Are you sick of me posting these emails from Joel Osteen? Today was another one that spoke to me. A lot of them lately have been talking about God working behind the scenes on my behalf. I like that. I need His help!
Today's Scripture
“This one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind I press forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Are you determined to forget what lies behind? I know many people don’t fully understand what it means to forget the past. They wonder, “How can I forget something that’s happened to me?” But one definition of the word forget means to disregard intentionally, or to overlook. You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn’t keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don’t let go of the old, we’ll never be able to embrace the new. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your history, it’s time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you forget what lies behind and press forward, you will see the abundant life the Lord has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in Heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don’t want anything to hold me back from the future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me, by Your Spirit, to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Put on Christ
In the future life a Christian will not be tested as to whether he performed vigils, whether he prayed, whether he wept, or performed any other such good deeds in the present life; but he will be carefully tested as to whether he has some kind of likeness to Christ, as a son to his father, as the Apostle Paul also says: "My little children over whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you" (Gal 4:19). "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27). ~ Saint Symeon the New Theologian via the Magnificat
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Do All That is in Your Heart
This was the Today's Word I received today. Right now, my biggest desire is for this move we are considering.
Today's Scripture
“Then Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” (I Chronicles 17:2). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
What is in your heart today? What are the dreams and desires deep on the inside of you? Maybe you want to start a business, or ministry, or go back to school. Whatever is in your heart, ask the Lord to confirm it to you. God leads us by desires, but we have to first submit our desires to Him. Sometimes we have to allow Him to change our desires, but know that He is always out for your good. It says in the book of Psalms that God gives us the desires of our heart. That means He places desires within us then brings them to pass so that we can live a fulfilled life here on earth. I believe David did this very thing. He was known as a man after God’s own heart. He submitted His heart to the Lord, and then Nathan came along and said, “Yes. Do what is in your heart. God is with you.” Whatever is in your heart today, submit it to the Lord. Trust that He is out for your good and working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you put your faith and trust in Him, He will guide you in the life of victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I submit my dreams and desire to You. I trust that You are out for my good, and I desire only Your plan for my life. Confirm the plans You have for me so that I can walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today's Scripture
“Then Nathan said to David, Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” (I Chronicles 17:2). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
What is in your heart today? What are the dreams and desires deep on the inside of you? Maybe you want to start a business, or ministry, or go back to school. Whatever is in your heart, ask the Lord to confirm it to you. God leads us by desires, but we have to first submit our desires to Him. Sometimes we have to allow Him to change our desires, but know that He is always out for your good. It says in the book of Psalms that God gives us the desires of our heart. That means He places desires within us then brings them to pass so that we can live a fulfilled life here on earth. I believe David did this very thing. He was known as a man after God’s own heart. He submitted His heart to the Lord, and then Nathan came along and said, “Yes. Do what is in your heart. God is with you.” Whatever is in your heart today, submit it to the Lord. Trust that He is out for your good and working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you put your faith and trust in Him, He will guide you in the life of victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I submit my dreams and desire to You. I trust that You are out for my good, and I desire only Your plan for my life. Confirm the plans You have for me so that I can walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday Walk
Since I am going to be giving the 4th Day talk at the walk I am working, I thought it would be a good idea for me to start reviewing the reunion sheet every week. So, Wednesday's will now be "Wednesday Walk" days.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Holy Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and every enjoy Your consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Review your service sheet - Christ needs you. He needs you committed in faith, so that you may witness that faith in Christ with your brothers and sisters through:
Your Spiritual Life - Morning Devotion, Prayer Life, Worship Attendance, Communion, Spiritual Retreat
Your Study - Reading Holy Scriptures, Daily Spiritual Guides, Religious publications, Denominational newspapers, Religious magazines, Bible studies, Church school classes, Religious Seminars
Your Action - What have you done during this week so Christ will be better known and loved in your: Family, vocation, community, small group, Christian community
Closest to Christ - At what moment this past week did you feel closest to Christ? I found out on Monday night that a good friend, sort of mentor to me will also be working the walk. It was a confirmation that I was supposed to say yet.
Call to Discipleship - At what moment during this week did you feel you were responding to God's call to be His disciple? Saying yes to work the walk.
Discipleship Denied - When was your faith tested this week through failure? We should minister and show Christ's love to our family members first and I am not good with that. Honey was here this weekend and didn't have school Monday and I was annoyed and ready to have my house back to myself. I got angry with Sugar Pop yesterday because he needed to be up early and interrupted my quiet time. (I really hope to have a "room" in our new house that is "mine" and not a multi-purpose room like I have now.)
Your old plan - I didn't have a plan.
Your new plan - What is your plan for spirituality, study, and action for the week to come? Spirituality ~ Morning Quiet Time, Worship on Sunday - perhaps visit someplace since Sugar Pop is not playing this weekend.
Study ~ Continue reading my Magnificat daily. I need to make some time to read in Ordering Your Private World. I haven't read it in a while and would like to finish it.
Action ~ Start working on talk - at least scan the outline. Start working on February newsletter.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever, we give You thanks for all the gifts You have bestowed upon us. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Holy Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and every enjoy Your consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Review your service sheet - Christ needs you. He needs you committed in faith, so that you may witness that faith in Christ with your brothers and sisters through:
Your Spiritual Life - Morning Devotion, Prayer Life, Worship Attendance, Communion, Spiritual Retreat
Your Study - Reading Holy Scriptures, Daily Spiritual Guides, Religious publications, Denominational newspapers, Religious magazines, Bible studies, Church school classes, Religious Seminars
Your Action - What have you done during this week so Christ will be better known and loved in your: Family, vocation, community, small group, Christian community
Closest to Christ - At what moment this past week did you feel closest to Christ? I found out on Monday night that a good friend, sort of mentor to me will also be working the walk. It was a confirmation that I was supposed to say yet.
Call to Discipleship - At what moment during this week did you feel you were responding to God's call to be His disciple? Saying yes to work the walk.
Discipleship Denied - When was your faith tested this week through failure? We should minister and show Christ's love to our family members first and I am not good with that. Honey was here this weekend and didn't have school Monday and I was annoyed and ready to have my house back to myself. I got angry with Sugar Pop yesterday because he needed to be up early and interrupted my quiet time. (I really hope to have a "room" in our new house that is "mine" and not a multi-purpose room like I have now.)
Your old plan - I didn't have a plan.
Your new plan - What is your plan for spirituality, study, and action for the week to come? Spirituality ~ Morning Quiet Time, Worship on Sunday - perhaps visit someplace since Sugar Pop is not playing this weekend.
Study ~ Continue reading my Magnificat daily. I need to make some time to read in Ordering Your Private World. I haven't read it in a while and would like to finish it.
Action ~ Start working on talk - at least scan the outline. Start working on February newsletter.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever, we give You thanks for all the gifts You have bestowed upon us. Amen.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Empty Wells
From Lose it for Life Day by Day, April 28th (Day 118 Binge-Free):
Placing unrealistic expectations on others is like going to an empty well that cannot give us what we need. This may be a familiar scenario for you when you think about your parents, spouse, employer, friends or even your church. We all go back to these empty wells, demanding and pouting for them to give us what we want: attention, support, nurturing, acknowledgement, praise. When they can't deliver in the ways we expect, we may become more demanding, and even judgemental or indignant, about how they have failed us.
This feeling from being let down has been one of our invitations to fill the void with food, either by over-consuming or over-controlling it. We rationalize that because we have unmet needs, we deserve to treat ourselves with desserts, or a snack or just large quantities of food. Then, disappointed in ourselves, we fall into discontent and shame.
It is actually our expectations that are off track. We need to look at all our empty wells with forgiveness, realizing that the people we love are doing the best they can with what they know. We must let go of our demands upon them to give us what they do not possess to give. Then we must turn to Jesus for our deeper spiritual thirst to be met.
Today, Lord, forgive me for going to empty wells and demanding that all my needs be met. I want to run to You and drink from the bottomless well of Your presence, love, and mercy.
Placing unrealistic expectations on others is like going to an empty well that cannot give us what we need. This may be a familiar scenario for you when you think about your parents, spouse, employer, friends or even your church. We all go back to these empty wells, demanding and pouting for them to give us what we want: attention, support, nurturing, acknowledgement, praise. When they can't deliver in the ways we expect, we may become more demanding, and even judgemental or indignant, about how they have failed us.
This feeling from being let down has been one of our invitations to fill the void with food, either by over-consuming or over-controlling it. We rationalize that because we have unmet needs, we deserve to treat ourselves with desserts, or a snack or just large quantities of food. Then, disappointed in ourselves, we fall into discontent and shame.
It is actually our expectations that are off track. We need to look at all our empty wells with forgiveness, realizing that the people we love are doing the best they can with what they know. We must let go of our demands upon them to give us what they do not possess to give. Then we must turn to Jesus for our deeper spiritual thirst to be met.
Today, Lord, forgive me for going to empty wells and demanding that all my needs be met. I want to run to You and drink from the bottomless well of Your presence, love, and mercy.
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