Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 8: Our Health Friday Reading

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way:

“I’ll live in them, move into them;
    I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people.
So leave the corruption and compromise;
    leave it for good,” says God.
“Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.
    I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you;
    you’ll be sons and daughters to me.”
The Word of the Master, God.

With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.

S: 2 Corinthians 7:1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. 

O:  God expects us to take care of ourselves. We have been given only body and one life. It's not always easy, though, to keep ourselves in shape. Our lives are busy. It's so easy to just grab some fast food and crash on the couch at the end of a long day. 

We need to take the time and make healthier choices. Not just in our diet and exercise, but in our whole lives. As our pastor mentioned in a recent sermon, we need to take a "moral inventory". How did we get to this point in our lives? Are we living and doing for the glory of God or man? 

If Jesus were to walk up to you today, would you be embarrassed about the choices you've made or would you gladly welcome Him into your life knowing there is nothing there that He would not approve of ? 

Look at your life. Where can you make some good changes? Even small ones. Every little step in the RIGHT direction will lead you to a better outcome.

A: My life is a testament to the disastrous choices I have made. BUT, I am trying to make positive changes in my life. I know if I don't change things, I'll never change my life. I'll just keep circling the desert and not get anywhere. 

I want my life to reflect my beliefs and faith. I want to be the kind of person who has nothing to hide from the world. I want to be one of God's success stories. I know if I keep going in the direction I am now, things will eventually get better. 

P: Lord God, we know that we are not perfect people. We know we are full of flaws. We know that we have all sinned at some point in our lives. But we can rest in knowing that You have forgiven us. We know that with Your love and guidance, You will help us make the changes necessary in order to live a life that glorifies You. 

 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 8: Our Health Wednesday Reading

Read: Philippians 3:15-21
Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

S: Philippians 3:19-21
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.

O: In this, Paul's letter to the church of Philippi, he is telling them that those who live "of the flesh" will be their own destruction. "Their god is their belly "..they fill themselves with all things unhealthy. They are ruled by their sinful nature. They live as they want, without regard to what God intended.

Those of us who keep ourselves in Christ and who obey God's word, He will help us to transform ourselves into beings that He created. No matter how out of shape we are or how broken we are, He can fix us. 

We need to do some of the work, however. We are told that if we do our part, then Jesus will help us with rest. If we look back earlier in Philippians, it says "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him." (Philippians 2:13) We want to look good and feel good because we know it pleases Jesus. When we know we are doing it to glorify Jesus, then it becomes infinitely easier. 

A: As hubby and I embark on a healthier lifestyle, it will make it easier if we remember that we are not only doing it to keep ourselves healthy so we can enjoy a long life, but we are doing it for the glory of the Lord! Perhaps I should write the verse from above and put it on the fridge so we can remember always why we are doing it. 

P: Lord, we need to remember that when we are taking care of our bodies, we are not only doing it for ourselves but for Your glory! Remind us, oh Lord, that You gave us our bodies and we are to take care of it as You take care of us. Help us to remain steadfast in our quest to stay healthy. Help us to remember our bodies are not our own, but are Yours. In Jesus name we ask this. Amen.

Good Morning Girls Devotional: Week 5 Our Friendships

Read: Ephesians 4: 29-32
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

S: Ephesians 4:29,31-32
 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

O: We need to be vigilant in what comes out of our mouths. Words can lift up, but they can also break down. And once a negative word comes out of your mouth you can't take it back. In today's society no one seems to give a second thought to what comes out of our mouths. And I'm just as guilty. As I was typing this up, my hacker came back. Oh how I wanted to just let loose a string of expletives! And, unfortunately, the "F bomb" flew out. I looked down at my open bible. Had I not just read the words that said "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth"? In my bible, which is The New Living Translation, verse 29 says "Do not use foul or abusive language..." Whoops! 

We're all guilty of it. How many times have we lost our temper and let words fly that we wouldn't normally say? I got irritated with my husband the last couple of days. He can be trying at best. We all have someone or someones in this life that get to us. Even our children can try our patience.

Verse 31 in my bible says "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander as well as all types of malicious behavior." MMmm hhmm... We're human. Easier said than done. But in order to follow Jesus' will, we HAVE to do these things. If we don't, doesn't that make us hypocrites? You may go to church every Sunday, listen to nothing but worship music, do your bible studies, but you still gossip, swear, say things you don't mean. We can talk the talk, but not walk the walk. 

It's so easy in the heat of the moment to not think. Just go with the moment. But, would you act that way in front of Jesus? Would those words come out of your mouth? I bet not. I know it's not easy, but stop and think. Is what you are saying and what you are doing pleasing to God? 

A: I need to really work on this one. I have a short fuse. My mouth just runs. I'm guilty as charged. I need to reign in both my temper and my mouth. Anyone who knows me knows this will be no easy feat for me. But I need to try. I'm trying to make positive changes in my life. I want to please Jesus. I want to be the woman He designed me to be. It was never promised that it would be easy. My friend Remesh posted this on my wall today "Suffer for God my sister!" No truer words were ever written.

P: Jesus, I know I try Your patience. I know I am a work in progress. Help me to remain strong as You do Your work in me. Help me to not want to give in to the physical world. Help me to guard my tongue whenever I speak. Let my words build up, not tear down. Let any words I hear that are not of You and Your love to not settle into my soul. Help me to forgive and be the better person. I know it is what You desire of me, Your child.  I ask this in Your Holy Name. Amen.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." 
~~Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

 

Good Morning Girls Week 4: Your Marriage

This weeks' memory verse.

This weeks' reading plan:
  

Week 4: This week I'm going to be intentionally focused on:

I am going to try and be more tolerant and get less frustrated with my husband. I am going to try and be more positive and supportive of him. I am going to focus on what Jesus has in mind for me as both a woman and a wife.

Good Morning Girls Week 3- Let’s Be Intentional

Week 3 Challenge: Let’s pray specifically this week for us to be more sensitive to the spirits working in our hearts, to the lessons he is trying to teach, the impressions he is making and the sin he is convicting us of.  
    
Week 3 Memory Verse:   

    
Week 3: This week I’m going to be intentionally focused on: I'm going to try and focus on the good things in life. Whenever I get stressed I will think of all the good things God has created upon this earth, including His Word.
 




Week 3: The Mind (YouTube Video)
 

Good Morning Girls, end of Week 3

Colossians 3:2

S: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

O: Don't think about the things in this world. Focus on heaven and Jesus.

A: We need to overlook materialistic things. Just because I don't have a lot of nice stuff does not mean I have a lousy life. It just means I'm broke! lol But instead of focusing on what I don't have or what I may want, I need to focus on what God has given me.

P: Lord, please help me to see past all the materialistic things in this world. Remind me that my life is not as bad as it seems and that if I set my sights on You, You will give me all I need. Amen.

Good Morning Girls, Intentionally Focused Week 3

My dear friends, I am trying to play catch up with my bible studies. I am 3 weeks behind. So tonight I am going to make an effort to at least get a few days worth done. 

The reading from Week 3, Wednesday 2/5/14:

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

S: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


O: In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he reminds them to focus on what's good in their life. He tells them to not think of the bad things. He says to share the good things they think about with each other. That is how we encourage one another.

A: This is definitely something I apply in my life. I know when I am troubled or overwrought, I try to focus on beautiful things. I'll Google things like flowers, gardens, tea sets, whatever I can think of to soothe my mind. And that's what Paul is reminding us to do. Focus on the beautiful, the peaceful, whatever is honest and true. Don't think of the bad.

P: Father, I pray that in times of trouble, in times of stress and strife, You will help me to focus on all the beauty in the world around me. To take notice of the small things. Help me to share these things with others so that I can be an encouragement to them. Amen.