Trust in God

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed" Psalm 20:4
Total trust, no worry about how it will happen, or cost. God will make it succeed. Faith. Trust. In God.

Favor and salvation

"I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."
2 Corinthians 6:2 

God is within

"God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." Psalm 46:5 
Each day. Each step. Each moment. God will help.

A change in Attitude

"To be made new in the attitude of your minds" Ephesians 4:23
Dear Abby: It seems that every other letter you print concerns a demanding relative (a parent, in-law, sibling, etc.). The writer always wants to know how to avoid unreasonable demands without causing "unpleasantness." May I say a word to these folks?
Be honest and admit that the relationship is ALREADY unpleasant. Demanding people are impossible to please. They know their control over you depends on temper tantrums and/or fits of sulking and tears. They'll pitch these fits regularly no matter how hard you try to please them.
When faced with an unreasonable demand, just say "no." Don't waste time giving reasons or trying to work out a compromise. You already know it won't do any good. Then hunker down and wait for the explosion, keeping in mind that the longer you have been a doormat, the more violent and bitter the reaction will be.
Above all, do not be drawn into a fight! Controlling people love to fight, and they are good at it. Your weapon should be polite withdrawal. Refuse meetings. Screen your calls. Ignore letters and emails unless they contain an apology and indicate a sincere desire for change. It may shock your domineering relatives into more reasonable behavior.
If not, you haven't lost a thing. You may even find that your life is less complicated without them. Draw the line and let your family know that future relationships will be based on love AND respect, or there will be no future relations. You won't regret it.— Been There, Done That
Sounds like good advice, I am going to try this! Change the way I deal with my demanding person.

Grace with God's help

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2

I knew the definition of perseverance (Dictionary.com; steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Today I found one I like even more; continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation. (also Dictionary.com)

We know we can persevere.  But can we do it with grace? 

With God we can. 

Keep asking, God is blessing you

" Sovereign Lord you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
2 Samuel 7:28-29 
God is trustworthy.
Those in our daily life may not be. 
So accept the blessings he gives.
And keep asking.
Sometimes requests are not answered. 
By God,
or by those in our daily life.
But don't stop asking.
Don't take pride in not asking, 
because that is inaction.  
Take pride in what you DO. 
Not what you don't do. 
And let others do the same.

Filled with the Spirit

"Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit"
Ephesians 5:15-18

 Be careful. Be wise. Make the most of each day. One day at a time.

More on asking

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."  
John 15:7 
 God wants us to ask for help. For "whatever" we wish. Remember what is read. Remember what is learned. Keep the words close. Follow them. In our heads. In our hearts. In our actions.

Ask for help

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7

Sometimes we stop asking for help. Try doing it our way. There is no forward motion. Maybe we keep reading. But the yearning to move, to change is buried. No growth.
Time to get this "show on the road" as my Dad always said.
Ask for help. It doesn't have to be elaborate. It doesn't have to be well worded. "Oh my God" is a prayer. An exclamation about something that is happening. We don't have time to say "God please stop that car from sliding into mine" so we shout "Oh my God!" He hears. He knows we need help. He responds. Today ask.

My defense.

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;”  Isaiah 12:2
Sometimes I need a defense. I try not to. I try to use serenity. But its good to know he is there backing me up. My defense.

Not alone

"I am with you, declares the Lord." Haggai 1:13
God doesn't say this.
He declares this.  
Explicitly. 
To make clear.

Make evident. 

To state emphatically.

Feel safe. You are not alone.

Today

"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing...and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."
Jeremiah 33:6
Today is the day. Today I begin.

Let God fill you

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures" Proverbs 24:3-4
This is us. This is our life. We are built. Established. Filled. Let go and let God give you wisdom and understanding. Let him fill you with rare and beautiful treasures.

For you and for me

"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." Jude 3
What better verse than this? What better prayer than this? For you. For me.

Consider God

"and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow...

 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction... consider the great love of the Lord." Psalm 107:39-43

Consider God. Consider how he can lift the needy. Consider the great love.

Goodness

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" Psalm 23:6
Maybe we think we don't deserve it. Goodness. Mercy. It is what God wants. For us. All the days of our lives.

Listen

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," James 1:19
Not always easy but I will try.

Calamity

"If calamity comes upon us, ...we will stand in your presence ...and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us." 2 Chronicles 20:9
Twice today I have seen the word calamity; a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss. This is not where I want to be. 

Pray for

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44
Love yourself. Pray for yourself.

Remember this

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you" 1 Peter 5:10
This one needs to be read again. And again. Written on sticky notes. Memorized.

Teach me

"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong." Job 6:24
Be quiet and learn. Let him show you.

Bold

"When I called, you answered me; you made me bold." Psalm 138:3
Fearless. Not completely but with God's help.

Discern what is best

" And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best" Philippians 1:9-10
Insight. Knowing what to do. Intuition. God speaking through us. Telling us what is best. Listen with love.

Be still

"Quiet! Be still! Mark 4:39

Be still. Quiet the thoughts. Be still. Quiet the worries. Be still. Quiet the fears. Be still. Be perfectly still. 

Let God

"He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;

The Lord watches over you—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." Psalm 121

Feel safe today. Let go and let God today. 

Whatever you want

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you" 2 Chronicles 1:7
Is it that simple? The asking is. What can God give? Everything. What do we want? Complicated.

Hope

"Why, are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God," Psalm 43:5
Why.....? 
Hope instead.

The time is now

"Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end." Isaiah 60:20
It is time. To be happy. Have joy. Feel peace.

Number your days

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
When we turn over to God we gain. Wisdom. The ability to discern inner qualities and relationships and good sense. Find your heart. 

Grab on

" Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity," Ephesians 5:15-16
It's not easy being careful about how we live. Not easy being wise. God gives the opportunity to make the most of our lives. Take it. Grab it. Seize it.

Be Renewed

"You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless.’ You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint." Isaiah 57:10
We often do the same things over and over and get the same result. Although we are weary we are not hopeless. God, friends, family... Feel support. Be renewed. 

Give yourself a break

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans12:3
Sober -marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness. Judgement -an opinion so pronounced. Sometimes we don't look at ourselves more highly instead we look at ourselves with sober judgement excessively. We need to lighten up on ourselves. Give a break to our self. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Perseverance

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Trial bring perseverance. Perseverance makes us complete.

From this day on

" Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on I will bless you." Haggai 2:19
No seed left? No fruit borne? God's promise is to bless. Blessed. From this day on. Begin to feel it.

Accept it

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble."
Psalm 90:14-15
Why be glad for days of trouble?
Because God continues to love us.
Through good and bad behavior. No matter what we wear. What we say. What we do.
Unfailing love.
Accept it.

Your heart will be filled

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:7-8


Find him. Listen. Feel a greater joy. Sleep peacefully. Feel safe. Trust. In God.

Be restored

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
Illness. Loss. Regret. We suffer. God restores.
Stronger; "possessing physical or mental strength, not easily broken or injured, having a resolute will or morally firm, intense in quality."
Firm; "Resistant to externally applied pressure, marked by or indicating the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue, Securely fixed in place, Indicating or possessed of determination or resolution, constant steady".
Steadfast; "firm determination, not shakable, unbendable perseverance, unwavering loyalty".
Be restored.

Keep going.

" for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going." John 8:14
We know ourselves. No matter what anyone else says. We know our good. We know the why. We know where we are going. Even if we have forgotten. God knows too. Keep going.

One day

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:10-11

Who can be blameless? Even if we are not blameless in our mind. We are in his. God sees the good. He shields. Gives sun. Favor. Honor. Be a doorkeeper.

Try to mend

"a time to tear and a time to mend," Ecclesiastes 3:7
More than a song. More than words. The time is now. Be confident. Try something new. Mend.

Especially God

" Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed- and they have no comforter;" Ecclesiastes 4:1
No comforter? But we do. Family. Friends. Support groups. God. Especially God.

Why are you crying?

"Woman" he said "why are you crying? Who is it you  are looking for?" Mark 20:15
Who are you looking for? Are you crying? Why? Decide today.

Be radiant!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you
...Lift up your eyes and look about you: 
...Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you" Isaiah 60
Your light has come. Look around. Enjoy. Radiate!

God listens

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14,15
Ask and you will receive. Believe. Maybe not within our time frame. But he does hear. He does answer.

Starting Over

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth;" Song of Songs 2:11
A new season. A fresh start. It can be spring. It can be anytime. Start over. Start again. Just start.

Change

"Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?
 ...be strong,
 For I am with you...
and I will fill this house with glory, "
 Haggai 2:3-7
Sometimes we change. We are not who we want to be. Remember who you were. Be strong. God is there. He will help you back. He will fill you with glory.

Life without fear

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,"
Psalm 46:1-2 

	Refuge. Shelter. Protection. Safety. Haven. Escape to God. Always there. Life without fear.

Good Land

"Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land"  Deuteronomy 6:18
Do what is right in the Lord's sight. Not always easy. Continue to try. Continue forward. Take over the good land.

My greatest joy

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" Philippians 1:3-4
My children. I am blessed. The greatest joy I have. Thank you God for them. Always keep them close to me.

Willing spirit

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Psalm 51:10-12
Restore me to joy. With a willing spirit. I need to work on my willing spirit. God's is willing. Mine needs work.

Restored

"Though you have made me see troubles...you will restore my life again; ...you will again bring me up.
...and comfort me once more." Psalm 71:20-21
Today I turn away from my troubles. Again. And focus on moving forward. Again. Through God. With God.

Help comes

" 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; ...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; "
Psalm 121:1-7
Help is there. Realized or not. God is there. Watching each step. Protecting.

God is with you

"Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
2 Chronicles 20:17
Each day God is with me. Bad days. Where there is fear. Discouragement. Do I remember he is there on good days? Be grateful.

Safe

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:25-26
Feel safe God is watching over us. One by one.

God's hand

"May your hand be ready to help me" Psalm 119:173
And may I remember to take God's hand.
Taking help is harder than giving help. Today rely on God.

Anxiety

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7
Simply put; "no worries". Let God.

No fear

"I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid." Leviticus 26:6
Trust. No need for fear. It is in God's hands. 

Watch yourself closely

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."Deuteronomy 4:9
Learn. Remember. Teach. With actions. Not just words. 

Light to our eyes

“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes" Ezra 9:8
A remnant. Brief moments of brightness give light to our eyes. A hug. A smile. Family. Friends. Graciously accept. Graciously give.

Reassurance

"Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:20-21
Moving. It creates chaos, exhaustion, adversity, . Every way I turn there are waters of affliction. Even tears. To my right or left God was and is there. Reassuring me.  "This is the way; walk in it."
 

Do right

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you," Matthew 7:1
 
 

Patient

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
Patient in affliction. Prayerful. Hopeful. Keep at it. Joy will come. 

Listen

"Consider carefully what you hear" Mark 4:24
"Listen". "Listen to me". God says.

Music

"speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord" Ephesians 5:19
Encourage. Be kind. Sing. Love.

God knows

"for I know where I came from and where I am going." John 8:12 
This is true. Finding my way. With God. He knows where I am going.

I want to go

"he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul" Psalm 23:2-3 King James Version

Still. Calm. Quiet. Rest. Tranquil. Undisturbed. Untroubled. Serene.

As for me,

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14
I wake with doubt. It is where I am. Stuck. I am told to have hope. Always. To praise. More. And more.

Secure

"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety" Job 11:18
Hope.

Do your work

"Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it." Ezra 10:4
Turn it over. Read. Pray. Let God. Do the work. Balance.

Spirit of God

"where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom. The Spirit of the Lord is joy. Peace. Love. Freedom.

Peace

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety" Psalm 4:8
In God alone will peace be found.

Strengthened by God

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" Ephesians 3:16
Strengthened by a glorious prayer. 

A Song today

Amazing Grace, John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Anxiety my friend

"So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body," Ecclesiastes 11:10
Anxiety. I keep it. I hold it close. Like a friend. It is trouble. Cast it off? Cast it off.

Appreciate

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things" Psalm 103:2-5
The pit. Trouble. Despair. Rescued. Redeemed. Love. Satisfied. God gives. Good and bad.

Be Content

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13
Whether I am where I want to be. I will be content.

Wait

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25
Wait patiently. For God. For his plans.

Safe

" Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge." Psalm 16:1
Keep me safe. Refuge. A secure place. Safe with God.

Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Peace is what he gives. Peace is what we are left with. Not trouble. Not fear.

Be still

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;" Psalm 37:7
Patience. Wait. Be. Still. God.

Clearly

"I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind."1 Corinthians 14:15
A clear mind.

It's time

"Jesus replied, “Let it be so now;" Matthew 3:15
Jesus says the time is now. Time to let it be so.

Sigh,

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing." Psalm 5:1
Sighing. Tired. Waiting. Praying. Listening. 

God bears our burdens

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalm 68:19
Thankfully. Let go. Give your burdens to God. Daily. Gratefully.

Rescue

"How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me" Psalm 35:17
 I wait.

Peace and joy

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17
Peace. Joy. Seek it. The Holy Spirit gives it.

I do

"Let go and let God" from AA. Alanon. Everywhere. I turn things over to God all the time. But I don't let go. I don't let God. I try. I don't let God try. I think I'll be strong. I don't let God be strong. I think of all the things I have to do. I don't let God do. I plan. I don't let God plan.

Restore me

"He restoreth my soul" Psalm 23:3
Today I hold this close. Restore me.

Making my way

"I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland" Isaiah 43:18
I have to remember I am making progress. I want to be there. I am here. Here is closer to where I want to be. Not farther from where I want to be. Progress.

Walk by the spirit

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."Galations 5:16
Walk by the Spirit. Walk with God. Do look to wine for gratification. Look to the Spirit for gratification.

Trouble

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life" Psalm 138:7

Lean not on your understanding

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5
I needed this. Lean not on my own understanding. I do try to understand. How to be happy. How to live  joyfully. Live right. I don't need to. I need to do it.

Peace rules

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" Colossians 3:15
I need to remember this when the list of things I have not done wakes me mid night time. I worry. I fret. I feel guilt. I need to let go and let God. I need to let peace rule. Let Christ rule.

Do not be discouraged

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This is commanded. Expected. Be strong. Courageous. Do not be afraid. Or discouraged. Especially discouraged because God is with me every step of the way. 

Blessed

"From this day on I will bless you." Haggai 2:19
God has blessed me. He promises to keep blessing me.

A blessing

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4
New year. Fresh start. A blessing. I feel the desire in my heart. May all my plans succeed.