind. Transform him through Your Spirit. Give him an overwhelming desire to know and follow Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus name. Amen.

Remember … Melanie has written a new book titled – Live in Light – 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls … you can preorder your copy here.

And there is a partner book by Andy Dooley titled – Walk in Faith – 5-Minute Devotions for Teen Guys … you can find it here.

Of all the things you and I do for our children, there is nothing more important than praying for and with them everyday.

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

Wrapped in the Word

by Tai East
@ A Spirit-Kissed Soul

6 Questions to Help You Make Good Decisions in Life

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@ Journey to Imperfect

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You Need to Do This When You Want to Be Happy

3 / 25 / 193 / 24 / 19

We all want to be happy which is defined as well-being or contentment. If that's true shouldn't we be better at it? #BibleStudy #Faith #HappyLife #CountingMyBlessings

We all want to be happy!

Something the dictionary defines as a state of well-being or contentment.

Yet, I’m not sure that’s the definition most of us are trying to attain.

Why?

Because then happiness wouldn’t be something to be attained in the next big thing…

The next vacation, purchase, or relationship.

If happiness is simply a state of well-being and contentment we should be happier, shouldn’t we?

Paul wrote to Timothy…

If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
1 Timothy 6:8

Something to eat and something to wear is not typically the measure by which we weigh our level of happiness, is it?

Yet, I’ve seen people who seem to have everything life has to offer and they’re miserable; and I’ve seen people who barely have enough to get by each day who exude happiness.

What’s the difference?

I believe there are a few things people who are happy do differently than those who are not.

They don’t play the comparison game.
They have an eternal perspective.
They don’t confuse happiness and joy.

You Need to Avoid the Comparison Trap

I have to tamp down the comparison temptation all the time and social media doesn’t help.

It’s so easy for you and me to compare our every day unexciting to our friends’ perfect pictures and exciting announcements. Facebook and Instagram are flooded with photos that invite us to compare our homes and our stuff, our success or lack of it, our children’s success or lack of it, our _____________ (you fill in the blank).

Simply put, comparison is the thief of contentment; and remember, contentment is one of the definitions for happiness.

Paul wrote to the people in Philippi…

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12–13

I’m always humbled when I read about all Paul suffered as a servant of the Lord. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. And yet, he wrote that the secret to contentment through all these circumstances was found in Christ, the One who gave him strength.

Paul also wrote to Timothy…

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. ⁷After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
1 Timothy 6:^–8

Faith in Jesus gave Paul the contentment that comes from having an eternal perspective and that changes everything.

You Need to Have an Eternal Perspective

Jesus answer to not worrying about having enough for life was…

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:32–33

When you and I seek the Lord above everything else and surrender our lives to Him our perspective changes.

Paul wrote…

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:18

I love this quote from C. S. Lewis…

“Our life on Earth is the first page of a never ending story.”

And when you and I live in light of eternity everything changes … every little decision, every relationship, every want, and every need.

You Need to Find Your Joy in Jesus

The dictionary defines joy as the feeling of great pleasure and happiness but for you and me there is a slight difference between the two.

Joy is something that grows in your soul because of your faith.

We have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace^[a with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Romans 5:1–2

And Jesus said this about joy…

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
John 15:11, John 16:20,

Look at this list of reasons we can find our joy in Jesus…

We are loved by God, Himself. John 3:16
We are covered by His grace. Ephesians 2:4–5
We are forgiven. Ephesians 1:7
We have the assurance of heaven. John 10:27–28
We have His presence. Matthew 28:20
We know He hears our prayers. 1 John 5:14
We have His help. Hebrews 13:6
We have His protection. 1 Peter 1:5
We have God’s peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:7
We have strength. Philippians 4:13

And friend, those things never change for a child of God.

You and I can proclaim with David…

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
Psalm 28:7

Happiness that is based on today’s circumstances is fragile and can’t last.

But happiness that is based on the eternal blessings you and I have in Jesus … is a well-being and contentment you and I can enjoy every single day now and forever.

And most important…

You Need to Seek God First

Jesus said…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31

Remember … happiness is defined as a state of well-being and contentment.

I believe God wants that for us and when we seek Him first, when we trust His will, and follow where He leads … well-being and happiness become part of that everything.

How can I say that?

Because I know when I’ve taken my eyes off the Lord and chased after worldly happiness, I’m neither content or happy. I’m anxious and stressed out. I’m a mess.

But when I rest in Him. When I spend time with Him through His Word and prayer. When I focus on loving Him and loving others (Luke 10:27) then I have everything I need … peace, joy, contentment, and yes, true happiness.

I’m praying for you today, and I’m asking God to bless you and give you everything you need to find your happiness in Him.

God bless you!

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5 of the Best Ways to Guard Your Heartand Love People

1. Know God’s Truth to Defeat Lies

2. Carefully Control Your Thoughts

3. Pray for Wisdom and Strength

4. Love Yourself God’s Way

5. Love Others as You Love Yourself

Trust God with the Rest

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Seek God First

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Jesus is the One Who Can Unite People in a Call Out World

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The Logic of God

Quotes from The Logic of God:

Book Description:

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God Never Changes!

1. Read God’s Word – Old and New Testaments.

2. Pray

3. Take the Philippians Challenge.

Trust the God Who Never Changes

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Things You Need to Do That Will Heal Your Broken Heart

1. PRAY! Pray again and pray some more.

2. Turn to God’s Truth and Trust His promises.

3. Breathe and Take Time to Heal.

4. Stop Reliving the Painful Memories.

5. Do Things that Make You Happy

6. Surround Yourself with Love

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5 Verses to Pray When You are in a Time of Change

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So, when I tell you I’m mess, I’m admitting I’m a sinner.

When I tell you I’m a mess … I’m saying I need Jesus!

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5 Verses to Pray Before You Tell Your Story

Always be prepared to tell your story.

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5 of the Best Faith Books

♥ Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You by John Ortberg

♥ The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

♥ Your 100 Day Prayer: The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God – by John Snyder

♥ The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

♥ The Bible … The Word of God

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Father, Help Me to be Humble and Kind Make Me Like Jesus

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Jesus, Help Me Obey and Love with Faith and Patience

Please Lord Jesus, help me…

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5 Simple Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You

1. Choose an understandable translation.

2. Pray for the Spirit’s help to understand.

3. Start where you’ll read.

4. Look for Jesus in both the Old and New Testatments.

5. Ask questions and take notes.

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5 Verses to Pray for Your Son to be Strong, Courageous, and Wise

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You Need to Avoid the Comparison Trap

You Need to Have an Eternal Perspective

You Need to Find Your Joy in Jesus

You Need to Seek God First

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5 of the Best Ways to Guard Your Heart
and Love People