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

Freedom

 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

Galatians 5:1

Today, we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which marks July 4, 1776, as the day our Founding Fathers declared our freedom as a nation. What’s interesting is that it wasn’t until 1783 that our nation actually experienced freedom. There were battles raging, but the people were celebrating their decision to fight for freedom. They declared their freedom first, then they stood their ground until they had the victory to live as free men and women. There may be some opposing forces that you’re fighting today, things that you want to get free from—freedom from an addiction, an anxiety, a lack, a fear. No matter what battle you are facing, let this be the day you declare your freedom, because victory is on the way. You may have to stand and press through for a little while, but know that freedom is yours the day you declare it. Let freedom ring loudly in your life and embrace the victory He has in store for you, for he whom the Son sets free is free indeed! ~ Joel Osteen Devotional

Being Patient

        

 “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

Psalm 31:7

In the Bible, the word patience can refer to both longsuffering and perseverance. It reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. What’s more, being patient means accepting whatever God chooses to give (or not to give) and willingly receiving it on His timetable. In the meantime, we should pray and obey as we seek His direction. The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and blessing. But when we trust our Father’s will and timing, we will know inner peace.

Remember to carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to almighty God.  And always remember to seek God’s way and His timing.

~ In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Having Faith

 “You can pray for anything, 

and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

                                   Matthew 21:22

“This verse is a reminder to ask God in faith, which means trusting in God’s power and aligning with God’s will.”

Jesus' statement to the disciples is a powerful promise, and it fits with what He has often said when healing the sick and afflicted and casting out demons (Matthew 9:22; 15:28). God cares deeply that His people trust Him and Him alone to do what they ask. God's power, of course, is limitless. Anything is possible for Him (Luke 1:37). Jesus has made it clear, though, that those who want God to use His power in a specific way must have deep confidence of His ability to do what they ask.

~ Bibleref.com