God’s Greatest Gift

 “For God so loved the world that

he gave his one and only Son.

that whoever believes in him shall not 

perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

“In the flurry of all this shopping for the Ultimate Gift, we tend to lose sight of God’s Ultimate Gift to us — his one and only Son, sent to us to free us from our sins and bring us everlasting life. This gift is perfect and priceless.It’s reassuring to know that God never gave up on us. He is our constant saving grace. This gift can never fully be repaid, but we can show our appreciation with prayers of thanks and good deeds done with joy and gratitude to our Father in heaven.This Christmas, in the midst of the busyness, take a moment to remember God’s Ultimate Gift to you. May it fill you with wonder and delight.”

Sing For Joy

 “Sing for joy to God our strength.”

Psalm 81:1

It communicates to God our joy in him and his works, and it communicates the same to each other. This is why our singing is simultaneously an act of responsive joy, a declaration of all the ways that God is great and for which we rejoice (i.e. 'praise'), and an exercise in mutual teaching and encouragement.

Also…

“There’s an increasing amount of evidence that singing releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine – the ‘happy’ chemicals that boost your mood and make you feel good about yourself. Scientists believe that’s one of the reasons why people report being on a high during choir sessions and continuing to feel positive, uplifted and motivated afterwards.”

A Time For Everything

 “There is a time for everything, and a season

for activity under the heaven’s.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ecclesiastes 3:8

“Timing is important.  All the experiences listed in those verses are appropriate at certain times.  The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing.  This can lead to despair, rebellion, or moving ahead without his advice.  Without God, life’s problems have no lasting solutions.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Silence Is Golden

 “Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

"Silence is golden, hearing God's voice" means that by creating quietness and stillness in one's life, you can better listen to and perceive God's guidance, as the absence of external noise allows for a deeper connection to the divine; essentially, the most valuable moments for spiritual insight can be found in quiet reflection. 

Key points about this phrase: 

• Spiritual practice:

  Many religious traditions emphasize the importance of silence in meditation or prayer to access a deeper level of spiritual awareness. 
• Distinguishing thoughts:

  When you are quiet, you can better discern your own thoughts and feelings, allowing you to identify where God might be speaking to you. “

  
  

Lord of Peace

 “Now may the Lord of peace himself 

give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with all of you.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16

 “Reminds us that true peace comes from God, the Lord of Peace. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and lost in a world filled with chaos, anxiety, and turmoil. But by turning to God, we can find the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

The Spirit of God

 “And I will ask the Father,

and he will give you another advocate to

help you and will be with you forever”

John 14:16

Loneliness will creep into most lives at some point. However, as believers, we are never truly alone because God has given us an unfailing companion—the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our companion who “walks beside.” If we hold Him at arm’s length, we distance ourselves from the Father as well. But if we ask the Spirit to guide our steps and open our mind to God’s plans, He will support and encourage us in ways we never imagined.

~ In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Breathe

 “Take a deep breath and let it all   go.” 

“Reminds us of the power of taking a deep breath to release stress and tension. This quote suggests that by pausing and taking a deep breath, we can calm our minds and improve our decision-making abilities. Applying this learning in daily life means that when faced with high-stress situations, taking a moment to breathe deeply can help us regain.”

~ Opra Winfrey 

Worry Less, Pray More

 “The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about

anxious anything, but in every situation and

petition, with thanksgiving, present your 

requests to God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Philippians 4:6-7 essentially means that instead of worrying about anything, you should bring all your concerns to God through prayer, including requests and thanksgiving, and in doing so, you will experience a peace that surpasses understanding, which will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus; it encourages turning anxieties into prayer and trusting in God's ability to provide peace amidst difficult situations.”

Thanksgiving

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34

“In the Bible, thanksgiving is a way to express gratitude to God for his blessings and faithfulness. It's an attitude that keeps believers connected to God's grace and mercy.”

Discerning God’s Will

 “We continually ask God to fill

you with the knowledge of his will

through all the wisdom and 

understanding that the Spirit gives.”

Colossians 1:9

Discerning God’s will means learning to listen to God’s voice in our hearts and follow what He wants for our lives. Through discernment, we practice being an active and engaged listener, strengthening our relationship with God through prayer and trusting that God would only lead us down a path of happiness and fulfillment.

Discerning God’s Will requires the three Ds: desire, data and, finally, discernment.

• Desire: Emotional awareness. Are you excited or afraid? Learn to be honest with yourself.
• Data: Gather information on what the options are, where they are coming from, and what they would mean for your life.
• Discernment: Choose the option that increases faith, hope and love in your life.

People often look for signs from God outside of themselves as they determine their paths, but everything we need to know is in our hearts. Discerning God’s will involves sifting through your desires and using the data and information you’ve gathered on each choice before making your decision. When you see the option that brings an increase of faith hope and love to your life, you can have faith and trust in your decision, knowing it’s from God.

~ omvusa.org - By Father Shawn

A Cheerful Heart

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”– Proverbs 17:22

“This Proverb aptly portrays the impact of our attitude on our overall well-being. 

Maintaining a cheerful heart can help enrich your soul, while a negative attitude can drain your energy.”

~crossroadcounselor.com

“To be cheerful is to be ready to greet others with welcome, a word of encouragement, an enthusiasm for the task at hand, and a positive outlook on the future.  Such people are as welcome a pain-reliever medicine.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

 

Hope In The Lord

 “But those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31

“Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.  Do you believe God loves you and wants the best for you?  Can you relax, confident that His purposes are right?  Are you convinced that he has the power to control all of life as well?  Though your faith may be struggling or weak, accept His provisions and care for you.”

~ Life Application Bible Study

Leave it to God

 

“Cast your cares on the Lord.”

Psalm 55:22

To "leave it to God" means to surrender our worries, concerns, and desires to God's care and guidance. It is an act of trust and faith, acknowledging that God is in control and has a perfect plan for our lives. It means letting go of our own efforts to control or manipulate outcomes, and instead relying on God's wisdom and sovereignty. Leaving it to God does not mean passivity or inaction, but rather an active choice to seek God's will and align our actions with His purposes. It is a recognition that God's ways are higher than our ways, and that His timing and ways of working may be different from what we expect or desire. Ultimately, leaving it to God is an invitation for Him to work in our lives, to bring about His perfect will, and to bring us peace and assurance in every circumstance.

~ webebible.us

Be Confident in the Lord

 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid,”

Hebrews 13:6

God wants us to have confidence in life! Not boastful, arrogant pride but an assured knowledge of who we are in Him! Our self-worth should be seen through the eyes of God, our creator. When you need a boost of self-esteem, there is no better place to turn to than the Bible! Scripture is filled with truths and promises that we can place our confidence in.

Our confidence is in Jesus Christ and the love of God. When you feel not good enough or not strong enough, remember who God says you are! Bible verses about having confidence brings you courage and strength through the love of God.

~ BibleStudyTools.com

Overthinking

 “When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy.”

Psalm 94:19

Mentally, overthinking can lead to anxiety. When individuals continually worry about potential future events or dwell on past mistakes, they can develop generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, and relationships. For instance, someone might overthink an upcoming job presentation, imagining all the ways it could go wrong, which can lead to significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors.

Depression can be linked to overthinking. Ruminating on negative experiences or self-criticism, people can fall into a depressive state. Rumination involves repetitively thinking about the causes, consequences, and symptoms of one’s distress, rather than focusing on solutions. This pattern of thinking can intensify feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, core symptoms of depression. For example, someone who constantly replays a breakup in their mind might begin to feel unworthy of love, leading to deep sadness and withdrawal from social activities.

Psalm 94:19 offers comfort to those who struggle with overthinking and anxiety: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Thankfully, the verse acknowledges the reality of anxiety but also points to the joy and consolation found in God. It reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles and that God provides solace amidst their worries.

~Bible Tools.com

Nature

 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” - Psalm 96:12

Being out in nature helps me understand the qualities of God in a different way. I see His power, creativity, and the intricacies of the world He created. I slow down and breathe in his glorious creation. I feast my eyes on all the colors in His palette and marvel at His work. I listen to the sounds that surround me: wind, birds, animals, rushing waters, etc. I touch plants, rocks, dirt. It is where I am freely able to marvel at God’s handiwork. By entering nature and taking myself out of my “norm” I can focus my whole being on His creation.

God made the earth for us to enjoy. Nature is a source of beauty, inspiration, rest, and healing. It is a place where we don’t have to look at it from a distance. We can get up close and be a part of it. We can enjoy the diversity of God’s craftsmanship in a powerful way. There is rejuvenating power in God’s playground – the natural world.... time spent in nature is transformative.

- By Susan Little

Contentment

 “For I have I have learned to be content

whatever circumstances.”

Philippians 4:11

According to the Bible, contentment is a state of being satisfied, at peace, and emotionally fulfilled with what one has or the circumstances in which one finds themselves. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that is not dependent on external possessions, wealth, or circumstances. Bible verses about contentment teaches us that it comes from recognizing and being satisfied with God's provision in one's life, whether that provision is material, relational, or spiritual. It involves trusting that God knows what is best and provides for our needs.

Scripture helps us understand that true contentment includes the ability to accept and find peace in one's current circumstances, even if they are challenging. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-12, speaks of learning to be content in any situation. Contentment is linked to trusting in God's sovereignty and His plan for one's life. It acknowledges that God is in control and has a purpose for everything, even in difficult times. As we trust God, give thanks in all circumstances, and find freedom from worry and anxiety, we will experience God's presence and peace! 

~ Bible Study Tools.com

Good Listening

 “Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 1:19

“Listen before you answer.”

Proverbs 18:13

According to Bonhoeffer, there are many times when “listening can be a greater service than speaking.” God wants more of the Christian than just our good listening, but not less. There will be days when the most important ministry we do is square our shoulders to some hurting person, uncross our arms, lean forward, make eye contact, and hear their pain all the way to the bottom. Says Dunn,

good listening often defuses the emotions that are a part of the problem being discussed. Sometimes releasing these emotions is all that is needed to solve the problem. The speaker may neither want nor expect us to say anything in response.

One of Dunn’s counsels for cultivating good listening is: “put more emphasis on affirmation than on answers. . . . [M]any times God simply wants to use me as a channel of his affirming love as I listen with compassion and understanding.” Echoes Bonhoeffer, “Often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously.” At times what our neighbor needs most is for someone else to know.

~ desiringgod.com

Seeking God

 “Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.”

1 Chronicles 16:11

“No matter how many times you cry out to God for strength He will be there. He hears you every single time. Don’t give up, don’t stop seeking the Lord. Don’t let anything keep you from seeking His face. God will give you the strength you need to get through anything. No matter what you face He is by your side and He will never leave you. If your soul is weary, if you’re going through troubled waters, if you’re facing temptations, whatever trials you are going through pour your heart out to God because He promises not only to give you strength but to be your strength.”

~ the consecratedwoman.com

“Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

          

The Peace of Christ

 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body

you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

“Paul tells us to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee be in our hearts.  Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash - our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love.  How can we deal with constant conflicts and live as God wants?  Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace in our souls.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Our Need For The Holy Spirit

 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the

Father will send in my name, will teach 

you all things and remind you of everything

I have said to you.”

John 14:26

Almost twenty years ago, I knelt down next to my bed and prayed for more of the Holy Spirit.

I prayed for my ears to hear Him as my friend heard Him. If the Lord had more of Himself to give me, more gifts of the Holy Spirit, despite my fears, I wanted more. I knew people who walked with confidence and power in their faith. I wanted that, and from what I could tell, their confidence came from intimacy with the Spirit of God.

On that day, as I prayed fervently, I felt my ears begin to burn. I’m not sure it was answer to prayer or the intensity in which I prayed. But I knew this, as soon as I said, “Amen!” and got up from my knees, I noticed a direction from a voice within.

“Go get the clothes out of the dryer.”

I was a little disappointed. Was that my thought or God’s?

He Can Organize Your Day

It wasn’t anything grand, but I took that thought as His order, and that’s how I began my walk with the Holy Spirit. I began living a conversation with God, and no matter how trivial the instruction, I followed through (most of the time). I knew He was in the small details of my life as well as the big if I paid attention.

When I began to do this I discovered my day was better organized as I listened for cues and nudges from the divine. (Smile.) Practicing His Presence helped me hear His voice better. Now, I walk with confidence of His leading. But it took daily practice and trust. It took Faith.

We need the Holy Spirit.

The other day, I was reading through my One Year Bible, which is a great way to read the Bible through the year because you read a section of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.  Anyway, on that day I was finishing 2 Corinthians. I loved Paul’s closing. I know I’ve read it before, but this time it really jumped out to me. Not very many scriptures involve all three persons of God.

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spiritbe with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14.)

Isn’t it beautiful?

How differently would we walk this journey if we did so fully aware of the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit?

~ wordsbyandylee.com

Fear Not

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 is a great example of the encouragement found within the book of Isaiah. The book of Isaiah is filled with so many countless encouraging verses, which all reflect on the power and love and providence of our Lord God.

In verse 10, there are several layers and parts that stand out to me, and that provide reassurance, hope, strength, and peace:

“Fear not, for I am with you”: God is always with us. He is with you, day and night, no matter what you’re going through. That’s a promise! I love in the first part of verse 10 how we are commanded to “Fear not,” because God is with us. What a promise! What an encouragement! We have no reason to fear, because God is with us.

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God”: Dismay is another word for distress, usually instigated by something unexpected. In Isaiah 41:10, we are encouraged to be not dismayed. Why? “for I am your God”. We serve the Living Christ, Who conquered death for us, so there is no reason to be dismayed. This is something I need to constantly remind myself of, especially when life throws curve balls my way.

“I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you”: God promises to provide us with strength, and with help. When you’re feeling like you can’t go on or you just don’t know how you’re going to get through the day, God will be right with you to provide you with the strength and help you need, to get through whatever you’re facing.

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”: God promises to uphold us. More than that, He promises to uphold us with His righteous right hand. That means, when you lose your footing, He’s going to be there to hold you up, if you’ll trust in Him. What I love about this verse, is that we are told God will uphold us with His righteous right hand. Righteous: Pure, virtuous, upstanding, ethical, honest. Regardless of your circumstances, God is righteous. And He will uphold you with His right hand. His right hand! Throughout scripture, God’s right hand is mentioned several times. Historically, to be put on someone’s right hand is to be held in equal honour. God’s right hand also symbolizes His power and His greatness.

Whatever you’re facing this week, remember Isaiah 41:10 and claim it for yourself!

~ hopereflected.com

 

Waiting Patiently

“Hear my prayer, Lord,

listen to my cry for help.”

Psalm 39:12

Maybe you’re struggling to believe that a brighter day can come for you. You’ve gotten used to feeling down and out, lonely, misunderstood, and heartbroken. But imagine for a minute that things can change for the better. Imagine how your heart would be glad! I invite you into David’s experience, which gives us hope that God hears our cries for help and is willing to meet us at our lowest point. Like David, we can find ourselves in a new day, with a song on our lips and rejoicing in our hearts.  

Pray

God, I want to be joyful. I want to believe that a new and brighter day can dawn for me. Help me believe.

~ Bible.com

God Will Take Of You

 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22

God loves us with unconditional love, He forgives our transgressions, and He takes care of us. By faith and with prayer, give up your worries, burdens, and fears to God. During trials and temptation, He sustains and strengthens the faithful. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Or as the Message translation says, “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin.”

When burdened, fearful, or overwhelmed do you go in prayer to the Lord who cares for you?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise You for Your compassion and love. Teach us to give You our worries, burdens, and to bask in your calming peace. Help us to understand that You will take care of us and sustain us. As the daylilies new flowers open daily, let us daily to be open in prayer, giving You, Lord our troubles. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

~ gardenfaith.com

God Is Your Strength

 “Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.”

“No matter how many times you cry out to God for strength He will be there.  He hears you every single time.  Don’t give up, don’t stop seeking the Lord.  Don’t let anything keep you from seeking His face.  God will give you the strength you need to get through anything.  No matter what you face He is by your side and He will never leave you.  If your soul is weary, if you’re going through troubled waters, if you’re facing temptations, whatever trials you are going through pour your heart out to God because his promises not only to give you strength but to be your strength.

~ Anonymous 

Play Often

 “For everything there is a season, 

a time for every activity under heaven…

a time to laugh…a time to dance.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

“So, what qualifies as play - making art, sleeping in, riding a bike, baking cookies, watching movies?  Very simply, play is doing something for the enjoyment of doing it, even if we don’t do it particularly well.  It’s something that doesn’t need to be done.

Whatever else Jesus meant when He urged His disciples to be childlike, perhaps He wanted them to play more.  All the other virtues of childlikeness - trust, wonder, simplicity, humility - arise out of the richness of play.  When we embrace fun, we’re not only more joyful and creative in all we do; we also become radiant reflection of our Creator.”

~ Charles Stanley Ministries

Resting in God

     

 “Come to me, all of who are weary

and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 

Resting in God is a spiritual practice that involves finding peace, strength, and solace in one's relationship with God. It's a way of acknowledging that God can provide support, guidance, and comfort in all aspects of life. Resting in God can also mean a break from confusion, stress, worry, and useless human effort. 

~gotquestions.com

 Resting in God refreshes you spiritually, 

   emotionally, physically and gives you

                  Peace and Joy!!!

Christ’s Strength

 “For I can do everything through Christ

 who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we have the ability to endure trials and hardships when we keep our eyes on Jesus. It’s not about what WE can do, but rather about what GOD can do. When Paul wrote “I can do all things through Christ” he didn’t mean it as a promise that things will go our way. Instead, he wrote this verse to give us hope in the midst of our struggles and trials.

~www.rethinknow.org