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Unfailing Love | Kim Chipman
S~ Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Psalm 48:9 (NIV)
O~ I think this is referring to the literal temple building, but as I read it now I think of my body as the temple.
A~ Right now I’m feeling a little beaten down. Criticized. Taken for granted. Misunderstood. I’m not saying I AM those things, but I FEEL those things, and desperately trying to sort some sense into my feelings. Perhaps that question was *just* a question and *not* criticism. Maybe that friend that is too busy right now is really just too busy right now. Quite possibly that complaint was teenage hormones or a bad day or not enough sleep and had nothing to do with my cooking or with me. I could be taking things personally that I shouldn’t be taking personally at all. (?)
Regardless, here is some truth I’m going to choose to embrace today. Within Your temple (my mind, soul, and spirit) I will meditate on Your unfailing love. If I really do that, suddenly those other things aren’t such a big deal. You love me. You see me. Even when I mess up! It’s hard when I’m doing my best and giving my all to feel criticized…but when I meditate on Your unfailing love suddenly when I feel taken for granted I remember that YOU see my sacrifice…when I feel misunderstood YOU see my heart…YOU see…and YOU love me unfailingly…
P~ Thank You for this truth today! I’m going to meditate on Your unfailing love today!
My Map and Guide | Luisa Penaherrera
S~ For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die. Psalm 48:14 (NLT)
O~ Notes from my bible:
We often pray for God’s guidance as we struggle with decisions. What we need is both a map that gives us directions and a constant companion who has an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible is such a map, and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion and guide. As you make your way through life, use both the map and your guide.
A~ I really need your guidance and wisdom.
P~ Father, thank you for your word and your Holy Spirit! Help me stay close and listen for guidance.
Fearing Comfort | Michelle Myers
S~ If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, who you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land. Jeremiah 42:10-12 (NIV)
O~ The people asked Jeremiah to approach God for them, and ask Him where they were to go next. They were at a very low point, and many of their people had been destroyed. The death and destruction were consequences that God brought upon them, because of their constant disobedience and sinful behavior. God tells them to stay where they are, even thought they are afraid of the king of Babylon.
A~ Fear is a very powerful emotion. In some cases, it is a very justified emotion. If I had no fear, then I would not need boundaries. A life without boundaries is not good. In other cases, fear can cause me to make the wrong choices, because the feelings that it brings about, are so uncomfortable. The world tells me what things will bring about security and curb the fear. Yet, I am learning and getting better at realizing that my comfort is not necessarily an indication or guarantee of safety.
This is where I have to really trust that You are who You say that You are. This is where I have to really know You, by having a relationship with You. Appearances can be deceiving. Worldly and fleshly value systems are backwards, and although they may appear safe, comfortable, or right in the moment; one way or another, they often end in misery. Isn’t that what the enemy wants?
P~ Thank you God for YOUR goodness. Without it, there would be no reason for hope. Without You, people are a mess. Without You, the world is a mess. Without You, I am a mess. Please help me remember that I can’t do this life on my own, and regardless of how things appear on the surface, You are the only one, who sees and knows it all.
I’m gonna do what I want God | Nikki Metzger
S~ We will not listen to your messages from the Lord! We will do whatever we want… Jeremiah 44:16, 17a (NLT)
O~ Wives from a remnant who fled to Egypt from fear are speaking to Jeremiah. A small group of people were left in the land, stuff happened, and they thought the king of Babylon would come back and kill them, so they wanted to go to Egypt. Jeremiah told the group of people to stay and NOT go to Egypt. Well, they went to Egypt and when Jeremiah told them that they were going to die because of their idolatry – this is what some women said.
A~ Look at those bold words! We won’t listen to the Lord, we will do whatever we want. I’m judging these women, but how many times has my heart been positioned the same way? My idolatry has emboldened me to say that I won’t listen to the Lord, I will do whatever I want.
I can think of three areas of my life right now that indicate my spirit saying, ‘I can do whatever I want’. I want what I want in these areas.
P~ Father, I confess there are three areas (probably more) in my life where I act like those idolatrous women of old. I am sorry for this. Lord, help me to change! I lay these three things at the cross. I am powerless to change without Jesus! In His Name I pray! Amen!
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