Tag: strength

Gossip Betrays Trust

Proverbs 11:13 NIV, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

God knows all there is to know about us, but He doesn’t go around revealing everything to everyone. We can trust Him. Loyal, trustworthy people are a reflection of God’s love. People who can be trusted to keep information confidential, without giving in to the temptation to gossip and spread rumors are people of integrity.

Photo by: Kristina Flour

People of integrity understand that time spent gossiping about others is time that can be spent praying for them instead. They use wisdom when it comes to speaking about others because they know what and what not to say. They also know who and who not to say it to.

Being a trustworthy, gossip-free person is a true sign of maturity in Christ. He will strengthen us to stay away from pointless, destructive conversations about others. Love seeks to build people up and not tear them down.

James 1:26 NLT, “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”

Jesus, Our Daily Bread

John 6:35, “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

I hadn’t heard this song Breathe by Michael Smith in years, but I woke up this morning with it on my mind. Truly Jesus is the air that we breathe. As Christians, His Holy Presence living inside of us is everything. He is the bread of life. In Him we are filled completely. He is the One who can take away our emptiness and replace it with joy. His words give us life and hope.

Praying you have a very blessed day!

I hope you enjoy this song:

Breathe by Michael Smith

Prayer In The Waiting Room

Colossians 4:2 NLT, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”

Yesterday I had to go visit the GYN for my annual exam. It’s a very busy place, so when I go, I always know that I’ll be waiting at least an hour before I see the doctor, but this time my wait ended up being an hour and a half. I waited one hour in the main waiting room, and thirty minutes in the exam room.

All the women I saw were anticipating the arrival of a little one. I thought to myself, at this point in my life, I wouldn’t want to change places with them. But I also remember when I was there like them, expecting my daughter, and how exciting it was as the time for her arrival drew closer. It’s hard to believe how fast the years have flown by.

I was happy when I thought my name was called, but I was a little preoccupied on my phone, so I verified with the medical assistant at the door that she did say, “Dawn”. I was glad she said yes when I asked her. When I got into the exam room, she gave me a pink gown to change into.

As I was sitting on the exam table waiting for the doctor to arrive, I noticed the gown was a little flawed in some places. All of a sudden, I begin to think about all the women who had worn that gown before me. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to say a prayer for them.

I thanked God for all the wonderful blessings that He had bestowed upon them. I also realized that some of the women who had worn the gown had received a life changing diagnosis. Some had struggles with infertility. Maybe even some were victims of rape or some other type of abuse that had altered their lives. Buried in the hearts of the women who had worn that pink gown, were many joys, but also many pains.

In all the years I have been going to the GYN, I cannot recall ever being lead to pray for other women while waiting in the exam room, but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to do so. I’m thankful God used my prayers to help bring comfort and healing to women who I will never know personally.

My doctor, who is originally from the country of Jamaica, is a very intelligent and personable lady. I always enjoy talking with her. She has a way of helping you to get over the fact that you had a long wait. She’s really good at what she does, so I assume that’s why she has so many patients. I’m thankful I found her office, and had her as a GYN doctor while in Florida. God always leads us to the right places with the right people.

We can’t physically be everywhere or know everything, but through prayer, God uses us to make a difference. Our prayers can reach all the way to places we can’t go. And they can help change the lives of people we may never see.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJB, “Pray without ceasing.”

The One In You Is Greater

1 John 4:4 NIV, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

The Holy Spirit who lives within us is greater than any opposition that tries to come against us. We can look to Him to give us the strength we need to overcome the obstacles that we must face. He will empower us to victoriously live for Jesus and follow the plan God has for us. He will give us eyes to see beyond the difficulties that attempt to hinder our progress for the Lord, so that we can stay focused on God’s greater purpose.

As you go throughout your day, remember that the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you is greater than the enemy who tries to steal your peace. God’s light always shines through the darkness, and He is with you every step of the way.

Rejoice And Be Glad

Psalm 118:24 NLT, “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Every time the Lord allows us to see a brand new day, we can choose to “rejoice and be glad in it”. I like the idea that no matter what, we have a choice. Since His goodness and mercy are following us, we can confidently face each new day. God’s presence with us, surpasses any negative thing that may come our way. His love far outweighs even our greatest worries.

Rising above our circumstances and choosing to rejoice, may not always come naturally. However through Christ, we can supernaturally make a decision to trust God and rejoice. Through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Hope That Never Disappoints

Psalm 25:4 NIV, “No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.”

This verse is a great encouragement for those times where we may feel discouraged. It tells us to keep hoping in the name of Jesus, because when our hope is in Him, we will not be put to shame.

No matter how we may feel or how our circumstances may look, God has not forgotten us. We don’t always understand how He is working or why He allows certain things to happen, but He is sovereign. Even when people are attempting to steal our joy, we can place our hope in Him because He is the giver of joy!

Of course putting our hope in Jesus is not the popular thing to do, but it is the right thing to do. We live in a world where people are putting their hope in themselves, their achievements, their wealth, their looks and even other people.

Things and people can be here today and gone tomorrow. But Jesus is our solid foundation. He is eternal and His words will remain forever. When we place our hope in Him, He has promised that we will never be put to shame.

Isaiah 40:8 NIV, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

His Goodness and Mercy

Psalm 23:6 KJB, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

This verse is a regular prayer of thanksgiving for me. I find myself telling God often that I’m thankful for His goodness and mercy that follow me all the days of my life. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for His goodness and His mercy. The fact that He is good, and has mercy on us is a big part of the reason we are even still here today.

His goodness and mercy is an extension of His great love for us. Remembering how good and merciful God is, is a humbling thought. Because He is so good and merciful to us, we can extend the same thing to other people.

What a joy it is to know that the Lord’s goodness and mercy is following us everyday. What an honor and a privilege it is to worship the Lord and dwell in His house forever.