Prayers and Blessings

08/28/2024

Meditative posts that apply God's Word to everyday life.

Read, think, reflect, pray.

God bless!

09/28/2023

07/19/2023

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Dear God,
At the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord...we need you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

07/19/2023

Obedience to God may sometimes require you to disappoint the expectations of others.

People live under a lot of unnecessary pressure simply because they are afraid of disappointing the expectations of others.

They will agree to things out of fear, compromise convictions to “keep the peace”, live afraid to say “no” to others, and will often times stand down for truth in order to avoid conflict.

But what if I told you that this is actually a form of bo***ge? It’s called the fear of man. Living in such a way that you want to please others so much that it may actually come before being obedient to God.

My friend, obedience to God will sometimes mean that you may disappoint the expectations of others. Your “yes” to God will sometimes mean you have to give a “no” to someone else.

God may call you to do some things that people won’t understand. They may push back. Will you allow that to hinder you? Will you care so much to please man that you are willing to displease God?

Hard questions; but this is something we all are faced with in our lives.

The good news is; where we are weak, He is strong. If you find yourself unwillingly falling into this cycle-trap of people-pleasing and fearing man, pray and ask God where the root of this is tied to. Often times, it is linked to past trauma and unresolved coping mechanisms learned throughout life. He is WILLING and ABLE to break these barriers in our lives, but WE must be WILLING and ABLE to hand these areas over to His Lordship and leading.

Living to please God and not man must be a foundation in all of our lives. It may not be easy, and the process may be hard, but the reward is freedom...and nothing is more important than that.

•1Thessalonians 2:4- But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

•Galatians 1:10- For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

•Romans 8:8- Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Shared from Amy Klutinoty 💕

07/14/2023

In John Chapter 13 we read the beautiful narrative of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. In an example of true servanthood, Jesus was demonstrating to the disciples how they were to serve others.

Jewish homes generally had a water dish at the doorway so that the dusty traveler or visitor could have their feet washed as they entered. Foot washing was a job done by the most lowly of servants. Yet Jesus, our heavenly, beautiful, servant King, stooped to wash the feet of His disciples!

In conversation with Peter (verses 6-9) Jesus makes it clear that every one of us need to have our sins washed from us to be part of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Then Jesus makes this statement:- "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.“ (John 13:10)

When we come to salvation and are born again by the Spirit of God, all of our ugly past – our sin, shame, mistakes, regrets, rebellion - is washed away; washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We stand righteous and cleansed before the Father, clothed in His righteousness. We have been ‘bathed’.

But each day, as we walk the journey of life, there are things that we know we could have done better; things that we could have or should not have said; lack of obedience to the leading of God’s Spirit, purposeful sin, etc
These are the things that need washing each day – like washing our feet. Yes, we have been cleansed. Yes, we have been made righteous. Yes, we are in acceptable standing to our Father God. But there is still a need for a daily coming before Him, a daily washing, a daily confession, and a daily cleansing. Keeping a short account with God keeps our heart in tune with His, increases our ability to hear His voice, and aligns us with His will.

Praise God that He has bathed us, forgiven and cleansed us by His blood, and put us in a right standing with Him. But let’s remember to bring our walk before the Lord every day. Let’s allow Him to wash the dirt of our day from our feet by coming into His presence, waiting on Him for Him to show us anything that has displeased Him, repenting, and reading the bible so that we may be washed clean with water through the Word. (Ephesians 5:26)

And let us serve others with love and respect. For in serving others we serve God.

06/30/2023

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