Sunday Blogvotional: Seek Godly Council

Plans fail for lack of council, but with many advisers they succeed.  
Proverbs 15:22

Ever try to do something on your own when you're sure you know what to do and then - fail? It happens to all of us. We get so convinced or so proud of something we're doing or have created that we become blind to warning signs around us.  If only we had a safe blueprint beforehand, right? Proverbs are timeless. They are fantastic pieces of advice that have withstood the test of time.  The one above is no different.

In a world where so much importance is put on self-reliance, we feel awkward asking for help and direction. It’s okay to seek advice. According to the wisest man to ever walk on the earth, seeking advice is actually a wise thing to do. The best kind of advice is godly advice from people who seek God's will.

Many Christians out there have already gone through “everything under the sun”.  Many of them love to share their perspective and experience and want to help others succeed. The reality is if you have ever had a plan or dilemma regarding a new relationship, work issues, family matters, a new business adventure, possible move, or whatever; seek godly advice and counsel. You’ll be wise to do so.  Don't risk making a big mistake because you are afraid to ask for advice.

Encouragement for the week: Develop godly relationships with people you can go to for advice. If you have any difficulty finding that group, pray that God with bring those people into your life. Be open to what they say because God could be using them to talk to you.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 44

Hi everyone.  I don't know where you are but it is cold where I am.  So how about we get all warmed up in our spirit with our latest verse? 

The verse has become one of my favorites in recent years.  I'm kind of surprised I waited this long to use it in the challenge.  If you've read Romans, then you know the book is chalk full of great verses that speak to the soul.  This verse is one of those little gems that seemed to get lost in all of that greatness.  One day I found it and like I hinted earlier - it gave me a warm fuzzy.

Do you remember reading examples in the Old Testament where a family patriarch bestows a blessing on each of his children?  That's what this verse reminds me of.  It's a promise of a blessing bestowed to us on our heavenly father's behalf.  

The God of hope will FILL us with joy and peace so that we may OVERFLOW with hope. I love those words "fill" and "overflow".  Can you imagine being so full of joy, peace and hope that they bubble up out of you?

All we have to do to receive the blessing is to trust in Him.  Maybe that's why I'm not filled to overflowing yet.  I'm not always the best at trusting Him.  But...I do believe in the promise.  I do believe it's possible.  And one day...I am going to be one amazingly overflowing child of God.


See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here

Sunday Blogvotional: Renewing Our Minds

The only “playground” the enemy can “play” in is in our minds. His lies and deceits can cause us to worry and doubt, and in time, turn us from our desired relationship with God. When that happens, we no longer follow God but are unintentionally following the enemy (down a rabbit hole).

Paul encourages us in Romans to be transformed and to renew our minds and in doing so, we will come to know the Father’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Rom 12:2). God wants to be in a close, loving relationship with us. He wants to be our provider, our protector, our teacher, and foremost our Abba (the most affectionate way of call him Father). To be in that kind of relationship with Him we have to be transformed from our old self caught up in the sinful nature into a new godly self clothed in Christ.

We can’t renew our minds by thinking of the old things, of sinful and ungodly things. The words renew and old are in conflict with each other. To renew our minds we have to dwell on new things, like the relationship we have with the father – one that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Phil 4:8

Encouragement for the week: When you find yourself thinking about your worries or the things that frustrate you or make you angry, make a conscious effort to redirect your thoughts.  Singing praises or quoting scriptures is an excellent way to change the path your thoughts are on.  You will find doing these practices will make you a more peaceful person.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 43

Good afternoon sunshines!!!  I hope you are having a splendid week so far and I pray that you receive encouragement and blessings from all around you.

Speaking of getting encouragement, one of the best ways to get your spirit uplifted and encouraged is by reading the living word of God which is what the verse is about this week (did you like my segue?)

It may sound strange to some when we reference the Bible as the "Living Word of God".  How can written words be alive?  I admit this use to confuse me.  But the truth is once you really get into it - read it - study it - pray it and live it, you will notice without a doubt that those words transform you. 

Have you ever noticed that even though you may have read something a gazillion times it all of a sudden one day reveals something new to you (just when you needed it most)?

The Bible is also described as being sharper than any double-edged sword.  In Ephesians 6:17 we see this reference again when listing the armor of God.  What does this tell us?  It tells us that the Word of God is a significant weapon as well as one that can offer protection. 

So many people think of the Bible as being just a book which shares great stories, historical events and even some good mantras to memorize.  But the Bible is so much more than that.  Well - let me clarify that.  It's more than that if it's actually used.  A sword on a display has no power.  In the same way the Bible on a shelf cannot transform.


See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 42

Hi everyone.  This week's verse is frightening.  No - it's not about Halloween. It's about fear.  For many of us fear is something that is sort of a nemesis.  I'm not talking about the fear of the boogie man.  I'm referring to the everyday standard stress.  Stresses having to do with money, parenting, marriage, faith, self-worth, etc. are all in reality fear. When we fear (or stress) we aren't living in the truth of God's love and faithfulness.  We aren't trusting His love to cover our problems.

Some of you may find it hard to connect the dots between love and fear.  Maybe this will help: Imagine being in a dark and scary underground tunnel with the all-powerful God.  If we were with anybody else, we might have cause to be alarmed.  After all - who knows what we will come up against.  But since we're there with the God of the universe who loves us beyond words are we really going to doubt He's going to take care of us, protect us against approaching evils, and lead us through the passageway?  I think it's fair to say we all think God can handle anything.

The very nature of God's love dictates that He will cover us with, not only those feel-good emotions, but also with His protection and oversight.  If we truly immerse ourselves in His love, we will drive out fear.  Memorize this verse so it will serve as a reminder that you have no reason to fear.  God is with you always!


See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.