Grandmom's Faith

Growing up I loved spending time with my Grandmother Rachel.

“Everything’s going to be okay because Grandmom says so.”

That’s what I always heard when I shared my fears, sadnesses or hopes with grandmother. She would give me a crushing grandmom hug, make her declaration and that would be the end of our conversation. It was always comforting.

When I left home to go to college, we would talk over the phone. At the end of our conversation grandmom would always tell me that she was praying for me every day.

As an adult I look back and can see the strength of grandmom’s faith. I know that Grandmom was a woman of prayer. She really believed in the power of prayer. As she prayed, she truly believed, she knew, that God would answer her prayer.

Grandmom never talked about her faith. She lived her faith everyday. She was a quiet witness to those who knew her and loved her.

After all these years, there are still times when I hear a voice within me say, “Everything’s okay because grandmom says so.” With a smile I am prompted to take my concern to God in prayer.

Today’s Scripture Thought: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Recharge Your Faith

The God of Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Comments: Read today’s scripture several times. In God is hope and he wants to bless you so you overflow with joy and peace. Where is your hope? Where is your trust? Nurture your hope and trust by the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, meditation, and reading scripture. Look for the hope God has placed in your life and look for opportunities to lovingly share your story of hope with others. Overflow with hope, spread the good news, and help others discover God’s hope in their lives by telling your personal stories of experiencing God's hope!

Please post or email me your thoughts on this scripture.

Recharge Your Faith

What is Your Story?

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: Christians have hope that gives them strength in daily life. You have access to peace and joy in happy times, ordinary times, and hard times. Your hope is noticeable to others. Others will ask you about it. You should be able to explain the reasons for your hope, for being a Christian. What will be your answer for the hope you have when someone asks you?

Comments: In the Bible we learn about God’s love and care, His guidance and direction through many stories of people who experienced God’s presence. They went off to tell others what God had done and people were moved by hearing their stories about God’s presence in their life. Every story was different because every person had their own story.

Have you thought about and acknowledged God’s presence in your life? When have you experienced God’s presence? Look for opportunities that God puts before you to share, in love, your hope through your personal story. God has given you your story because it just might be what someone needs to hear.

Please journal or email your comments on today's scripture.

Recharge Your Faith

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19a (NIV)

Scripture Comments: Think about what an anchor does. It firmly and securely attaches to things. Jesus, through his death on the cross, interceded taking on your sins that separated you from God. His death gave you the way into God’s presence and allowed you to be adopted as His sons and daughters. Hope, confidence in God’s promises, is like an anchor for your soul. You are secure in your Father’s promises.

Comments: God is faithful. God’s Words are powerful and filled with hope. He keeps His promises. This is your hope. Hold on in your heart to what is good. Live so that what God promises will be yours.

Read and meditate on some of God’s promises that are yours:
Psalm 32:8
Isaiah 43:2
John 10:27, 28
Romans 5:8
Romans 8:28-30
1 John 1:9

There are many promises of God in Scripture. Do you have a favorite or one that is special to you?
Post on the comments or email to me.

Recharge Your Faith

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: What cannot be seen or touched, but is eternal and forever really matters. A believer’s hope is not in the present world on earth. Our present world is temporary. Our hope is in Christ who died that we may live and live eternally. Christ cannot be seen or touched but His significance in a Christian’s life is very real.

Comments - Read and Focus on Jesus:
Philippians 2:5-11
John 3:16
Ephesians 2:8-10
Read through either Matthew, Mark or Luke

Pray. Thank God for His mighty Words, His Son, your Savior, and helping you get your heart connected with God, you and your life. Ask God to help you grow in your relationship with Him. Humble yourself making your time with Him less of you and more of Him. Read, listen to and meditate on His Words. Allow God to build your hope and trust in Him.

Have a quiet time set aside with God each day, but every once in a while pray in the grocery store, at work, standing in lines, or walking your dog. Just open yourself to talking and listening to God. Stop worrying and let go and let God. Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:8

Please leave your comments today or email me using the link found in the top right column of this blog.

Recharge Your Faith

Paul said to the Ephesians, I ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:18-19 (The Message)

Scripture Comments: Paul told the Ephesians that God was calling them to do the work He had planned for them. Paul asks God to help them be knowledgeable and discerning so they could clearly see and understand God’s plan. Their personal “heart knowledge” of God would help them be focused and clear on what He was asking of them. Those who trusted in God’s power would be richly blessed with a glorious way of life.

Comments: God has chosen you to be one of His children. He has called you to live a life according to His plan. Do you know what being chosen by God and living according to God’s will means? (Read: Ephesians 1:3-14) Do you read and study His Word? Do you spend quiet time with Him? How well do you know God personally? Do you need to work on your relationship with God?

Start this week recharging your growth in your relationship with God. Pray and listen, meditate, read and study His Word so that you might grow into greater personal (heart) knowledge of God and His ways. Ask God to help guide and direct you along the way by opening your eyes and ears to what He wants you to know about Him and
His plan for your life.

Please let me know your thoughts…

Read His Word Daily

His Words tell you what to do

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22

Scripture Comments: Just listening or reading God’s Word won’t do anything for us. We must obey God’s Word and do what it tells us. We are not just gathering knowledge of the scriptures. Our knowledge should lead us to applying God’s Word to our lives. God’s Word should not only enter our minds but our hearts as well.

Comments: Living our lives as Christ wants assures us that we belong to Him. Our thoughts, actions and attitudes are to show love toward others. Our lives should be lived in a way that honors God. Reading His Word and praying daily keeps us on the right path and in step with His Spirit.

This Week: Thoughts on Reading His Word Daily
Monday – God’s Word is Living and Active
Tuesday – His Word Should be Hidden in Your Heart
Wednesday – His Words are a Joy to Our Heart
Thursday – His Words are a Light Unto Your Path
Friday – His Words Tell you What to Do

Bible Gateway has many choices to help you read through the scriptures. Click on the Bible Gateway link in the right column of my blog. Click on the Reading Plans link in the left column when Bible Gateway opens. Find a plan that works for you.
Precede your readings with a quiet time of prayer asking God to open your eyes to understanding what He wants you to know from your reading time. Read your selected scripture. Close your quiet time with prayer.

Next Week: YOU Choose Your Attitude

Read His Word Daily

His Words are a light unto your path

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

Scripture Comments: When the electricity goes out, we reach for flashlights or candles, anything that will light our way in the dark. Likewise, God’s Word is our light to show us the way. It reveals lessons, attitudes, commands or examples we can apply to our daily lives. It reveals a God who loves us, takes care of us, and lights our path in the darkness of this world.

Comments: Everywhere we look we see temptations and distractions to living our lives as God wants us to. How can we get through this darkness? We can’t get through this world on our own. We have to have someone who can guide us; someone with power to take the things that surround us off our minds. We must not only have God’s Words in our minds, but we must practice them in our daily lives. We must read and study His Words. We must pray asking for the Spirit’s help to remain in step with what God wants us to do and to be. Are you turning to God’s Word to be your light, your joy, your hope or are you turning away trying to make it on your own?

Read His Word Daily (2)

His Words are a Joy to our Hearts

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:111

Scripture Comments: A demonstration of love for God would be to declare His Word a treasure forever in one’s heart. Not only thinking on God’s Word but taking great joy in following them.

Comments: God’s Word overflows with messages of hope, love, and of the salvation received through Christ. Reading and hearing these messages bring us great joy. How great is our God! He is good to us all the time. To know of His grace and mercy is a message of hope and joy for the hearts of everyone who believes. We demonstrate our love by building a relationship with God through reading His Word and talking with Him daily as well as striving to live our lives according to His will. This relationship will bring great joy and peace to our lives no matter what our daily circumstances may be.

Read God's Word Daily (2)

His Word Should be Hidden in Your Heart

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

Scripture Comments: Keeping God’s Word in your heart discourages
sin in your life.

Comments: We must read and study God’s Word, pray, and live our lives according to God’s instruction. We are capable of sinning and should never let our guard down on what is in our heart. We must carefully consider God’s Word and bring His Word into our daily living as a guide, allowing it to change us. Our thoughts, attitudes and actions must grow and change to reflect what God wants
us to be and to do.

Keeping his Words in our hearts and minds will help us understand more and more. We will grow in our faith. If we do nothing with the Word God has given us, it is as if we are refusing God and His Spirit within us, we are blind, deaf, and God can not use us.

Is reading God’s Word part of your daily routine? Are you practicing God’s Word in your life? Are you sharing God’s Word or your
stories with others?

Read God's Word Daily - Part Two

God’s Word is Living and Active

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Scripture Comments: God’s Word is living and life changing as it works in us. His Word detects what is within our hearts. Nothing about us is hidden from God.

My Comments: What I sense God saying is that His Word is living and is life changing as it works within us. His Word perceives what is within our hearts; the thoughts and attitudes deep in our hearts. It is not enough for us to KNOW about Christ. We must combine that knowledge with faith in Him and, with the help of His Spirit, live our lives according to what His Word tells us. Each day we make the choice to focus on and grow closer to God or to turn away from Him. Our commitment to daily prayer, reading His Word and living our lives according to His will are essential to keep us on the right path.

Please Post or email your comments.

Read God's Word Daily

His Words Nourish Our Cravings

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:2

Talk it! Newborn babies crave milk. They demand nourishment and receiving it they grow. When we read God’s Word, our hearts and minds should desire to read more in the same way a baby craves more milk. We find nourishment in God’s Word and learning about Christ and about salvation. We cannot stay babies. We must grow by constantly feeding on God’s Word. Feeding our Spiritual craving creates a more mature faith.

Live it! Reading God’s Word daily allows you to see more and more of the Lord’s goodness. As you read your desire to know more about God, His Son and His Spirit increases. The more you read God’s Word, the less you will crave worldly attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, and actions. Reading God’s Word will fill your life with hope, comfort, security, peace, joy, self-control; everything you need. You will grow to trust God, who created you, to constantly be with you loving you, taking care of you, saving you and through His mercy give you life in eternity. Feed your Spiritual craving daily. Grow up in your faith, in your salvation.

I pray that God has spoken to you through what has been discovered in the scriptures this week. You cannot stay where you are in your relationship with God. You need to take steps to nourish and grow in your faith and trust daily. Reading His Word daily and being in prayer will allow God to bless you in many ways.

Pray it! How are you doing at meeting God daily in His Word? Take your thoughts to God in prayer.

Next Week: Read God's Word Daily - Part Two

Read God's Word Daily

His Words Create Faith

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

Talk it! Hearing and responding to the message of salvation in Christ creates faith. Believing in salvation through Christ and trusting the One who is the source of the message is faith. It is God’s grace, not your faith or anything you do that saves you. In His mercy, He saves you.
He gives you faith.

Live it! Has your family, neighbors, or friends heard the good news of salvation? God wants you to make His message known to them. Pray, asking God to point you to someone you have a relationship with who needs to hear the message. Step out and do what God is asking you to do; help them hear the message. God is the only One, through His love, that can save. You are not responsible for anyone responding to what you tell them. You are only asked to take the Good News to them. God’s Spirit will do the rest.

Make every effort to spend more time with God in prayer and studying His Word. Keep your heart and mind renewed with His love and presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps to live your life as God asks passing
on the truth to others.

Take every opportunity to share your stories of God’s loving care with others. As others see the peace and comfort you have in Him they may be drawn to Him.

Pray it! Thank God for his presence and His loving care. Ask Him to make His direction in your life clearer; that you want to honor Him by sharing the Good News of salvation with others. [continue praying in your own words]

Read God's Word Daily

His Words Make You Holy

…to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…
Ephesians 5:26

Talk it! Christ cleansed you from your old ways of sin. He made you holy through the shedding of his own blood. He sacrificed Himself because of His love for you and the church. He cleansed and prepared people for entrance into the church by the “washing with water” of baptism. It is God’s Word that does the cleansing.

Live it! Christ sacrificed Himself for you. Like Christ, you should be willing to sacrifice whatever you need to keep Him the number one priority in your life. Although God makes you Holy by baptism through His Word, it is not a magic act making you automatically perfect in thought, words, actions and attitudes. Maintaining a Christian life needs constant attention. Reading God’s Word and talking and listening to Him in prayer will keep you on the right path of growing and changing. You can trust that if you turn to Him and make Him a priority in your life, He will change your heart to be in step with what He wants you to be and to do.

Do not hesitate; look for opportunities that God puts before you to tell others what He has done in your life. What are the stories God has given you to share with others? Where have you seen His loving care getting you through the day or situation? Help others know the trust, comfort, security and peace of being in His loving care.

Pray it! What is on your mind and heart as you read today’s thoughts? Be honest with God in your prayer time. Remember it’s not about you doing all of the talking, but about you listening, as well, to what God wants to tell you.

Read God's Word Daily

Reading His Word Gives You Hope

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Talk it! The more you know about what God has done in the past, the more you can trust and have confidence in what He will do in the future. Diligently reading God’s Word can encourage you, help you persevere and give you hope.

Live it! Read your Bible daily to build your trust in God and His will for you. Reading His Word is the way to get to know God. Be encouraged by other believers you meet in the Bible
as you read their stories.

Your hope will grow through reading His Word!
Open your Bible or Use the Bible Gateway link to read the following:

• The stories of the saints whom God helped: Hebrews 11
• The hope and power of Christ living in you by the
  Holy Spirit: Romans 5: 1-5
• God remaining with you to help you, to
  rescue you: Psalm 46: 1-2
• Endurance and encouragement through trials and
  temptations: James 1: 2-4

Consider journaling your own stories of times when you have seen God helping you through difficulties in your own life. What scriptures came forward to comfort or direct you? Looking back at these notes during future tough times will remind you of the love and contentment you felt in His care. This will give you hope, trust and
strength to make it through.

Take every opportunity to share your stories of God’s care with others. This will show and encourage them of the hope that is in Christ, His constant presence in everyday happenings, and the insights realized
through reading His Word.

Pray It! Precede your readings with a quiet time of prayer asking God to open your eyes to understanding what He wants you to know from your reading time. Read your selected scripture. Close your quiet time with prayer.

Read God's Word Daily

Scripture: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God…the word of the Lord stands forever.
1 Peter 1:23, 25

Talk it: You were born into the world by earthly parents and someday your life on earth will end. You are born again because of God’s mercy. God’s Spirit, which lives within you, makes you new. Reading and learning God’s Word is an important connection. It reveals the gospel message and illustrates the importance of repentance and belief in what Christ has done for you. You can put your faith and hope in God. As God raised Christ from the dead, He will also raise you to live eternally.

Live it: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16
To grow in your faith you must discipline yourself to read God’s Word daily. It is a vital part of your Christian life to know the Bible, God’s Word, and to have a relationship with the Lord. Don’t just look for verses that fit your circumstances. Study the entire Word of God. How will you be in touch with what God is asking of you and what He wills for your life if you don’t know Him or what He is saying? What is keeping you from reading and studying
your Bible daily?

Your faith and trust in God will grow stronger as you carry God’s Word in your heart and mind. Remembering God’s Word, and His promises will take you through difficult times, joyous times, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. They will give you love, comfort, power, peace and absolutely
everything you need.

Bible Gateway has many choices to help you read through the scriptures. Click on the Bible Gateway link in the right column of my blog. Click on the Reading Plans link in the left column when Bible Gateway opens.
Find a plan that works for you.

Pray It! Precede your readings with a quiet time of prayer asking God to open your eyes to understanding what He wants you to know from your reading time. Read your selected scripture. Close your quiet time with prayer.

Post Comments or send me your comments by email.

Live Outside Yourself

Live Your Faith

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17 (NIV)


Scripture Comments: Mere words, prayers or well-wishing does nothing to satisfy someone’s hunger for food, warmth or love. This is just wishful thinking. Words without action are useless. Faith without action is dead and useless. Real faith is accompanied by actions. The faith of believers is seen through the loving actions that flow out of faith. It opens eyes and hearts to receiving the good news.

We all have experienced thinking without taking action regarding reaching out to those experiencing all kinds of needs. During hard times we understandably withdraw within ourselves, weighed down with our circumstances. God calls us to action through our faith, to share and care for one another and carry each other’s burdens when He gives us the opportunity. Opportunities come in good times and hard times. When you share God’s love you will receive many blessings in return.

How has this week’s scripture and comments prompted you to look for ways to live outside yourself. How will you live your faith accompanied by actions in good times and hard times?

Post your thoughts today…

Live Outside Yourself

Take Care of People in Need

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
Luke 3:10-11 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: How does John the Baptist answer the crowd’s question, “What should we do [to demonstrate our faith]? Look back at today’s scripture.

What one thing can you do [or are you doing] to show your faith in keeping with this scripture?

Post your thoughts today…

Live Outside Yourself

Take care of the Family of Believers

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: When “we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” God puts opportunities in our path. Helping and serving is not voluntary. We are to help and serve ALL, which includes nonbelievers and believers. Our focus should be “the family of believers” regardless of church or denomination. However our helping and serving should reach outside as well to nonbelievers opening ears and hearts to hearing the good news.

Read today’s scripture again. What jumps out at you? How are you doing?

Post your thoughts today…

Live Outside Yourself

Take Care of Family and Relatives

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)

Scripture Comments: A Christian, who neglects the basic care and support of his family denies his faith, denies what he professes to believe. He is “worse than an unbeliever” because he knows what God expects of him and even an unbeliever has been known to take care of his family. A believer loves and has allegiance to God. We demonstrate our love for God through the privilege of loving and caring for our families.

How do you honor taking care of “relatives, and especially [your] immediate family?”

Post your thoughts today…