Just a quick note because I want to get this info on today so you can listen while it's still free. Tomorrow it'll cost you 99 cents, which is still a great bargain.
One of my favorite pastors to listen to is Greg Laurie, http://www.harvest.org/radio/a-new-beginning-radio/broadcast-schedule.html. This morning was his last installment on temptation called "Going on a Diet Tomorrow." In today's lecture he discusses the use of scripture to avoid temptation. He used some great passages that really lifted me.
This whole series was quite interesting and I'd recommend it to everyone. After I get a moment to research the scriptures I noted, I'll post them. If you have an opportunity to listen today, use this link http://www.harvest.org/radio/ and click on "Listen Now" underneath the "A New Beginning Today" title.
Have a wonderful day!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Keeping the Resolution Going
As I start losing my resolve to continue in my New Year endeavors, I try to remember to look to the Lord for strength. And when I do, I find the means to escape the temptation.
Dear Lord,
As I make my resolutions to better myself, I look to You for the stength to keep them. I know that You will not allow any temptation to come to me that is not common to man; and that You are faithful and will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to overcome. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me to find the escape for each temptation that I know you leave for me, so that I can over come the temptation and be successful.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray to You. Amen
Based on 1 Corinthians 10:13...
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Prayers in Heavenly Handwriting
The Book of Psalms is my favorite place to turn to when I need encouragement. They were written thousands of years ago, but are still relevant today. That's one of the reasons I feel the Bible is awesome.
When I read Psalm 5 I thought of the 5 people following this blog and hoped for all those who run across it, but don't follow it. I wanted to share this with you.
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12
Have a wonderful day everyone!
When I read Psalm 5 I thought of the 5 people following this blog and hoped for all those who run across it, but don't follow it. I wanted to share this with you.
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:11-12
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Good Morning, Part II
"God Stops" is a termed coined by Beth Moore for those moments that people may call a coincidence, but others see them as God using a moment to teach or direct us.
I had a God Stop the day after I wrote my "Good Morning" post. One of my daily meditation sources reinforced the importance of spending time each morning with God. She used the following verses in her essay:
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy & be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble" Psalm 90:14-15
"Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
"The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen line one being taught." Isaiah 50:4
"I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you." Psalm 88:13
And as a witness to these verses, I resolve to take time each morning, whether it be 5 minutes or 30, to spend time with God. With God's strength, I can handle anything.
God Bless us all this morning.
I had a God Stop the day after I wrote my "Good Morning" post. One of my daily meditation sources reinforced the importance of spending time each morning with God. She used the following verses in her essay:
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy & be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble" Psalm 90:14-15
"Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
"The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen line one being taught." Isaiah 50:4
"I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you." Psalm 88:13
And as a witness to these verses, I resolve to take time each morning, whether it be 5 minutes or 30, to spend time with God. With God's strength, I can handle anything.
God Bless us all this morning.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Good Morning!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Enjoy every new morning!
Lamentations 3:22-23
Enjoy every new morning!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Let The Light Shine
Dear Lord,
I know that You alone are the light and in You there is no darkness. I want to walk in the light with You and leave behind the darkness, where I once walked and played without You.
I want to walk in the light as You are in the light and where I can have fellowship with others and the blood of Jesus, Your Son, cleanses us all.
I have sinned and continue to sin and confess my sins now. I know that you will be faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you bestow on me and for bringing me on this journey. Through the Holy Spirit's assistance, I wish my faith to grow stronger so I will learn to trust you completely with my life.
Prayer based on 1 John 1:5-10:
(5) This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (8) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I know that You alone are the light and in You there is no darkness. I want to walk in the light with You and leave behind the darkness, where I once walked and played without You.
I want to walk in the light as You are in the light and where I can have fellowship with others and the blood of Jesus, Your Son, cleanses us all.
I have sinned and continue to sin and confess my sins now. I know that you will be faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you bestow on me and for bringing me on this journey. Through the Holy Spirit's assistance, I wish my faith to grow stronger so I will learn to trust you completely with my life.
Prayer based on 1 John 1:5-10:
(5) This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (7) But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (8) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Anxiety Attack
Several days back, when I listed some of my favorite verses that get me through my most anxious moments, I somehow forgot my absolute favorite. But, while looking for it, I found another verse that I added to my verses journal.
The one I added was:
"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6
Now the long verse I calm myself down with, when I get anxious, comes from Matthew 6. I don't have it all memorized, I just recall it's meaning or find it in my journal.
(25) For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what will you drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (27) And who of you can add a single hour to his life?
...
(32) For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(34) So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Now, I understand that this does not give me free reign to sit around and play video games, instead of working, cause God will take care of it. There is that condition in the verse about "seek first His kingdom" which isn't done by being a couch potato. It's a purposeful action on my part and is why I read the Bible, read daily meditations, pray often, attend a church, etc. I'm seeking His kingdom and righteousness.
I pray that this helps someone out there who is overly anxious and desperate about the future. I know the desperation that anxiety can bring... been there, done that, still go through it occasionally. May all of us afflicted with this desperation feel the Holy Spirit guiding us to more positive actions that lead us seeking down the right path.
God Bless and Happy New Year!
The one I added was:
"Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6
Now the long verse I calm myself down with, when I get anxious, comes from Matthew 6. I don't have it all memorized, I just recall it's meaning or find it in my journal.
(25) For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what will you drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (27) And who of you can add a single hour to his life?
...
(32) For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(34) So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Now, I understand that this does not give me free reign to sit around and play video games, instead of working, cause God will take care of it. There is that condition in the verse about "seek first His kingdom" which isn't done by being a couch potato. It's a purposeful action on my part and is why I read the Bible, read daily meditations, pray often, attend a church, etc. I'm seeking His kingdom and righteousness.
I pray that this helps someone out there who is overly anxious and desperate about the future. I know the desperation that anxiety can bring... been there, done that, still go through it occasionally. May all of us afflicted with this desperation feel the Holy Spirit guiding us to more positive actions that lead us seeking down the right path.
God Bless and Happy New Year!
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