Bible and Coffee atozmomm.com

Coffee and God: The Power of Being

Hey all!

It’s the last Sunday of the month, and today the power of being is on my heart.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

Life is taken up with so much busyness that we can lose ourselves, lose our way, and lose our family. Today, I just want to encourage you to put away your screens for a while, and reconnect with the present moment. Spend some time just being, existing, walking in nature, smelling the flowers, watching the grass grow, listening to the birds sing, and being with family.

That’s what life is all about — not how many friends you have on social media.

Bible and Coffee atozmomm.com

Coffee and God: Preciousness of Life

Hey all!

It’s the last Sunday of the month, and today the preciousness of life is on my heart.

Recently, just two doors down, a neighbor feel into cardiac arrest and died on his front stoop. Rescuers worked for almost an hour to resuscitate him to no avail.

THE PRECIOUSNESS OF LIFE

It made me realize just how precious life is, how quickly it can be taken away, and how much you need to love your loved ones because you never know when it will be your turn to return home.

We all know there is a better place, but it’s so hard for us since all we know is this side of heaven on Earth. Furthermore, none of us want to leave our loved ones behind.

Life is so precious; we need to hold it tight.

All of my animals are aging. My Dane had to go to the vet a couple of weeks back (luckily, it wasn’t cancer).

We know death is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle.

So today, love on your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Give them hugs and kisses. Appreciate life while it’s here.

Bible and Coffee atozmomm.com

Coffee and God: Rest

Hey all!

It’s the last Sunday of the month, and today rest is on my heart. I don’t sleep very much. I don’t have a hard time falling asleep, but I do have a hard time staying asleep. However, rest is crucial to so many bodily processes, such as healing and giving your brain the time it needs to process the day.

God showed us how to rest by resting on the seventh day, or Sunday for us now. Thus, it’s crucial for us to rest as well. It may not be on Sunday, especially if you work on weekends. But we all need to rest.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REST FOR YOUR HEALTH

For me, I grab the small moments of rest where I can — whether it’s sitting in the car, waiting for my kids to get out of school, at my son’s flag football game, or petting my dog or cat. Moments of reflection you could say. We need all kinds of rest — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual — in order to function.

Rest is important. In today’s society, rest is often labeled as laziness. But days of “laziness” where you just recuperate at home are needed for your overall health and well being. So, take a moment today, and rest from activity. Read a book, the Bible, or have coffee with a friend and relax.

And if you have any good tips to share on how you squeeze in rest, leave a comment below. Happy Sunday!

Pithy Prayer July 17th, 2018

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: Psalm 86:11

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.

Summer Devotional James 1:12

Image result for footprints in the sand

James 1:12:  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

No matter what you are going through, God is going through it with you.  He never forsakes you.  He is there always.  When you’re sleeping.  When you’re crying.  When you’re laughing.  Always.  He has a purpose.  Latch on to that.  And let all worries fade away to dust…

Pithy Prayer June 26th, 2018

Image result for heavenly things

Dear Father, you have blessed me with so many wonderful blessings. I thank you for each and every one of them. At the same time, I do long to be brought into your presence in glory as your child. The pain and heartache of the world, the fragility of my body, and my frustration with my own vulnerability to sin keep me longing for the day that your Son returns in glory. Until that day help me as I try to be your holy child.

Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for the times that I have lost my sense of urgency to live for Jesus. Use the Holy Spirit within me to arouse my passions to serve him with my eyes wide open and heart set on heavenly things. I know you can, and will do more than I ask or imagine, but please, awaken me to dream great dreams and imagine great things for your glory.

Thank you, Father, for giving me a window to your heart through the life and ministry of Jesus. Please bless me as I seek to know you better by knowing, understanding, and following Jesus more passionately.

Please bless my family with insight and illumination about You and Your glory. Please reveal yourself to them as You did with me.

Amen.

Pithy Prayer June 19th, 2018

Image result for morning sunriseThank you, Father, that my life and my future are in your hands. Forgive me for the times that my plans are too full of myself and not consciously dependent upon you. Thank you for rescuing me from the messes I have made because of my failed plans built around my own foolish arrogance. I gladly place my life, and my future in submission to your will and plans.

Forgive me dear God, for letting my passion for your Kingdom and your character get push to the side. Awaken me each morning with a sense of passion for your work and your will for that day.  Father, I want to be a passionate seeker.  Please make me restless for your Kingdom as my home.

It amazes me, Heavenly Father, that you let me approach you, the Almighty and Holy God. I am humbled by your promise to be at work in my life. Forgive me for the times that I have been so full of myself that I have not acknowledged your presence and grace. Make me more aware of your providential care and your daily presence in me through your Spirit. Open my eyes and heart, dear Lord, that I may know you more fully.

Amen.

Pithy Prayer June 14th, 2018

Fear Thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Image result for victory battle good versus evil

O God you are my God, and I long to bring you honor and glory. Please stir my courage to live victoriously and passionately for you. I trust that as I display your character and live for your glory that you will strengthen and uphold me by your mighty presence within me and by your arm of grace around me. In you, I have placed my hope. Search me O God, I know that my heart is not always pure and my ways are far from perfect.

Search me O God, for I need your purifying presence. Search me, O God, for I want you to set the course and destination of my life.

Give me faith , O Lord, during the times I am weary, discouraged and beaten down. Inspire me to trust in your great promises. Please give me courage, O Lord, when my faith wavers. Help me obey your word no matter how challenging it may seem or how discouraged I feel.

Amen.