Wednesday, 31 December 2014
The Three Things You Need to Reach Your Goals
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Tuesday, 30 December 2014
What to look for... =)
What to look for in your future spouse
Finding a spouse can be a daunting experience. Use this guide to help you find someone who can help make your marriage one that will last.
Robyn Carr
8,932 views | 469 shares
- As our oldest daughter reached dating age, my husband told her that when she first dates it is OK to date boys, but when she got older and she began looking for a spouse, she needed to date men. The way to know she was dating a man, he said, was a man knows what he wants to do with his life. He will have a plan.Now that our sons are beginning to date, we have flipped this advice. Once you reach the age when you are searching for a spouse, you need to be a man with a plan. I have now added that they need to find a girl who is a pearl.
Man with a plan
What does it mean to be a man with a plan? A man with a plan means just that. He has a plan for his life. He is no longer flitting around without purpose or goals. A man with a plan has set a goal for his career. He knows what he wants to do and how to accomplish that. He is actively seeking to achieve these goals, not just dreaming about them.However, a man with a plan is more than just that. He demonstrates the ability to make and keep commitments. He recognizes that the world does not revolve around him. In other words, he is not selfish. This means he is ready to enter into a relationship that is a true partnership in which both contribute to the happiness of the relationship.Girl who’s a pearl
A pearl is a precious jewel. It is made layer by layer. So a girl who is a pearl is precious. She builds her character layer by layer as she grows and learns. What characteristics would such a girl possess? She is virtuous and pure. She has learned the importance of hard work and does not shirk responsibility. Her life experiences have shaped her into the woman she is.A girl who is a pearl understands the need to be supportive of her spouse. She has learned that she needs to put the needs of the relationship before her own personal interests.She also seeks the best education or training she can receive. This enables her to be equally yoked with her spouse. She knows that developing her own talents and intelligence makes her a better partner.Inherent in this search for a man with a plan or a girl who’s a pearl, is the need for the one searching to become one. You cannot expect to find someone with these characteristics without developing them yourself.Along with these characteristics, seek in your spouse someone with the same degree of religious commitment. This is important for when you have children. Your children will benefit from your strong religious foundation. This commitment needs to be established early in the relationship. Hoping someone will change or even if they promise to change, will not guarantee that change will happen. In fact, it most likely will not.Remember this advice as you begin your search for a spouse. Seek someone with the same goals, same commitment and same faith. Be a man with a plan or a girl who’s a pearl and in so doing you will find one.
What Kind of Goal Does God Bless?
What Kind of Goal Does God Bless?
By Rick Warren — December 29, 2014
Not every goal that you can set is a good goal and one that God’s going to bless. So how do you know the kind of goal that God will bless? Ask yourself these questions: “Will my goal honor God?” What kind of goal brings glory to God? Any goal that causes you to trust him more, to depend on him more, to love him more, to love other people more, to serve God, to serve others, to be more unselfish. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God” (CEV). Everything can be done to honor God. You can take out the garbage to honor God. You can wash dishes to honor God. You can study for a test to honor God. How? By doing it with the right motive: gratitude. You want your life to bring honor to God, so your goals should help you be the best you can be for God’s glory. “Is my goal motivated by love?” God is not going to bless a goal motivated by greed, envy, guilt, fear, or pride. But he does honor your goal that is motivated by a desire to demonstrate love to him and to others, because life is all about learning how to love. Why is it important for you to have goals that are based on love? Because if you set loveless goals, you’re going to treat people as projects. You’re going to run all over them to get to your goal. You’re going to run over your marriage, your friends, and other people as you climb up the ladder of success. God says, “No. You’ve got it all wrong. It’s not about accomplishments. It’s about relationships. It’s about learning how to love.” “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV). The number one goal in your life should be to learn to really love — your family, neighbors, unlovely people, and those who are hard to love. That makes you more like God, because God is love.
Talk It Over
By Rick Warren — December 29, 2014
“When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (CEV)
- What goals have you set for yourself for the next year? How do they hold up under these two questions?
- How does your attitude toward the menial tasks of your day change when you consider that everything can be done to honor God?
- How do the small moments of your life contribute to the bigger picture of your goals to achieve God’s purpose for your life?
Let Him Order Your Steps |
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE |
“...nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” |
(Luke 22:42, NKJV) |
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria |
Like most people at this time of year, you are probably thinking about some pretty big dreams and goals. That’s great. We should. But no matter what has happened in the past or what you’re dreaming for in the future, why don’t you let your New Year’s prayer be, “God, not my will, but Yours be done.”
Maybe you’ve gone through a disappointment. You don’t understand it. You could easily be bitter and give up on your dreams. Realize today that God is at work in your life. He is directing your steps. What you thought was a setback is going to turn out to be a setup for a comeback! When you surrender your will to Him, when you humble yourself before Him, that’s when God can take you to another level. Let your prayer be, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Today, as we finish the last few days of 2014, know that God has you in the palm of His hand. He has good plans in store for your future! Surrender to His will, trust Him with your whole heart, and let Him order your steps in the New Year!
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A PRAYER FOR TODAY |
Father, today I surrender every area of my heart, mind and life to You. Have Your way in me. Order my steps and let everything I am bring glory to You in Jesus’ name! Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8 |
Monday, 29 December 2014
Every Life Matters
Nothing Wasted
Today's Scripture:
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
Psalm 103:4, NIV
Today's Word:
I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad, have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward the blessing God has in store for you!
Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!
Prayer for Today:
Father, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future, knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me. I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the path You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Nothing Wasted
Today's Scripture:
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
Psalm 103:4, NIV
Today's Word:
I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad, have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward the blessing God has in store for you!
Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!
Prayer for Today:
Father, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future, knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me. I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the path You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Before getting married =)
10 Questions To Ask Before Getting Married
Wedding season is just around the corner and marriage should not be taken lightly. If you are planning to get married in the near future you may wonder if you are ready to get married.
Here are a few questions that may help you assessing your situation:
Why are you getting married?
Just because you have always wanted to get married is not reasonable. Figure out the reasons you want to spend the rest of your life with this person, and make sure their flaws are flaws you can live with.
Just because you have always wanted to get married is not reasonable. Figure out the reasons you want to spend the rest of your life with this person, and make sure their flaws are flaws you can live with.
How will you raise children? Or stepchildren, if one or both of you already have them
Discuss thoroughly as a team whether or not you want kids. If your answer is yes discuss how you will raise them. What are your expectations from your partner as a parent? Are you compatible enough to agree on parenting styles? Will one of you stay home with them? Which one?
Discuss thoroughly as a team whether or not you want kids. If your answer is yes discuss how you will raise them. What are your expectations from your partner as a parent? Are you compatible enough to agree on parenting styles? Will one of you stay home with them? Which one?
How will you handle financial matters?
Who is going to pay for groceries, cable, the mortgage, utilities, insurance, phone, travel, entertainment, and child care? Will you divide expenses in half or according to an equitable schedule according to how much each person makes? Will you have joint or separate accounts or both? Marriage includes regular debts and responsibilities. You need to know how much you will be able to spend on your own without consulting your spouse, if you will discuss bigger items together.
Who is going to pay for groceries, cable, the mortgage, utilities, insurance, phone, travel, entertainment, and child care? Will you divide expenses in half or according to an equitable schedule according to how much each person makes? Will you have joint or separate accounts or both? Marriage includes regular debts and responsibilities. You need to know how much you will be able to spend on your own without consulting your spouse, if you will discuss bigger items together.
What about your sex life?
You should discuss and plan your sex life, if you are compatible in frequency and fidelity, how you will keep it fresh, and how you will handle changes. You should also thoroughly discuss boundaries and fetishes.
You should discuss and plan your sex life, if you are compatible in frequency and fidelity, how you will keep it fresh, and how you will handle changes. You should also thoroughly discuss boundaries and fetishes.
Will your partner be supportive?
Most of us want a partner who supports our hopes, dreams, and lifestyle we wish for. Make sure you agree about future education, places you want to live, and any major changes you hope for later.
Most of us want a partner who supports our hopes, dreams, and lifestyle we wish for. Make sure you agree about future education, places you want to live, and any major changes you hope for later.
Is it the right time?
Everything in life should take place at the right time for the people involved. If you cannot afford the life or wedding you want you can postpone it for a year or two, if you are getting married just because there is a baby coming make sure that you really love each other and want to be married to each other, it is possible to be effective co-parents without being married if that is not what you want.
Everything in life should take place at the right time for the people involved. If you cannot afford the life or wedding you want you can postpone it for a year or two, if you are getting married just because there is a baby coming make sure that you really love each other and want to be married to each other, it is possible to be effective co-parents without being married if that is not what you want.
How compatible are you?
You should share common goals and some interests to live a happy life together. If you do not agree on money, religion, politics, childcare, caring for aging parents, charity work, and how to spend free time it can cause friction. You do not need to agree on everything, but you do need to respect each other’s differences.
You should share common goals and some interests to live a happy life together. If you do not agree on money, religion, politics, childcare, caring for aging parents, charity work, and how to spend free time it can cause friction. You do not need to agree on everything, but you do need to respect each other’s differences.
Do you trust him/her?
Trust is a basic fundamental of a healthy relationship. If they have proved untrustworthy in the past marriage will not suddenly change them. Be sure of your choice and be proud of your spouse.
Trust is a basic fundamental of a healthy relationship. If they have proved untrustworthy in the past marriage will not suddenly change them. Be sure of your choice and be proud of your spouse.
Communication styles
Will you be able to communicate openly? How will you resolve disputes? Will you discuss everything daily or weekly? Decide how much space you need and how much you are ready to give.
Will you be able to communicate openly? How will you resolve disputes? Will you discuss everything daily or weekly? Decide how much space you need and how much you are ready to give.
What do you expect from marriage and from your partner?
Discuss openly what you both need and want from your relationship. Will you be able to live up to your partner’s expectations? Will they be able to meet yours? Marriage is an ongoing lifestyle, you must both be willing to grow and change your marriage as you grow and develop yourself, keep current with what your roles are and what you both want.
Discuss openly what you both need and want from your relationship. Will you be able to live up to your partner’s expectations? Will they be able to meet yours? Marriage is an ongoing lifestyle, you must both be willing to grow and change your marriage as you grow and develop yourself, keep current with what your roles are and what you both want.
Accept Yourself — Flaws and All
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Magnify the Lord
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:3, KJV
Psalm 34:3, KJV
TODAY'S WORD:
Something powerful happens inside when you magnify the Lord. What does it mean to magnify the Lord? When you magnify Him, you aren’t changing Him; you are changing the way you see Him. You are making Him bigger in your life than your problems and circumstances.
So many people today waste time and energy talking about their problems and feeling sorry for themselves. That’s because they are magnifying their circumstances in their own mind and heart. But when you start magnifying the Lord by talking about Him and worshiping Him, you are making Him the main priority in your life and opening the door for Him to move on your behalf.
Today, decide that no matter what’s going on in life around you, you are going to magnify your God. Talk about His goodness. Talk about His faithfulness. Declare that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Exalt His name today and lift Him up and see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!
So many people today waste time and energy talking about their problems and feeling sorry for themselves. That’s because they are magnifying their circumstances in their own mind and heart. But when you start magnifying the Lord by talking about Him and worshiping Him, you are making Him the main priority in your life and opening the door for Him to move on your behalf.
Today, decide that no matter what’s going on in life around you, you are going to magnify your God. Talk about His goodness. Talk about His faithfulness. Declare that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Exalt His name today and lift Him up and see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, today I choose to magnify and exalt You. You are faithful and good. Help me to keep my heart and mind focused on You all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PS...
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Take me deeper =)
My
Love for You gets better and stronger.
Your
word that kisses my lips every morning as it seals in the night.
Let
me embrace You, Love You. With You, I am renewing my covenant… =)
Meg 12/27/2014
The Good News of Christmas
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"The Prince of Peace"
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
"…and his name shall be called…The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6, KJV
Isaiah 9:6, KJV
TODAY'S WORD:
Jesus doesn’t just have peace; He is peace. With Jesus, we can have peace when things around us aren’t peaceful. We can have peace in the midst of the storm. We can have peace when gas prices go up and the housing market goes down. We can have peace that passes understanding because we are connected to the true source of peace—the Prince of Peace!
Do you need peace in any area of your life today? Call on the Prince of Peace. Give Him your burdens and cares. Focus on His goodness knowing that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Let His peace lead and guide you. You don’t have to be worried about anything. When God gives you peace, nothing in the world can take it away. Choose today to walk and live in His perfect peace every day of your life!
Do you need peace in any area of your life today? Call on the Prince of Peace. Give Him your burdens and cares. Focus on His goodness knowing that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Let His peace lead and guide you. You don’t have to be worried about anything. When God gives you peace, nothing in the world can take it away. Choose today to walk and live in His perfect peace every day of your life!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, thank You for Your peace that passes understanding. I receive Your peace knowing that Your plans are for my good. I cast my cares on You and thank You for leading me and guiding me in Jesus name. Amen
PS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiaQV3hxoA4Friday, 26 December 2014
What It Means to Be Lost
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Whoever
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16, NKJV
John 3:16, NKJV
TODAY'S WORD:
When God sent His Son to the earth, He opened the door of salvation to whoever would believe. That means anyone can become His child and have a personal relationship with Him.
Before Jesus came, people had to observe many laws in order to be holy enough to enter into the temple. They were constantly performing sacrifices to pay for their sins just so they could be around God’s presence. But when Jesus came, He was the final sacrifice. He paid for our sins once and for all. Now, instead of just going to the temple to be near God, the Bible says we are the temple, and He chooses to live inside of us!
As we celebrate Christmas together, remember, Jesus is the ultimate gift to us—the gift of everlasting life. If you’ve never made Jesus the Lord of your life, there’s no better time than today because whoever calls on the name of Jesus will be saved! Pray today’s prayer from your heart and receive the greatest gift!
Before Jesus came, people had to observe many laws in order to be holy enough to enter into the temple. They were constantly performing sacrifices to pay for their sins just so they could be around God’s presence. But when Jesus came, He was the final sacrifice. He paid for our sins once and for all. Now, instead of just going to the temple to be near God, the Bible says we are the temple, and He chooses to live inside of us!
As we celebrate Christmas together, remember, Jesus is the ultimate gift to us—the gift of everlasting life. If you’ve never made Jesus the Lord of your life, there’s no better time than today because whoever calls on the name of Jesus will be saved! Pray today’s prayer from your heart and receive the greatest gift!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to this earth so that I can have a relationship with You. Today I call on the name of the Lord. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and make me new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEJmP8T07JU
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