Monthly Archives: November 2013

Great Is Thy Faitfulness…

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secrets blogSecrets can destroy our hearts, can’t they?

Little secrets.  Big secrets…

They can limit our joy.  Change our direction.  Make us fill like we are living in our own little contained universe…

The worst felling ever!

To walk in the light.  To walk in peace, hope, and joy can be your reality…

God tells us to trust Him with all of our hearts.  To lean on Him.

Will you trust Him with this truth today?

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”

James 5:16

Dear Heavenly Father, Good Morning.  I want to trust You with all of my heart.  You know the fears and secrets I have been holding onto.  The thing; or things that cast a shadow in the beauty of your light…

As I come before You this new day, I am so thankful for Your love.  Help me to trust you; that I would be able to pour out my heart to that person.  That person that You have already made me aware of; that person who loves You, and will pray with me…

I want to be freed from this dark place.

I want to live in the light of all that is good…

In Jesus Name

Amen…

I love You,

Jesus

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results…”

James 5:17

Live in Love

Lisa

Be Strong & Courageous..

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Dependence..

 Dependence means trust, reliance..

 Wholeheartedly depending in or on something. That could be anything.  A job, marriage, a friend, money, a dream or even a goal…

be strong and courageous Anything.

Think about that for a minute.

What? Or who, are you depending on?

If I’m not careful, I will begin to depend on my own understanding… and that immediately takes my eyes off of my trust in God…

Not a pretty picture! Hahaha

(“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”)

Proverbs 3:5

When I start to worry, or problem solve I can go down tons of rabbit trails, (is that even the right saying? Hahaha)  which in turn puts the pressure back on me to fix or solve something I clearly need help with…

I love this scripture.  It bleeds strength into my weakness, and It reminds me; how very grateful I am, to be a child of the God Most High…

“When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him He will lift you up and give you honor..”

James 4:10

Dear Heavenly Father, Good morning.  I am so very thankful that I can come before You this new day and let my guard down.  That I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not… I just love that.. thank You!

Coming into Your courts this morning, I admit my dependence on You, I bow down before You.

My maker.  The lover of my soul…

I place at your feet my worries and stress for what I wish would be, and thank You that I don’t have to carry my burdens around my heart…

That I can come before You and give you my day. My heart.  My thoughts.  And know that I can depend on You for guidance, hope and goodness is just the best… ever!

Thank You that as I give you my heart, and I depend on You… You are growing within me strength, power and the ability to live beyond myself, and that is a good thing for sure!

Thank You that You lift me up…

I depend on You..

In Jesus Holy Name,

Amen

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Love this…

Live in Love,

Lisa

Blessing or Disaster?

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It’s a mind-set…

To chose wisdom. Peace. Humility.  To set our hearts and minds on mercy and good deeds to me is a mindset.  For us to wake up each morning not knowing what the day blessing or disasterhas to offer, can either be a blessing or a disaster!

Knowing the good and beautiful things God has done in my life, gives me the courage, and hope, to want to choose wisdom…

When I let God do His work in my heart. When I let God refresh me by reading His word of love.  When I let Him show me His goodness…His mercy.  His hope for me.  It’s just a natural overflow to want to live in His light of goodness..

That becomes my mindset..

That doesn’t mean I will always react the way I know I should, but it’s always a reminder that I don’t have to seek justice. To be careful that I am not acting prideful. To serve others instead of wanting to be served.. to be sincere in thoughts and words…and that it’s ok.. even good to want to be a peacemaker…

“But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure.  It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no partiality and is always sincere.  And those who are pacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness…”

James 2:17

Dear Heavenly Father, Good Morning… I love You.  As I come before You today, I am so thankful for Your sweet gentle spirit that always refreshes my heart with goodness and so much grace…

Thank You that You have sought me, claimed me, and love me completely unconditionally…

That is freedom indeed!

No matter what comes my way today, May I stand in Your grace… May my mindset be set to grace. Trusting You, and loving others in word and deed.

I thank You for Your love and protections…

Thank You for Your harvest of goodness..

May Your mercies to my heart guide my steps.  May I walk in peace, love and faithfulness…

I love You!

In Jesus Name,

I pray

Amen

“For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.  Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the devil.  For  wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition there you will find disorder and ever kind of evil…”

James 3:15-16

So yucky!!! lol

Live in Love,

Lisa

Rise And Shine…

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rise and shine blog” Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…”

2 Corinthians 12:8

Grace…

A word that changes everything…

Grace from our Heavenly Father, Grace to our fellow-man.

Oh, Lord may your grace fill me to overflowing, and remind me not to stir up the past; or let a grudge begin, but instead, I want  to live in the present full hope and inspiration of what a life of love looks like…

Breathing Your love in so deeply that the only place Your love has to go is out…

May today and each day be a new day to rise and shine…

That the old has gone and the new has come…

In Jesus Name,

Amen…

Let today be a good day…

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Yay, God…:)

Entertaining Angels…

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“Continue to love each other with true Christian love don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”

entertaining angels web picHebrews 13:1-2

Angels?

How cool is that!

This is such a sweet little treasure nugget, isn’t it?!   To think there may have been times, or there will be times; when we have, or will, entertain angels just by showing hospitality… That’s super fun!

Definition:

Hospitality is the relationship between the guest and the host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for today.  Thank You for Your sweet touch of encouragement in reminding me of this treasure.  There’s such a sweet joy covering my heart, knowing we truly; just never know; when we may be entertaining Angels…

Wherever I find myself, Dear Lord, remind me that You are near.  Don’t let me miss an opportunity to love others, or miss the joy of entertaining Angels..

I love You, Jesus…

What a sweet thought…

In Your Name, I pray.

Amen

Have a Happy Day!

“And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the out Lord Jesus, equip you will all you need for doing His will.  May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him..”

Hebrews 13:20

Live in love,

Lisa

“So the heart reflects the person…”

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The Sweetness of these words so touch my heart…

“Far below Him are the heavens and the earth. 

He stoops to look, and He lifts the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump. 

He sets them among princes, even the princes of His own people!

He gives the barren woman a home, so that she becomes a happy mother…

Praise the Lord.”

so a heart reflects blog picPsalm 113:6-9

When you take a minute to visualize these words, the tenderness of our God who reaches down with loving hands of comfort…  He picks us up, and dusts us off.  No words of how or why; Just the love of our Heavenly Father  to His people; we can so clearly see the fabric  from which we come …

The beauty of grace. The gift of mercy. The overflow of loving kindness…

Oh, Dear Lord, may my heart and thoughts reflect these amazing and beautiful words…

As I come before You this new day, I seek Your loving Kindness, hope and cleansing…

Thank You for creating in me a new heart.  Thank You for Your gift of forgiveness and grace… that each new day is just that.  A. New. Day.

A New beginning… A do over…

Today as I walk in Your grace, how I pray that my steps be filled with the wonder of Your love…

May I be a beautiful reflection of You…

My Father…

I love You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person..”

Proverbs 27:19

Live in Love,

Lisa

Peace That Transends All Understanding…

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Ever feel like there is no end in sight?

“Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens.  Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will.  Then you will receive all that He has promised..”

peace that transends all understadning blog picHebrews 10:35

Patient endurance…

That can be so hard!

In my trials, I have to admit, I have the hardest time looking up… I can get so burdened with the details that I forget life is still going on around me.

It’s way too easy for me to feel self consumed, and even lose my sense of humor…

And that is the worst…

especially when there seems to be more hard times than easy ones!

That’s just life…

To learn patient endurance is a gift…

It takes my focus off of instant gratification, and instant happiness.  Life is a journey.  A process of learning.  Of growing..

Life is never, ever, going to be perfect.  But it can always be good…

God promises to love us, and to never leave us.  He laughs with us; cries with us and protects us.

And to know that He is always near.  To know that He is holding my heart in His hands, releases the pressure of my life needing to be perfect, and places my hope in His truths that He has great plans for me…

And that makes me smile…

Dear Heavenly Father, As I come before Your courts, low beneath Your presence, I so thank You for my life…

I thank You for Your great protection and peace.  Your great love and amazing comfort.

Today, as I seek to do Your will in my day.. loving, caring and drawing others into your presence, may I keep my eyes on Your great rewards…

Heaven, the peace that transcends all understanding; and the joy of living under Your wing…

I love You,

In Jesus Holy Name,

Amen

  “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7

Live In Love,

Lisa

He Quiets The Storm…

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“Lord help” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.  He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.  What a blessing was the stillness, as He brought them safely into harbor…”

he quiets the stormPsalm 107:28-30

As I read these words this morning, a quietness invades my soul…

His quiet whisper, and a gentle touch, penetrating my heart, and reminding me that He is bringing me safely into harbor…

I can sense the slow long towing… and my heart is still in His presence…

With all the turmoil life can throw at us, either by our own decisions, or those of which we have no say; so many questions of why and how…

The storms can seem so big…

Dear Heavenly Father, Good Morning… How amazing it is to know that in the midst of life’s storms, You are the one calming the roars to a quiet whisper.

You are the one stilling the waves and guiding me safely into harbor… what a beautiful picture that is.

How I thank You God for the seasons in my life. Thank You that You teach us perseverance through the tough times, that our hearts can rely on You, and with that same hope, we can help others…

Thank You that during the times of quiet and ease, we feel Your closeness and blessings of goodness, which reminds us that we can hold on tightly to You during the storms…

Being guided into the Harbor gives my heart great rest.  Knowing You have never left me.  Believing You are who You say You are, I praise Your Holy Name…

“The Lord, Your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing…”

Zephaniah 3:17

I love You,

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

His Purposes Will Prevail…

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his purposes will prevail blog“Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life;

You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes with Your right hand you save me. 

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever.  Do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

Psalm 138:6-8

These words are deep.  They are personal.  God loves you, and He sees your broken and weary heart…

It gives me great peace to know that God looks upon the lowly…

“Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar.”

Psalm 138:6

To this world, humility looks like weakness, but to those who know God; and search for hope, it’s our lifeline…

When you are walking though a storm, “through the midst of trouble”, how beautiful is it to read these words…

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will preserve my life, You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with Your right hand You save me.”

Psalm 138:7

Awwwsoome…

He stretches out His hand, and He saves us…

 Amazing grace!

So as we go about our day, tucked under the Father’s wing, waiting out the storm… How I pray for our hearts to be set free, that we would walk in peace, filled with joy, and living our day to the fullest; and trusting God with the rest…

Dear Heavenly Father, Good Morning… I come before Your throne, laying at your feet my tired and weary heart.  Thank You for Your great hope of strength and mercy.  As I lay my burdens at your throne, I am so thankful I don’t have to stress, finagle and manipulate my surroundings… I will gladly lay my troubles down and seek the wonders of Your hand…

Giving You my day, Heavenly Father, is like a breath of fresh air, filling me with hope, love and the strength to live in love…

May I live in love today, and trust in Your goodness with all of my heart…

I love You, Jesus…

In Your Name,

I pray,

Amen

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever.  Do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

Psalm 138: 8

Live in Love,

Lisa

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear…

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perfect loveThis morning…

I am so reminded of just how amazing God’s love and forgiveness means to me…

“I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them.  I will be their God and they will be my people.  And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their family, saying “You should know the Lord” For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me.  And I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins..”

Hebrews 8:10b-11

He has written His love on our hearts…

He has pierced us with truth, love, and conviction of what is right and what hurts…

He has bent our hearts to Himself, and He has given us the freedom to choose whether we will walk toward Him, or away from Him.

And since He already knows me, all about me, how much more beautiful is it that we are cleansed and free of any, and all wrongdoings, and we are free from the sin that wants to hold us down, and tear away at all that is good…

You see, when we do wrong, something pulls at our heart-strings… That’s God.  He wants the best for us, He wants us to be able to live in love.  Walk in the light. Love other’s as ourselves and be excited about being close to Him…

And while I will never be free from the choice to do right or wrong… I am free from the bondage of carrying my bad decisions around my neck which weighs my heart down; and pulls me away from Your love…

Instead…

Each bad decision has brought me closer to You.. closer to Your love, and I thank You for that…

I am free in Christ.  He chose us to know Him.  Walk with Him.  Trust Him…

He knew just how much our hearts would need His cleansing and forgiveness, so that’s what He provides… and that is the most amazing gift of love…

That is what love does, and God is love

May we walk today covered by His grace.  Freed by His love, and strengthened by His goodness…

Dear, Heavenly Father, it is mind-blowing to know that when You created this world, You already knew all about me.  You knew, and know, my comings and goings and You have never let me go… I so love You.  I love that You have chosen to never remember my sin, and I am forever covered by Your grace.  What Jesus did for me, for us; is so beautiful.

I thank You that because of His love, I am beautiful to You.

Today.  I choose to walk toward You.

May Your love in my life keep drawing me into Your presence…

Thank You for Your grace, and all that You have written on my heart…

May I grow to want to know You more and more…

In Jesus precious Name,

Amen…

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. 

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment..”

1 John 4:15-18

How I thank You for Your perfect love..

Have an awesome day!

Live in Love,

Lisa