Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Our Hope

1/31/2016

"The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." -Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" -John 14:6 (NIV)

Hope is a theme we often see throughout our lives. We may be told of a "new hope" or of the need for hope to help change a situation. Hope is important in our lives, but we need to be cautious. While many may try to offer us hope, there is only one true hope!

Hope can help us keep our heads up and moving forward even in difficult situations. We also need to hold to hope in the good times. Whenever we are considering where to find inspiration for our hope, we should turn to God and the promises He fulfilled through His Son, Jesus Christ. The only true hope that we have is the love, forgiveness, and power of God that allows us to reach Him through His Son. The good news is that this hope is freely offered to us!

Don't lose hope...find it in God and His Son!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the hope that You give me through Your Son. Help me to hold onto this hope and to freely share it with others! Through Jesus' I pray, amen.

Bigger than Mountains!

1/30/2016

"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." -Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

There are days that our problems may seem like mountains. It can be easy to get overwhelmed when we reach that point. We may be staring at a problem and challenge thinking that we can't get over it. That's true...each of us alone may not be able to conquer our problems, but as we look up at the mountain of a problem before us, we can find help!

God is willing to help us. God is able to help us. As we look at the mountains before us, we can ask God for help and know that it is on the way! When we ask God for help and trust Him, He will respond. God knows each problem we face and how to best resolve it. We just have to call on, listen to, and trust His solution! How amazing is it that we can talk to and rely on the Maker of heaven and earth?

Don't let a mountain of a problem stop you. Call on God and trust in His solution!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for being willing to help me through whatever problem I face. Help me to always trust in and accept Your solution. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Crazy Week?

1/29/2016

"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:5-7 (NASB)

Some weeks are just crazy weeks. Whether it's dealing with people, situations, the demands of a (too) busy schedule, or other issues, each day can hold new surprises and opportunities to grow. Whenever we feel we are in the midst of a crazy day or week, we need to take a step back and realize that there is no reason to be anxious and that we have the opportunity to show the gentle spirit that Jesus showed us!

We are bound to have unpredictable and crazy times in our lives, but we should not let these times control our lives. Through prayer, we can talk to God. We also need to allow Him to work in our lives. When we are in communication with God, including listening to His reply, we can find peace in the midst of a storm and we can find exactly what we need to guard our hearts and minds. We can learn to live with a peaceful and gentle spirit that reassures us of God's presence in our lives!

Having a crazy day or week? Find support and "sanity" in God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for taking away my worry. Please help me to let go of things so that you can give me peace and comfort in the midst of a crazy day or week. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Fear and Trust

1/28/2016

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?" -Psalms 56:3-4 (NASB)

Life can be scary. This can be especially true for children that don't understand what is happening or what is to come. Unfortunately, I have seen students with so much fear or anxiety that they are reduced to tears and cannot function in school. As a teacher, I hope to build a relationship of trust that allows these students to be successful in class.

Sometimes we experience stress, fear, or anxiety in our lives. Whenever we start to be afraid, we need to remember that we can turn to God. We don't have to be afraid! God loves us, but we have to trust Him. He wants to have a relationship with us that takes away our stress, fear, and anxiety. He wants to replace our fear with His love and power. By trusting in Him, we can know that we are taken care of through everything we face in life!

Don't fear...Trust in God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving and supporting me even when I let stress, fear, and anxiety creep in. Help me to always turn to You and trust in Your love and power! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Inheritance

1/27/2016

"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." -Romans 8:16-17 (NASB)

One of the middle school science units includes learning about genetics and heredity. Students learn that we can trace traits through a family and understand where different looks originate. When we look at our spirit, we may not be able to look at DNA, but we are reassured by tracing faith, hope, and love through the Spirit and directly to God!

The Holy Spirit reminds and reassures us that we are all God's children. As God's children, we can inherit traits from God, our Father. As His children, we should strive to show the traits or characteristics of His love, caring, and forgiveness. Beyond just showing these traits, we can also know that we will be heirs to His Kingdom. As we consider our inheritance from God, we cannot imagine what He has in store for us, but we can know that we will spend eternity in the presence of His love, glory, and power. Wow, what an inheritance!

The Spirit reminds us that, as God's children, we are heirs to eternal glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, for being my Heavenly Father, and for reassuring me of my inheritance. Please help me to share this inheritance with others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Pot Stirrer or Peacemaker?

1/26/2016

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." -Matthew 5:9 (NASB)

Many of us know people in our lives that like to keep things stirred up. They almost seem to thrive on the misfortune and turmoil in others' lives. I have heard this type of person referred to as a "pot stirrer," someone that likes to keep the trouble going. Sometimes we may even get sucked into the action. There will always be turmoil and trouble in our earthly lives, but we don't have to "fan the flame" or "stir the pot!"

When we experience turmoil or witness unrest in others' lives, we can make a choice to keep it going or to help control it. We can choose to turn our lives and our problems over to God. We can learn to be at peace with ourselves and then extend this peace to others. Once we know God, we can be peacemakers instead of stirring up trouble!

Be a peacemaker instead of a pot stirrer!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and allowing me to know peace that can only be found in You. Help me to live in peace and to share Your love and peace with others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Shame

1/25/2016

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." -Romans 1:16 (NASB)

There are times in our life when we get embarassed. Whether it's something we say or do or a situation that we are in, our embarassment may cause us to be quiet. It may even bring us to tears. While we may experience embarassment in life, we should never be embarassed by the Bible or God!

The Bible is a powerful book. It changes lives. It is the Bible that tells us of God's plan for our salvation. We can learn about God's love and presence in the lives of many that have come before us. We should not be ashamed by the Bible. Instead, we can believe in the Gospels and be assured that God is with us, that He loves us, and that He redeems us!

Don't be ashamed by the Bible, be assured by its promises!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and redeeming me. Help me to always stand on the promises of the Bible and to never be ashamed by Your Word. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Christ Mindset

1/24/2016

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." -Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV)

Educational researcher Carol Dweck has explained a theory of fixed mindset versus growth mindset. Our motivation to learn can be impacted by whether we think our ability is fixed or by whether we think our ability can grow through effort. We should also consider our mindset for how we choose to act in all aspects of our lives, not just our education!

In our lives a growth mindset can be beneficial, but we need a Christ mindset as we build relationships with each other and live a life for God. As we interact with each other, we need to remember that Jesus was God, but He became human. He experienced what we experience. He was humble and kind. He did not put others down, even though He had advantage over everyone He met! As we meet people, we need to be humble and kind. We need to show the love of Jesus to all that we meet. Through prayer, learning about Jesus, and practice, we can work toward having a more Christ-like mindset and building better relationship!

Work toward having a more Christ-like mindset so you can show love and build better relationships!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for sending Your Son to show me how to live. Please help me to have a more Christ-like mindset, to show Your love, and to build better relationships. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Where's Your Mind?

1/23/2016

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." -Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)

While there may not be any scientific evidence to support the theory, it seems as though the full moon affects students' ability to focus and keep it together in middle school. During the week of a full moon, students often seem restless and unfocused. It may be my perception as a teacher, but students' minds during a full moon seem to drift away from where they are supposed to be focused!

In our spiritual lives, our minds can sometimes drift, too. We can be distracted by earthly problems or triumphs. We can allow our minds to focus on earthly desires instead of on heavenly desires. While we may try to find an excuse, like the full moon, we need to take action to regain the proper focus! Through studying God's Word, talking to God, and reflecting on our lives, we can be better prepared to follow God's path for our lives and to maintain our mind's focus on Him!

Don't let your mind drift away from God. Be sure to keep it focused on Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, even when my mind may drift to earthly desires. Please help me to keep my mind focused on You and help me to continue to move in the path You have established for me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Apology?

1/22/2016

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions." -Proverbs 10:12 (NASB)

Certain lessons in life can be hard to learn. We may understand certain things, but truly taking them to heart and practicing them can be difficult. One lesson that can be challenging is forgiving and moving on, especially when the other person involved doesn't seem to be sorry. Author Robert Brault is quoted as saying, "Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got."

When we are dealing with other people, there are certainly times when we are faced with disagreements, hurt feelings, and maybe even worse. We can choose to hold on to these things or we can choose to move on. We cannot improve our situation by holding on to hatred, which keeps things stirred up. We can improve our situation by offering love to others. Jesus demonstrated the power of love when He died for all of our sin. We can ask God for help as we try to live our lives like Jesus with love covering transgressions, even if we haven't gotten the apology we think we deserve!

Allow God's love to overcome transgressions even if you haven't gotten an apology!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Please forgive me for all of my sin. Help me to live more like Jesus. Thank You for His loving sacrifice. Help me to show Your love to others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Entitled?

1/21/2016

"Jesus said to him, 'If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property." -Matthew 19:21-22 (NASB)

Middle school students are an interesting group of people. Their development and view of the world offers a unique perspective that evades many of us. However, it always amazes me how many of my students feel they are entitled to certain grades or treatment in class. They often don't recognize the connection between their work and effort and the consequences or outcome. They think they should just have it all without much effort!

The young man that approached Jesus seemed to have the same attitude. He followed the rules, but wanted more, to be complete, and to have Jesus help him. In the end, he didn't want to put in the effort that Jesus required. In our relationship with God, we can sometimes be like this young man or like my middle schoolers. We may ask and want, without making or renewing our commitments to God. We need to remember that we are not entitled to God's love, but God freely offers His grace, mercy, love, and blessings as long as we are willing to make the necessary self-sacrifices and follow His guidance!

Even though you are not entitled, God is willing to give you His love and redemption!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and redeeming me from my sin. Help me to continually commit my life and my actions to You in all that I say and do. Through Jesus the Redeemer I pray, amen.

No Good?

1/20/2016

"I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.'" -Psalms 16:2 (NASB)

There are times in our lives when we are searching for good. Life may get us down. The news may be filled with tragedy and disaster. Through it all, there is still good to be found!

If we think all goodness has been lost, we need to turn to God. God is the one true source of goodness. As long as we have God in our lives, we can always find goodness. His love can hold and comfort us forever! No matter how dark life may seem around us, we can turn to God's love and allow it to show us the good that surrounds our lives!

As long as you have God, there is goodness in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and showing me Your goodness. Please help me to remember Your love and goodness at all times. Through Jesus, the Light of the world, I pray, amen.

Roadblocks?

1/19/2016

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:37-39 (NASB)

In between my house and several stores where I shop there has been a bridge that has been closed for repair. Even though the bridge was closed for an extended time, I never seemed to remember until I reached the bridge. This is just one reminder that there are things we take for granted until a roadblock appears in our way!

Fortunately, there were detours and multiple ways to get around the closed bridge, just like we have ways to overcome or get around the roadblocks in our spiritual lives. Whenever we reach a point that seems like a dead end, we know that we can turn to God to help us conquer whatever is blocking us. There are times God may lift us over the obstacle. At other times, He may guide us around the obstacle. God promises to be by our side and help us through anything, as long as we believe in and call on Him!

If you need to conquer an obstacle, call on God and know that you cannot be separated from His love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being by my side ready to pick me up or guide me around the roadblocks in my life. Help me to always remember that nothing can separate me from Your love. Through Your Son, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Compassion and Comfort

1/18/2016

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." -II Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Experiencing trouble and grief are part of living an earthly life. Sometimes we don't know what to say or do for others that are experiencing trying times or grief. Whenever we are facing trying times or are attempting to help others, we need to remember that all comfort comes from God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ!

God provides us with love and comfort. The love and comfort of God may come to us through those around us. He can comfort us through the words and actions of those around us. He can also comfort us through His peace deep inside our hearts. His presence in our lives reassures us that He love us and will always be there for us. As we listen and learn of God's love and comfort, we can be a comforter and extend His love and comfort to those around us experiencing trouble or grief!

Receive the compassion and comfort from God and then share it with others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and comforting me when I experience trouble and grief. Please help me to know how to comfort those around me that are experiencing trouble and grief. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

One Mind, One Voice

1/18/2016

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Romans 15:5 (NASB)

Disagreements are a natural part of life. We each have our own preferences, our own likes and dislikes. We have different opinions on many things, but we should come together with like minds when praising God and His Son!

There are times when we have to put aside our differences and come together. We are often reminded of this when we are faced with responding to tragedy, but we shouldn't wait for tragedy. Each day we should ask God to grant us like minds that imitate the approach that Jesus took. With God's help, we can come together in His love. When we come together, our voice of praise glorifying God will be magnified and can become an example for the rest of the world!

Allow God to grant you a mind like that of Jesus so you and fellow believers can glorify Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank you for Your love and guidance in my life. Please grant me a mind like that of Jesus so I can join other believers in glorifying You! Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Finding Strength

1/16/2016

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." -Ephesians 6:10 (NASB)

There are many times during the course of a day, week, month, or even year, that we may need to search for strength. Sometimes, we need to find strength to get out of bed in the morning. There may be other times when we need to find strength to deal with the people in our lives, to face the tasks on our "to do" list, or to complete that new exercise routine. We may also need to find strength to resist temptation and sin in our lives!

Whatever we are facing, there is one place where we can find an everlasting strength: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We don't have to search high and low, we just need to turn to Him in prayer. We can call on Him for physical strength, emotional strength, and spiritual strength. We don't have to face anything alone, He is always with us. He is mightier than any of us and His strength won't run out! Praise to our Lord, an everlasting source of strength!

The next time you are searching for strength, find it in the Lord!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, being by my side, and giving me strength. Please continue to provide me with strength, even when I forget to ask for it. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Looking in the Mirror

1/15/2016

"Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults." -Psalms 19:12 (NASB)

Middle schoolers are very good at avoiding responsibility for their actions. It seems as though nothing is ever their fault. There is always someone else to blame. Whether it is their stage of development, the environment surrounding them, or another reason, they often need to be reminded that they should begin by "looking in the mirror." As we consider our own lives, we should also take time to "look in the mirror!"

It is often easier to identify the errors and faults in others than to identify the errors and faults in ourselves. When we are asking for forgiveness, we need to remember that we have faults that we may not realize. We don't have to know or list all of our sins or faults for God, He already knows them! However, we should ask God to completely forgive and restore us, even those areas of our lives we do not realize or do not want to acknowledge. When we completely turn our lives over to God, we can be assured that He will completely transform us!

Don't be afraid to look in the mirror. God can completely forgive and restore you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your forgiveness and for restoring me. Help me to always completely turn my life over to You and trust in Your redeeming power. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Wonder!

1/14/2016

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." -Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Each year there are certain misconceptions that my students bring to me in class. They have been told or "learned" something that may not be correct, but they cannot let go or change their thinking. It may take time to guide or help students change or re-learn the correct information. Adults sometimes act the same way, thinking we can save ourselves or make things better through our own efforts!

When we start to think that we can take care of ourselves through our own efforts, we need to stop and remember that there is only one that can truly save us! We don't have to wonder how to improve our lives, we just need to trust in Jesus Christ and believe in His redemptive sacrifice. We can ask for His forgiveness, be cleansed of our sin, and then ask and follow His guidance for our lives. We don't have to wonder, we just have to follow Him!

Don't wonder how you can live a better life, submit to Jesus Christ and allow Him to guide you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for being a part of my life. Please forgive my sin and guide me so I can live a better life and glorify You. Through Jesus, the Redeemer, I pray, amen.

Vast Power, Individual Attention

1/13/2016

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host." -Psalms 33:6 (NASB)

Standing outside and staring into a clear night sky can reveal an amazing number of stars and other bodies. It can be fun and even challenging to connect the stars of constellations or to locate the planets in the midst of the stars. The stars can also remind us of all that is out there beyond earth and can even remind us of our home in Heaven.

When we consider the stars and the heavens, we can be amazed at the power and might of God, the Creator. We can be reassured that in all of His power and might, in the vastness of the heavens, He loves and is concerned with each and every one of us. In the greatness of the universe, God still knows us and wants to have a relationship with us. We can be amazed at His creation and at His power and might, but we should also be in awe of His individual care and love for each of us!

Be amazed by God's vast power and thankful for His individual, loving attention!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the individual love and attention that You show to me. Help me to show love and caring to all those I meet. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

His Voice

1/12/2016

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." -John 10:27-29 (NASB)

When my daughter is playing with her cousins, accidents happen which can lead to crying. Even if the playing is down the hall or downstairs, the adults can recognize which child is upset or hurt based on the sound of the cry. We can identify our children based on their voices and we go to them. In our spiritual lives, we need to also listen for the voice of Jesus, our Savior.

When we are crying out in our lives, we can know Jesus' voice. We can know that He will come to us, to aid, heal, and comfort us. If we listen, we can hear Him as He guides us and we should choose to follow Him. Following His voice will lead us to His protection. Even if we feel lost, we know that He is our Good Shepherd and that He will not let us be harmed. He can hold us and keep us from being taken over by evil. Through prayer and faith, we can hear and know the voice of the one that will always be by our sides!

When you feel lost, listen for His to lead you to protection!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for always protecting me. Please help me to hear Your voice and to follow it with faith in Your glory and power. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Keep it Together!

1/11/2016

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." -Colossians 1:17-18 (NASB)

Whether at the beginning of the year or other times in our lives, we may search for direction for our lives. The world has many offers that promise to give our lives purpose and direction, to help us keep it all together. Each of these offers has something special that will help us feel fulfilled and function at our personal best. But can anything offered by the world really fulfill our needs and keep our lives from unraveling?

There is only one whose promise will keep us together and fill our lives with purpose. Jesus Christ offers us salvation that can redeem us. If we keep Him before all things, He can hold our lives together. He has been there since the beginning and He will be there at the end. He can fill us with direction and purpose. He can guide our lives through the best of times and the worst of times. If we follow His plan, He will help us keep it all together and help us to join Him in His everlasting glory!

Follow Jesus and allow Him to give you purpose and help you keep it all together!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son to save me from my sin. Help me to always follow Your will for my life and help me to hold it together and to follow Your purpose for my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Preparing to be Swallowed Up

1/10/2016

"For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life." -II Corinthians 5:4 (NASB)

Losing a loved one is difficult. Whether the loss is anticipated or unexpected, the feelings and questions are painful. Loss can also make us think about our own limited time on earth. Even though we know life on earth will not last, we can prepare for a better life in Heaven!

Our lives do not have to be limited to our time on earth. When we pass from this earth, God promises that we will be made whole and granted eternal life with Him. Our life on earth pales in comparison with what our lives will be in Heaven. To prepare for life after earth, we can believe in the sacrifice of Jesus and our salvation through Him. Then, even when we think we are living the fullest on earth, we can be prepared to be swallowed up into a fuller life with God!

Prepare to be swallowed up by accepting the salvation offered through Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to save me from my sin. Help me to live my earthly life for You so I am prepared to be swallowed up into a fuller, eternal life with You! Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Safe Tower

1/9/2016

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe." -Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

Near my home is a wildlife management area where I like to hike. One of the trails will take you to the "fire tower." After climbing the stairs of the tower, the view looks out over the trees and surrounding towns. The view from the top of the tower is amazing!

When listening to the name of God described as a strong tower, we may think of a tall, sturdy skyscraper that can shelter and protect us from elements such as wind, rain or snow, heat or cold, and other things. Climbing the fire tower out in the open can give a different perspective. God's view stretches much further than anything we could see on a clear day at the top of the fire tower. When we run to the tower that is our Lord, He can raise us up and allow us to see what is surrounding us. We may still feel the elements that are pushing against us, but, through prayer, accepting His knowledge, and with His support, we can prepare for what we are facing and be reassured of our safety!

Climb the tower of God and allow Him to prepare you for what is to come and to keep you safe!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being a strong tower in my life. Please help me to remember to run to and climb the tower that will allow me to grow in knowledge and prepare me so that I can be safe. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Coping

1/8/2016

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." -Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

There are many reasons that our hearts break. Reasons for our hearts breaking may include loss, sympathy, pity, or feelings of helplessness. My daughter realizes that the loss of a loved one can cause sadness and a broken heart. As my family has experienced loss, my daughter has offered to comfort us by giving hugs and rubbing our backs when we are sad. She also realizes that she may be sad and in need of a hug or cuddles.

There are and will be those times in our lives when we experience a broken heart. Those times are never easy and we may feel crushed or defeated. It can be easy to sink into self-pity or throw up our hands and give up or walk away, but there is a better way! A broken heart is no match for the power and love of God. God knows that we will experience sadness, grief, pity, sympathy, longing, helplessness, and all the other emotions that can cause a broken heart. God also knows how to renew, refresh, and save our crushed spirits. When our hearts break, our spirits are crushed, and we feel down and out, we need to pray to and rely on God to lift us up again and help us to continue to move forward in His plan!

When you are down and brokenhearted, turn to and trust in God's restoring power!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, even when I feel crushed and defeated. Please comfort me and any others that are experiencing a broken heart and restore us on the path that You have placed before us. Through Jesus, my risen Savior, I pray, amen.

Where to turn?

1/7/2016

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." -Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

Events in life can leave us shocked and confused. Sometimes it seems that there are no answers. It can be hard to decide where to turn or what to do next. Whenever we are facing a situation that seems impossible, we need to remember that we are not alone!

God is always by our side and ready to help us through our lives. He is with us through our "ordinary" routine day in and day out, but He is also with us in those "extraordinary" times, too! God will celebrate our victories with us and He will show us the purpose of our defeats. He will shout with joy during our life's highlights and He will comfort us in those darker times. God is always near to us and we can turn to Him, even when we don't think we know where to turn!

Don't know where to turn? Remember that God is near - turn to Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being by my side and being willing to celebrate with me and to comfort with me. Please continue to be part of my life and allow me to follow Your plan. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.