The Lord is my ROCK

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalms 18:2 NLT)

When I am scared and cannot find peace, I cling to this promise from God! I know there is nothing in this world that scares God from always protecting and reaching out for me! Many people celebrate Halloween for different reasons; the true meaning is remembering the dead....yet the meaning has been perverted and commercialized to sell scary products. This is not the devil's day because God has created all days for his Glory! Let's remember to find comfort in God's safe arms if you feel scared. Be safe as you get candy or give out candy, but most importantly remember that our death is not the end but only the beginning for greater things, so remember those that have gone before us! 

Promises

Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. (Psalms 119:50 NLT)

The Lord declared promises to his people and he has never let me down. I often think his promises are contingent with me following through with my own promises to him, but the amazing fact is that God doesn't want or need my promises because he knows they don't last. Thank God, he just wants me to believe that All promises are fulfilled by his son Jesus! I pray Lord to see your promises fulfilled each day of life and that the promises of my Twinkies are far more awesome than I could ever imagine. 

Heart of God

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, (Ezekiel 11:19 NLT)

Lord often times we are so quick to beg and repent of our mistakes; yet often times the same grace you have showed me is not extended to those who have hurt me because I refuse to let you take care of my heart. I want to practice a love that comes from a heart that is not stony or stubborn. 

Greatness is found in God

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. (Psalms 145:3 NLT)

Father you are a wonderful reminder of what Greatness should be. Instead of just asking for things or praying for selfish needs, show me that your greatness goes beyond being a giver; rather your GREATNESS is that of the most HIGH, who deserves all praise without us expecting to get something out of it because we should give you the praise you rightly deserve 

Worshipping in the Spirit

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 NLT)

Lord God, I want to honor you with each step. Guide my Spirit to find connection with you. Remind me that your truths are not a mystical fantasy or make believe fairy tale. I wholeheartedly trust that your Spirit lives within me and there is Great power when we worship you

Living

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. (Ephesians 5:15 NLT)

Lord I pray that my life is a reflection of you and not of this world. So often we get tied up in wanting temporary fixes and don't see the eternal promises. I pray for a life that is beyond the temporary 

Learning to live with integrity

and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. (Job 8:6 NLT)

Lord there are times I get it right and there are other times I often get it wrong. I want to be able live a life of integrity...someone the Twinkies can be proud to call MOM. I cling to your promise to restore homes that have been through struggles. The best way we know how, Lord, I want to show you that living with integrity will build a strong home

What a merciful God

But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are! (Nehemiah 9:31 NLT)

Lord so many times throughout history, you had opportunities to destroy your people for their disobedience and unfaithfulness; yet your mercies prevailed....you saw the worth in our hearts and what you originally created. Remind me each day of these new mercies and how to bring glory to your name because of your Mercy

Brokenness leads to strength

The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. (1 Samuel 2:4 NLT)

Lord, the enemy would have us believe that one mistake will keep us down and destroyed. You have taught us about grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help us stop the negative thoughts that try to push you out and fill us with doubt. Allow your Spirit to continue to work on our broken hearts so we are stronger than before

Don't short change what God has already done

But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (2 Peter 1:9 NLT)

God as believers we know that your son's blood washes over all our sins, but often times I'll catch myself making the same mistakes for sins already forgiven and there I go again asking for forgiveness again. I often wonder when does it stop, when do I finally get it. I know relationships are hard and I often fail to get it right; matter of fact I sometimes continue to make the same mistakes. I pray Lord that even in my struggles you allow me to see, so I am not blind. Remind me that I am not a lost cause and there is nothing that can separate me from your love-----even making the same mistakes over and over again. I guess the lesson will be learned when I don't want to suffer the consequences of the same mistake. 

God's glory

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

What joy to know that everything in existence is created for God's glory, so how can any circumstance ever be bad

Worried about missing things

but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Mark 4:19 NLT)

I know I often worry for what I have and don't have. I try to obtain things that are only pleasing to the eye for a moment but have no eternal value. I pray that my heart is changed towards things that last forever and not worry about things I have or don't have in the moment 

God's way is perfect

God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. (Psalms 18:30 NLT)

The first verse is so true but often times so hard to truly believe, because our human flesh wants to believe we know better than God, we have a better way instead of God's way, and we can get faster results. Isn't this the ultimate lie the devil has gotten us to fall for. I pray Lord that my eyes stay focused on you and I don't stray from the truth that YOUR WAYS ARE ALWAYS PERFECT

Savor each moment

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude (Psalms 39:5 NLT)

The moments in our lives pass by so quickly, I know I often forget or even refuse to savor the moment because I'm afraid I'll miss the next big thing. The reality of the matter is that the next big thing won't start without me if I am part of it. The moments God creates can never be lived again when they already have passed, but I can make an effort to recognize each moment that passes, whether big or small, there is something to learn in each moment 

When the fight seems impossible

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalms 73:26 NLT)

Lord I need to remind myself that the fight is not mine alone. I get tired, frustrated, and physically weak with my battles....but I know you live in my heart, fighting for me each day. I pray you show me this strength a little each day....so I don't give up on the fight

Beautiful in every way

You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. (Song of Songs 4:7 NLT)

I often forget about the beauty standing in front of the mirror. I question God's creation, I say there is no way I can live up to a perfect standard. The amazing truth is....I don't have too. Christ stands in my place for perfection and all I have to do is trust that his perfectness will cover all my flaws. God only sees the beauty he has created, not the mess that you made trying to perfect something that is already perfect in God's eyes 

Struggling

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. (Colossians 1:29 NLT)

We are left feeling vulnerable when we have to trust another human being because we know that they will eventually fail and never give us all that we need. My daily struggle is to know that God never fails during my struggles, he actually shows his great power when we depend on him for everything. God help me continue to follow you even when the path seems too hard

Unwavering trust in God

Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NLT)

We often do things on our own, thinking we can solve our issues and worries without some intervention. I have come to find out that doing things alone never turns out the way I expected, in fact I make more of a mess without trusting God with everything. I make a mess of my life and then I come to God expecting him to fix what I messed up, when I should have trusted him in the first place. The best part of each mess up is that God still loves me and he would move heaven and earth to get me through whatever circumstance....if I remember to trust him with eternity, just imagine what you can overcome. I would be silly not to trust the creator of all things. 

The flesh is weak

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41 NLT)

God often times we are tempted by things of this world...being promised a better life, more love, more money, and more happiness...when in actuality these promises are only fulfilled in a pure relationship with you. Keep me focused on things that are eternal and not temporary 

God's love and patience is pure

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT)

Lord thank you for the reminder of the pure love and patience that only you can give. I want to be able to show this level of patience. Take away things in my life that don't demonstrate this level of love and patience 

What a mighty savior we have in Christ

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)

The moments in life that feel too overwhelming, turn to God and see his miracles at work. There is no fear that I cannot overcome with God by my side

God has given us what we need to live successfully

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)

We often ask for more money, more intelligence, more friends, more anything because we believe that what we have isn't enough to fix the problem of the day. How wrong we have been. Everything I ever need or want, God has already given.....if I could only remember to use this gift everyday, instead of hoping for more

Just be thankful

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT)

Lord even the little things you have done deserve our thanks. I am totally thankful for each step towards the next step of what seems to be the impossible.