Hope in what is to come

We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) (Romans 8:24, 25 NLT)

Keep faith and hope in the dreams and goals you set out....pray constantly to ensure that whatever you look forward to is lined up with God's plans

Truth in love and Love in the truth

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)

Twinkies your lives will move forward each day with choices to be made and my prayer is that you will be able see truth in love and love in the truth

New Day

Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning. (Ecclesiastes 11:7 NLT)

Being reminded that yesterday's mishaps and mistakes are always followed by a NEW Day to try again, to attempt to complete all the undone things of yesterday

Character building

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Rather, it is the trials in our lives that teach us how to persevere despite the pain~parenting by design

Building character is not always easy and sometimes comes at a high cost

Choices

For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12 NLT)

There are consequences for all behavior; whether it is positive or negative. God teaches us in our everyday tasks that our choices....along with our consequences will impact our lives in some way

Answered Prayers

When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Then I pray to you, O Lord . I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. (Psalms 142:3, 5 NLT)

God answers prayers

What goes in the heart, will come out!!!

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalms 143:8, 10 NLT)

Listen to what goes into your heart because grace and mercy will emerge, but negative words will bring death to your spirit and no good actions will come from your heart

Praising God

Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! (Psalms 150:2 NLT)

Everyday you just need to praise the Creator of all things, not because you expect something but because he is the "Great I AM" and deserving of all glory

Self control in the Spirit

and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, (2 Peter 1:6 NLT)

How do you control your feelings??? How do you describe your actions when your behaviors appear beyond reason??? Yield to the Holy Spirit, trust God in all things, even when you cannot understand what he is doing. "As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully, you become More free!!" How is this possible to be free but controlled? Because God's ways are perfect and he directs are lives the way he intended

Living life

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13 NLT)

Living in God creates an opportunity to find purpose

Slow to anger

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19, 20 NLT)

Learning that anger in the heart brings about the worst in our lives. Reminder to release the anger and replace it with God's love

Wisdom guides

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5 NLT)

Wisdom forms an understanding in our minds on how to direct our life on a path of righteousness

Defeating the negative

when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2, 3 NLT)

Growing in your faith under extreme trials brings joy in defeating against powers that want to hinder your life

Attitude

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. (Ephesians 4:23 NLT)

We have choices we can make based on FREE WILL, given by God; the hardest part is choosing what is right with a good attitude; even though we don't agree with the choice at that moment

Word choices

Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. (Ecclesiastes 10:12 NLT)

Words can bring life or bring despair!!! Let the words of parents bring encouragement to their children

God is in control

So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. (Job 23:14 NLT)

God loves us soooo much that he knows every detail of our lives....it's an awesome feeling to know through the good and the bad....he has never left your side

Grace and peace to combat daily trials

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2 NLT)

As trials you face consume your day, remember that God will give you grace and peace to make it through each day!!

Marriage

Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things......Hebrews 13:4 AMP)

Praying that our daughters see a marriage that is blessed and led by God's grace! Praying any future marriage ordained by God have Jesus at the center

Trust

For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name. (Psalm 33:21 AMP)

Do we really trust and let God control? What sacrifice does this mean to our lives, but isn't the reward worth it?

Good works are seen by God

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 AMP)

God knows your heart and sees your actions when others may not

Distractions

Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless. (Mark 4:19 AMP)

Don't let one mishap dictate the rest of your day! Know God is still in control and I need to listen to the truths of the Word....Jesus loves me and I can do all things through his strength... So starting off in not in a great mood should not define your day

Forgiveness even if it still hurts

And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely]....(Ephesians 4:32 AMP)

Even if someone hurts you, the best way to heal, is forgiveness....not for their sake but for yours!

Confidence in God

[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. (Jeremiah 17:7 AMP)

we are blessed when we place faith in Jesus...he gives us confidence to face the day's worries

Happiness comes from God

Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 AMP)

Happiness only comes from truly spending time with God as he reveals his great plans for your life. Don't forget to be thankful for each and every day

Don't be anxious or nervous

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:10 AMP)

When we are anxious or nervous; how wonderful to know that God is our finisher, our provider....have faith he will complete his promises in your lives!!! Twinkies be free from worries of your daily tasks, God will help you through it!

Guidance Encouragement

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance (Proverbs 1:5 NLT)

You can only understand the guidance being offered if you are willing to listen to advice by the wise. Remember that wisdom comes from God's mind being revealed, even if his mind is revealed just a little

Perfection

why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
(Galatians 3:3, 7 NLT)

Our image of perfection does not even come close to God's perfect plan for our lives; stay encouraged by faith to reach your goals

Blessings that come from Faith

So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. (Galatians 3:9 NLT)

There are blessings that come with trusting God. Faith takes trust!

Truth Encouragement

For you are God, O Sovereign Lord . Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
(2 Samuel 7:28 NLT)

Truth in God brings about good things when God's truth is followed

Faith with actions Encouragement

You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. (James 2:22 NLT)

Faith works by following through with actions that demonstrate that which you hold faith for!!!

Faithful Encouragement

Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. (Psalms 119:90 NLT)

2013 New Year Resolution Word: Faithful.... Let faith be seen in my life and in my family throughout the year!!! Be blessed this year with all the things God has in store!!