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Patience: 10 Verses To Encourage During The Wait

May 8, 2012 in Biblical Encouragement with 8 Comments

There are times in our lives when we feel like we’re playing the waiting game. We could be waiting on a number of things… For an upcoming event to take place, a storm of life to pass, or an answer to prayer. One thing the Bible consistently tells us is to “wait on the Lord.”

If you are anything like me (and many other people), patience is not one of your automatic responses. It’s a virtue that we all need to learn but is sometimes one we’d rather not have because it requires allowing God to be in control. Control is coming we cling to so desperately, especially when things aren’t going our way.

When I find myself feeling this way, I try to focus on Scripture that will encourage waiting patiently. Here is a short list that of verses that I hope will encourage you as well…

“No one who waits on You will ever be put to shame.”

{ Psalm 25:3a }

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

{ Psalm 27:14 }

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.”

{ Psalm 37:7a }

“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry.”

{ Psalm 40:1 }

“Whoever is patient has great understanding.”

{ Proverbs 14:29a }

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

{ Isaiah 30:18 }

“The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

{ Lamentations 3:25-26 }

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

{ Romans 8:25 }

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

{ Colossians 3:12 }

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

{ Hebrews 6:15 }

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This Little Light Of Mine

April 6, 2012 in Biblical Encouragement, Five Minute Friday with 2 Comments

One of my daughter’s favorite songs is “This Little Light Of Mine.” Have you heard it? The lyrics go like this:

This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine.
Let it shine.
Let it shine.

This simple song is remenecent of Jesus’ words when preaching the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:14-16, he says:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

When I ponder this command, I have to ask myself, “Can people see the light in me?”

Does the cashier see a compassionate woman of God or a hurried mother that doesn’t have time to think about asking how others are doing? Am I giving my daughter joy or ignoring her because I have work to do? Is my husband getting his emotional needs met? Am I a good friend?

I have an increasing desire to live in a way that will bring God glory. I want to be able to truthfully sing “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”

Starting today.

How will you let your light shine today?

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This post is linked to Five Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama. Join the fun!

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Be Strong And Courageous

March 16, 2012 in Biblical Encouragement, Five Minute Friday with 18 Comments

My husband and I are reading through the Bible in a year with Reading God’s Story: A Chronological Daily Bible. Right now we are in Joshua. Several times already God has reminded Joshua and the Israelites to be “strong and courageous” because He is with them.

Oh, how often we need to remember that our Savior’s name is Emmanuel, God With Us.

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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 1:7-9

When God leads us, we have no reason to fear.

Earlier this week, my husband and I hosted a pastor from Trinidad. As we were talking about missions and following God’s will, he said something that I really liked:

“Where God leads, He feeds. Where He guides, He provides”

What a simple, yet wise, rhyme to remind us Who is really in control of our every need.

In what situation do you need to be brave today?

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Participating in 5 Minute Friday is one of my goals for the 3 in 30 Challenge this month. This post is also linked to Finer Things Friday and Weekend Whatever. Join the fun!

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Ditch Your Priority List

March 5, 2012 in Biblical Encouragement, Intentional Living with 12 Comments

After reading the title of this post, some of you may be thinking, “What? You’re crazy!” Stick with me for a few moments and allow me to explain.

I’m sure most of you have seen (or even have} a priority list similar to this:

God
Spouse
Children
Ministry

Many of us were taught that this simple little formula (or one like it) should guide our every decision. However, as I have mentioned before…

“God should not be on our priority list, He should BE our priority list.”
{tweet this quote}

In her book, Pursuit of Proverbs 31, Amy Bayliss echoed my thoughts on this matter when she said,

“God is the only priority. Our being obedient, submitting to our husband, teaching our children, caring for our home, and serving our community are all examples of making God our priority because it is in line with His Word. We do all things unto Him.”

So, our priorities should look more like this:

With God at the center of our lives, we are able to able to juggle our roles and responsibilities as the Lord directs us. This is why beginning our days with prayer is so important. Only by seeking the Father’s will can we accomplish what HE has planned.

In light of this, I have been trying to live out Psalm 5:3.

“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

This isn’t to say that having a priority list can’t be a helpful tool at times. But that’s just it. It’s a tool, not a rule…

***

Buy the book!

If you want to read more about this and other helpful topics , consider purchasing Pursuit of Proverbs 31.

You will gain insight on the historical context of the Proverbs 31 woman and learn how to pursue the roles God has given.

I believe that reading Pursuit of Proverbs 31 will give you a better understanding of what the Proverbs is really about and encourage you to live a life of freedom.

Note: Amy shares a few things in her personal spiritual walk that you may or may not agree with. However, I found the Biblical principles she teaches to be sound and insightful.

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This post is linked to Better Mom Monday, Teach Me Tuesday, Encourage One Another, Living Well Wednesday, Pour Your Heart Out, Women In The Word Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Delightfully Inspiring Thursday, Hearts 4 Home Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Finer Things Friday, and Whatever Weekend.

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The ABC’s Of Kindness: 26 Ideas To Show Others You Care

February 15, 2012 in Serving Others with 14 Comments

One thing I have been trying to focus on this year, especially this month, is sharing God’s love with others through acts of kindness. Not only is it a blessing to the person that receives the gift of kindness, but it help cultivate joy and contentment in my own life.

I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of ideas that correspond with the alphabet. It’s fun and easier to remember. Be sure to add your own ideas in a comment!

Twenty-Six Acts of Kindness

A = Share your APPLE at lunch.
B = Lend a BOOK you thought was encouraging.
C = Bake COOKIES for a neighbor.
D = Hold the DOOR open for a stranger.
E = Be a listening EAR.
F = Send FLOWERS to someone at work.
G = Buy a small GIFT, just because.
H = Lend a HELPING HAND to an elderly person.
I = Go out for ICE CREAM on a hot afternoon.
J = Tell a JOKE to cheer someone up.
K = Purchase KRISPY KREME DONUTS (or some other treat) for coworkers.
L = Take a friend out to LUNCH.
M = Give a MASSAGE.
N = Take a friend to the NAIL SALON for a manicure.
O = Pay for the ORDER BEHIND YOU in the drive-through.
P = Frame a PHOTO for a proud grandparent.
Q = Share an inspiration QUOTE.
R = RUN ERRANDS for someone who can’t get out.
S = Invite someone over for SUPPER.
T = Send a TEXT to a loved one.
U = Lend an UMBRELLA on a rainy day.
V = Tape quarters to a VENDING MACHINE to people to use.
W = WRITE a letter.
X = Play “You Are My Sunshine” on the XYLOPHONE.
Y = YELL “I love _____!” or something equally as nice.
Z = Take the kids (or anyone, really) to the ZOO.