Love Is…

love is blog Do you find yourself comparing your life to other’s?

It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it?

Comparing. Judging. Justifying…

Before you know it, you feel jealous, angry or resentful..

There is a clear answer and certain help for our wandering hearts…

Are you ready?

“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.”

Matt 7:1-2

When we judge others a cycle begins to spin… Jesus tells us to stop!

  So that’s number one.

We first have to recognize that that is what we are doing. We are judging.  I’m sure it’s a familiar feeling.. It’s dark, not a fruit of the spirit, which is love, and it definitely takes your thoughts off of what is true.  What is right, and what is praiseworthy..

Second.

This verse says if we stop judging other’s then we will not be judged…

That’s where the spin cycle begins..

We start to compare, then justify our own lives.. the next thing we know we can feel pretty bad about ourselves, and that is a downward cycle for sure…

Have you noticed that after you have done all of this spinning in your mind, you can’t help but treat that person differently..

These words are pretty clear..

“Other’s will treat you how you treat them..”

If you are judging someone, feeling suspicious of who they are, or maybe feeling superior, or even less than…

How do you think your heart is rubbing off on them?

And finally, Jesus tells us that we whatever measure we use to judge other’s that same measure will be used to judge us…

Scary, right?!

Can you see that?

Dear Heavenly Father, as I come before you this new and beautiful day, how thankful my heart is to be set free from patterns that can so destroy all the beauty you have surrounded me with…

Forgive my heart, Oh Lord, I don’t want to judge.. compare or justify.

I want to live in the light of what is true..

As I walk through my day, please make me mindful of my thoughts.. Help me to identify the second I start the spin cycle…

Help me to pray love over that person or situation that makes my heart wander from Your beauty and grace..

How I thank You for today…

May other’s see You in my life..

I pray this in Jesus Holy name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Hypocrite! first get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eyes..”

Matt: 7:5

“Love is patient. Love is kind it does not envy, it does not boast.  It is not proud.  It is not rude.  It is not self seeking.  It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects. Always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

Love never fails…”

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

It’s Always Something…

its always something blog“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.

Today’s trouble is enough trouble of its own..”

Matthew 6:34

It’s always something, isn’t it?

Each day always carries something.  Nothing will ever be perfect..

Again.  It’s a heart attitude and adjustment…

Just knowing that Jesus already knew we would always be struggling with something should give us such great peace..

As we approach the Throne of Grace, may our hearts feel lighter and our thoughts clearer..

Dear Heavenly Father,  Your love and wisdom always meet me right where I am.. How amazing You are.

Today as I come before You, I ask for forgiveness of my self centeredness and consuming thoughts.

How I seek to keep my eyes fixed on You.  Fixed on the good You are doing in my life…

I lay the thoughts and worries of today at Your feet.. knowing You will cover and guide me in the way I should go…

“…And He will give You all you need from day-to-day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern..”

Matthew 6:33

Your Kingdom, Oh, Lord, is my primary concern… that the lost, hurting and far from You, would find You.. Know You.  That they would know Your all consuming love for them, and be covered by Your grace… This is the deepest desire of my heart..

May my life reflect all that You are to this lost and dying world..

Your name renown..

I pray this in Jesus Holy and precious name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience…”

Hebrews 10:22b

The Heart of Forgiveness…

the heart of forgiveness blog“If you forgive those who sin against you, Your Heavenly Father, will forgive You, But if you refuse to forgive others, Your Father will not forgive Your sins…”

Matthew 6:14

Pretty straight forward, right?!

Forgiveness is for our sake… It releases our hearts and hands the situation over to our Heavenly Father.

Forgiveness does not mean we have to restore a relationship… it just means you are tired of the pain, the endless thinking… You want to stop trying to make sense of something that we can’t control… You want to stop the anger and the feeling of helplessness that wants to take over your heart…

You want peace… :)

It is a heart attitude..

To let go of the pain and step into the light, is to stop letting yourself be a victim.. It puts you back in the light of living Your best life for God!

The life of love, hope and goodness you so deeply desire is in our control…

Forgiveness and healing is God’s specialty…

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”

Isaiah 1:18

Let God’s mercy and forgiveness cover your wounded heart.. Let Him give you the strength to be better person..

Letting go of the past and living for today…

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your words that so pierce my heart with straight forward truth… You said we need to forgive, so You will forgive us, how I pray this truth in my life… I want to forgive.  I want to live in the light of what is good and right and true.  I so want to be free to live the abundant life You have to offer.. to be an example to my family, my children, my husband, my friends… of what living in You… Living in Love looks like.

I am not a victim.. I am a child of the Most High…

“Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” and You forgave the quilt of my sin..”

 Psalm 32:5

Please help me to look at how short life really is… Help me to not take for granted all the love and forgiveness You have so richly poured into my heart…

You forgave me, that I would be free…

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is not deceit..”

Psalm 32: 1-2

You have made me beautiful in Your eyes, full of hope and how I want to exhibit that truth in my days…

Oh, Lord, how I pray I would be a light of love for others  who are struggling with forgiveness. .Help me to take the focus off of myself; and Help me to draw others into Your presence that they too would be set free from the bondage and darkness of an unforgiving heart..

You are our justice… and we can trust in You…

In Jesus Name, I pray..

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Romans 12:19

“..And forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us..”

Matthew 6:12

My Great God…

When the going gets tough….

The, tough, and the not so tough, can enter Your house with a deep yearning of worship and grace…

“Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your house; with deepest awe I will worship at Your Temple…”

Psalm 5:7

I love to picture God’s Temple…

 A massive structure, lots of white…and a glow that radiates God’s tender loving care…

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.  Protect them.  So all that love Your name, may be filled with joy..”

Psalm 5:11

Dear Heavenly Father, I come before You with lifted arms and a weary heart…I take refuge in You because I know You are near..

You, Dear Lord, are watching over me, guiding my path, and protecting me.

How awesome is that…

As I enter Your temple… Your House,  I worship You with deep awe, and thanksgiving.. Laying all of who I am, at Your feet…Seeking to be more like You.  Fill me with Your beauty and kindness.. mercy and grace..

 My heart is filled with joy, and cries out Abba Father…

May Your glory be renown…

Thank You for Your great hope that fills my heart with so much joy…

I trust in You with all of my heart..

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“For You bless the godly, O Lord, surrounding them with Your shield of love..”

Psalm 5:12

The Wisdom of Heaven..

the wisdom of heaven blog“But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness…”

James 3:17

As I read these words this morning, I was so moved in my spirit…

“Wisdom that comes from Heaven..”

I know that when I pray for wisdom, I can expect God to give me wisdom… that makes sense.. But I guess the deeper truth I am being pierced with; is wisdom is from Heaven.. It is beautiful and full of light..

Always.

“it is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate and submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

These words are beautiful.  Full of hope and light.

This is super different from praying for wisdom; and then fighting over what is right..

Right isn’t wisdom..

Love is wisdom..

The way we handle our problems, fears and distractions is the practice of wisdom in our daily lives…

Trusting God when we know something is wrong, seeking wisdom and then letting the wisdom of Heaven flow through our  words, and actions…

That is what brings glory to God..

Peace and love in our actions…

Leaving the res,t and the results up to Him.

 “Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness…”

How I pray I sow  peace, Dear Lord, for Your glory, honor and praise…

Thank You for Your grace where I have come up short…

“He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble”

Proverbs 4:34

Good Morning Dear Heavenly Father.   Thank You for Your light of hope.

Thank You for Your consistent cry of goodness, love and peace in my heart.. No matter what this day brings, Your glory and beauty is my heart’s desire.

I know without Your love and wisdom in my heart, I wouldn’t be so lost, and I am so thankful You are my Mighty Counselor..

How I come before You this new day, laying down “my right to be right” and instead turning my eyes and heart to Heaven.. I am seeking Your Heavenly wisdom.

Oh Lord…

Please let Your words of peace run through my veins..

Considerate.  Submissive.  Full of mercy and good fruit…

Impartial and sincere…

Those are the characteristics I want to rule my heart and my life..

I pray these truths, Oh Lord, thank You for setting my heart free from the lies of darkness, and division..

May my heart and days be full of mercy and good fruit..

I long to be a peace maker..

That Your glory and honor is what other’s well see in me…

Your daughter, after Your own heart…

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble..”

James 4:6b

He Cares…

he cares blog“I lay down and slept, I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me..”

Psalm 3:5

He cares.  He really really cares.  He loves you, and He is watching over you…

How I pray You feel His loving embrace.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Good Morning, and thank You for another new day.

As I come before You, I am in awe of Your great love.  Thank You for reminding me I am not alone. That You are watching over me is such a great joy. Your goodness wraps me like a warm blanket and gives me such sweet comfort, and for that I am so very thankful.

Thank You for the beauty of Your love, and the comfort of your presence…

I need You…

Today as I set out, may I remember You are near.. that You care, and You are the source of my joy…

May I be a little more like You everyday…

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high..”

Psalm 3:3

I love You, Jesus…

The Cry of Our Hearts…

thy will be done blogI love the book of  Matthew Chapters 5-7.

These chapters are the words of Jesus, Himself… Teaching, encouraging and filling the crowds of people with truth, hope, goodness and love…

When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came up to Him and he began to teach them, saying..”

Matthew 5:1-2

Today, my heart went straight to Matthew 6:13.  This is what Jesus said about prayer and how we should pray…

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one..”

When we come before God in prayer it is good to be reminded of How Jesus asked us to pray…

Jesus first gave reverence to God and His Will..

Asking God for His will to be done.

 He also asked for His daily bread… Which has been interpreted as our daily food, as well as, filling our hearts with His word.  His hope for today.  The best bread ever…

He showed us that we need to ask God for forgiveness of our sin..

And He showed us how to pray for those who have hurt us.

And finally He asked God to help us not to be lead into temptation, and to protect us from the evil one..

How good is God to give us an outline of how to pray!

To show us we can come to him with everything… With trusting His will.  With forgiveness of our sin, and help with our hearts when we have been betrayed, or hurt by other’s sin.

He shows us our temptations can be given to God and He will protect us..

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your faithfulness, love and protection…As we come before You this new day… this new Year, how I pray for our hearts to be softened, encouraged, and filled with the hope of Your goodness, mercy and amazing grace…

May we fill this world with the sweet aroma of You, and may Your tenderness, warmth and hope exude from our lives as we seek to love You with all of our hearts and love other’s as ourselves…

I pray this in Jesus Name,

Amen,

Live in Love,

Lisa

“But when You pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to Your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father  who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6