God Is The Source For A New You This New Year

I have been reading about New Year's resolutions and goals that are exciting. It is great that we are going to the new year with change in mind. I hope everyone achieves their goals.

I have achieved many goals in my life and I know that I am going to achieve many more. However, I can't give myself the credit. I know that without God I would not have made it to my goals. When I truly tapped into Him then that is when true change happened in my life. I am excited because I am still changing and growing but I'm doing it with God.

I know He will do the same for you. God is the source for all of our resources but we must receive Him in our lives. The only way to God is to receive Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. He came to the earth not to condemn us but to save us. Jesus is love. He is waiting for us with open arms to help. 

He saved me when I tried to kill myself, He saved me from car accidents, He saved me when I was a sing mother struggling. Most importantly, He save my soul from sin. He forgave me and allows me to be in presence like I never did anything wrong. Being in His presence is important because there I find peace in the mist of storms, I find joy in heartache. I find my identity and purpose in Him.

All we have to do is pray the prayer of salvation whole heartedly. This prayer is not just for those unsaved but for those who have received Jesus but still feel separated from God. You have been living a life of sin and want to start over this New Year. The prayer is: 

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Praise God for your salvation!

If you have received Jesus but not living a holy lifestyle remember God will receive you back. He is a forgiving God and if you repent, meaning turn from your ways, He will be your source again. You will hear God's voice again. Sin separates us from God but repenting brings us back to Him. 

"Father, I have sinned and I have separated my self from You. Please forgive me for my known sins as well as the sins I don't know I have done. Forgive me and help me to forgive others. I repent and I turn from my ways. I rededicate my life to You therefore please remove anything in me that goes against You. Deliver me from evil and keep me from temptation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Praise God for deliverance! Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy! Thank you God for being our source! Through God all things are possible and through Him we will meet our goals for the New Year. In Jesus' name, Amen! 

Check out the page on this blog Receive God's Love, it will bless you.  http://only1touchoflove.blogspot.com/p/receive.html

Taking In

When children are at the toddler age, we try teach them the basics like the alphabet and counting. They learn the basic sounds because we want them to take in those foundations so that they will have it by the time they reach kindergarten. We also keep them from watching everything from television and listening to all types of music. We watch children's television with them because the adult television is too much to take in. They can not handle it.

Fast forward to adult hood, we still have to watch what we take in. Taking in to much negative talk from others will challenge how we view things. Our minds will battle between negative and positive thoughts. For example, you might have a desire to go back to school to get a degree but aren't sure if you should. You believe you can do the school as well as work full time but then you have friends and maybe some familiar members who say you are going to flunk out. They call you slow and say your never going to achieve anything. Now, you are confused because you have taken in those negative thoughts and they are going to turn you into a slow person.

Another way we take in things is still through music and television. This is a hard pill to swallow, I know, believe me. I'm a woman who loves music but I know I can't listen to all types of music anymore.

Testimony: I was a teenager sitting on the couch with a young man. We were hanging out, watching television. We started listening to music. At we were listening to gospel music, now two teenagers who know right from wrong are not comfortable making-out to gospel music. However, once we turned it on some slow jams, it was full speed ahead make out session. Why? Because we took in the emotions from the lyrics.

At this point you're probably thinking, I can't enjoy anything? I'm not saying you can't enjoy anything but don't fill your heart up with it. Beaware of what you are listening to and watching. If you are dealing with trying to stop drinking, then stop listening to and watching things that talk about drinking alcohol is cool. If you're confused about your marriage then stop listening to and watching negative things about marriage. Don't keep taking in what you are trying to get rid of. Take in what is going to get rid of the negative thing and that is Jesus. Read your Bible more, go to church, watch church on television. Take in the things of God and you will overcome what it is your battling. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Basically this scripture is saying, what you take in, is what comes out. Feed your spirit positive things. Feed your spirit things of God. What flows out of you will be better than you were before. The Bible is full of wisdom, love, creative ideas, positivity. It's full of answers. Matthew 6:33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

God has everything we need. When we are filled up with Him, our life changes for the better. As the scripture says we have to strive after it though, no matter what comes our way, strive after God and the springs of life will flow.

There is Room For Everyone

Don't be discouraged or jealous because others have reached a goal you were wanting to reach. 

Proverbs 18:16 “A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.”

Everyone brings something different to the table that is beneficial. Keep going toward your goal, there is room for everyone. 

Hard Spoken vs. Soft Spoken

A loud, vicious lion running after me would scare me frozen. I would know what to do but stand there and make an ugly mess in my pants. However, if a soft, meowing kitten came running after me I wouldn't be afraid. I would try to help it by giving it something to eat or drink.

We as women can be the same way with our attitudes. We can be a loud, vicious lion or a soft, meowing kitten. I have been both in my life.

The times when I was loud and vicious, nothing got accomplished. I was not heard or loved in returned, I was feared. The people ran from me without an ounce of concern because I was giving off anger and they were afraid.

On the other end of the spectrum when I gave a soft meow, I was heard. I didn't have to put on a big uproar to get attention. Being soft spoken got me more then what I needed.

I went to the grocery store and being that I have a family of eight to shop for my grocery cart gets pretty full. I keep up with everything I buy so I knew what was in my cart. I was checking out and I always looks of people around me because of the amount of food I buy. I have stuff on the bottom layer of the cart it's so much. I had the divider up so that the casheir knew when to stop swiping but a box of cranberries made it over the divider some how. I didn't notice until I swiped my debit card and the cashier was helping load stuff into the bags. "I stated calmly those cranberries aren't mine." I turned and it looked at the lady behind me who had two other containers of cranberries that matched. I knew then what had happened. I paid for the cranberries. The cashier had a look of fear and panick on her face. I could have snapped but I didn't I remained calm. I knew the cranberries were on sale for $2.00. "I told the cashier, not to worry about it and I told the lady she can just have them." The lady, who was very nice, stated, "Oh wait here I have cash." She gave me $4.00. No, it isn't a large amount but it was double what I paid for them. I told her thank you and left.

When I got in the car I wondered what would have happened if I would been hard spoken to the cashier. I wondered if the outcome would have been worse if I had been rude. It probably would have been chaotic and I would have probably not gotten the extra.

I thanked God for delivering me from having a hard spoken spirit and giving me a soft spoken spirit. I was in control of that situation and I had the power with my words to make it good or bad. I chose good.

I hope this helps someone who is tired of finding themselves in chaotic situations. What are you speaking? What is your attitude? You have the power to change the situation by being either hard spoken or soft spoken woman.

Release to Receive

Change can be scary because it is an unknown. When change happens the result is a risk that is unknown. The result can either be great or disastrous.

To get the great results, sometimes we have to take the risk. The decision has to be either to regret not trying or try and succeed. I, personally, don't want to live a life with regret. 

If there is something I need to get rid of or leave to gain something then I am going to take the risk. This includes anything from relationships to shoes. Yes, shoes. If your favorite pair of high heels hurts your back then it might be time for a new pair of shoes. If a friendship hurts your back, then it's probably time for new friends. 

Sometimes we have to give up something to receive something better.

Worth The Pain

This is a short blog post but I really wanted to share this scripture. It spoke to me in my current situation, therefore I wanted to share with my followers to encourage.

When bills are do, loved ones are sick or passed away, work is a headache, when family members are getting on your nerves, don't give up. Giving up means getting revenge, not believing in breakthrough, turning to addictions like drinking or food. Don't do these  things. Continue to do what is right because in the end God's favor will be in your corner. God's favor is "exceeding what we can think or imagine" according to Ephesians 3:20. 

Enduring suffering is hard but stay focused to the end because it will be worth it.

How Does God Feel About Haters?

We know that God loves the world but He doesn't love everything we do. In comparing our relationship to God to a parent/child releationship, it's like a parent who loves their children but doesn't like everything they do. God is the same way toward us but has even greater love then parents.

One of the things God does not agree with is when people dislike someone for apparantly no reason. This is known as a hater. Unfortunately women are known for hating on each other for no reason. A woman can look at another woman with a condemning expression and then neither one will speak to each other. The woman making the facial expression may not be thinking anything about the woman but having a conversation in her head about something else. However, the woman on the other end of the expression is offended and starts to hate on the woman.
The Bible clearly states ins Proverbs 4:29-32 says:
Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
The Word is stating if no one has given you a reason to hurt them then don't do it. Really, no one on earth has given a reason to hurt them because as a child of God, revenge is the Lord's. That is why verse 31 says do not copy the oppressor either because God is not pleased with them. The New Living Translation breaks these 4 scriptures down even further:
Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
³⁰ Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.

³¹ Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
³² Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.

Wow! This is the answer for haters. They will have to deal with the Lord. Don't be a hater and if someone hates on you don't hate back. Walk in love toward the haters and let God deal with them because if you treat them back how they are treating you, you will become like them and will have to deal with God for your behavior.
Paying a woman back for hating on me is not worth disappointing God and messing up what He has for me. I know God has my back and He has all of your's too. If something nice doesn't come out of our mouths, just smile and nod. If it's a coworker, just smile and nod. A family member, just smile and nod. Eventually they are going to think she is always smiling and nodding maybe I should just leave her alone. Being an example of God is a witness to them and they will realize that their hating on you has not stopped one blessing from God on your life, so don't let them. Hopefully your behavior of walking in love will lead to them repentance and salvation.

How To Truly Restore Your Life

No one wants to face bad consequences that feel like punishment. Everyone wants the good consequences, however if bad choices are made there will be bad consequences. I teach my children all the time to make good choices to receive good things. If they make bad choices then they will be in trouble. My daughters do not like getting their cell phone privileges removed. However if they are doing things on their phone, making bad grades or being disrespectful, the cell phone is taking away from them. It is removed because as a parent, I love my children. I want to protect my children and teach them right from wrong. My job as a parent is to guide them so that they will become responsible adults.

 I am a child of God. God is my Father. Since He is my Father I know that He feels the same way about me that I do about my children. God wants me to make good choices to protect me. When I don't He corrects me by punishing me. That is when His grace takes over because I am able to go to Him and ask for forgiveness. I repent, learn my lesson and change. Then He restores me back, sometimes greater, then I was before I made the bad choice. This is such an awesome thing to have in such a mighty God.

The people who are not God's child are the ones who have not received Him as Lord of their lives. Their life is not under God's grace. They make bad choices but don't have a Father in heaven to restore their life. They are always trying to restore their own life, which is exhausting and never satisfying. Life feels like a merri-go-round that never ends. God can make it stop.

Only God can truly bring restoration just as we are the only ones who can restore our children after they make a bad choice. The awesome thing about God is that He is always there, when our parents are not. When our parents are not there to restore us from a bad choice, God our ultimate Father is waiting on us. We must receive Him as Lord over lives so that we can live life fully restored.

When The Vision God Gave You Procrastinates

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV

I remember being a teenager in high school anxiously waiting for graduation day. I had a vision of going to college and being successful. I had visions of having a big family. The journey to get to the vision I had when I was a teenager did not pan out as smoothly as I hoped. I became pregnant at eighteen, married at twenty-one, had another baby at twenty-two, divorced at twenty-three. At this point in my life I'm looking to God like what happened to that vision? I got depressed and thought my life was over to the point of trying to kill myself.

But God's love rescued me. He told me my life is not over and to call to Him for my life to turn around. I did. I surrendered my life and started to see the vision that He told me when I was a teenager to unfold. I received God's love and His promises came to pass. The journey that I went through before I had that vision was meant to destroy me but because I called to Jesus my life turned around. It didn't take me having ceremonies, jumping up and down or some other strange ritual. I laid on my living room floor and said "Jesus!" Immediately I felt His presence and peace. All it took for me to get off that floor was one touch from Him.

I am writing this blog for those of you who are discouraged. God has given you a vision but it seems like it is taking forever for that vision to come to pass. Everything in your life is not leading you to the path of that vision but do not give up. The thing that God has for you, is for you. Seek God for the changes that you need to make to start moving toward that vision; Or God may not need you to make any changes but just call on Him; Or God is taking you through a process to strengthen you for that vision. He is not going to give you anything to hurt you. If God feels like you are not ready for the vision to come to pass He is not going to give it you. He could be just teaching you patience and endurance. Whatever the reason for the delay, know that God loves you and He is in control, He is not a God who lies, therefore your vision is going to happen.

Character Building

Suffering in something does not seem like it helps you grow, but it does. How? It shows you what you are made of. For example, a person who is laid off from their job will suffer but in the process of finding sources of income might discover something they really like doing and get paid for it. If the suffering of being laid off their job had not occurred, they would not have discovered what they really enjoy doing. In the process they have learned endurance, patience and increased their creativity.

If you are suffering in something, be encouraged that when the it is over, you will be better.

Home Plate

My son is six years old and he had his first baseball game today. His first time  to bat he hit the ball and stood there with amazement. I think he was shocked he hit the ball because it seemed like he was frozen. The coaches and everyone yelled, "RUN!!!". He took off running so fast that he didn't stop at the bases to see where the ball was. He hit second base and the coach told him to stop but he was determined to make it home. Slowing down was not an option for him. The other team scrambled around with the ball trying to get him out. By the time the opposing team came close to getting him, my son was safe at home.

My son went from plate to plate running through all the chaos, focused on his goal of the home plate. This is the same attitude we should have about life. When there is chaos all around trying to take us out, it is time to focus, and keep running. The Bible says in Philipians 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Keep pressing toward whatever your goal maybe, whether it is spiritual, financial, emotional, or relationships. Keep running toward your home plate. 

How to get Joy?

  It was on heart to write about joy for this post. Joy is often confused with happiness. Happiness is an emotion that can come and go. Joy is a supernatural characteristic that comes from knowing God. It is the character God puts in us to make us unshakeable, worry free people. 

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. – Psalm 27:5-7 (NIV).

The previous scriptures were written by David, who was basically working for a horrible boss. His boss was really jealous of him because David was destined to be greater than him. Even though David was dealing with all this, he knew God, therefore he still praised and had joy. 

I was searching for information about God not giving us more than we can bare but I found some surprising opinions. People were saying God gives us more than we can bare. God isn't going to give us more than we can bare because when we are in Him, we can bare anything. If you are dealing with any kind of stress, pray to God. If nothing seems to happen right away, keep praising God. Thank Him in advance for making away out of no way. Stay in God and He will fill you with joy. The joy gives different perspective of the problem that will allow you to bare all things.

Beautiful Butterfly

The butterfly is such a fascinating insect. It goes through transformations that are similar to life's spiritual transformations. Going through a spiritual transformation can be an ugly process. It's hard, and sometimes giving up seems like a good option. This post is to encourage you that after the ugly process, there is a beautiful butterfly.

The first stage of a butterfly is the hatching process, they are born. They are born not as butterflies but as caterpillars. This is the beginning of life. Just a simple creature living, crawling around eating. The eating continues, the caterpillars are always hungry. All they do is eat because they can not get enough. They spend their time searching for food. They get so big that they have to shed their skin. They shed over and over again until it is time for the third stage.

During the third stage they run and hide. Many times they bury themselves underground for protection. Some of them form cocoon like objects in trees. This stage is also known as the resting stage. This can last from anywhere from two weeks to six months. After this stage, emerges a beautiful butterfly.

I have personally had some things in my life that I had to shed. I was taking in too much of the wrong food (bad choices), therefore I had to get rid of the hurt and shame from those mistakes. Changing(shedding) can be an ugly process. There have been times that I need to hide. I had to get away from everyone because I needed some rest in God and to be restored into something new after shedding the bad choices I made. During that time of being in God, He fills me up with His love by me reading His word, meditating on it and praying with fasting. The process can be challenging because of temptation of loneliness, doubt but stay in the process (the cocoon). Finally, the beautiful butterfly arrives and we are ready to fly. In Isaiah 61:3 NIV to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

God wants to restore us to spiritual beauty. He wants us to live a life free from emotional hurt and filled with love. When we let Him restore us, we can fly, meaning we walk in our purpose. In Him, we are a new. Therefore if any person is [in grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Amplified Version

What To Give To God

Give God you, not just when He blesses you but during heart ache. God wants a our desperate hearts. He wants a to take away the desperation, our heartache. He wants to restore joy in us. Only He can restore us to true joy.

Be happy is temporary. Happiness last for a moment. It is a temporary fix but joy is something that can not be taken from you, unless you allow it. For example, running out of money is so miserable and frustrating. The temporary fix is to borrow, steal or gamble. This brings a temporary happiness. All three of things will cost something later that will lead right back to being miserable and frustrated. 

The permanent fix is to go to Jesus. Receive God as your Lord and Savior. He will give joy as well as the guidance and wisdom on how to get rid of your brokenness without the cost later. Give God you, that's all He wants.

How To Forgive Yourself

"It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on."-Steve Maraboli

Forgiveness of yourself can be difficult but it is possible. All forgiveness is important. My opinion is that forgiveness of yourself is the most important but can also be the hardest.

The reason it is the hardest is because we have a tendency to judge ourselves more than anyone in our lives. You can judge yourselves to the point of anxiety. The judgement does not have to be from an outside source but in our minds that make us depressed. Thinking thoughts about if only, should have, could have, is what leads us to those unforgiving thoughts.

It took a couple of years for me to forgive myself for having a baby at the age of eighteen. I kept thinking about if I only said no. If I only had made a better choice my life would be different. My life is so hard because of that decision I made. I love my daughter but it was hard for me to accept being a young mother. I had to forgive myself for becoming pregnant at a young age. Once I did, my love for my daughter grew and I became an effective mother. I came out of depression and could love her the way she needed.

Unforgiveness toward yourself is a hinderance. It presses the pause button on your life to achieving success in many areas. It can cause an attitude of not caring what happens because of the focus being on the mistake you previously made. For example, many people over eat because of unforgiveness. They stop caring about their health and how they appear because of unforgiveness toward themselves. Some people don't try to be successful on a job because of unforgiveness. The worst thing that unforgiveness toward oneself causes is to to stop praying.

Many people stop praying because of the shame of a mistake they made. They feel like they can not talk to Jesus because of unforgiveness toward themselves. The awesome thing is that Jesus forgave us before we knew we were going to make that mistake. Luke 23:24 in the Amplified version says And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them.
Jesus asked God to forgive us while He was on the cross. This was not just for the people killing Him in that moment, this was for everyone who would ever walk the earth. All you have to do is believe that Jesus died for your sins, He is the son of God and He is alive. You have to receive His forgiveness by praying to Jesus thanking Him for forgiving you for your sins and telling Him you believe He is the son of God. Let Him know you want His love to cover you for the rest of your life. Romans 10:9-11 Amplified version says

⁹ Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 ¹⁰ For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
 ¹¹ The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

Knowing you are forgiven by God removes the shame, the depression of the mistakes you made. Therefore it is time to forgive yourself. YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

Take Your Positions

Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like you are fighting for your life? It seems like everything around is falling apart. It seems like the best solution  is to go home, lay in the bed with the blanket over your face, and sleep the day away. The only thing that gets resolved is getting sleep.
The best solution is to stay encouraged. Don't look at the problems around you but start looking at things to be grateful for. Say positive things out loud. For example, saying "this too shall pass" will be encouraging to know that the problems are just temporary. "Peace be still" is something I like to say when my mind is trying to worry about something. I refuse to worry and speak peace over my thoughts, then the worry leaves. After the worry leaves I can focus on finding answer by seeking God for the victory. He will reveal the next steps to take if we do not occupy our minds with thoughts of worry or doubt. When we let Him take over the battle, He will provide a victory.

King Jehosphat in 2 Chronicles 20 was facing a battle that seemed too big for his army to handle. This is what God says to him in verses 15-17.  

^{NIV 15} He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

God encouraged King Jehosphat to take your position and stand firm because the battle is the Lord's. I am telling you the same thing, don't let depression sink in your mind. Do not let your current circumstances defeat you. Take your position, stand firm because the battle is the Lords.

By Faith Obtain A Good Report

"Faith, faith, faith. I have faith but nothing is happening," is what many people say who need a break through in an area in their life. God has made a promise that things were going to work out but it has not happened, yet. Many people lose hope waiting on something to happen that will change their lives for the better. However, the things going on around them seem to not be leading them to a break through but matters seem to be getting worse. Don't lose faith.

I have been at a dead end in my life when my bank account kept getting smaller but my stack a bills kept getting taller. I was a single mother of two small children, looking for a job. I had been looking for two months. God promised me that He would supply all my needs but that stack of bills did not tell me the same thing. I continued to speak that all my bills are paid. I did not worry about the bills. I stayed focused on God and His promise. Because I stayed focused on God He kept providing. The two months I was out of a job I did not skip a meal, my baby did not go without diapers or formula. We didn't have anything cut off, including cable. I would receive money on time from people that owed it to me. God opened doors from governemnt programs that granted me money. My rent was paid from people at my church. God had to provide for them in order to help me in my time of need. Because of my faith in His love, God opened the door for me to receive a job and for my babies to go to a great childcare center. I never went with out work since that time.  

In that season of my life, I did not give up. I put my faith to work and believed God's promises. It took two months for my breakthrough but I did not quit. One month went by but I did not worry. I believed God's love for me and my children was real. He kept providing. The second month came, by faith I kept believing God. I did not walk around miserable and depressed. I continued to have joy and peace in Him. I did this by believing the "good report." Hebrews 11:1-2 KJV Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it (FAITH) the elders obtained A GOOD REPORT. Operate in faith and you too will obtain a goo report. Don't give up.

A Prayer For Mothers

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord for blessing women with the privilege of motherhood. Keep all mothers healthy physically. The need for physical strength is to spend time with their beloved children. The mothers need to be able to be there for all the children's events. The children need the strength in their mother's arms for a comforting hug.
Please give all the mothers wisdom to guide their children as they prepare for adulthood. Allow the mothers to pour in the children the wisdom that is inside of them.
Please give mothers a peace of mind as the children grow and do more things on there own. Mothers tend to worry about the children but remove the spirit of worry and put in them peace.
Please fill all mothers with joy, love and laughter.
Please allow mothers to have a quiet moment for themselves everyday. Every mother needs a time to reflect, meditate and pray.
Please allow all mothers the space to do that.
Please bless mothers to know that the work they do for their families is not in vain. I pray a financial blessing on all mothers.
They will be blessed for turning their house into a home.

Thank you again for mothers, Lord, without them the world would not be the same.

Clean Slate

We have all made some dumb choices that have resulted in bad things happening. The results of the dumb decisions feel like it is never going to end. It feels like punishment is taking place because of the things we have done. We start feeling bad about ourselves and thinking less of ourselves. The feeling of discouragement weighs heavy, sometimes to the point of questioning our life and if God loves us.

<> God does love us. His love us is like that of a parent. Our children make mistakes often. I have a six year old son who is full of energy. He has so much energy I wish I could find a way to sale it because I would be rich. Sometimes his energy causes him to make bad choices. He get in trouble school. He knows that when he makes a bad choice to misbehave in school he will have something taken away. For example, he might lose his television privilages for the night. Every night, no matter what he does, I tell him I love him. His bad decision did not stop me from loving him. When he goes to school the next day, he has a clean slate. It's a new day and he has another chance to make good decisions.

<> God loves us even after we make dumb choices.We might be in a slump or have something taken away but He is not going to leave us there. He wipes everything away to give us a clean slate. Everyday is a new chance to get it right. He will redeem us. Isaiah 63:9 the Amplified Bible says "In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." God will save us. He loves us forever. Receive His love and He will wipe away the slate. Do not keep making the dumb choices, learn from them and receive the clean slate. Again I say, He loves you.