Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
A dear friend of mine closes her e-mails with these three simple words: I Choose Joy.
I, too, choose Joy! It is my prayer that you all choose Joy this Christmas and always. I invite you to read the account of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:1-20. You will be blessed by the good news of God's great Joy He gave to all of us.
I choose Joy because He is my Rock, my Refuge and my Fortress.
Psalm 71:3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
I choose Joy because He is my Healer.
Luke 9:11 ...but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
I choose Joy because He is my Helper.
Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
I choose Joy because He is Faithful.
Psalm 117:2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.
I choose Joy because He is my Comforter.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
I choose Joy because He is my Counselor.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I choose Joy because He is my Peace.
Romans 15:13 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.
I choose Joy because He is my Creator.
Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I choose Joy because He is my Savior.
Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Joy. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that everyone will come to know You and experience the Joy that only You can bring to their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Tragedy
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 63:7-8 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Twenty little children and six adults were victims of a horrible tragedy yesterday. Senseless tragedies like these can severely test one's faith. We feel deep sorrow. Our hearts break for the families. We want answers. Why did this happen? How could this be? Sometimes, the answer is we just don't know.
Yesterday evening, after a day of following the news of the massacre in Newtown, CT, I chose to turn off the TV news for the night. I logged off FaceBook, and turned off the on-line news links. With a heavy heart, I curled up on the couch and read my Bible -- I opened it to Psalms and let the writings of David wash over me.
As I read my Bible, I didn't find the answers... but I found comfort. I found hope. I found a promise of peace. And that is what I am offering in this post today. No answers, no explanations, no discussions of how to stop this from happening again... just comfort, hope and peace. I pray the Scriptures bless you today at this tragic time.
Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are broken today. We cannot understand what has happened or why. LORD, I pray for the innocent victims. I pray for all the little children who are in your arms tonight. I pray for the adult heroes who so valiantly gave their lives. I pray for the the families and friends who have so tragically lost their loved ones to something so horrific and senseless. Father, I just pray that these dear families run to You for solace. I pray that they find their comfort, courage and strength in You. I pray You will be their refuge, their source of comfort and relief in these times of trouble.
LORD, I cannot understand how any of these dear families affected by this tragedy will ever, ever have peace in their lives. That is why I will pray that they do receive that peace someday. The peace that Paul describes in Your Word. The peace that passes all understanding. I pray this all in the mighty healing, comforting name of Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 63:7-8 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Twenty little children and six adults were victims of a horrible tragedy yesterday. Senseless tragedies like these can severely test one's faith. We feel deep sorrow. Our hearts break for the families. We want answers. Why did this happen? How could this be? Sometimes, the answer is we just don't know.
Yesterday evening, after a day of following the news of the massacre in Newtown, CT, I chose to turn off the TV news for the night. I logged off FaceBook, and turned off the on-line news links. With a heavy heart, I curled up on the couch and read my Bible -- I opened it to Psalms and let the writings of David wash over me.
As I read my Bible, I didn't find the answers... but I found comfort. I found hope. I found a promise of peace. And that is what I am offering in this post today. No answers, no explanations, no discussions of how to stop this from happening again... just comfort, hope and peace. I pray the Scriptures bless you today at this tragic time.
Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are broken today. We cannot understand what has happened or why. LORD, I pray for the innocent victims. I pray for all the little children who are in your arms tonight. I pray for the adult heroes who so valiantly gave their lives. I pray for the the families and friends who have so tragically lost their loved ones to something so horrific and senseless. Father, I just pray that these dear families run to You for solace. I pray that they find their comfort, courage and strength in You. I pray You will be their refuge, their source of comfort and relief in these times of trouble.
LORD, I cannot understand how any of these dear families affected by this tragedy will ever, ever have peace in their lives. That is why I will pray that they do receive that peace someday. The peace that Paul describes in Your Word. The peace that passes all understanding. I pray this all in the mighty healing, comforting name of Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Prayers For Our Children
1 Samuel 1:27-28 "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.
I love these verses in 1 Samuel. They form the base for my prayers for my children. The verses remind me that the very best place for Michael and Sarah to be is in His will, firmly planted and walking on the path He has ordained for them.
I encourage you to take the time to read 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2. Samuel was a prophet of God during the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. These chapters include the tender account of Samuel's mother, Hannah, who was barren and tell how God answered her prayer for a child. After Samuel was born and weaned, Hannah gave her beloved son Samuel, the child she so desperately prayed for, to the LORD to be raised in the temple; serving Him. Samuel's entire life was dedicated to the LORD... he became a prophet, and anointed Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. What mighty plans God had for Samuel! What courage, faithfulness and trust Hannah had in the LORD!
My own children are 15 and 13 years old. I can honestly say that when they were younger, I did not pray this prayer of surrender. Yes, I prayed for them; but I was wary of giving them over to God. I must admit that I wanted all the control; and I thought that only I would be the best controller, manager, planner, comforter, fixer, teacher... in their lives. It was only after drawing closer to God myself, learning to trust Him, and making Him the Center of my own life, did I realize that I needed to trust Him with the lives of my children -- the same children he knit together in my womb, (Psalm 139:13) the same children who's every hair on their head He has numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
Now, like Hannah, I willingly give my children to Him every day. I truly see the fruit of this prayer of surrender as He works in their lives. I gratefully accept His guidance as my husband and I intentionally parent Michael and Sarah as they mature into a new season of their lives. I am humbled that He chose my husband and me to love, nurture, and parent these two amazing children. But there is no question that they have become who they are because God is in their lives. His path and purpose is best, and I pray that the LORD would actually bind them tightly to Him. So tight that they could never be torn from Him.
I encourage you to pray for your children and give them to the LORD; place them in His temple and His care. Every day. Pray that His will be done, not yours. Ask God for His guidance and discernment. Daily seek His wisdom in raising your children... because even with our best parenting intentions, we can unintentionally guide our children off His course. God will not take them off His path. His plan is always perfect for their lives.
Dear Heavenly Father, You knit my children together; You are their Creator; You are their Heavenly Father. You knew Michael and Sarah before they were born. Your plans were ordained for them in your book before one of their days came to be. (Psalm 139:16) LORD, I place them in Your temple, I leave them in Your sanctuary. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as my husband and I love and parent these children You have entrusted to us. Help us to make decisions that are clearly part of Your purpose and path for them. I am so very grateful for Your promise that You have them in the palm of Your hand and You will never let them go. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I love these verses in 1 Samuel. They form the base for my prayers for my children. The verses remind me that the very best place for Michael and Sarah to be is in His will, firmly planted and walking on the path He has ordained for them.
I encourage you to take the time to read 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2. Samuel was a prophet of God during the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. These chapters include the tender account of Samuel's mother, Hannah, who was barren and tell how God answered her prayer for a child. After Samuel was born and weaned, Hannah gave her beloved son Samuel, the child she so desperately prayed for, to the LORD to be raised in the temple; serving Him. Samuel's entire life was dedicated to the LORD... he became a prophet, and anointed Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. What mighty plans God had for Samuel! What courage, faithfulness and trust Hannah had in the LORD!
My own children are 15 and 13 years old. I can honestly say that when they were younger, I did not pray this prayer of surrender. Yes, I prayed for them; but I was wary of giving them over to God. I must admit that I wanted all the control; and I thought that only I would be the best controller, manager, planner, comforter, fixer, teacher... in their lives. It was only after drawing closer to God myself, learning to trust Him, and making Him the Center of my own life, did I realize that I needed to trust Him with the lives of my children -- the same children he knit together in my womb, (Psalm 139:13) the same children who's every hair on their head He has numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
Now, like Hannah, I willingly give my children to Him every day. I truly see the fruit of this prayer of surrender as He works in their lives. I gratefully accept His guidance as my husband and I intentionally parent Michael and Sarah as they mature into a new season of their lives. I am humbled that He chose my husband and me to love, nurture, and parent these two amazing children. But there is no question that they have become who they are because God is in their lives. His path and purpose is best, and I pray that the LORD would actually bind them tightly to Him. So tight that they could never be torn from Him.
I encourage you to pray for your children and give them to the LORD; place them in His temple and His care. Every day. Pray that His will be done, not yours. Ask God for His guidance and discernment. Daily seek His wisdom in raising your children... because even with our best parenting intentions, we can unintentionally guide our children off His course. God will not take them off His path. His plan is always perfect for their lives.
Dear Heavenly Father, You knit my children together; You are their Creator; You are their Heavenly Father. You knew Michael and Sarah before they were born. Your plans were ordained for them in your book before one of their days came to be. (Psalm 139:16) LORD, I place them in Your temple, I leave them in Your sanctuary. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as my husband and I love and parent these children You have entrusted to us. Help us to make decisions that are clearly part of Your purpose and path for them. I am so very grateful for Your promise that You have them in the palm of Your hand and You will never let them go. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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