Don't let fear keep you from friendship -May 31

Help me to be looking to You moment by moment
so when I speak or when I do things
I am reflecting You.

Help me to engage others
even when they hurt me.
Help me not to run and hide out of self preservation.
Help me to run TO You!
....for peace, joy, grace to forgive, direction.

Thank you for my hurt foot.

It is giving me compassion for my spouse's pain with his knee.  I am coming to realize my negative responses to my spouse.  I think sometimes we take those closest to us for granted.

"Couples wanting more intimacy or oneness are often surprised at how encouragement fits in.   One may have a career and one  more home focused.   Discovering the power of encouragement can help bring them together.   Might we enjoy the closeness that mutual encouragement brings."  -Devotions for Couples

Help me to IMMEDIATELY take everything to You in prayer.

Don't let fear separate me from friends and friendship. 
Fear that they might betray me,
fear that they may talk about me or use me.
Help me to be a friend that does not cause that fear in others.
Help me to be a friend that can be trusted.

Mark 5:27-29  A women suffered with bad health for  many years.
When Jesus healed her, her atrophied muscles were rejuvenated.
She was ready to be engaged. 

Lord, even though years have passed in my life
and spiritual, mental, physical, psychological atrophy has happened
in the form of disillusionment,
You can heal me and make me ready to be engaged full throttle.

DO NOT FEAR -May 30

We see things in others that we want changed.

Give it to Him.

He knows what is needed.

Don't nag.

Don't beg.

Don't close them off.

Exhortation does not 'put down' or belittle.

It comes with patience and gentleness.

Pray and Praise.

Talk to Me during the day.

Look up into My face.

Know the  feeling of security ,

joy and

 the sense of nearness of My Presence.

 

Do not fear.

Fear is an evil ally.

 

We are not what we do,

we are someone He loves.

 

You are learning,

You are growing.

 

God is leading you  to the high ground and

He is transforming you as you go.

Regret nothing.

Regret nothing.
Not even the sins and failures.
Breath in the rich blessings of a new day.
Forget all that lies behind you.

Each relationship and each home looks to some authority for its directions and standards.    Homes are built upon the solid rock or the sinking sand.

Who is my firm foundation?  
Who and what are my hopes and truths and expectations built on?
My husband?  My children? My job? My home?  My health?  My ego?
My pleasure?
Lord, help me to build my solid foundation on You.    
Throughout the day incline my ear to listen for You
and what You want me to do and say.  


The hardest thing in God's kingdom is people who think they are righteous, follow the rules of the religious law, and throw stumbling blocks in everyone elses path  They are judgemental and self righteous, fearing men's opinion and the letter of the law, rather than linking their hearts up to God's heart and hearing His voice and following His guidance.  

Whenever I become judgemental and self righteous - remind me Lord, forgive me, help me not to be a stumbling block.  

Do not worry about tomorrow.

You are in today.

I will provide.

You are mine.

A life filled with tenderness, compassion, selflessness, and Godly wisdom is always attractive and always in style.

Is fear shaking your world? -May 28

Focus on God.
Focus on getting to the truth.
Don't be defensive.

Develop an atomosphere of encouragement and gratitude for those around you.  

Just to be with Me,
to know I am beside you.
Will bring Peace and Joy.

Idle gossip is such an easy trap to fall into.

"I grew up a fearful person, a people pleaser,
in constant worry of the impression I made and how people perceived me.
I believed the lie that God wan't enough for me.   Some events happened that rocked my world and sent the false foundation that I stood on into oblivion.  The lights came on for me one day when I realized that the fear was no longer dominant.   I had come to know that if God could get me through this, He could get me through anything.    When your fears feel like they are shaking your world, run to God."   -Devotions for Women on the Go

Your lives are full of glad promise.

God is not enough -May 27

I posted something on facebook.
I thought it was hilarious and would definitely strike at the hearts of all that creeps us out and can relate to, as far as spiders go.

Right before I posted it,
I heard the little voice.
"What does  this inspire? Do not inspire fear."

My inspired response to the little voice?
'Seriously?  Give me a break,  this is funny and creepy at the same time.'

So of course, in the desire to troll for lots of facebook 'likes' and responses,
I posted the picture and details of what happened.

Almost immediately someone I didn't know responded,
WHY DID YOU POST THIS?   Don't you know I am morbidly afraid of spiders?   The responding post of this terrified person went on.

I still resisted.
I wanted the recognition on the post - regardless of what the recognition was.

The little voice came back again.
"Do you love Me? Obey Me."

I removed the post.

You are weak in your natural selves.   Do not inspire fear. 

God came so that we would never have to see ourselves as a failure. 

I believed that God wasn't enough for me,

and that I had to have more to be complete.

Are you reeling from feelings of being unwanted?

When your fears feel like they are shaking your world,

run to the door way of hope.  God.

 

I can't stand that person! -May 26

Ever been around someone that just grates on your nerves.
You cringe just being around them?
I was around someone like that.
I know....
not so holy of me to feel that way, huh?
I have a long way to go.

Well, I made a random remark.
And what did that person do?

SHE CORRECTED ME IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!

How dare she!?

I decided right then and there that my best strategy was to
get up and move to another spot,
before I 'lost my religion' and said something I would regret!

Later on I complained to God about it.
"Can YOU BELIEVE IT, God?!!
How DARE SHE! 
Correct me in front of others??!!
WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS??

God said back quietly.
"Was what you said edifying, did it build up others?" 

Me, (mentally stuttering)
"Well, nooooo."

God,
"Then she was right, wasn't she?"

My righteous indignation took a nosedive.

Don't be a Glory Hog - May 25

Do not seek the praise and notice of men.
Build others up.

Point out their strengths.

Don't be a glory hog.

Share others good deeds and strong points.

Encourage others.

Happy Birthday Little Lucy

May you and your talented parents grow

in the knowledge of God's love for you and them.   

May your family be built on the foundation

of God's loving presence and guidance..