May we all share encouragement with one another. Feel free to add some encouragement in the comments below.
Week 40: October 3-9, 2016
Goals. Many of us have things we want to accomplish in life and sometimes it feels like we have a few steps that run together or back-to-back. It can be hard to decide if it all has to be done right then, can some thing wait? We wonder if by doing so we ruin the chances on what was put off. We wonder if we have anyone supporting us. And just where or how can we stay focused.
I have recently returned to complete my last semester of college. An internship. I also needed a job and like spending time with my children. I also need to attend services with my spiritual family (the Church) for my souls sake. I also am married and need to attend my relationship with my husband. I also want to write a book someday...... BUT is there enough of me to go around? My support system I thought I had did not understand what I was going through. They told me to quit! They tested the balances of my marriage. They made me feel like a bad mother for wanting to provide better for my family's future. People that said "call me if you need anything!" they could not be bothered. I felt like I was being pushed from everything I knew and loved to an island of loneliness and wonder. I started to second guess my goals and if God would even get me through. I knew that he "could," but was I worth the effort?
I wasn't going to mention my struggle so soon. And to be honest, the dust is settling and I am doing better at being focused in all that I do. However, I read a scripture this morning and it brought it all back to mind and I realized why I felt the way I did. I was listening to the people who said I shouldn't try. I was upset that when I needed help those people were unavailable. I look back and realize I lost focus and I did not acknowledge that it was God's vision of me that mattered most and His help that I should have relied on. I am sincerely sorry that I took others actions to heart the way I did. I am NOT sorry that I did not quit on my goals (even if I had to put off some tasks i.e. being consistent with this blog). I'll share the scripture below:
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in th LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgement cometh from the Lord"
--Proverbs 29:25-26
Week 23: June 6- 12, 2016
The Word of God tells us repeatedly that we are (for lack of a better phrase) watched. We are told to be examples of people who believe and follow Christ (1 Tim. 4). We are said to be lights and salt of the earth (Matt. 5). After what Christ did for us, it should be our delight to please Him. One way of doing so, is simply walking in the Spirit, taking heed to His words. As, I heard my husband say once in a Sunday School lesson "there are requirements we must complete." The baptism of water and fire, repenting and living Holy are major requirements! May God have mercy on us as we read and apply His word in our lives. This week's scripture:
"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
--1 Timothy 4:17
**It is not my desire to appear as a preacher. However, I do believe that as a woman it is my duty to speak, walk and be holy, walking always in righteousness. May God bless and guide me in all things. My desire is to be an encouragement. Keep the faith.
Week 22: May 30-June 5, 2016
As I mentioned in my update for "Week 17-21," I have taken time to read through Proverbs. Proverbs is full of wisdom and teaches good character, morals, life lessons... he list goes on. Anyone seeking to be wise or more mature should indulge in them. Always praying for God's understanding. This week's verse is encouraging because I strive to be a good mother:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
--Proverbs 22:6
Week 17-Week 21, 2016
Being a mom is one of my proudest accomplishments. I see just how much the things I do affect my children and I pray that when the time comes they lead better lives than myself. I know my goal this year was to be a better blogger and to encourage people near and far. All the while getting closer to my Lord Jesus. While my blogging hasn't been very consistent, I do make time for Jesus.
While I have missed a few weeks for updating this page, I have had my personally readings daily. I really believe that in my early days of learning who Christ that the book of Proverbs helped me to mature. Someone advised in my early walk to read one chapter of Proverbs each day. I took their advice and it really helped me. So, that's what I have been reading each weekday around noon. My sons are usually calm around that time. A bonus of not waiting until they are asleep is that they see how to give time out of each day to our Savior.
Week 16: April 18-24, 2016
I am sure we have all had those moments when we are thinking what to do. I am also sure that many of us have heard "an idle mind is the devil's workshop." So instead of feeling bored and wondering what is there to do, just do something for the Lord and He will guide you. Soon, your mind will be filled with a number of things. This week's scripture:
"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."
--Proverbs 16:3
Week 15: April 11-17, 2016
There's a special feeling of good cheer we experience when we are preparing something for someone we really love. A birthday surprise or anniversary dinner, perhaps. Then there's a sad feeling we can experience when we feel as though there's no one going an extra mile (or even an inch) to do anything for us... even simple things. Well, it should warm our hearts to know that God wants to give to us. The Lord wants to bless us and he considers it a pleasure to prepare a place for those who are seeking Him His kingdom and are trusting in His provisions.
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
--Luke 12:32
Week 14: April 4-10, 2016
We all have our trials though some are small and others big. No matter the size where our minds and hearts are can affect how we face each situation. There's a song that says "Though hard trials are oppressing me, I feel like going on." That's a mindset I desire to keep! How do we overcome situations that arise? One way is by the grace and mercy of God that he blessed us with even when we aren't fully focused on Him. Another, is knowing where our help and strength comes from. This weeks scripture:
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."(KJV)
"It is God that arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." (NIV)
Psalm 18:32
Week 13: March 28-April 3, 2016
Have you ever questioned yourself about a person or a situation so much that you were tormented? Do you know that the love we have when we receive Jesus is enough to drive away worry and doubt? So, ask yourself "where is my love?" When we think in love and on the pure and positive things, we can overcome many things. God has allowed us to have such power in our lives, we just have to put it to use. This week's scripture:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
--1 John 4:18
Week 12: March 21-27, 2016
Mommy duty was in full force. I focused on last week's scripture and thoughts about Jesus' life, death, burial and His resurrection! Hope you all had a blessed Resurrection Sunday.
Week 11: March 14-20, 2016
So, to those of you who have been checking out my blog: I am sure you realize that this week I missed posting our weekly scripture on-time. I apologize... loosely... I was unable for joyful reasons. My family has an extra member! I had an amazing a experience with God --allowing me to give birth to our 2nd son. My husband and I are so amazed and happy. I hope all of you have been receiving those blessing you've been waiting for. Though I missed posting a scripture to share with everyone. I have had a portion of a verse continuously replaying in my heart and mind (in red). To finish this week, let's think on what this verse means to you:
"He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."
--Ecclesiastes 3:11
Week 10: March 7-13, 2016
It is not always easy to wait on the outcome of our labor, prayers or an obstacle we're facing. There may be times we feel that it would be better to circumvent putting forth anymore effort and find another way. However, if in the beginning we felt that it was the Lord leading or His doing... it's best to stay the course. God is faithful, don't change your mind. God is trying to mold us to completion, kind of difficult if His children keep looking for shortcuts elsewhere. The scripture this week:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
--Proverbs 3:5-6
Week 9: February 29-March 6, 2016
When we are part of a family or group, there are things about us that outsiders see to compare us to the other members. Similarly, there are things called "Fruit of the Spirit" that bubble out of true believers and followers of Christ. We gain the ability to share more of these Fruits with those around us as we lay aside our sins and weights (Heb. 12:1). This week we'll put those Fruits to work and seek out ares that we personally need to develop. God knows our hearts and He will mold us into the persons He wills us to be. This week's scripture:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
--Galatians 5:22-23
Week 8: February 22-28, 2016
Last week, we practiced and made an effort to think positively. I must say that my week went really well. There were some hiccups, but I was so happy about the good that those hiccups didn't bother me for long. In going about my week, I realized the company I keep and remembered friends from the past. It's amazing how our friends and company influence our thinking. (Ever hear those stories about Mr. Optimistic and Mr. Pessimistic?) This week as we press on with our personal goals, let us think about the company we keep. Our scripture this week:
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
--Proverbs 13:20
Week 7: February 15-21, 2016
The power of a positive mind is a wonderful thing. Thinking positive changes our outlook and perception of life, it makes us more aware of the little things we have over looked in the past and it changes us. It's still early in the 2016 year. There is still plenty of time to reach our goals, make changes and become better people. This week let's practice training how we think using this scripture:
Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
--Philippians 4:8
Week 6: February 8-14, 2016
There will always be something at hand for us to worry about. Many of us may like to have a plan for how every thing would get done. If you're like me, you get frustrated when things change last minute and you can't come up with a solution fast enough. I am happy to know I have gotten better over the years and now I have learned to "go with the flow," as some would say. I realize that things change and I may not always be prepared. However, I can always be prepared for God to do a work in my life. God doesn't lie. If we are seeking Him with our minds and our hearts, He will see that our needs are taken care of. Let's think on this scripture:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
--Matthew 6:33
Week 5: February 1-7, 2016
Life can hand us some really unexpected things. Situations that are super great or super time consuming. Things that may cause us to be so happy that we neglect a few things. Or cause so much worry that our minds are so consumed we cannot focus on anything else. It is so very important that we remember to always pray. When we are "prayed up," we are more likely to immediately seek ways to control the situation. It could be just remembering to praise God and ask that pride doesn't overtake us. Or our minds being at such peace that we have the faith not to worry because our God is bigger than our problems. Whatever this week holds for you, remember our scripture for this week:
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray,and not to faint."
--Luke 18:1
Week 4: January 25-31, 2016
Some days I feel like there are not enough hours to do all I plan on doing. Maybe some of you feel the same. I'm currently in the third trimester of pregnancy and I will get into a task, become exhausted and need a break. Suddenly, I find myself waking up having lost time. I do not get to down about it because I want a healthy baby. However, I do not want to keep saying I will do things and not get to them. I don't want to tell others I will do things and suddenly find that I cannot. There's a scripture about this in James 4:13-15. Please review it as this week's scripture is:
"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that."
--James 4:15
Week 3: January 18-24, 2016
Once we get our minds on our relationship with God, don't we want to get closer. We want to be better and do better --to be more pleasing in His sight. We want to feel more of His presence. This week let's lock our minds on the Lord. Let's focus on and do things that we can say "In Jesus name, I have done this great thing." It doesn't matter how big or small, it's "great" because we dedicated that moment/ that action to the Lord in our hearts. Let the Lord be glorified. This week's scripture:"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."
--James 4:8
Week 2: January 11-17, 2016
Ever read a scripture that hits you in the most magnificent way? You read it and your Spirit warms and you just think: this is what my heart feels right now, this is what I want to express to God? Well, Psalms are filled with many emotional verses that can hit us in this way. Years ago, after I met Christ for myself there was a special Psalm that I read. I felt so many emotions and my heart just conversed with God, while my spirit cried out. Recently, this scripture has resurfaced in my mind. It fits so well. Last week, we wanted to explore how much we love God. This week let us find ourselves thinking about how important God is to us... Not just for His mercy and protection, but His love and His existence. This week's scripture (a favorite of mine):
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You. My heart and my flesh fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
--Psalms 73:25-26
Week 1: January 4-10, 2016
In this first full week of January, I find myself wanting to reevaluate the love I have for God. I won't get all spiritually personal on this one. Just will say that Jesus, in Matthew 22:37-40, tells us how much we ought to love God. He says it should be "with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind." Let's take some time throughout this week to think about the love we have for God and our weekly scripture:"He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love."
--1 John 4:8
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