Livia - Daniel 10

“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” (Daniel 10:19 NIV)

In life there are things we don't feel comfortable doing.   Stepping out and trusting God gives us the courage we need to do things that God wants us to do.  Sometimes you have to choose to do it and let your mind (thinking) catch up. 

I love the part that says "when he spoke to me I was strengthened".  Thank you Lord for your attention to our lives.  

Daddy - Matthew 11:28

"Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

All you have to do is COME.  It's really not that hard.  Just as you are. We make it harder than it is.  It does take our willingness.  We get feeling guilty about sin in our lives and then we don't want to be before our God because then we have to deal with the junk in our lives.  Therefore we never "come to him" and instead we live in a restless state.

Let's be intentional to always be real with each other and with God. To live transparent lives that will allow peace to dwell among us.  

     

Devin - 1 Peter 5:5

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him for he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:6,7 NIV)

It's a choice we make everyday to surrender to Christ and let him lift us up.  It's tiring to worry and fret about things we cannot change.  It's better to cast our anxious thoughts over to God and allow His peace to live within us. 

Let's trust our God that He is bigger than the battle before us .....he will make a way no matter what!!!  Trust Him ! 

Gina - Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge , but fools despise wisdom and discipline!!!

Fools- hate knowledge and correction of any kind, they are quick to quarrel and give "full vent" to their anger , they are complacent and trust only in themselves!!

Don't be a FOOL!

Lol 

Devin's birthday on Saturday so we covered him with truth of who he is to us and in Christ this morning !!!!   Love this kid!!!!!

Kadin - mark 9:29

He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. ” (Mark 9:29 NIV)

We slander God by working for Him without knowing Him.  We must make sure there is NOTHING between us and Jesus - we have to face it, not ignore it- and then that very thing will glorify Him.  

We enjoy the mountaintop but both the valley and the mountaintop make us who we are. Certainly a place of brokenness (prayer/seeking) is the place where God can use us, he can't use us if we are prideful and act as if we don't need him.  

Livia - Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)

This verse has 3 specific commands for us:

1. Be joyful in hope - to be content when you are waiting to "see the light" - knowing it will come!!

2. Patient in affliction - to be settled in pain no matter what your circumstance is , knowing your God is faithful and will carry you. 

3. Faithful in prayer - to know our part is to talk to God and keep our relationship with him right and pure.  

What great advice to follow when faced with uncertainty and pain. 

 

Dad - Song of Solomon 7:13

The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved. (Song of Solomon 7:13 NIV)

We have "fruit" this morning, both old and new for our "beloved" (Jesus).   New fruits include new beginnings, start ups,  new schedules are all sweet and engaging but let's not forget the old fruit - our first love, Jesus breaking into our darkness and loving us, that moment - those fruits will always be sweet and carry us to continue to bear fruit.  All of this fruit is for his glory only - not for men to gaze upon and be jealous or proud , but rather to remind us where all this fruit comes from.  His efforts in our lives.