Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (3)

[jenrenee]

This topic really made me think of my mom today. She is by far the least selfish person I have ever known. As kids, she always put us first. At mealtime, she would never take seconds until we were all completely done, never ever buying herself new clothes, even when she needed them, so that she could provide us with something we didn't even necessarily need, and the list goes on. Now she is the same way... offering to lend us kids money - even when I know she struggles to pay her own bills. Offering to buy lunch when we go out, even though I know it would set her back. She doesn't think twice about any of it. I would hope that I have inherited her generosity. I don't think I could ever be as generous as she is, but I hope I am at least close... I do not have children yet, but I try not to be selfish with my husband... although I know I could always improve...

 

[Criada]

When I first read this, I thought - well, I'm OK on this one! I do put others first, I am happy to give to people when they are in need.
But then God showed me something. It's not just about things!
It's about giving ourselves. And sometimes I do feel like being selfish - not with things, but with myself, my time and attention.

Sometimes I just want to shut myself away and do my own thing - when four children and a husband all want my attention.
Usually, I do spend the time with them - and enjoy it. But sometimes I ignore the demands and just shut myself away.
Working on that one.
Because Jesus was always available when people needed Him.
And God never tells me to go away and come back later!

Thanks - another topic that really hit home and showed me something I need to sort out.
God bless you all.

 

[HeReignsInMe]

 

[JPPT1974]

Jesus is always there for us
No matter what we go through
Because He is the Lord and Savior
That never, ever goes away.

 

[powerofprayer]

Hey Cristianna!
Thanks for asking...okay...loooong story short!!! Our adoption of Perla was finalized on April 12th (YAY!!) BUT the U.S. government denied her citizenship because the judge in Mexico signed the adoption papers TWO days after her 16th birthday. So we now have an immigration lawyer appealing the denial so we can bring our daughter home. It could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 months to get a decision. It has been heartbreaking. She's temporarily living with a wonderful family in Mexico since she cannot be in the orphanage any longer and I am pretty much dividing my time...a month in Georgia, a month in Mexico, etc... its hard. But I know God has a plan and perfect timing!! Thanks so much for asking. There's a picture of her with me and two of my other daughters if you click on the camera icon. Please keep us in your prayers.

Sandy

 

[cristianna]

Hey Cristianna!
Thanks for asking...okay...loooong story short!!! Our adoption of Perla was finalized on April 12th (YAY!!) BUT the U.S. government denied her citizenship because the judge in Mexico signed the adoption papers TWO days after her 16th birthday. So we now have an immigration lawyer appealing the denial so we can bring our daughter home. It could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 months to get a decision. It has been heartbreaking. She's temporarily living with a wonderful family in Mexico since she cannot be in the orphanage any longer and I am pretty much dividing my time...a month in Georgia, a month in Mexico, etc... its hard. But I know God has a plan and perfect timing!! Thanks so much for asking. There's a picture of her with me and two of my other daughters if you click on the camera icon. Please keep us in your prayers.

Sandy

God's plan is perfect as is His timing, just like you said! Thank you for the update!

 

[SunMessenger]

Hi !

JPPT1974Jesus is always there for us
No matter what we go through
Because He is the Lord and Savior
That never, ever goes away.

 

[cristianna]

Woof!
By Susanne Scheppmann


Proverbs 8:33-34, "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. (NIV)


Devotion:
Woof! I thought I heard one small bark. Not sure, I turned the shower off for a moment. No, I couldn't hear my little dog yapping. Jasmine is a twelve-pound black and white Shih Tzu and a yapper. If anyone knocks on the door, she goes crazy barking like a hundred pound Rottweiller. I turned the water back on, stuck my head under the spray, and reached for the shampoo bottle.

However, a voice inside my wet head nudged me. You heard her bark. Something is up. A realtor could be showing the house! Our home had been on the market for almost a year. About once or twice a week, various realtors would bring a potential buyer to walk through the house. However, it was stipulated that they must call first. The "woof" replayed through my thoughts. Maybe Jasmine doesn't bark at people coming in anymore. Quickly, I turned the water off again.

I jumped out on to the cold tile floor. To my horror, I heard voices. My bedroom door was wide open. I raced toward the door dripping water along the way. However, it was too late. The realtor along with a husband and wife previewed me along with my bedroom. They saw crisp floral drapes and soft beige carpet, and then they spied cellulite and flab jiggling toward them, reaching out for the blue tattered robe hanging behind the door. I almost slid into their arms as I crossed the wet tile. With wide-eyed shock, they scurried from the house without a word.

I collapsed on a rug with laughter and tears. Jasmine came by to lick me dry. She looked at me as if to say, "Hey, I warned you, but you didn't listen!"

Eventually my heart stopped pounding and my red face returned to its normal color. After the initial mortification, I began to wonder how often I do not listen when the Holy Spirit speaks to me. How many times have I shrugged it off as just my imagination? Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26 NIV). I need to learn to listen to His instruction and be wise, not to ignore Him as I did with Jasmine's first "woof."

The next time I feel a nudge from God, I will remember my "woof" incident. I plan on listening and moving a lot more quickly than I did. I do not want to repeat the lesson I learned today.

Oh, I never heard back from the potential buyers. I guess they didn't care for the preview.


Dear Lord, how often have I not listened to Your voice when You warned me of something in my life? Today, I ask that You help me to listen to Your instruction and to be wise. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to teach me. Let me become a quick learner. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Reflections:
Read Proverbs 8. Write down the advantages given for learning to listen and applying God’s wisdom in your life.

Do I sometimes intentionally ignore God's voice?

How could listening to the Holy Spirit help guide me each day?

What does the term wisdom mean to me?



Power Verses:
John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (NIV)

Proverbs 23:23, "Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." (NIV)

Ephesians 1:17, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." (NIV)

 

[cristianna]

Reflections:
Read Proverbs 8. Write down the advantages given for learning to listen and applying God’s wisdom in your life.

Do I sometimes intentionally ignore God's voice?

How could listening to the Holy Spirit help guide me each day?

What does the term wisdom mean to me?

I know I can tell of several times situations like that have happened to me! I don't feel I intentionally ignore God's voice. I know I have, but thinking about it, I don't think it's often. In the past when I have ignored Him, He's never left... He just brings out the megaphone.

Listening to the Holy Spirit guides me incredibly throughout the day. And it doesn't matter what I'm doing-- grocery shopping, mailing off items, sitting at home, etc. These are when I am learning the biggest lessons of them all (or at least I think). Sometimes I do not know it's a lesson until days or weeks later, and just as many times I don't know it's preparation for things to come. But I'm thankful to have open ears and an open heart (even if the megaphone has to be pulled out).

Wisdom to me is not knowledge so-to-speak. If I have umpteen amounts of knowledge it doesn't matter if I don't apply, share, cherish or crave it.

That is something I have struggled with for some time. I am not the very best at reciting scripture. I can give you the lowdown on it, but not word for word and generally not every detail is exactly right.

I used to tear myself apart over that, but I've come to realize the scripture I've retained I've made good use of. I may pass along Moses when in fact it was someone else (right Criada! ) or incorrectly send someone to the wrong Psalm, but I do get my point across.

To me, that's "wisdom".

 

[powerofprayer]

Awww...this one is speaking directly to me after what happened to me last night. Hope ya'll don't mind me sharing my story first.
My 12 year old daughter Shannon had a friend Alex spending the night. Around 9:00 pm, Shannon told me that their other friend Danielle's mom said they could all spend the night down at her house, which is only a few houses down the street. Alex told me she called her mom & that it was okay. I believed them because they are really good girls that have never gotten into any trouble before... never lied to us. But after they left, my heart didn't feel right. I called Shannon's cell phone & she reassured me they were playing in Danielle's room & everything was fine. So even though something was still tugging at my heart, I went to bed at 12:00 only to be woken up by a police officier at my door around 1:30 am. Shannon & her friends had snuck out of Danielle's house, met up with some little troublemaker boys in the neighborhood, & got caught while the boys were vandalizing a house! I was shocked. She is only 12. I was so upset with myself for not listening to my heart. I feel now that God was talking to me & I just wasn't listening. And because I chose to ignore Him, I put my child in danger. All I could do was praise and thank Him for protecting my daughter & her friends & ask Him for forgiveness for my ignorance. Maybe now I'll ask Him to use that megaphone for me too! Thinking back, I'm sure there were MANY other times I have ignored His nudging but just didn't have something happen immediately to bring it to my attention.
Thank you Cristianna for this devotional. It came at a perfect time for me. Amazing how God does that!!

 

[SunMessenger]

Awww...this one is speaking directly to me after what happened to me last night. Hope ya'll don't mind me sharing my story first.
My 12 year old daughter Shannon had a friend Alex spending the night. Around 9:00 pm, Shannon told me that their other friend Danielle's mom said they could all spend the night down at her house, which is only a few houses down the street. Alex told me she called her mom & that it was okay. I believed them because they are really good girls that have never gotten into any trouble before... never lied to us. But after they left, my heart didn't feel right. I called Shannon's cell phone & she reassured me they were playing in Danielle's room & everything was fine. So even though something was still tugging at my heart, I went to bed at 12:00 only to be woken up by a police officier at my door around 1:30 am. Shannon & her friends had snuck out of Danielle's house, met up with some little troublemaker boys in the neighborhood, & got caught while the boys were vandalizing a house! I was shocked. She is only 12. I was so upset with myself for not listening to my heart. I feel now that God was talking to me & I just wasn't listening. And because I chose to ignore Him, I put my child in danger. All I could do was praise and thank Him for protecting my daughter & her friends & ask Him for forgiveness for my ignorance. Maybe now I'll ask Him to use that megaphone for me too! Thinking back, I'm sure there were MANY other times I have ignored His nudging but just didn't have something happen immediately to bring it to my attention.
Thank you Cristianna for this devotional. It came at a perfect time for me. Amazing how God does that!!

Amen

 

[cristianna]

Awww...this one is speaking directly to me after what happened to me last night. Hope ya'll don't mind me sharing my story first.
My 12 year old daughter Shannon had a friend Alex spending the night. Around 9:00 pm, Shannon told me that their other friend Danielle's mom said they could all spend the night down at her house, which is only a few houses down the street. Alex told me she called her mom & that it was okay. I believed them because they are really good girls that have never gotten into any trouble before... never lied to us. But after they left, my heart didn't feel right. I called Shannon's cell phone & she reassured me they were playing in Danielle's room & everything was fine. So even though something was still tugging at my heart, I went to bed at 12:00 only to be woken up by a police officier at my door around 1:30 am. Shannon & her friends had snuck out of Danielle's house, met up with some little troublemaker boys in the neighborhood, & got caught while the boys were vandalizing a house! I was shocked. She is only 12. I was so upset with myself for not listening to my heart. I feel now that God was talking to me & I just wasn't listening. And because I chose to ignore Him, I put my child in danger. All I could do was praise and thank Him for protecting my daughter & her friends & ask Him for forgiveness for my ignorance. Maybe now I'll ask Him to use that megaphone for me too! Thinking back, I'm sure there were MANY other times I have ignored His nudging but just didn't have something happen immediately to bring it to my attention.
Thank you Cristianna for this devotional. It came at a perfect time for me. Amazing how God does that!!

Sometimes for me it's hard to recognize whose voice it is. And I can totally relate P.O.P. It would've take some time before I would be willing to have listened to that voice myself given all the details.

Praise the Lord indeed!

 

[rosiecotton]

Is there anyone who would like to take over Thursdays topic? I was doing it, but I have been sooo busy lately I haven't had much of a chance to post on here. So, if someone else can start doing it, I'd greatly appreciate it. Sorry for not posting the past few weeks.

 

[SunMessenger]

I hope you are well today. Good Morning !

 

[cristianna]

The Jesus Bling
By Wendy Pope

"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD." Exodus 24:29 (NIV)


Devotion:
If you have been a member of our Proverbs 31 family for any number of years, you have probably noticed some changes. Many things have changed: our devotions, our magazine, our team and staff members, as well as our colors and logo.

The changes I am talking about are what I refer to as the "what not to wear" change. A few years ago Shari Braendel joined our team. With her special gifts of grace, love, and humor, she begin to slowly teach us "what not to wear" by educating us on what looks good and what does not look good on us as individuals. Shari is a breath of fresh air and I have grown to love her very much. Her workshops teach women that beauty comes from the inside and that it is ok to "decorate" the outside.

After being around Shari, I have developed a love for "bling." "Bling" is a relatively new word added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2003 and it refers to jewelry. Apparently my love for bling shows as recently a friend gave me a bracelet she made for me. It is a witnessing bracelet. The colors of the delicate stones recite Psalm 23. I squealed with delight when I opened the box and immediately put the bracelet on my wrist.

As I showed my husband the bracelet, I recited the Psalm, pointing to each stone. He complimented the bracelet then walked out of the room, only to return quickly and say, "You love your bling, don't you? But Jesus is your bling." I agreed, with both statements and laughed out loud at the possibility of the phrase being the subject of a devotion that I would write.

The Lord took my thoughts straight to Moses and his face as he came down from Mount Sinai after meeting with the LORD. I pondered the question, "Does my face radiate Jesus? Do those who see me know that I have met with the Lord?" How about you? Are you wearing the "Jesus bling?" Can others see a difference in you - the Jesus difference? Ask God how you can shine brighter for Him today. The simple truth is this phrase I borrow from my friend Lysa, "Others will not want to know about your Jesus until they see the reality of your Jesus in your life."



Dear Lord, Help me to gladly put on a garment of praise today. I want the desire of my heart to be making You famous. I desire to boldly and unashamedly proclaim Your glorious name in all that I say, think, and do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Relfections:
Set your alarm clock 15 minutes before you normally get up. Spend that extra time for the next 21 days with the Lord before you go to work. When others ask about the change in you, tell them about Jesus.

Do you reflect the countenance of Christ?

What have others learned about Jesus by looking at you?

What is God whispering to your spirit now about the meaning of today's devotion?

Is the King my bling?



Power Verses:
Psalm 40:4a, "Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust." (AMP)

Psalm 42:11, "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. (NASB)

Psalm 89:15, "How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance." (NASB)

 

[cristianna]

A Woman’s Price Tag

By Bonita Lillie, She Speaks Graduate



“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)

Devotion:
I looked like a peacock strutting in full splendor, displaying regal feathers. I was wearing my “coat of many colors,” a plaid sateen jacket, a gift from my sanguine mother who loves color and flair. It felt awkward wearing my mother’s personality. I err to the conservative side, preferring that all eyes not be on me. Uneasily, I slid into one of the front rows of the church, hoping the shine of the jacket wouldn’t distract people from the sermon.

I became engrossed in the service and it wasn’t until after church was over that the jacket came to mind again. My neck was itching and as I reached back to scratch it I was horrified to discover that the price tag to my new jacket was hanging down my back. Worse yet, I wasn’t just on sale, I was on clearance! I guess my fellow worshippers were too embarrassed to tell me.

Unfortunately, many of us are like that jacket. We look good, but we have an imaginary price tag hanging not on our clothes, but on our person. We see ourselves as cheap, not worth much, possibly even on God’s clearance rack. We don’t believe anyone could ever love us and certainly, God could never use us in His plan, but nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s interesting that in Proverbs 31 before God ever addresses the godly woman’s “to do” list, he establishes her worth. Before she ever says or does anything, He deems her worthy, apart from all works and He does it in such a way that we can never forget it. He doesn’t just label her adequate, but He raves about her, ranking her superior to the rarest, most exquisite stones. God’s woman is worth more than costly gems. That woman is you!

Your worth isn’t wrapped up in your accomplishments, possessions, job title, popularity, or looks. It isn’t about what others think of you, good or bad. It doesn’t even matter what you think of yourself. We can be our harshest critic, can’t we? Your worth has nothing to do with any of those things or even your ability to carry out the duties listed in Proverbs 31. You are precious to God simply because you are His child.

The truth is that one day you did have a price tag hanging on you. I Corinthians 6:20 says, “you were bought with a price.” Yet, you weren’t cheap. In fact, it cost God everything to purchase you for Himself. You are one valuable lady, a woman deeply loved and valued by God. You mean the world and all to Him!


Father, when I’m tempted to look down on myself or feel unworthy, help me to hold my head high, knowing that my value doesn’t come from my own feelings, but from You. You say I’m valuable and that is enough. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



Reflections:
Make eye contact with yourself in a mirror and repeat after me: I have value. I have worth. No matter how I feel, God’s word is true. He loves me. He values me. I am important.

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry or maybe a certain type of stone that sets your heart a pitter-patter? Take a few moments to think about the beautiful facets of those gems. Ask God to bring this picture to mind when you start to thinking negative thoughts about yourself.


Power Verses:
Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (NIV)

I Peter 3:3-4, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hear and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

 

[Marycita]

I am not entirely sure what people post after reading a devotional, but I wanted to subscribe...

 

[cristianna]

I am not entirely sure what people post after reading a devotional, but I wanted to subscribe...

Hi Yoamo! Feel free to answer the "reflections" area or keep the thoughts to yourself. It really doesn't matter either way. Sometimes some of the devos are quite good and if someone is feeling safe, needs encouragement, feels sharing will benefit others, etc they will post. But we're pretty quiet right now as far as activity goes. lol

 

[cristianna]

Infinity
By Susanne Scheppmann



“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)



Devotion:
The math gene skipped our family. We do not understand algebra, geometry, or calculus. (Fortunately, we can balance our checkbooks!) Anything beyond basic arithmetic skills is beyond us.

However, there is one element of mathematics that I understand—infinity. Infinity goes on forever. It has no end. The only reason I can grasp this concept is that I have experienced it.

Sometimes, I experience discouragement concerning the problems of my child. Yet, somehow, God will provide a message of encouragement. It may be a song on the radio. A Scripture will resonant in my soul. A friend will call to chat about and pray for my wild child. The ways the Lord speaks hope to me is endless. He offers me eternal encouragement as I struggle with the never-ending episodes of wayward behavior from my child.

I may not comprehend algebra, and I certainly do not understand my child. Nonetheless, I do grasp that the Lord understands both my prodigal and me. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5 KJV). Thankfully, I do not have to solve algebra equations or my wild child’s self-made problems. God’s infinite understanding equates to eternal encouragement for both of us. Because of this, I can pray and not be distracted by discouragement. I will ask God to multiply His demonstrations of love to both of us. Our family doesn’t need any more division, but to be unified by understanding and encouragement. I know God will add these to our home so we can find a balance in our relationships.


Dear Lord, demonstrate Your love to my child. Allow him/her to experience Your love and grace. Encourage them in their heart and strengthen them in every good deed and word. Lord God, cleanse my child from all the sin that he/she has committed against You. Grant eternal encouragement and hope to all my children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Reflections:
Pray for your child every day. Look for specific Scriptures that you can pray concerning your children.

How often do I become discouraged over my child’s behaviors?

Do I complain about my child to others?

How can I help keep unity in our family?



Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (NIV)

Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (KJV)

Jeremiah 51:15, “He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (NIV)

*If you don't have children pray for a young child in your life such as a niece, nephew, neighbor's child, etc. Our youth of today need ALL the prayers they can get!

 

[cristianna]

High Definition Escape
By Rachel Olsen



“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (NASB)

Devotion:
I sat at a full table in a coffee shop, talking through an upcoming sermon series on stewardship with my pastor. I always enjoy these meetings - brainstorming and researching various sermon ideas - but this particular topic was making me uncomfortable. We talked through issues of money... giving...being generous...tithing...debt...being faithful in the little things...and trusting God. But the whole time I kept thinking about the 42” big screen LCD high-definition TV that I want. I’d been researching it, and desiring it, steadfastly for the last two weeks. It’s a lot of TV, and a lot of money.

Do you ever get a particular item you want stuck in your head? A certain car? A brand name purse? A larger house? A piece of jewelry? Or the latest cool gadget? I think we all do from time to time, imagining how great life would be if we could just posses that thing.

As my pastor was talking about how we need to trust God for the things we need, I blurted out, “I have no problem trusting God for my needs. I know He’ll supply everything I need....food, water, shelter. It’s my wants that are the problem... I’m not so sure He’ll give all those to me, and that’s the rub. How do I handle my wants?” I was hoping he’d give me some sage advice but my pastor replied, “So what’s the answer?” “I don’t know the answer,” I said plainly, wishing I did. Then he challenged us with this question, “What would it look like to want appropriately?”

I’d always thought all my wants should be appropriate wants... and I’ve always known they weren’t all appropriate. Sure I want a cure for AIDS, world peace, and all my neighbors to know Christ - but I also want a cute pair of red flats, a pill that makes cleaning seem like fun, and this big screen TV. There in the coffee shop it occurred to me that maybe I should shift my goal from having all appropriate wants – after all, I’m not sure I can achieve that, or that I can even define what wants are OK and which aren’t - to learning how to handle my wants appropriately.

I had to ask myself, why do I want this TV so badly? I decided it wasn’t to impress the neighbors; most of them would never even see it. I knew it wasn’t pressure to have the latest and greatest technology. I was the last of my friends to get call waiting and the last to get a cell phone ... and I didn’t care that I was the last. I drive a 7 year old mini-van, no automatic closing doors here, and I still have a basic cell phone, no email or internet on my phone. Then I asked myself, when did the desire for this TV begin? This made me realize the correlation between my travel schedule and my newfound lust for large TVs.

I’ve been traveling a lot lately. Since April I’ve had a trip to take about every two weeks. My next trip – all the way out of the country to South America – is just two weeks away from now. And so I find myself longing for time spent at home with absolutely nothing pressing to do. I want to watch the Travel Channel, and stop living it for a moment. I desired some escape, plain and simple, and TV is a handy way to escape so I figured a large, high-definition TV would help me do that.

So my bottom line was I was after some refreshing escape from the pressures of my life. That’s not an unreasonable want, really, but perhaps my method for achieving it was suspect. I was putting my heart into an earthly treasure, rather than into God’s hands.

What if I could retrain my thoughts to think of time spent with God as my escape from the world’s demands?

· Surely refreshment can be found in the living God more so than in moving pictures on a screen.
· That big screen might be large, but not as large as the One who rules my world.
· It might be high-definition, but not nearly as true-to-life as the love Jesus has displayed for me.
· It may have surround sound, but it can’t touch the sound of the angels in heaven crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”

As I thought all this through, my desire for that TV had less of a grip on me. I’ve decided to put off the purchase while I practice escaping into the presence of God, and asking Him to teach me how to want appropriately.


Dear Lord, forgive me for fixing my heart on earth’s treasures rather than the eternal treasures You provide. Help me to rightly handle my wants and to steward all that You have given me. Teach me to want appropriately. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Reflections:
In your journal, write about something you’ve been longing to have. Answer the reflection questions below.

When did I begin wanting this thing and what are my motives?

What do I think it will bring me?

What does God say about it?


Power Verses:
1 Timothy 6:6, “A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.” (GWT)

Matthew 6:20, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” (NASB)