Month: July 2018

Summer Devotional: 2 Thessalonians 1:11

by atozmom, posted in Devotionals

Image result for painting of scrubbing floors2 Thessalonians 1:11:  “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.”

There is a purpose is what you do.  Even when the drudgery seems unbearable and all you want to do is quit.  Don’t.  Pray instead.  Ask God to show you His purpose.  His calling.  His will for your work.

Pithy Prayer July 19th, 2018

by atozmom, posted in Pithy Prayers

Image result for giving one's life for anotherThank you for being there in my past when all others forsook me. Thank you for being there when I was unaware of your presence until I looked back and saw the evidence of your grace. Please give me courage to truly believe your promises, especially this one about always being there.

Sovereign Lord of all creation, Thank you for your incredible love for me. While I know I don’t deserve your overwhelming and generous grace, I rejoice in it. While I know my best attempts at honoring you fall short, thank you for promising to welcome me into your presence, care for me and comfort me when I come home to you. Your love, O Lord, is beyond my comprehension and exhausts my appreciation while filling my heart with wonder and praise.  I thank you dear Father, for your wonderful and extravagant blessings. All that I have, all that I am, and all that I ever hope to be exists only because of the mercy or grace you have lavished upon me. Thank you, Jesus, for your incredible sacrifice.

Amen.

Summer Devotional: Deuteronomy 7:6

by atozmom, posted in Devotionals

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Deuteronomy 7:6:  “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.  The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.”

You are chosen.  You are special.  You are loved.  You are His.  Please, please, please remember this!

Pithy Prayer July 17th, 2018

by atozmom, posted in Pithy Prayers

Image result for transitory nature on earthAs I age, I am constantly reminded, O God, of my transitory stay on earth and your eternal reign in heaven. Give me a sense of my place before you as I seek your will.

Thank you for sending Jesus as the demonstration of your love. I love you, Father. I love you for who you are and what you have done. I love you for what you have promised. I love you for the blessings you shower upon me. I love you for giving me hope. I love you because you first loved me. I love you because you are worthy of all love. But I confess that my love is not as strong as yours, so please, fill me with your love by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Almighty and everlasting Father, I believe that because you have adopted me into your family that death will never claim me because I am yours through Jesus, your son and my Lord, risen from the dead.

Lord, I confess that I have not been on fire for you as often as I would have liked. Please kindle in me a renewed zeal and passion for you and your work in the world.

Amen.

Summer Devotional: Proverbs 22:6

by atozmom, posted in Devotionals

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Proverbs 22:6:  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Great reminder to us parents (and encouragement) to instill in our young ones a love of God from the beginning.

Inspirational Quotes: Henry David Thoreau

by atozmom, posted in Inspirational Quotes

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“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who you become by achieving your goals.”  Henry David Thoreau

 

Summer Devotional: Hebrews 4:12

by atozmom, posted in Devotionals

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Hebrews 4:12:  “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.”

God’s Word is powerful.  Seek solace within them.  Wield wisely.  Defend dutifully.  Cower justly.

Pithy Prayer July 12th, 2018

by atozmom, posted in Pithy Prayers

Image result for god is realFather, I seek you with all my heart. While I seek to know about you through your Word, I long to know you and be known by you as a tender father knows his child and as a child feels complete trust toward his tender father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence.

O Lord, please guard my soul from pride, my heart from callousness, and my mind on too much focus on unimportant things and not enough on your things. Teach me in my heart what it means to be about my Father’s business, especially in the world of my thoughts.

I confess that I know you so much less than you know me. But your faithfulness in my life, your power displayed in history, your grace shared with so many through the cross of Christ, and your promise to bring me home to you one day all help sustain me. I want to know you so that my life can be lost in your will.

Amen.

Summer Devotional: Psalm 86:11

by atozmom, posted in Devotionals

Image result for undivided heartPsalm 86:11:  “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

We cannot serve two masters.  We are stronger together.  Stay united for Jesus.  One heart.  One soul.  One mind.

Pithy Prayer July 10th, 2018

by atozmom, posted in Pithy Prayers

Most kind Jesus, grant me your grace so it might be with me and work with me and remain with me to the end. Grant me always to desire and want what is most acceptable and pleasing to you. Let your will be mine and let my will always follow yours, and be in perfect accord with it. Let what I want always be what you want.

Father, I know my sin, my rebellion, and my unfaithfulness have hurt you and your cause today every bit as much as the sins of those in the Bible hurt in the past. Please forgive and strengthen me as I seek to live a life holy and pleasing to you and a blessing to those around me.

Almighty God, your Son Jesus is my strength and hope. I look forward to the day when he returns in triumph for me and all of your children. But Father, I want to know him better and to live for him with an undivided heart. I want to find rest in his presence, meaning in his service, and significance in his acceptance. Please bless me as I journey toward a deeper relationship with you and as I gain a more profound knowledge of your Son.

Amen.

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