Soul H2O Devotions Archives - Page 15 of 32

Soul H2O Devotions

Why Mothers Are Always So Tired

This post is to help any non-moms understand why mothers are always so tired!

“…in humility value others above yourselves, let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4 NIV

When I became a mother, I never knew how much work was involved! You see, I had babysat a million or so times and thought I’d be a pro… but, good moms, are much more than babysitters.

Really good mothers are selfless and, they take Scripture to heart.

The Job Checklist

Loving moms live out these verses on a day-to-day basis, putting the needs of their children before their own. Moms are willing to stay up late or get up early; to wash clothes, cook a meal, prepare lunches, sit with a sick child, clean the house, work from home, ‘help’ do homework, listen to a broken heart, wipe away tears, and other questionable substances.

For many moms of littles, tweens, or teens right now, you know that being what your kids need takes a lot of effort and Covid-19 has added the role of teacher to the litany of job requirements.

And that’s why mothers are always so tired!

In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul was encouraging believers to treat each other well. He reminded us all to have the same attitude of Christ in the way we interact with one other. He instructed with these words:

“don’t be selfish and…
think of others as better than yourselves…
take care of the interests of others…
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

Leading By Example

As a great leader, Jesus never asks us to do anything He hasn’t already shown us by example. The selfless characteristic of a mother comes from being made in the image of God. At no other time do we reveal the attitude of Christ better than when we place the needs of others, before our own.

But sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop helping and take a rest. It seems Jesus was very discerning with his need to balance work and rest, but I don’t think many moms have mastered this divine dance.

Moms would be wise to heed the advice in Galatians 6:9 and discern, where to draw the line, taking to heart these words that say,

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time… we will reap a harvest… if we do not give up.

Wise moms rely on God’s strength to help them be the best mother they can be, not wearing themselves as thin as the carpet on their floors. Oh! How I wish I’d been a wiser mom when my kids were little.

Mothers, it’s my prayer that you understand how valuable your labour is. You are truly the hands of God extended to your child. Believers everywhere, follow in the attitude of Christ to be His hands and feet to those around you.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for showing me how to love self-lessly by sending Your one and only son to earth. Let me not become weary in well-doing as I follow Your lead. I ask You to help me love in the attitude of Christ, placing proper value on those around me and providing for their needs. In Jesus Name…Amen

Related Soul H2O Radio/Podcast Episode

Ep#39 The Weary Mom Syndrome

I hope this conversation with Heather Rodin and Becki Baxter help provide some practical tips to break the crazy cycle of The Weary Mom Syndrome in your life and leave you refreshed!
http://www.soulh2o.com/39

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Could God Be Making Your Life Difficult?

And the LORD multiplied the people of Israel until they became too mighty for their enemies. Then he turned the Egyptians against the Israelites, and they plotted against the LORD’s servants.
Psalm 105:24-25 NLT

I think you need to ask yourself this question when things are starting to go haywire…

Could God Be Making Your Life Difficult?

Many people struggle with verses in the Bible like these.

People are comfortable when God does neat, explainable things, but not stuff like this. It almost seems out of character for Him.

Unless you come at scripture with the foundational belief that God is good and He is working for the good of those who love Him; portions of scripture like this and seasons in your life will be misunderstood.

If God didn’t turn up the heat and cause the Egyptians to go fully against the Israelites they never would have left. The truth is, the Egyptians had been against the Israelites for centuries.

Living as slaves in a foreign land had become so “normal” for the Israelites they stayed there for 400 years but it wasn’t where God wanted them.¹ Sure they had to do all the tough back-breaking work of making bricks…sure they were second rate citizens…sure Pharaoh had executed a genocide of their male children, but they had food, homes and clothes.

The Israelites had been lulled into a complacency mindset of
“It’s OK, we’re getting by”
and forgot the promises of God.²

God wanted more for their lives and He wants more for your life.

[tweetthis]God wanted more for their lives and He wants more for your life.[/tweetthis]

Because of God’s good plans for your life, He [tweetthis remove_url=”true” remove_hidden_hashtags=”true” remove_hidden_urls=”true”]God sometimes has to cause situations in your life 2 fall apart so U wake up and recognize you’re living below God’s best[/tweetthis]

Have you been feeling a little uncomfortable lately? Things not going right? Could you be living with a “getting by” mindset? Ask yourself:

[tweetthis]Could God Be Making Your Life Difficult? [/tweetthis]

Prayer

Father…I know you’re good. I know you love me and have good plans for my life. Let me wake up and discern the root of my problems to know if it’s You or the enemy at work. May I not get stuck in complacency, accepting second best but to live in Your promises — Your best for my life! In Jesus Name…Amen

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1. Genesis 50:24-25
2. Genesis 7:6, 35:11
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Got Baggage? Learning To Travel Light

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.”
Luke 9:1-3 NLT

LEARNING TO TRAVEL LIGHT

A couple of months ago we took a well-needed vacation. I’m travelling all the time for speaking engagements but it’s just not the same as taking a vacation.

No matter how hard I try, I never have enough room in my luggage for everything I want to bring. As usual, my suitcase was overfull so I had to put stuff in Todd’s suitcase and in Brandon’s. On our mission’s trip to Guatemala it was no different. I had stuff in Todd’s suitcase. If there’s a course on Learning to Travel Light I need to sign up!

The gospels record how Jesus told the disciples to pack for their mission trip. Jesus sends the disciples out without luggage, “not even a change of clothes” Luke says! I’m not sure I would cut it on one of Jesus’ mission’s trips??? All joking aside, I don’t think Jesus really cares about how stuffed our suitcases are.

In this Scripture, He’s trying to teach the disciples and us that we don’t need anything more than his authority and power when we go out to reach people for Him.

I think the best way to travel light is to unpack the baggage in our lives and let God heal our hearts. When we do that our ‘bags’ are lighter and we are freer. Light enough to run after God’s plan for our destiny.

[tweetthis]The best way 2 travel light is 2 unpack the baggage in our lives & let God heal our hearts[/tweetthis]

As you plan out this week, ask the Father if there’s anything in your overstuffed suitcase that He wants to free you from along the journey of Learning to Travel Light.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for being so patient with me and not getting frustrated with the junk in my suitcase. Help me to open it up to You and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what needs to go. Let me be diligent in getting rid of whatever You know is hindering me from following hard after You. In Jesus Name…Amen

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Turning Your Knowing Into Doing

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
John 13:17 NIV

Last week’s devotion talked about how Jesus was strengthened during the Passion Week by knowing His position with the Father and the power His Father held. Jesus was fully aware that God the Father gave Him all power and authority, yet understood and faced the reality of His current situation. Jesus discerned that soon it was time for Him to go back to Heaven by way of the cross. During the Last Supper, Jesus turned His knowing into doing by washing His disciples’ feet.

It’s when we start turning our knowing into doing that we begin to see the blessings of God in our lives!

Jesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father; not letting His actions follow what His life circumstances where revealing. Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right.

While knowing that He was going to be betrayed and die on a cross, Jesus chose to do kind things. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet; even the feet of Judas who Jesus knew was going to betray Him. It’s not that Jesus was emotionless and didn’t care. John 13:21 tells us that “After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

[tweetthis remove_url=”true”]Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right. [/tweetthis]

Jesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father.

To live in freedom you need to go beyond what you know about your circumstance…understand who God is…take hold of your position as His child, and begin to do something for others.

What can you do today that would start turning your knowing into doing? Act on whatever idea God gives you and complete the task.

Prayer

Father…I thank You for leading the way to freedom in practical acts of kindness. Help me to see the ‘footwashing’ opportunities you place before me and let me start turning my knowing into doing by actions, not words. Your Word says that faith without works is dead.¹ May I learn to put into practice those things I say I believe so I can truly live! In Jesus Name…Amen

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1. James 2:17
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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(PASSION WEEK) How To Live Ruled By What You Know

“Jesus knew the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal…and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet…”You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”……For he knew who was going to betray him.”
John 13:3,11 NIV

LIVE RULED BY WHAT YOU KNOW

I love how unshakeable Jesus was throughout the Passion Week. It started off on what we call Palm Sunday with people waving branches of Palm trees, singing His praises and declaring Him the Messiah; but the tide of popularity quickly changed, as it so often does. Jesus knew that He was headed into the storm of His life. I admire how Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either.

[tweetthis]Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either[/tweetthis]

Then, at the Last Supper Jesus doesn’t let the reality of his troubles overrule what He knew. I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living!

[tweetthis]I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living![/tweetthis]

WASHING FEET

These verses make it clear that Jesus knew His position with the Father. Jesus knew He had all power yet displayed humble submission through servant leadership and washed the disciples’ feet.

Jesus wasn’t in denial to His circumstances; he was fully aware of the situations surrounding Him; but instead of letting the situations rule His actions, Jesus chose to act on what He knew from the Father. Oh to be like Jesus!

You need to make conscious decisions to not live a life based on your circumstances but based on what God the Father has said about OU in His word and the promises He’s given you. You need to KNOW, with steadfast assurance what God has revealed to you and let that be your guiding force.

So, what do you KNOW?

Prayer

Father… The enemy wants me to base my knowledge on the facts of my current circumstances. Help me to know Your truth. Guide me in Your Word to passages that will strengthen my knowledge of what You say, so I can silence the information of the enemy in my mind and live in Your truth! In Jesus Name…Amen

#DareToShare Make a Comment in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Old Faded Photographs

“You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs.”

Job 11:16 The Message

‘Victorious’ was the theme for the women’s conference in Trail, BC where I spoke this weekend. As I gave messages on breaking free I shared parts of my testimony and how God moved me through the process to freedom from complete brokenness after divorce to healing, resulting in a renewed purpose.

OLD FADED PHOTOGRAPHS

It almost seemed strange sharing stories from my past. God has done so much to heal my heart that my memories are like old, faded photographs. The pictures are there in my mind, but the emotions are so far removed. I’m truly FREE!

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘With friends like that who needs enemies’? Well, Job could relate to this expression because he had a few of those ‘frenemies’. Job’s buddy Zophar told him how all his problems would go away if he turned to God and if got rid of the sin in his life. Zophar said to Job that if he could attain a guiltless state then God would work on his behalf causing him to forget his troubles; assuring they’d be like, “old, faded photographs.”

Sadly, this false teaching is still seeking to deceive God’s people today.

[tweetthis] If our freedom relied on our goodness, none of us would be free.[/tweetthis]

Thankfully Job didn’t accept what his friend said but he did get to the point where he could forget his troubles because God restored everything he lost.

HEALING THE PAST

God wants to restore you. His desire is to heal your heart so the sting attached to your memories is removed and His purposes can be realized in your life. Choose today to let God bring you into a greater freedom as you release to Him the hurts of your past.

Prayer

Father…I’m so thankful that You’re in the restoration business because my heart needs some restoring. Help me to trust you with my hurts so I can experience the same kind of transformation Job did when you took his memories and made them like old, faded photographs. Remove the pain from my past and let your purpose rise up in me! In Jesus Name…Amen

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else’s faith

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis ,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie ,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth , Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms , Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead , Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy , Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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What’s Your Signature Scent?

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2:15 NLT

So, what’s your signature scent?

I love perfume with fresh scents that awaken your senses like a spring morning. Fragrant and fresh, that’s what I look for in a perfume bottle.

It always amazes me how the same perfume that smells wonderful on one person just doesn’t work on another. I remember years ago my mom wore a perfume called “Poison” and it smelled amazing on her. When I tried it on I smelled like poison!

Fragrant Christians

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Paul compares Christians to perfume. God calls believers to live life with a Christ-like fragrance for others to smell.

The reality is that this fragrance will either be a welcomed scent or a stench in someone’s nostrils. This explains why some people just don’t like you. You can be nice and do what they want, but for some reason there seems no way to win their favor. You wonder, “Do I smell?”

Then there are others who just seem drawn to you. There’s an instant connection. Have you ever been somewhere and just click with someone you’ve only just met and they suddenly ask, “Are you a Christian?” Your scent will either repel or refresh. When you understand what Paul is teaching here you’ll begin to recognize that some people’s reaction to you may have very little to do with your actions, but with the fragrance of Christ in you.

Wear Your Signature Scent

Live your life like the perfume bottle that Mary poured out on Jesus feet.¹ Don’t keep it to yourself. Let the fragrance of Christ be expressed through your signature scent so others will be drawn to Him because of you!

Prayer

Father…I want the aroma of my life to rise up to You and be a pleasing fragrance to you. Help me to live my life in a way that makes my scent sweet and Christ-like, not pungent because of my sin. Let the fragrance of my life be one that draws others to You and not push them away. Help me to recognize when others repel me because of their issues with You and not take offence, but surround them in prayer. Make my life a fragrant offering to You! In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Let the fragrance of Christ be expressed through your signature scent! [/tweetthis]

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¹John 12:13

The perfumes and candles pictured here are some of my ‘signature scents. They are from my friend Laci Corzo’s Scents of The Spirit line.
http://www.scentsofthespirit.com

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Why Experiencing Weakness After a Mountaintop Moment is Normal

“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” 1 Kings 19;5-6

“Sherry, is something wrong with me?” Pinged the inbox message on my phone as we travelled home on the last leg of our Guatemala mission trip.

Possibilities International Guatemala March Break Trip 2017 http://www.iam1ru.com

It was a heartfelt message from one of the young women on the team. She expressed how her emotions were up and down ever since the moment we left that beautiful country. She was asking if what she was feeling was ‘normal’.

I let her know that I was feeling the same as her. Todd and I had just visited with my son and his girlfriend on the way home from the airport and the first thing out of Brandon’s mouth was, “Mom you look so tired!” and boy, was he right! There truly are legitimate reasons why experiencing weakness after a mountaintop moment is normal.

ELIJAH COMING DOWN FORM THE MOUNTAINTOP MOMENT

This portion of scripture comes from the recounting of Elijah after his triumph over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel where God used Elijah in a most profound way. Elijah showed the people God’s power when he called down fire on the altar built for God. As the fire burnt up the offering the prophets of Baal were defeated, but right after that Elijah crashes in fear and succumbs to depression. He was taken out by the after-effects of a mountaintop moment.

Years ago I was intrigued by the Discovery TV series Everest: Beyond The Limit.¹ I learned that more people die coming down from Mount Everest than do reaching the peak.²

[tweetthis]More people die coming down from Mount Everest than do reaching the peak.[/tweetthis]

There are physical, emotional and spiritual reasons why our bodies respond this way because, God made us body, soul and spirit.

Physically, your body has been releasing adrenaline. When ‘climbing the mountain’ you need it to keep you going, especially when you’re not getting enough sleep. By the time you stop, your body is physically drained from the adrenaline rush. It takes time to recover. Emotionally, mountaintop experiences cause such rise and falls in serotonin, dopamine and endorphins that your body can be depleted of these resources too. Add to that when we step out to do something great for God the enemy doesn’t like it and wants to add to the natural effects.

REST, EAT AND DRINK

Elijah needed to refresh his body before his soul and spirit could be restored. So do you! Don’t neglect the practical. Understand why experiencing weakness after a mountaintop moment is normal and follow God’s directions for recuperation: Rest, eat healthy food and drink water to refresh both your body and soul.

PRAYER

Father…I thank You for calling me to do great and exciting things! Help me to grow in understanding of how You created me to function as body, soul and spirit. You don’t want me to feed one and neglect another. Give me wisdom to know when to rest and refresh so I will stay strong in You! In Jesus Name…Amen

If you think you may be struggling with clinical depression or anxiety, check out my MENTAL HEALTH page for some guidance and links to great resources.

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¹Accessed 2017-03-19
https://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/everest/videos/everest-beyond-the-limit-summit-gridlock/

²Accessed 2017-03-19
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/news-blog/death-on-mount-everest-the-perils-o-2008-12-10/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/203790-what-happens-during-an-adrenaline-rush/
https://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_crash_and_recovery_cycle.asp

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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Are You Living Life on the Fly?

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105

Listening to a Podcast with two of my blogger linkup friends the other day was completely inspiring! Holly Barrett was interviewing Michele Morin on her Living a Redeemed Life Podcast. Michele’s words hit my heart as they so often do. She said:

“We second guess ourselves…Did I do that right?…We live so much of our life on the fly. If I could study for everything that I had to do…If I could study beforehand, I’d be all set because I’d get on Google and look it up…So much of what we’re called on to do in life is just, on the fly”¹

Can you relate to Michele’s struggle?

I wish I woke up each morning with a brief from God alerting me to each of the issues my day will hold, but sadly He doesn’t do that.

God does promise in Psalm 119:105 to keep enough light on our path so we can see the next step. I really wish that verse said God was a ‘flood light’, or ‘high beams’ so we could see into the future; unfortunately, it doesn’t.

The way to “study beforehand” while living life on the fly is to fill up our minds with Scripture so when life’s tests squeeze the stuffing out of us, what comes out is in line with His will and His ways. This will make the journey easier for us to see where He’s shining the light on our path.

PREPARING FOR LIFE ON THE FLY

Choose to start your day studying God’s Word so when you’re living life on the fly and an issue pops up; God can shine His light on a scripture that will guide you in the path you should go.

Prayer

Father…Help me to fill up my well with wisdom from Your Word so I pass the tests I’ll take today. Let your Word be the brightest lamp shining on my path so I find it easy to follow you wherever you will lead. In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105[/tweetthis]

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1. https://hollybarrett.org/2017/02/lrl-2-75-michele-morin.html
Drawing From The Well
1. Psalm 119:105
2. Psalm 25:4-5
3. James 1:5
4. Psalm 16:7-8
www.michelemorin.wordpress.com
https://hollybarrett.org/podcast/

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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The Next Generation

“Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” Isaiah 41:4 NLT

Do you ever listen to the news and worry for the next generation? I have.

Headlines tell of the diminishing morals and the acceptance of the unthinkable. A friend expressed concern over her daughter bringing a grandchild into this world and I understood what she was feeling.

Thankfully these fears of mine are being quieted by a rising tide I’m beginning to see.

HOPE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Our church youth group in little Leamington has grown to over 100 members. Last Sunday we attended one of the five services my daughter’s church, Grace City in Lakeland, FL run and felt so old as the place was full of young adults worshipping with hands raised. Shelby then went to her friend’s church in Orlando where they have 1500 teenagers coming to youth each week. God is summoning the next generation and they’re answering His call!

Isaiah brings encouragement as he reminds the people that God has planned, from the beginning of time, to reach each new generation. Peter confirmed this truth when he preached on the day of Pentecost as the Holy Spirit was being poured out on the people of his time. Peter encouraged everyone there to receive salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit, telling the people how, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”¹Scripture after scripture encourages us that God desires to reach each new generation.

Instead of grumbling and complaining about these kids, let’s band together and pray for them. We’ll be praying in agreement with God’s will for the next generation and that will produce a great harvest of souls.

PRAYER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Father…Burden my heart for the next generation. As I see the culture moving away from You, help me focus my eyes on the tide rising of young people who want to serve You. Summon this next generation and let their hearts be turned to you. Cause revival to break out in the high schools, Colleges and Universities; as a spirit of repentance draws Your children back to You, and may we as adults give them an example to follow. In Jesus Name…Amen

#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
1. Acts 2:39 NIV
Lakepoint Family Church; Leamington, ON http://www.lakepoint.church
Grace City; Lakeland, FL http://www.gracecityfl.com
;Orlando, FL

[tweetthis]Father…Burden my heart for the next generation[/tweetthis]

YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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