Hebrews 4:10 “for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.”
Enter God’s rest!! Rest from your own work. God’s got this!! Rest, just as God did on the 7th day. I am very guilty of working hard to make things happen without God’s rest and peace. Sometimes God says, no. Sometimes He says slow, sometimes He says grow. Sometimes He says yes!! Whatever His answer is; Rest in the answer God gives you!!
Resting in God's ways is trusting in God's ways!
Hebrews 2:18 “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
One of my very successful friends said to me, “I never boast about my accomplishments, I share my failures. This helps me connect with people, we all have failure in common.” He said that 30 years ago and still I ponder his words. When we share how we have suffered, held up or fell to temptation as common ground, it can be of profound help. AA is built on this very concept. I used to try to hide my flaws. I thought no one could see them if I kept them hidden. What we keep a secret keeps us sick. Our sins and struggles don’t define us the righteousness of Jesus Christ defines us!! Don’t be afraid to share your sufferings and temptations they do not define you, they are just part of your journey. Being transparent with others, builds intimacy; in it we can help each other. This doesn’t mean continuously emotionally puking on people it means sharing common struggles to help each other through.
Habakkuk 3:17 “ Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”
Colossians 3:17 “ 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.”
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🙏🙏❤️😇🏈🦃!! I love these verses today!! They remind me, no matter what our circumstances, we always, always have something to be thankful for!! Be inspired to live in thanksgiving today and always!!😇🙏❤️
Proverbs 23:19-21. 19”Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 23:2 “and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” Holidays are filled with indulgence! It’s good to enjoy a meal together. It’s a wonderful way to fellowship! Gluttony and drunkenness, ruins the reunion. Try enjoying every bite instead of eating every bite. It’s far better to not drink alcohol than to drink too much. Be thankful for small simple things. Less is more!!!
Proverbs 25:2 "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." God doesn't give us the details, we are to TRUST Him in all things!! .....20 " Like one who take away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." When giving council to others, don’t pretend to “ Know” what they are going through, remind them God knows and He has a plan in it all. People who are a “cheerleader” in times of trouble can be especially annoying. Be the person that points your beloved to hope in Jesus. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, take heart! I have overcome the world! (John 10:10) We always have hope in Jesus! We can’t understand many things, but in all things we can TRUST Him who knows!!
Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. …..6The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid, What can man do to me? …..14 The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. ….24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ….28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God and I will exalt you. … 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Give thanks and praise His love endures forever!!! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice!! Live loved!!! We love Him because He first loves us!!! Trust in His tremendous love today!!! Life here on earth can be difficult, our loved ones can be in pain, our daily tasks can seem daunting. Nothing is too big for God!!! He takes our mess and makes it our message. Many times we have to go through the pain before we get to the pleasure. The pain we experience in this life can make us bitter or it can make us better. Let His love endure in your heart today!! Whatever you are going through, give thanks!!! This is the day the Lord has made! Call on Him to be your strength and your song!!! He is with each of us every moment of everyday. He is making the way!!!! His Love endures forever. Live loved!!
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Yesterday before my orthopedic appointment, I started getting very anxious thinking, what if I have a bad report? Then I thought it through and realized that even if it was a bad report, God would still with me working everything out for His glory and my good. I have a praise report this morning!! I am so happy!!!! I finally some bone growth in my leg!! I’ve been told to ditch my crutches and start doing more activities. Yesterday, I actually took a bicycle ride, it was glorious!!! I am in amazing thankfulness today!! I can carry my grandbabbies again!!!Thank you everyone for your prayers. I still have a long road ahead, but I have bone growth and that is beautiful !!😇🙏❤️
2Corinthians 5:14 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. …..17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!”
Our sinful nature has been slain! Our right standing with God is our new identity!! Why then do we keep pleasing what’s dead? To stop pleasing our old selves and walk in our newness of life we have to keep turning from the old embracing the new!! We live in our new identity and treat our old selves as dead!! When I was first born again, I had just quit drinking alcohol. I was so excited about my new life!!! My children would remind me, “Yeah Mom sure you say you are changed, but remember when you did…..? I would respond, Yes, I did that, but that was the old mom. I’m the new mom! I am no longer her!! Today, live in the newness we have in Jesus Chris!!!! When we’re tempted to walk in the old ways, let’s shake it off and embrace who we are now children of God. Forgiven and restored!!!
We are made white as snow….. why go roll in the mud?
Proverbs 18:2. “Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing their own opinions.”
Have you ever been the fool? I
have. Quick to speak and slow to listen. Wisdom is applied knowledge. Seek first to understand and then to be understood. Even if we speak Bible verses, they can given too hastily for someone to benefit from them. To help make sure we understand someone, it’s wise to repeat what we heard them say to confirm we understood what they said. Once we understand the core of their issue, it will easier to get an applicable Bible verse to help them, it will also help us will know exactly how you to pray for them. An example; A friend tells you they are plagued fear that things in their life will go bad. 1 Look up Bible verse pertaining to fear. Quote one or two of these verses to your friend. Show them how to find the verses in the Bible. 2 Pray; “Lord Jesus help my friend leave his/her fear and replace those worrisome thoughts with your peace over their situation.” Be an understanding helpful friend today!!!
Psalm 43:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and My God.”
When I am down hearted, I am worried that things won’t turn out the way I want them to. I am putting my trust in me and what I think. Let’s put our hope in God. 100%!! He
knows what is best for each of us. Life is very difficult when we think we know more than God. When our hope is in Him, we can rest in the blessed assurance things will all work out the way they are supposed to. He will work, all things, out for our good and His glory!! Our souls need not be downcast, but joyful in hope knowing God is making a way, better than we can imagine!!
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Anxiety, produces fear and worry. Be anxious for nothing!!! When we are anxious we are not trusting God. When faith comes anxiety ends. When things are huge like the death of a loved one, it can be easier to trust God in that, than it can with someone's mental health issues. When we think, we can fix things, we get tremendous anxiety, because we cant and we are not trusting God can. . If you feel anxiety creeping in your thoughts today STOP!! Give what ever it is to God. Leave the problem at God's feet. Trust He is working all things out for His glory and your good. Many times we want to fix an other person. Trust God 100% with that person!! Trust Jesus loves your person even more than you do. Trust He knows and is working everything out for His glory and their good. Trust God loves your person even more than you do and will bring them through this. TRUST God will use this "impossible to understand" situation for their betterment. Trust God will bring them through this and they will be better than before!!! Trusting God fully is being anxious for nothing!!
Hebrews 2:14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is the devil.” He shared in our humanity…He has been where we are!! Jesus felt all the pain that we feel. He shows us a way out of the suffering into the promise of courage and hope in Him. He conquered death. He conquered sin!! He gives us hope in the middle of our worse sins. Some sins become strong holds in our lives. We can’t seem to shake them no matter how much we desire too. We can identify with our sinful nature above our identity in Christ. Jesus came and died for us to break those chains!! Jesus understands!!! He loves us even while we are sinning. He is stronger than any sinful strong hold!! Keep rejecting the sin and keep turning to Him. He is stronger than any strong hold!! Walk in His strength, courage and hope today!!!
Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” In AA we often quote our definition of insanity, “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Is there something in your life that you keep repeating over and over expecting different results? Today this verse really reminds me to STOP and start a new. I hope it helps you too.😇🙏❤️
Genesis 2:24
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Leave and cleave!!
Luke 11:34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted as when the light of a lamp shines on you.”
Leave toxic thoughts and cleave to the light. We all have toxic thoughts that lead to darkness. Sometimes we feed ourselves dark music, dark movies, dark opinions on podcasts. See to it that you leave the dark and cleave to the light today! Take every thought captive and make it obedient to the Christ. So you can shine His light. So you can rest in His light and not be tormented in the darkness.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken!! I use this verse to illustrate a Christian marriage. Husband, Wife and Jesus, a cord not quickly broken. When I was married we didn’t have Jesus in our marriage. I would get mad at my husband and complain about him to my friends or my mother. What I didn’t do is take my issues directly to him and to God. I lacked the courage to confront my husband and solve problems as a team. I didn't treat him as my teammate. Instead, I commiserated with other people, against him. This way, I was validated in anger and therefore my anger grew and our bond eroded. I started treating him as my enemy not as my best friend. Of course this marriage ended in a painful divorce. Perfect love, cast out fear. In our marriages and in all of our relationships, we need to be able to talk to each other directly about difficult issues without loosing our tempers. When we speak to our beloved remembering Jesus is in the room we are more likely to have courage to confront difficult issues kindly. Jesus said, “Love others as I have loved you.” Perfect love cast out fear we need not be afraid to confront issues with kindness. Be encouraged to walk in your threefold cord today!!😇🙏❤️
Ruth 3:9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
A kinsman-redeemer would restore a family’s property back to them if they had lost it. Part of it was to provide for the widow Ruth was a widow,Boaz was the kinsman-redeemer.
In this passage, Ruth says, “if you just spread the corner of your garment over me.” This reminds me of; “faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.” When we are with someone we love, even a small amount of time with them, nourishes our souls. Why do we think that God needs to show up in big ways for us to TRUST Him? If we treasure the little things He does, we will be able to see the big things He’s working out for our good and His glory. Today let’s be content with the corner knowing one day we will have the whole garment.
Ephesians 4:2 “ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Humble: Modest or unpretentious:A person who is not proud and does not consider themselves better than others. Am I Humble? Not if I’m prideful. I can be very prideful. I can think I have the “correct” opinion. Sometimes I think I know more than God. I tell Him, He is wrong. I do this by not accepting things that I cannot change. Some things I do need to try my best to fix. But people, places and things, I cannot change. I can pray for them, then leave it in God’s hands. Yet, my pride has me trying to take control of things not under my control. Today, I pray I can be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. I pray I can accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can and have the wisdom to know the difference.
2Corinthians 4:16 “ Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
One of my friends encouraged me by saying, “In a short time this will be a faint memory.” Whatever trouble we have in this world, it is temporary. We have Heaven to look forward to.
Even if we get 100 years here on Earth. It’s just a blink of an eye compared to eternity. Keep your eyes on the prize today. Focus on what is unseen! You'll be amazed at how it shows up as seen. 😇🙏❤️
Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. Because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Be kind and give graciously to people that can never return your generosity. Be kind to the wicked and ungrateful. What a tall order!! It’s easy to be kind to people who are kind to you. Have you ever noticed, if you’re in a bad mood and someone is kind to you it helps you? Often when a person is feeling mean and angry, they are in deep pain. Hurting people hurt others Rise up!! Be kind to someone who is treating you horribly. Most likely they are in great pain. Show them the love of Jesus. Don’t give them what they deserve, give them mercy and grace. That is what Jesus does for us!!! Love like Jesus!! He loves each of us so much He died for us as completely sinful as we are. Not because we deserve His love but because of His love we are healed! Be His healing force in this hurting world today !!😇🙏❤️
