Refreshed

     The refreshing power of the Holy Spirit is available to all of us who believe. In need of refreshment? My wonderful husband is retiring after almost 30 years at the same company. He is in need of refreshment and rejuvenation. I am more than grateful for him. He has been provider, protector and partner and I pray we have many years together in this next season of life.

     What does the word “refreshment” bring to mind? Rest, relaxation, a vacation, a time of quiet and reflection? Maybe all of the above for us in the years to come. I pray the Lord will guide us as we listen for His leading in the places we go, the people He places in our lives and the purposes He has in mind.

     Refresh yourself today in God’s Word. Take some time to reflect on life, on what is important, on blessing the people around you. It is what life is all about. My husband has and will always be the greatest blessing God has provided for me.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings You have given us. Give my husband times of refreshing and bless those who refresh others.

Amen

Reformed

     As Jesus brings us into new life, we are made more and more into His image. Again, sound impossible? The good news beyond believing the Gospel is that the Holy Spirit immediately sets up residence inside of us!

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13

     When we allow the Spirit to work, He changes us. That small voice inside that says, “Don’t say that” or “Let’s not watch that/read that,” or “Send the card,” “Make the phone call.” The list goes on. When we abide in Christ, when we read the Word, we are reformed, changed day-by-day.

And we all, who with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

     More and more into the image of Christ. More love, more kindness, more humility, more patience. Let it be said of us.

Lord,

Change us. We want to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide us today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Restored

     The guilt, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, hurt, grief, condemnation and fear are taken away by Jesus. The new life in Him brings us restoration from our past and gives us a new way to live in the present, always filled with hope for the future.

     Sound impossible? As we give over our lives to Him, He will rebuild what has been lost or stolen by Satan. I didn’t know exactly what I was missing before Jesus, but I knew it was something. Trying to be good enough, busy enough, happy enough, left me floundering.

     His love restores. A new life begins to emerge from the depths. Souls become alive and joy-filled with the everlasting hope offered in Jesus. Taking away the fear of death reminds us of the joy of our salvation.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Restore us, O God, make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:3

Lord,

We praise You for restoring us a step at a time, for building us back up after a life without You. Bring hope to the hopeless, comfort to those who are grieving, forgiveness to those living with guilt and show them a bright and new future.

Amen

Redeemed

    I have and always will go back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our beginning. A new life, a found hope, an everlasting promise. And once saved by Jesus, it is our greatest desire to pass it along. The transformed life with Jesus is so overwhelming and wonderful, we can’t keep it quiet!

     The beginning of faith is to hear the Gospel. Jesus, virgin-born, fully God and fully man, lived as a man on earth, giving up His heavenly deity, to live a sinless life. His holy blood was shed as a sacrifice for all sin. And all He asks is that we believe! To believe in His birth, death on the cross and resurrection from the dead gives us the ability to enter the throne room of God, now and forever.

     The word, “redeemed” is a powerful word. We are no longer dead in sin, but forgiven, past, present and future. It’s a forever redemption. He redeemed us from the jaws of death and we live spiritually.

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

You, Lord, took up my case. You redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58

And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

     We are redeemed, set free, set apart for life everlasting.

Father,

We pray Your good news of the redemption of Jesus Christ would spread through our lives and our lips. Your Son offers us the gift of eternal life through our faith. We accept this gift and praise You now and forever.

Amen

gratefulness

     Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy time with family and friends. If you are alone, sing praises to Jesus. He is our constant companion, our closest ally, our protector, our God, our friend, the One who died for us. Spend time with Him and thank Him for all He has done for us.

     See you on Monday. I am thankful for you!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Jesus,

Thank You for giving us brothers and sisters in the faith. We need each other to remain rooted and strong. We are grateful to You for so much. Give us hearts of thanksgiving each day.

Amen

Back on Monday!

Gratefulness

The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore, my heart exults and with my song I will thank Him. Psalm 28:7

     A heart of thanksgiving brings blessings. Even through the storms of life, we have Jesus with us in the boat. He calms the wind. He is the peace in the midst of the struggle. His name brings great power as we pray.

     Praise Him for who He is, for His willingness to walk alongside us through this life, until we are home with Him. He longs to see us as much as we long to see Him. If you are a believer, you have work to do! He has a purpose, a way to serve, a way to show others who He is!

     The Lord is our strength and our shield. Let our hearts trust Him and worship Him. Let our hearts rise up in song to praise Him.

Father,

We exult in our worship. We praise You through our joy-filled moments and through our dark storms. You are with us and will protect us and guide us until we arrive in heaven. Remind us to have an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving for who You are, not for what You can do for us. We serve You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Gratefulness

     Beyond the blessings of our personal belongings, our homes, our cars, our food, and beyond the greater blessings of our spouses, our children, our families, and our friends, remains the truest blessings of a loving heavenly Father. This loving Father offered His Son as a living sacrifice so we can live forever!

     Beyond this very short life lies life forever in the presence of the glory of God or life forever separated from God. The images of both are beyond our imaginations.

     Today, thank God for your faith. Thank God for Jesus Christ. And thank God as we pray for those who do not yet believe, that He will continue to work in their hearts and open their eyes to the best blessing of all.

In that day you will say, “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12:4-5

Heavenly Father,

You are the blessing beyond all blessings. We give You thanks and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to be exalted above all names. Let the world hear about You.

Amen