Decisions

It is of great importance that we memorize His Word. When we do that, we are imprinting the things we need for life into our brains. It brings us closer to God. It protects us from sin. It helps us encourage others.

There’s more to memorizing the Word than repeating it over and over until it is firmly branded on our minds. We need to be meditating on it, discovering it’s meaning, and becoming aware of how it applies to our lives. (Psalm 119:11, Joshua 1:8, Colossians 3:16)

This morning, I was doing that with Psalm 119:133. God had put it in my mind while I was falling asleep last night, and I woke up thinking about it. (Has he done that with you, too?) I think He wanted me to discover this truth: If His word is not part of our decisions, then the choice we’re making is not in line with what He has purposed for our lives.

Let me tell you, I was ‘blown away’ with that thought. How many times have I simply made a decision instead of letting His Words guide me? How many times have you done that? Many times the consequences have been good, but sometimes…

That’s why we must have His Word planted deeply in our hearts, minds, and souls. Making decisions based on His Word keeps us on solid ground.

Abba, Father, open our hearts to Your Word. Give us a great desire to know it so well that each time we face a decision, we can call a verse to mind that applies to it.

The Haiku above and this post are being shared with other bloggers at Five Minute Friday.

Ask, Seek, Knock

I am praying for you!

These are the requests I’m making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant us all the ability to know You more and more. Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love. Make us aware of Your Presence, Peace, and Patience. Psalm 16:11

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place on each of us. Help us understand that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters. You are the Redeemer of our souls, lives, pasts, and futures. You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy. Help us know and understand Your great love for us. Psalm 31:7

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us. You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. Teach us to trust You. Hear us when we have no one but You. Oh, Lord, hear this prayer. 1 John 5:14

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, our Lord, our Provider, our Savior… Make it so!

Winter’s Stillness

Winter is my favorite season. Especially the snow days.

For me it’s a time of waiting. A time for simply looking out my window and seeing my God. The whiteness reminds me of purity and peace. Stillness prevails. My mind is quieted.

Abba, Father, thank You for the reminder that You are always present. That You hear me. That You love me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

I’m Praying For You

Target4

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today I’m praying for you.  I may not know you personally or you may be among my group of besties but I AM PRAYING for you.  Here are the requests I am making before the Throne:

Father in Heaven, grant every man and woman the ability to know You more and more.  Open hearts, minds, and souls to Your incredible love for each of us.  Make us aware that in Your Word we were not only created by You but created in Your image. (Genesis 1:27)

Creator of all that is, was, and is to come, help us know the great value You place in each of us.  Help us understand deeply in every cell of our bodies that You take great joy in Your sons and daughters.  You are the Redeemer of not only our souls, but our lives, our pasts, and our futures.  You see us during our times of deepest fear and greatest joy.  Help us know and understand Your great love for us.  (Psalm 31:7)

Abba, Father, I know You hear each of us.  You hear our praise. You hear our needs. You hear our nearly silent pleas for mercy. You hear us when we regret our sins. You hear us when we have no one but You.  Oh, Lord, hear this prayer.  Grant each of us the ability to totally trust in You. (I Chronicles 5:20)

I lift this prayer before the Throne of Grace, in the Precious Name of Jesus, my Lord, my Provider, my Savior…     Make it so!

This post is linked to Literacy Musing Monday’s.

Abba’s Child | Book Review

Abba's ChildDo you wonder about God’s personal love for us?  Do you have a background of little to no love as a child and have always been searching for it?  Are you a perfectionist with thoughts of I’m just not good enough?  This book might be for you.

God’s love (and grace) has nothing to do with not living up to your own or other’s expectations.  It is simple in its complexity.  It has little, to nothing, to do with you/me and everything to do with the One who forgave every complex bit of ourselves on the cross.  We are so wrapped up in what we think is expected that we choose to lay the burden on others and of course the media.  He loves us and He wants us to converse (i.e., pray) with Him without judging ourselves or letting others judge us.

This book is really about understanding the characteristics that are not particularly valued in our society.  Love, gentleness, lowliness, humility, sharing, tenderness, caring and more.  We have grown up thinking self-sufficiency is of the utmost importance not realizing that the far more important concept (to use an overused cliché) is to ‘let go and let God’.

Forgiveness is another of the characteristics that is not valued.  The book goes into great detail on this subject.  It is impossible to be considered Abba’s Child if we do not learn to forgive.  Whether it is a personal affront, abuse, a legacy of racism, or any other sin against us Jesus says to forgive just like we would be expected to be forgiven.

Abba’s Child is an excellent study in understanding how love, grace, and forgiveness work together.  I highly recommend this book.  It should be read by and on the bookshelves of every believer.

One last thought…Let yourselves be loved!

A copy of this book was provided for me by Tyndale Blog Review Network/NavPress.  No other remuneration was received.  The thoughts and ideas in this review are entirely my own and are based totally on the book.  If you click on the book picture it will take you to NavPress where you can purchase the book. (I am not an affiliate of this company and receive nothing from them for this option.)