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.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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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When You Need to Be Sure God Loves You

2 / 11 / 192 / 11 / 19

Love…

It’s a fickle thing, isn’t it?

We don’t want it to be. In fact, most people are desperately looking for a love that is guaranteed to last.

Oh, we promise to love our spouse forever but nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. We hope our families will remain united and loving from one generation to the next but we all know that doesn’t always happen. We believe our besties will see us through no matter what but…

Love is a fickle thing. Imperfect people love imperfectly. But God loves you perfectly. Here are 4 Ways that will show you just how much! #Godislove #Bible #Faith #ChristianCommunity #BlessingCounter

So, have I cheered you up yet?

You’re probably thinking … what in the world is wrong with her. Aren’t we supposed to be all warm and fuzzy as we talk about love this week?

Well…

You know I wouldn’t start this discussion if I couldn’t give you hope and tell you about the perfect unfailing love that is forever and no matter what…

God Loves You Always and No Matter What

The other night I found myself wide awake for a couple of hours pondering and praying about what to write here … a relatively common occurrence for me.

Anyway…

I didn’t sense any clear direction so I finally gave up and went back to sleep.

But the next morning as I sat and read my scheduled Bible Reading, God whispered … “this is how much I love you!”

4 Ways You Can Be Sure God Loves You

1. God loves you – He sees you. He hears you. And He rescues you when the time is right!

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey
Exodus 3:7–8

God’s people had been suffering under slavery and genocide. And it was time to act. Moses had been raised in the house of Pharaoh and understood the ways of the Egyptians.

But God had also allowed him to live for years as a shepherd and nomad to teach him all he needed to know to lead the Children of Israel through their wilderness wanderings.

Whatever you are going through, whatever has you burdened and enslaved … when you cry out to God you can be sure He sees, He hears, and He is preparing a way to help you.

2. God Loves You – at the perfect time He saved you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
John 3:16–17

God not only showed how much He loves … He proved He is the very definition of love.

Perfect self-sacrificing love!

Love that saves and promises a future filled with hope.

And what does He ask in return?

That you and I would believe in His one and only Son, Jesus!

I love the way the Life Application Bible defines belief…

To believe is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that He alone can save us. It is to put Christ Jesus in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as reliable and relying on Him for the power to change.
Life Application Bible Notes John 3:16

God’s love not only provides for our eternal future … His love provides a way to make today better, too.

3. God loves you – He gave you His Holy Spirit Inspired trustworthy Word so you might be able to know Him.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.
Psalm 33:4–5

I believe the Bible is a miracle.

The Bible was written:

over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
over 40 generations
over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)
~ Bible Facts – All About God

And…

Through all those details … from Genesis to Revelation, the message. of the Bible points to one single message … God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus!

There will always be people who try to “edit” it’s words and their meaning. Argue the accuracy of the message because of time and translations. Dispute the motives and intentions of those who put the canon together. Debate inaccuracies and inconsistencies. And challenge it all based on “science.”

But that eliminates the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter wrote:

You must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21

I believe … that same Holy Spirit is the one who still affirms, “the Word of the Lord is right and true!”

4. God loves you – He will give you everything you need each day.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
Exodus 4:11–12

Moses response was…

“Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:13

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then He will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that He will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Whatever God asks or allows He will give you and me everything we need one day at a time.

I”ll admit, I have to remind myself often that my needs are not determined by my wants.

The Life Application Notes offer a great set of questions to ask when you feel like you don’t have what you need…

Is this really a need?
It is really good for me?
Is this the best time for me to have this?

Even when you and I answer “yes” to all three questions, it’s important to remember that our greatest needs are spiritual and eternal. And God’s “no” or “wait” may be exactly what we need to grow closer and more dependent on Him.

God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Love between imperfect people is … well, imperfect.

But God’s love…

Sees, hears, and rescues.
Saves from sin, death, and satan’s power.
Is in His Word so people might know Him.
And meets the needs of His children every single day!

That’s not just how much He loves people … God wants you to know, that’s how much He loves you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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 When You Need God to Do the Impossible

1 / 24 / 192 / 8 / 19

Do you ever have times when your life’s circumstances seem impossible?

Times when … your relationship is broken, or you can’t find a job, or your child is rebellious, or you can’t break a long-held bad habit, or your pain or illness is worsening, and life is just plain hard?

Times when you wonder if the outcome you’re praying for is even possible?

The Bible says, Nothing is impossible for God. These 5 prayers will help you pray when you need Him to do what only He can do in your impossible circumstances. #Pray #Faith #AnythingisPossible

I’ll be honest with you. I do, too!

I’ve had times when my heart was heavy and I felt like I’d prayed the same prayer request a thousand times. Even now, I have a few big prayers that I continue to pray even though nothing seems to change.

And in my sadness, I start to wonder if this prayer of my heart is even possible.

Jesus repeatedly told people that God is able to do the impossible…

“What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27

And He also told people to…

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7

So, I’m praying today but I’m not only asking God to do the impossible … I’m believing that He CAN DO the IMPOSSIBLE!

And even though I’ve asked Him a thousand times before, I’m confident He will hear my prayer and respond in love!

Maybe you’d like to join me.

5 Verses to Pray When You Need God to Do the Impossible

“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by Your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for You!”
“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:17 & 27

Father, I go outside and see the beauty of Your creation. The sun, moon, and stars hung perfectly in place. Seas and land, mountains and valleys, plants and animals with countless variations all sustained in complete order by Your gracious hand.

Father, nothing is too hard for You!

You care for and protect Your children … body and soul.

Nothing is too hard for You!

I believe You are able to do the impossible and Father, and sometimes from my perspective, this problem appears impossible. But You are the God of possibilities! Please, Father, do what only You can do. Please help me by Your Grace. Amen.

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 147:4–5

Father, You see me. You know me by name. And You love me! I am not just one of many … I am Your child. I am Your own.

There is nothing I can experience that is beyond Your understanding and comprehension. This battle I’m facing is known to You.

I believe You know what I need and that You will provide it. I understand that it may not be what I want … but it will always be what is best for me.

I also believe that if You ask me to wait or endure, You have promised to give me the strength and peace and everything else I need each day.

This is hard, Father, but You are great! Your power is absolute. Your grace is sufficient. Your love unfailing. Thank you! Amen.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21

Father, I need Your mighty power to work within me.

“Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (based on Mark 9:24)

I believe You are able to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. As I fight this battle, please help me keep my eyes on You … not on the problem. Give me the courage and strength to surrender this situation to You. By Your grace, help me trust Your love for me and live with the confidence that You care about this even more than I do.

Father, You sacrificed everything to save me and show me the greatness of Your love.

I surrender this day to You. Help me in this wait to know with confidence that even though I can’t see it … You are at work doing what only You can do, things that will always be for my good and Your glory. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Mark 10:27

Oh, the reassurance of Jesus’ words, Father. Were it not for You … there would be no saving grace. Were it not for You … I would have no faith.

Because of You, Father, the impossible becomes possible. Being born again becomes reality. And love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control become blessings I enjoy because of Your Spirit within me. Thank you!

Your grace is sufficient! (1 Corinthians 12:9) And I have everything I need. (Psalm 23:1)

Father, there is no limit to what You can do. Your miracles touch the lives of Your children each and every day.

Please help me trust Your plan for me today. Help me follow where You lead and obey Your will as You reveal it to me. Help me to see Your miracles. Amen.

This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

Father, As I face this problem, please help me remember all the ways You have provided for me.

You have met my needs in the past and I believe You will meet my needs today and every day in the future.

You have given me strength and courage when I was afraid. You gave me hope when my circumstances seemed hopeless. You have given me patience when my wait felt like it was too long. Whatever my need … You have a glorious rich supply.

Father, You’ve kept every promise You’ve ever made. I can and will trust You to keep Your promises in the future.

By Your grace, You’ve helped me love when I wanted to turn away. You’ve forgiven my broken past and given me all I need to forgive others. You’ve healed my broken heart and filled me up.

You’ve have given me Jesus! I have everything I need!

You truly are the God of possibilities! Absolutely nothing is impossible to You.

So, today, I will trust You with my needs, wants, and desires. And with Your help, I will surrender my pain and problems to Your perfect wisdom and care.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Whatever is going on in your life today…

God is able.

Rick Warren wrote…

Never let an impossible situation intimidate you. Let it motivate you – to pray more, trust more, expect more.

I want that…

I want to pray more, trust more, and expect more.

Because the truth is…

There are no impossible situations for the child of the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God because for our Father … nothing is impossible!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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Day 11 – God, I Want to be More Like Jesus

12 / 2 / 18

Have you ever read the book or seen the movie, In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon?

It’s the book that inspired the saying, “What Would Jesus Do?”

Sometimes I wonder if we’ve trivialized the saying.

But it’s not just a saying, it’s downright Biblical…

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

So, today I’d love to have you join me as I pray…

God, I Want to be More Like Jesus

Father, Your Word tells me You want me to be more like Jesus … to love like He loves even if it means suffering.

I’m ashamed by how very far I fall short of that goal. Please forgive me.
Honestly, the thought of suffering frightens me. Please help me.

Your Word says:

At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:16–17

Thank you for making me a new person. You are working in me, giving me new life and working in me to make me more like Jesus.

Oh, Father, my heartfelt prayer is to be completely surrendered to Your work in my life.

To be more like Jesus, who…

Was exactly like You in everything.
But did not think being equal with You
was something to be used for His own benefit.
He gave up His place with You in heaven
and made Himself nothing.
He was born as a man,
and became a servant…
fully humbled and fully obedient,
even when it caused His death—death on a cross.
Based on Philippians 2:6–8

Yes, I want to be humble, obedient, and completely surrendered.

To have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5

Father, I pray that from Your glorious and unlimited resources, You will empower me with inner strength through Your Spirit. And I ask that Your Son, Jesus will always be welcome and at home in my heart, that I will trust Him completely. May the roots of my faith grow down into the depth’s of Your love and keep me strong. And by Your grace, may I have the power to fully understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. Please make me completely new with the fullness of life and power that comes from Your Spirit. (Based on Ephesians 3:17–19)

It is only with Your help, that I can surrender my selfishness and become more like Jesus.

Thank you for never giving up on me and for loving me with a perfect love greater than anything I could ever hope for or desire.

Please make me more like Jesus, in whose precious name, I pray. Amen.

I am so blessed that you are joining me for this journey…

You’ll want to subscribe to Counting My Blessings (if you haven’t already), to receive a link to 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers in your inbox each morning.

It’s true! This is the busiest time of the year but I promise this will only be a 2-minute a day commitment…

One that will ask and seek and knock through bold prayers … and watch what only God can do when we go to Him with anything is possible mountain moving prayers.

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Remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and tell us about the mountains God is moving in your life.

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Just imagine what God will do as His people come to Him in faith and prayer!

Quotes about God’s Perfect Love for Your Messy Life

2 / 5 / 138 / 15 / 15

Quotes and verses about God's perfect love . . . love that lasts forever, never changes, never fails, and knows everything about you.

Life is messy.

Relationships sticky. Finances fluctuate. Calendars over-booked.

Days can be hard and filled with doubt, worry, and anxiety.

[Tweet “But in your messy life . . . one thing never changes. “]

God loves you with a love beyond anything you can imagine. He’s got you.

Quotes about God’s Perfect Love for Your Messy Life

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. … He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” ~St. Augustine

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness.” ~Jean Vanier

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength you will guide them to Your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13

[Tweet “”Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.” ~St. Augustine.”]

How great is the love the Father has given us so freely! Now we can be called children of God. And that’s what we really are! 1 John 3:1

“There will always be someone willing to hurt you, put you down, gossip about you, belittle your accomplishments and judge your soul. It is a fact that we all must face. However, if you realize that God is a best friend that stands beside you when others cast stones you will never be afraid, never feel worthless and never feel alone.” ~Shannon L. Adler

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7

“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as full as if there were no others.” ~A.W.Tozer

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

“Here is a spiritual principle: We cannot exercise love unless we are experiencing grace. You cannot truly love others unless you are convinced that God’s love for you is unconditional, based solely on the merit of Christ, not on your performance. Our love, either to God or to others, can only be a response to His love for us.” ~Jerry Bridges

I have loved you the same way the Father has loved me. So live in my love. John 15:9

[Tweet “”Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” ~C.S.Lewis”]

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John 1:14

“Before the foundations of the world, He loved you. Before the fall of Eden, He loved you. Before He sent His Son splitting through the cosmos to this world, He loved you. Before He died upon the cross, He loved you. When He rose again, He loved you. And He’s coming back again because He loves you. When you took your first breath, He loved you. When you messed up bad, He loved you. When you made good grades, He loved you. When you won and when you lost, He loved you.” ~Jennifer Dukes Lee

So, lift your hands in praise. Shout hallelujah. Your Father loves you . . . messy, sticky, and over-booked you. Nothing will ever change that. All He wants is for you to love and trust Him and love the people He puts around you.

10 Things You Need to Remember You Are Loved

2 / 4 / 131 / 15 / 16

God’s love for you is perfect, unconditional, and everlasting.

No matter what you’ve done. No matter where you’ve been. No matter how you feel.

You need to remember . . . you are loved.

He loves you and me – not because of what we believe, what we say, or what we do. He loves us simply because He is God and He chooses to love us.

How do we know? Well, just like the children’s song says, “because the Bible tells me so.”

God loves you –

God is love. 1 John 4:17

This is how much God loved (insert your name): He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16

You were made in God’s image –

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature. Genesis 1:26

He calls you by name –

I’ve called your name. You’re mine. Isaiah 43:1

And He calls you very good –

God looked over everything He had made; it was so good, so very good! He knows everything about you. Genesis 1:31

He knows everything about you –

You know me inside and out, You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Psalm 139:15

He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! Matthew 10:30

He cares what happens to you –

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening; If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there. Psalm 34:17-18

He has good plans for you –

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11

His love for you never change –

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:38–39

His love for you lasts forever –

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Psalm 89:2

His love for you is something to celebrate –

God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in Your strength and glory. In Your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless You every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to You. Psalm 63:1-4

And celebrate is what we are going to do this week. Join me as we savor the blessing of God’s amazing love.

What will you do to celebrate God’s love today?

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Quotes on Faith, Prayer, and the Bible

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Christianity is not primarily a moral code but a grace-laden mystery; it is not essentially a philosophy of love but a love affair; it is not keeping rules with clenched fists but receiving a gift with open hands. ~Brennan Manning

After I set out to refute Christianity intellectually and couldn’t, I came to the conclusion the Bible was true and Jesus Christ was God’s Son. ~Josh McDowell

It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom. ~Horace Greeley

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

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The First of 52 Goals for Living with Intentional Gratitude

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I want to invite you to join me each week in 2013 as I share goals for improving and maintaining various parts of our lives by intentionally looking at them through the lens of gratitude.

Each month I will focus on a different theme:

January – Health
February – Love
March – Forgiveness
April – Attitude
May – Relationships
June – Time Management and Rest
July – Leadership
August – Education
September – Home
October – Growing up – Growing Older
November – Thanksgiving
December – Giving

Each week I will break down the theme for that month and share how I believe an attitude of intentional gratitude will improve that part of our lives. By the end of the year, we will have set and hopefully accomplished 52 goals.

What Does it Mean to Believe in Jesus

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Have you ever wondered what it really means to believe in Jesus?

Does it mean to believe that He lived two thousand years ago?
That He was a great teacher?
Even that He was the greatest man who ever lived?

Is that what John 3:16 means?

We will Suffer and We will be Comforted

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Bible passages that talk about suffering are not my favorites.

I’m not a fan of suffering and I imagine you agree with me.
Most of us do everything possible to avoid adversity.

Unfortunately, suffering is a fact of life.
It touches each of us at one time or another.

Amazed

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Amaze: to affect with great wonder, to astonish.

What amazes you?

A Sunset?
A Rainbow?
A Symphonic Overture?
A Newborn Baby?
A Lion, a Giraffe, or a Hippopotamus?
A Rose, an Orchid, or a Giant Sequoia?

Sometimes we are so amazed by technology, that we forget to be amazed by
those things that surround us every day.

We forget to be amazed by the One who longs to fill our minds with wonder
and our hearts with praise.

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what He has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3

Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
Psalm 96:3

When Jesus had finished saying these things,
the crowds were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with
real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
Matthew 7:28-29

A vast crowd brought to Him people who were lame,
blind, crippled those who couldn’t speak, and many others.
They laid them before Jesus, and He healed them all.
The crowd was amazed!
Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well,
the lame were walking, and the blind could see again!
And they praised the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:30-31

The members of the council were amazed when they
saw the boldness of Peter and John,
for they could see that they were ordinary men with
no special training in the Scriptures.
They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13

Father, Forgive me. I foolishly allow myself to become amazed by the trivial. I set my mind on that which is unimportant and ignore the countless amazing things You are doing around me. I’m sorry. Give me eyes to see what You want me to see. Give me a heart to feel the way You want me to feel. Give me a mind that focuses on Your plans and purposes. Give me a soul that is filled with Your love. Give me the all of the strength I need to trust You and obey. I can’t on my own, but with Your help every moment of wonder will become a step of faith. I ask this in the name of my amazing Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.