And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.
Judges 20:22
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:6
If I have already written about this, please forgive me and indulge me, as I am led to write about it again.
A variety of negative images bombard our senses daily. The news alone is enough to discourage anyone.
Forget what society has to say about us--we potentially do enough damage to self! From body image to chastising ourselves for poor choices, we can really do a number on ourselves.
But we can turn things around. For starters, we can talk ourselves up, not down. In her book, The Silent Seduction of Self Talk, Shelly Beach, a writer acquaintance of mine, wrote that we speak to ourselves at a rate of 1,300 words per minute. Her entire book is about the power of self talk, and how we make constant assessments and judgments of ourselves.
So what are you saying about yourself? Are you highly critical or do you give yourself a pat on the back? Do you build up or tear down? If you have trouble "talking yourself up," ask the Lord to see you as He sees you.
I have had issues with anxiety, rejection and loss. I talk myself up with confessions or affirmations, looking up what the Lord says about His people, and then declaring it over myself. I whisper, speak, or post little notes up that remind me that I am valuable, lovable, worthwhile, unique, and the Lord's daughter. I am anointed. I am gifted. I am the woman for the job...etc.
Just for Today, I will focus on encouraging myself.
Just for Today, I will not rely on others to recognize the good in me. I SEE IT, and I speak it.
And I am more victorious than I was yesterday.
Dear Lord, You said in the Bible that there is power to my words, literally life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Help me to see myself as You see me, and to speak life, health, peace and healing over myself. Through Your power, my spirit is lifted and I am encouraged today! In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14
Michigan has an adorable license plate with little colorful hand prints that reads, "Children: Just Love 'Em."
For the most part, children are great. They can be so naive, tenderhearted and pure in the most beautiful ways. They are discerning, and spontaneous with their hugs.
But we all know there are times when children are hard to love. They may speak and say mean things with no filter. They can whine. They may act out and make poor choices in their behaviors.
Several years ago when my sons were smaller, I had a nightmare that they were being hurt in an awful way. When I awoke, I fell to my knees, sobbing in prayer. It was then that the Lord calmly revealed to me that my children were fine, and that they were blessed to have praying parents. However, He continued, He wanted me to consider that there are scores of children who do not have adults to protect them, advocate for them, or cover them in prayer. And He wanted me to keep that in mind as I pray for my own.
Just For Today, let us consider children; and if we have children, let us consider children other than our own.
Just For Today, may we be a blessing to a child. Be led by the Lord--it could be a visit, being a reading buddy, sharing a big hug, a smile, or standing in the gap in prayer for them.
Try to remember your own childhood, and an adult who made a positive and lasting impression. What you do for a child is never insignificant. We never know what kind of impact we could have on a child.
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, thank You for the children of this world. Help us to be mindful of the children, for they are Your precious creation. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Michigan has an adorable license plate with little colorful hand prints that reads, "Children: Just Love 'Em."
For the most part, children are great. They can be so naive, tenderhearted and pure in the most beautiful ways. They are discerning, and spontaneous with their hugs.
But we all know there are times when children are hard to love. They may speak and say mean things with no filter. They can whine. They may act out and make poor choices in their behaviors.
Several years ago when my sons were smaller, I had a nightmare that they were being hurt in an awful way. When I awoke, I fell to my knees, sobbing in prayer. It was then that the Lord calmly revealed to me that my children were fine, and that they were blessed to have praying parents. However, He continued, He wanted me to consider that there are scores of children who do not have adults to protect them, advocate for them, or cover them in prayer. And He wanted me to keep that in mind as I pray for my own.
Just For Today, let us consider children; and if we have children, let us consider children other than our own.
Just For Today, may we be a blessing to a child. Be led by the Lord--it could be a visit, being a reading buddy, sharing a big hug, a smile, or standing in the gap in prayer for them.
Try to remember your own childhood, and an adult who made a positive and lasting impression. What you do for a child is never insignificant. We never know what kind of impact we could have on a child.
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, thank You for the children of this world. Help us to be mindful of the children, for they are Your precious creation. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Witness
"I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation." Psalm 40:10
God is so good.
There aren't enough words to adequately express the goodness of God.
He sustains us, gives us rest, wakes us up in our right minds. He gives clean air to breathe, food to eat, shelter. He heals, forgives, restores, rejuvenates. His mercy endures forever. Best of all, He loves us and sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we may live and have abundant life.
Wow!
Have you shared your faith with someone lately?
Sharing about the goodness of the Lord doesn't have to be preachy nor pushy. It can be a remark, a short testimony of what He has done for you, a statement of gratitude about the Lord, or blessing someone by showing the love of Christ with a hug, a smile, or an act of kindness.
Wee Sing produced a series of music sung by children, and one of my favorites is Wee Sing Bible Songs. One song, "My God is So Great," has the following chorus:
"My God is so great,
so strong and so mighty,
there's nothing my God cannot do!" (clap clap)
To hear these little voices sing of faith and the Lord's power would likely encourage anyone who hears. Who knows what encouragement we can give to others by sharing about the Lord in our own way?
Just for today, let's be creative and think of ways we can share our faith with others.
Just for today, let's not sit on God and what He has done for us.
Just for today, let's let our light shine (and not hide it) so that He may be glorified.
Father God, please forgive us for missed opportunities to tell others about You and Your lovingkindness. Today is a new day. Help us to remember to share the good news about You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
God is so good.
There aren't enough words to adequately express the goodness of God.
He sustains us, gives us rest, wakes us up in our right minds. He gives clean air to breathe, food to eat, shelter. He heals, forgives, restores, rejuvenates. His mercy endures forever. Best of all, He loves us and sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we may live and have abundant life.
Wow!
Have you shared your faith with someone lately?
Sharing about the goodness of the Lord doesn't have to be preachy nor pushy. It can be a remark, a short testimony of what He has done for you, a statement of gratitude about the Lord, or blessing someone by showing the love of Christ with a hug, a smile, or an act of kindness.
Wee Sing produced a series of music sung by children, and one of my favorites is Wee Sing Bible Songs. One song, "My God is So Great," has the following chorus:
"My God is so great,
so strong and so mighty,
there's nothing my God cannot do!" (clap clap)
To hear these little voices sing of faith and the Lord's power would likely encourage anyone who hears. Who knows what encouragement we can give to others by sharing about the Lord in our own way?
Just for today, let's be creative and think of ways we can share our faith with others.
Just for today, let's not sit on God and what He has done for us.
Just for today, let's let our light shine (and not hide it) so that He may be glorified.
Father God, please forgive us for missed opportunities to tell others about You and Your lovingkindness. Today is a new day. Help us to remember to share the good news about You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Self-Care, Self-Preservation
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14
Oh, how we can neglect ourselves!
It can be so easy to do, particularly if we are caregiving for a parent or loved one, parenting young children, or simply caught up in the busyness of life.
Our bodies were created to function optimally when we have good nutrition, movement and rest.
Just for today, I will examine what my body, mind and spirit needs.
We might be embarrassed if we can't think of the last time that we ate a fresh vegetable, moved enough to perspire, or drank the recommended 64 ounces of water in a day. Or even the last time we had a full eight hours of sleep.
Some people feel guilty for placing focus on themselves, as if it were egotistical. "I'll be fine, other people's needs are more pressing than mine," one might say. It's OK to be humble, but remember that self-care is critical to our development and maintaining balance.
Let's remember that airplane passengers are encouraged to place oxygen masks on themselves first. If we do not take care of self, how can we adequately help others?
Just for today, I will focus on me.
Just for today, I will ask the Lord to reveal how I've neglected myself.
Just for today, I will take one step toward better self-care.
Heavenly Father, how I thank You for the time and effort You took to create me! Please forgive me for neglecting myself. With Your help, I choose to make positive changes for my good, so that I may help others, and may these things be for Your glory. Amen
Oh, how we can neglect ourselves!
It can be so easy to do, particularly if we are caregiving for a parent or loved one, parenting young children, or simply caught up in the busyness of life.
Our bodies were created to function optimally when we have good nutrition, movement and rest.
Just for today, I will examine what my body, mind and spirit needs.
We might be embarrassed if we can't think of the last time that we ate a fresh vegetable, moved enough to perspire, or drank the recommended 64 ounces of water in a day. Or even the last time we had a full eight hours of sleep.
Some people feel guilty for placing focus on themselves, as if it were egotistical. "I'll be fine, other people's needs are more pressing than mine," one might say. It's OK to be humble, but remember that self-care is critical to our development and maintaining balance.
Let's remember that airplane passengers are encouraged to place oxygen masks on themselves first. If we do not take care of self, how can we adequately help others?
Just for today, I will focus on me.
Just for today, I will ask the Lord to reveal how I've neglected myself.
Just for today, I will take one step toward better self-care.
Heavenly Father, how I thank You for the time and effort You took to create me! Please forgive me for neglecting myself. With Your help, I choose to make positive changes for my good, so that I may help others, and may these things be for Your glory. Amen
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Guilt-Free
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
Do you ever start your day with guilt? Maybe you overindulged the previous day. Or took out your emotions on your child. Perhaps you hurt someone. Your conscience can be persecuting, and guilt can almost feel tangible, as if a blanket of heaviness is hovering over you.
What are some feelings associated with guilt? Shame. Despair. Remorse. Dishonor. Disgrace. Regret. Unworthiness. Self-condemnation. For some, these feelings have crept in our lives and taken up residence. Can you imagine these awful, dark, negative feelings as a way of life? This is disruptive to our peace, to our core, to our spirit, and is not part of the abundant life that Jesus offers.
Just For Today, keep in mind that you don't have to live with feelings of guilt. The book of Romans tells us that, as believers in Jesus Christ, we can give all of our sins and transgressions over to the Lord. Imagine that: no matter what we have done, He is faithful and ready to forgive so that we may live free.
How awesome to know that we don't have to continue to live with guilt...that we can be free of it by giving our lives to Christ, and/or if we are already in Him, praying and asking Him for forgiveness and to set us free from those feelings of bondage. Glory to God!
Father God, thank You that I don't have to live with guilt and the heaviness associated with it. I ask You to release me from this burden, and I choose today to walk in Your marvelous light and forgiveness. Amen.
Do you ever start your day with guilt? Maybe you overindulged the previous day. Or took out your emotions on your child. Perhaps you hurt someone. Your conscience can be persecuting, and guilt can almost feel tangible, as if a blanket of heaviness is hovering over you.
What are some feelings associated with guilt? Shame. Despair. Remorse. Dishonor. Disgrace. Regret. Unworthiness. Self-condemnation. For some, these feelings have crept in our lives and taken up residence. Can you imagine these awful, dark, negative feelings as a way of life? This is disruptive to our peace, to our core, to our spirit, and is not part of the abundant life that Jesus offers.
Just For Today, keep in mind that you don't have to live with feelings of guilt. The book of Romans tells us that, as believers in Jesus Christ, we can give all of our sins and transgressions over to the Lord. Imagine that: no matter what we have done, He is faithful and ready to forgive so that we may live free.
How awesome to know that we don't have to continue to live with guilt...that we can be free of it by giving our lives to Christ, and/or if we are already in Him, praying and asking Him for forgiveness and to set us free from those feelings of bondage. Glory to God!
Father God, thank You that I don't have to live with guilt and the heaviness associated with it. I ask You to release me from this burden, and I choose today to walk in Your marvelous light and forgiveness. Amen.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Today is the Day!
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
In a previous job, I recall some older co-workers who spoke so often of retirement, that it was as if they were wishing their time away. They worked in drudgery, all the while focusing on how great their lives would be after reaching that pinnacle. Once they retired, I was saddened to learn of various challenges that kept them from fully enjoying this time they so looked forward to.
This blog is meant to assist in bringing our attention to the quality of life we want to enjoy, and what we can do about it today.
Just For Today, we can focus on gifts the Lord has given us, and use them for His glory.
Just For Today, we can reassure ourselves that we need the Lord, and trust in Him anew each day.
Just For Today, we can acknowledge His daily provision.
Just For Today, we can ask ourselves, "In what way can I serve the Lord?"
Thank You, Lord, for this moment...thank You for today!
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