Pray Persistently

Ladies when I read this devotion last week I knew it needed to be shared. 

About twenty years ago, this next sentence changed my life: "You do not have because you do not ask God." This short verse opened a door for me to discover the life-changing power of persistent prayer.

At that time in my life, I was stressed out about a lot of different things. I was trying to make my ministry grow, trying to make my husband do this or that, trying to make my kids act a certain way, trying to make other people do the things I wanted, trying to basically do absolutely everything on my own. As you can probably guess, it wasn't working!

As a burned-out, frustrated young Christian, I realized one day that living in my own strength was useless. I needed to take my problems to God. In other words, I needed to pray more!

When we understand God's love for us and His plan for us, then we can begin to realize the doors that He wants to open for us. But we'll only realize these things when we're constantly talking with Him, listening to His voice, and growing deeper in our relationship with Him.

In Matthew 7:7 (AMP), Jesus tells us, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently and the door will be opened to you."

So many times, when we reach the end of our rope, we turn to prayer, but when our prayers are not instantly answered, we give up. Today, I want to encourage you to not only pray, but to pray persistently. Don't stress out trying to make things happen on your own. Give it all to God as you pray.

Remember, He promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. Let's pray and seek Him with all our hearts.

Prayer Starter: God, remind me to bring my problems to You. I'm tired of living in my own strength. I need Your guidance and Your direction. As I seek You daily, I will put my trust in You.

I am praying that we will take every thing before God and not think our dreams, ideas, desires are to silly, to big, to small, to anything for God! But that we will trust Him with everything!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

You can't overdose on Joy!

This was todays devotion!  I think I needed to hear this today!  Because we just don't get enough joy in our lives!  Maybe its because we don't laugh at ourselves enough.  My prayer for you today is that you will find some joy in today|

Finding the Fun

Want to hear a funny story? I've got a lot of them, and they come from things that happened in my ordinary, everyday life. Now, I wasn't laughing when those stories were in the making, but I'm glad I can laugh about them now.

For example, I didn't think it was funny when I couldn't get my hair to stay in place, but if you'd seen what I did about it, you certainly would have laughed. It wasn't amusing when I tried to make clothes, especially for the people who had to wear them. And I was so irritated when Dave threw paper towels over the grocery store aisle at me, but I realize now, he just knew how to have a little fun no matter what he was doing. I'm glad I've learned to look at times like these and see the humor in them.

Now I know that not everything in life is necessarily enjoyable, but I think we all need to learn to have more fun in our lives. And I bet if you took time to think about it every day, you could find a moment that brought you joy or you can laugh about now.

God wants His children to have some fun. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. I think we all need a healthy dose of laughter every day - many times during the day. You just can't overdose on joy!

I encourage you to deliberately look for something to smile or laugh about every day, and be sure to share a smile or a laugh with someone else and brighten their day too!

Prayer Starter: Lord, Your Word says that a cheerful heart is like good medicine. Thank You for helping me to find the joy and fun in life!

Have a Beautiful day!

Christina

Written on Our Hearts

Read Jeremiah 31:31-37

Our Days are filled with juggling and struggling.  We struggle to get the kids to school on time, to get to the office on time, and then to get back home on time.  We contend with our schedules to get the house clean, the projects done, the meals made, and the mortgage paid.  We juggle returning e-mails and phone calls to our friends.  We may even have the same approach in our relationship with God in the midst of the tumult and pressure, it's hard to fit it all in.

  The reality is, we don't always "want" God enough to fit Him into our schedule.  We will never get closer to God if we rely on our effort and willpower alone.  Jeremiah reminds us of a life-changing truth: God wants to be near us.  You may know that on some level already.  But when it comes to reading the bible, when you are exhausted at the end of the day, do you feel desired?  When it comes to prayer, do you believe God is tired of your mumblings or that He is still eager to hear your voice?  Is it hard to imagine that you could commit a thousand sins today and still be confident that God wants to be with you as much as if you had lived perfectly?

  God wants to be with you.  God wants you to know him.  He wants you to live a life of freedom and abundance.  (John 10:10) He wants to give you good things.  He wants this so much that He took the initiative to write His laws in your heart and mind so that you would never be without them.

  In the midst of your working, pushing and hurrying, the God of the universe isn't waiting  for an opening in your schedule.  He has already come to you.  What does it look like to respond to His desire for intimacy?  It might mean simply acknowledging Hid presence, recognizing the truth already written on your heart.  It might mean enjoying the freedom that comes when you quit striving and working and rest in the power of His presence and forgiveness.

No matter how you respond, know that he is there waiting for you.

Read Psalm 62:1-8

Praying for you today!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

Changes are Coming Soon!

Hey there Ladies~  I know it's been pretty quiet on the Women's Ministry front, but I promise it's not dead.  Women's Ministry is undergoing some changes! (for the better!) Be watching the Blog, Facebook page and Church Bulletin for these changes!  The first I will announce here:  Meghann Finlay is taking over as the Director of Women's Ministry!  YEAH!!!!!  We are so excited to have her! If you are wanting to be a part of WM or have ideas of what you'd like WM to be contact either Meghann or Me!

On another note, I am going to try to be a bit better about posting information/devotions etc.. on this blog.  So here is one for you today!  I think many of us struggle with feeling overwhelmed, or guilty if we can't or don't say yes!  (I am a recovering people pleaser, say yes to everything girl!)   I have been following a reading plan on You Version.com for a few weeks now and when I read this devotion I knew it was one I needed to share, because I know I am not the only one who struggles with this.

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Numbers 11:12

12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

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When It's OK To Say "No"

In Numbers 11, Moses gives us an example of what we can do when we're under stress. Talk about pressure, he was leading the Israelites through the wilderness on what should have been an eleven-day trip and instead ended up taking forty years!

The people were depressed and weeping over their situation. In verse 14, Moses tells God, "I am not able to carry all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me."

Like Moses, it's okay for us to say, "I've reached my limit." Yes, scripture says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13 NKJV), but that's really referring to times when we face various trials and situations that God will help us through.

It doesn't mean we should take on so many responsibilities that we completely burn out, like the woman who is raising five kids, works full-time, serves on the church board, etc. 

Sometimes, it's all just too much...and it's okay to admit that. It's also okay to say "no" to some things so you can really enjoy life the way God intended.

Here's a newsflash: You and I don't have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. God created some people to handle large amounts of work, but many people aren't made this way. 

Each of us needs to be who God created us to be, and we don't have to apologize for it. We each need to individually find the balance of responsibility God has established for us to live in so we can enjoy our life, instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure. 
When you reach your limit, go to God, just like Moses did. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle. 

Prayer Starter: God, sometimes it's hard for me to slow down and say no to more responsibility. Help me to live with the balance of responsibility You created for me, so I can live with Your peace and enjoy life.




Praying for you ladies to be who God has created you to be!  Have a Beautiful Day!


Christina