Spiritual Growth Archives - Page 2 of 48

February 6, 2019

Praying the Promises of God Series

Hi friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve sat with you, and I’ve missed you! I’ve been planning my daughter’s wedding (yay!) and writing a four-week study on prayer that I’ll be teaching with my pastor’s wife, Marilynn Chadwick, for the next four weeks. Wish you were here in Charlotte to join us!

As I was preparing my lessons, you came to mind. I decided to share a few of the topics over here that I’ll be teaching during the study because I know you girls love you some prayer!

We’ll begin with my favorite aspect of prayer, and that is standing on, and praying, God’s Word. So over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a variety of topics (see below) that arise when we set our hearts on praying the promises of God. Scriptures we need to build our confidence. Scriptures we need when we’re desperate to hear or see God. Scriptures we need to restore our hope and trust in God.

Topics for this series:

Standing Firm in the Wait
God’s Sovereignty
The Power of God’s Word
Pain and Suffering
God’s Provision
Release and Surrender
Trusting God
Seeking Wisdom
Hope in the Hopeless

Each week, I’ll cover a few topics, share Scriptures that have spoken to my heart as well as a few thoughts to encourage you.

Let’s start with “Standing Firm in the Wait.”

STAND FIRM

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17: “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s and you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you …. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'”

Mark 4:39: “[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Words the Lord brought to mind…

Stand firm in Me. I am the One who fights your battles, my daughter.

Come to me. Sit with me. Be still. I’m with you in the wait. I’m your hope in your battle.

I am the Commander of Heaven’s Armies. I am the Lord your Banner. Call on Me. Trust in Me. I will not forsake you.

Do not fear anything, my child, for I do not give a spirit of fear. Be strong and courageous. You are safe and more than a conqueror. I am your Deliverer!

I’m thankful you’re joining us for this series. Please don’t stop by and run off quickly. It would bless me AND our community if you would take a moment to leave a comment. Maybe share a verse on one of the topics of the day that means something to you. Add to our treasury of Scriptures. Or, share a time when God carried you through a time of need by praying His Word. Your stories will equip and encourage everyone who gathers here.

At the end of our time together, I’ll choose two names from the comments left during this series to win a few fun surprises!!

Join me for Part 2, Praying the Promises – Struggling with Unbelief

200 Comments Filed Under: Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Uncategorized

September 18, 2018

What it Means to Be a Child of God

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!

What a precious gift to be called a child of God.

A blood bought daughter.

Fully seen. Fully known. Fully loved by the One True God.

With that title comes amazing promises, one being found in 1 John.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NIV)

For those who call themselves children of God (those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior), Jesus promises:

We are overcomers … overcoming the false teachings and teachers in our culture. Overcoming the trials, struggles and hardships we encounter in this world. Overcoming the schemes, trials, temptations, and lies of the evil one.

Greater is the One who lives in us than the one who lives in the world … we overcome because God’s very presence … His Holy Spirit … lives, breathes and is at work in us.

But, none of this would be possible without the Lamb of God shedding His blood for us.

John’s promises in 1 John are made possible because Jesus POURED OUT HIS BLOOD FOR US.

Take a few minutes, sweet friend, to sit and soak in these truths. These promises. These gifts from our Abba Father.

Through the blood of Jesus, you are redeemed out of the hand of the devil.

Through the blood of Jesus, your sins are forgiven, washed white as snow.

Through the blood of Jesus, you are justified, made righteous, just-as-if-you never sinned.

Through the blood of Jesus, you are made holy in God’s sight, set apart for His purposes.

Through the blood of Jesus, you receive the gift of and are sealed by the Holy Spirit, making your body a living, breathing temple of God’s Holy Spirit.

Through the blood of Jesus and the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, you are an overcomer. Satan has NO hold on you. He has NO power over you. He MUST FLEE at the name of Jesus.

These are God’s truths.

KNOW THEM! BELIEVE THEM! LIVE THEM!

They will change everything.

If you have a moment, please leave a comment today sharing what God spoke to YOUR heart as ponder the wonder of what it means to be called a child of God and the promises and gifts that are ours simply because we carry that beautiful name.

My study on 1 John, I Am Loved, is for every woman who craves to truly understand, walk confidently in, and live out God’s unconditional, extravagant, lavish love because His love truly changes everything!

17 Comments Filed Under: Encouragement, I Am Loved, Spiritual Growth

May 25, 2018

Psalm 121 – A Promise from God’s Word

Adventurous I’m not. But, God gave me a daughter who loves travel and adventure. I’ll never forget the day Lauren called to tell me she and her friends wanted to plan a multi-country tour through Asia, staying in hostels and other places this mama would not set foot.

How I wanted to join in on her joy and excitement, but I couldn’t. My mind immediately traveled to terrorist attacks. Scenes from the movie, Taken. Food poisoning. Plane crashes. Any of you mamas been there?

And, to add fuel to my fire, a week before her departure date, pain Lauren had been experiencing elevated to the point it necessitated a doctor visit. Her doctor sent her to a surgeon who told her she needed to have her gall bladder removed as soon as possible. Because of the months of planning invested in this trip, he gave her permission to travel and scheduled her surgery two days after her return. They prescribed medicine that would give her two days to fly back in the event of a gall bladder emergency. Not words an already fearful and nervous mama wanted to hear.

Fear consumed my heart. I turned to the only One I knew would bring me peace. God led me to His Word.

THIS word.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

God’s promise to me …

God will watch over Lauren’s coming and going.

Through this psalm, God reminded me of His character. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Just as God did for Israel, He will do for Lauren. For centuries, God watched over the coming and going of His chosen people. He did the very same for Jesus and His disciples. I knew He was asking me to trust Him to do the same for my girl. Every plane flight. Every border crossing. Every train. Every hostel. Every meal. Every interaction. He would be there with her. I could trust Him.

Each day, I rehearsed His promises. I prayed them over Lauren and her friends.

Instead of crying out in fear, I called upon Him in faith.

I truly felt anxious for nothing because I prayed about everything.

I believed that HE was watching over her coming and going because He is El Roi, the God Who Sees.

He had His eye upon her. He had His eye on me.

He was near.

He was in control.

She was safe.

I pray this message speaks to your heart today. Maybe you’re sending a child off to college or a far away trip. Maybe you’re stepping into a new place in life. Maybe you or someone you love has received a diagnosis that terrifies you. Maybe you’re in a storm where the waves are crashing over you, overwhelming you. Maybe fear holds you captive.

Sweet friend, turn to your Abba Father. Turn to Psalm 121. Speak it. Pray it. Believe it. Rest in it.

Leave a comment today and share a promise that YOU cling to in times like this. Let’s fill this comment section with Scriptures that will bless and encourage us in these difficult, fearful, lonely, scary places.

Thanking God for each one of you today. May you know His love, presence and provision is the most sweet and intimate ways.

P.S. The winner of our last giveaway was Katria! Please check your email for more info.

Blessings,

SaveSave

50 Comments Filed Under: Bible Study, Encouragement, Spiritual Growth