James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 NIV)

Most of the time we are too busy and don't take the time to "come near " to God.   When we do - he shows up.  Ya interesting that within the same verse , the next sentence tells us to wash our hands and purify our hearts - which to me says - you can't come near to God your sin will be revealed and you have to deal with it.  It sounds painful but it's a good good thing!  It's only then that we receive true freedoms from our past hurts and pain.  

Thank you God!

Get dressed in the morning! Lol

Psalm 27, Romans 13 and Col. 3 all call us to get dressed for the day!!!

"Seek his face ..."  , "clothe yourself with Jesus Christ" and "clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. "

Like we dress and get our bodies ready in the morning we must get ready spiritually as well with the armor of God (eph 6) and by putting Christ on!

To wear Christ is to take on his attitude (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience) and love for others.   Everyday we have a choice on how we will live and who we will live for.  Surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit will bring joy and peace to your life.  

 

Wherever you go!

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:8-10 NIV)

No matter if we are I'm the highest place in life or the lowest of low - there our God will be with us.  He keeps us and sustains us.  That's all we need to know. 

Proverbs 21:2-3 - The Lord weighs the heart !

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:2, 3 NIV)

We can run down a checklist of things like being kind, giving to others, sacrificing more things, reading the bible , etc.... And only God knows the motive of our hearts.  He knows if we are close to him and why we do what we do.  With that it says "doing what is right " is more acceptable than sacrifice.  In other words - get off your high horse of "I do this and I do that ..." And just do what is right !!!!

James 5:16- let's be real!!!

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)

Confessing what you've done wrong to others brings healing.  This opens your life up to accountability.   We need to be ok with a little bit of embarrassment and awkwardness so that we can get to the healing and true forgiveness part!

Open yourself up to The freedom God has for you by being open to being real!!

All for God!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

Keeping perspective is everything.  It's a chance to see things as God sees them.  Let's consider everything we put our hands to today an opportunity to give glory to God.   In those moments when you recognize His power and His glory - it gives you such purpose and meaning.  

Do it all for Him. 

Ephesians 6 - The FULL armor of God

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17 NIV)

Well- this one is worth memorizing - so from now till the end of school year we are going to work on this everyday together.  This scripture gives us an amazing example of how to prepare ourselves for every day.   We have been given everything we need from God to survive in this crazy world, all we need to do is take time everyday to PUT IT ON!!!

Let's do it!!

Remember that God is there!

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. (Genesis 28:10-13 NIV)

We are never really alone!  God is always with us even when we have the feelings of loneliness.  God promises us that He will never leave us or forsake us.  When you choose to walk with Christ  you will have times when you will feel alone in decisions or in tough times.  We must practice his presence so that it's not just us knowing ABOUT God , but actually knowing him personally.  

   

Choose kindness.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8 NIV)

Kindness is being interested in what's good for someone else.  Peter & John gave us an example of paying attention to people around you.  It's always best to choose to display kindness.   Sometimes it's easier to be kind to strangers than it is your own family because you can be so close and have hurts and hang ups within your relationships that hold you back.  Choose kindness today for all people and be blessed.  

Protection from self-reliance

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)

Don't run from hard times!   Embrace every circumstance in your life knowing that if you remain in Christ He will work all things for good. 

When stress comes , and it will - let those feelings alert you to rely on God instead of yourself.  Trust God, walk in the spirit and pray all the time!   This effort will invite God to direct your thoughts and actions.  

Less self ,  more god!  

(Devins artwork )

Knit together in our Mother's womb!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV)

Daddy shared how God has placed each of us with a perfect Mom for us.  God has also designed each of us specifically.  We all have gifts, talents and special things about us that God has given to us use for Him.  We will always feel best when we are "in the pocket" doing what God wants us to do.

A heart of a Mom is always for her kids. No matter what.  How much more is God for you who knit you together in her womb?! 

 

God provides!

His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 15:33-38 NIV)

God is powerful and all knowing.  We serve a God who is active in our lives.  We should offer to God what we have and let him multiply it.   Let him use eat we have for good.  Jesus cared about those people and he cares about us.