There are times in our walk with God where we feel like nothing is happening –  a spiritual barrenness. During these times, even though it may not feel like it, God is working in our lives! He often uses those times to draw us closer where we are more able to hear his voice and gain incredible strength and endurance that only God can provide.

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.” (2 Cornithians 13:9)

In these times, don’t give up! As we press on, keeping our focus on God alone, life and our overall state-of-mind is more positive. Whatever we focus on becomes bigger. So, why not use that same concept to decide to only focus on God? This makes him bigger than any obstacle, setback, or situation we face!

During your quiet time with God, make your needs and concerns known. Cry out to him. The Lord will lead you into refreshment for your mind, body, and spirit.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)

In Him is where we find healing, restoration, refreshment, and rest. God wants us to make it known that He’s the one who restores our lives no matter what we face. Because God loves us, he leads us into quiet times, as well as into places of rest.  This is where God renews the soul.

Additional Verses to Study God’s Restoration and Refreshment:

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (Psalm 51:12)

“He renews my strength.He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” (Psalm 23:3)

Prayer Starter:

“Lord, You’ve been so good to me! I’m in need refreshment and renewal that only You can provide. As I focus more on You, I am made more aware of Your love all around me.”

Wishing you all a great week!

 

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45)

We are God’s people, which grants us the ability to live a life that is blessed. Developing and maintaining strong faith and also remembering to count our blessings is how we remain humble and grateful for the Lord’s hand in our lives. Acknowledging the Lord’s goodness every day of our lives keeps the heart joyful.

We give praises to our God when we are reminded and made more aware of his goodness to us. The goodness of the Lord never ends! The word of God says that God promises to always be good to us.

I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me. (Psalm 13:6)

The promises of God provide a foundation in the life of a Believer. The Bible is truth and our God is forever faithful! God’s word contains countless Biblical promises, all waiting to be received by faith. Each promise of God is has a purpose to provide or to deliver. Seeking him for every need makes our trust and faith even stronger.

As we read the promises of God, we should claim them over our lives!Take time to memorize the scriptures that promise to overcome what issues are affecting you. When we pray over them and practice saying the scriptures out loud, we are then able to see God moving in our lives, all for His glory and for our good!

Below I’ve listed a just a few promises of God to get started:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” (Isaiah 61:1)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 3:4)

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Prayer Starter:

“Lord, Your love is never-ending! Thank you for the every blessing you give. God, make me more aware each day of Your goodness. I humbly obey your word as I submit my life to You.”

Wishing you all a great week!

 

 

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. (Matthew 5:8)

Today is Easter! It’s a time of remembrance and also a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! Because He is alive again, we can have life eternally, and abundantly when we allow Him to be Lord of our lives.

There’s so much power in His name! Jesus restored our life by rising again and what a beautiful Saviour He is. Many words come to mind on today when I think about what Jesus endured just for me and just for you. Here are just a few:

Chosen

Restored

Redeemed

Forgiven

Loved

Faithful

Triumphant

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.(John 15:13)

The beauty of this story is that with all power, He rose again,  defeating death and the grave! There’s no greater love. That same love and resurrection power lives within us! We are grateful because we’ve done nothing to deserve His love, yet He loves us.

Today is a day of hope, wonder, and new understandings. My prayer is that you draw even closer to Jesus. In Him know that you are loved, you are forgiven, you are chosen, you are redeemed, and by his grace, you are restored!

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

Bible Verses to Study for Easter:

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” (John 11:25-26)

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.” (Job 19:25)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Prayer Starter:

“Lord, thank you for making all things new! There’s victory in your precious and powerful name. We ask that you renew our hearts, minds, and minds for the days ahead.”

Wishing you all a blessed Easter!

 

There is a direct correlation to the overall quality of our lives and our closeness to God. Everything in our lives is made better by staying in close relationship with the Lord through all seasons.  Prayer is our line of direct communication with God!

There is power in prayer, even in simple prayer! When we take even the smallest problem to Jesus in prayer, we find ourselves in constant communication with God, and this is exactly where God wants us. Developing and maintaining good habits that benefit our lives, such as a strong prayer life, leaves absolutely no room for worry.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Life vastly improves when we are in God’s will! A lifestyle of constant prayer is what will keep us in his will. Making time every day to pray has to be top priority, over anything else. We must also entrust the problem, details and final results, to Jesus. Taking it to Jesus and then leaving it with Jesus gives us the confidence that everything will work out just fine. Three simple reminders for prayer are: state the problem simply, take it to Jesus faithfully, and trust Him humbly.

It’s also important to remember that we all need others to pray for us. Jesus is our ultimate example and He had disciples that He asked to pray with and for Him. It’s ideal to invite 2-3 close friends to be your prayer partners who are willing to connect with you around prayer. Spend time thinking of a few close friends you have. Once you have 2-3 friends in mind, follow these easy steps:

Steps to Finding Close Prayer Partners

1.Pray for each of them by name.

2. Ask God to protect them and to reveal His purpose for their lives.

3. Ask Him to open their hearts to your invitiation to being a prayer partner.

4. Confess your own need to God to have others in your life who can pray for you.

5. Ask God to help you to commit to at least 5 minutes of daily prayer time with Him.

Additional Verses to Further Study Prayer:

“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” ( Psalm 34:15-17)

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” (Daniel 9:18)

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” (1 John 5:14)

“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)

Prayer Starter:

“Father God, life with you is amazing! Help us to seek your Your will above anything else. Reveal to me which friends You would like me to have as prayer partners in this season of life. When I pray, I am confident that You hear me.” 

Wishing you all a great week!