Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - A must Read! I am FREE!

5:30 a.m Prayer/Devotion
6.00 a.m. Run at the park!  Thanks Tanya Banks!

June 29, 2011 Dead Weight Karen Ehman

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:21 (NIV)
Ever have a reoccurring bad attitude drain the life right out of you? It can cause your spirits to wither and your joy to die, leaving you limp and lifeless like a water-deprived plant.
I was feeling that way recently when I remembered something my husband's mom had taught me. She is famous for growing wonderful herbs and colorful perennials. In fact, her garden boasts an array of color from the first hint of spring until late fall.
One day I asked her to share her green-thumb secret. She explained that the secret to helping plants thrive is called "dead-heading." Here is how it is done: As soon as any beautiful blooms begin to whither, fade, or turn brown, they must be removed.
I've discovered it is a tedious, never-ending task. Just when I think I have removed every dried up blossom, the next day a dozen more appear. But if I want my flowers to keep blossoming, I have to dead-head daily because the deceased blooms sap nutrition and strength from the core of the plant. They rob the flowers of energy that could be used for new growth.
However, if the dead and debilitating weight is properly plucked, the stems will give gorgeous petals throughout the entire life of the plant.
As I pluck my dead flower heads, I am reminded of my life with Christ. There are places in my heart, thoughts in my mind, and actions in my will that stem from bad attitudes. And they are nothing but dead weight to my spiritual life.
Often these deep-rooted thought patterns and their companions — doubt, fear, wrong choices, old habits, nursed grudges, or current conflicts — threaten to choke our growth and prevent us from displaying the splendor God intends for us to show.
We start our day hopeful yet give in to the hurtful. Our self-doubts or judgments of others often take root in negative thoughts and counterproductive actions that not only have the potential to ruin our day, but also affect those around us. However, if we are intentional in nipping these at their first appearance, we will be more likely to experience new growth in our walk with Christ and health in our relationships.
Today's verse from James tells us to get rid of such issues and instead to humbly plant God's word deep in our hearts. So, instead of dwelling on a temptation in our thoughts and allowing it to morph into sin, we quietly focus our hearts on a truth from scripture such as "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 5:14)
Dwelling on scripture empowers, rather than drains us. It is spiritual dead-heading at its finest. This switch in our thought pattern can save us from wrong choices, unhealthy relationships and self-inflicted heartbreak.
Could your heart use a dead-heading session? Are there faded blooms you have been carrying around that are sapping your spiritual energy and strength, causing heartache and tears? Get rid of the bad. Plant God's good Word in that spot instead. Then stand back — patiently now — and watch beautiful blooms begin to appear.
Dear Lord, I admit to You the faded flowers of my heart that I have been carrying around for much too long. Grant me courage to pluck them for good. Replace them with Your word planted seriously in my soul in an intentional manner. Let me drink deep of your bottomless nourishment so that the blooms You choose to grow and display in my life might point others to the Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - Stepping Stones

4:45 a.m.
Prayer, Meditation

Songs of Solomon - Chapter 4

Daily Encouragement

5:45 meet Tanya at the park to jogg


 

June 28, 2011 Memory Stones T. Suzanne Eller

"Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day." Joshua 4:9 (NIV)
I discovered an old journal in a box in my garage. As I thumbed through its pages, I found prayers I had written as a young mom. There were prayers that my children would grow up to love the Lord. Prayers when I needed guidance. Prayers written years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer and my children were in elementary school.
When I penned those words, I had no idea what the answers would look like, only that my strength was replenished when I turned to God in prayer.
When Joshua led the nation of Israel across the Jordan River, it was harvest time and the Jordan was at flood stage. As the priests stepped to the water's edge, suddenly the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away and the water flowing downstream was completely cut off. Miraculously the priests stood firm on dry ground while all of Israel passed.
God commanded that each tribe take one stone from the middle of the Jordan and take it with them. They placed the stones in a pile and later, when their children asked, "What do these stones mean?" they were told about the day God supernaturally stopped the flow of the Jordan River.
As I read the journals, I could clearly see my own memory stones. God had held me and my family close during those times. He had answered a young mom's prayers in His timing. It may not have been clear then, but now I could recount how God cared for us.
Comfort. Provision. Even miracles. The prayers were a glimpse of our history and God's hand over our family.
What memory stones will you share with your children? It might be a story of God's love shared at bedtime. Or comfort to a teen as you recount a moment when God stepped in for you in the midst of your own struggles and obstacles. Perhaps it is a memory shared with an adult child who is struggling and wonders if God cares.
Memory stones can be powerful stepping stones, leading your child straight into the arms of a Heavenly Father as you recall God's faithfulness together.
Dear Lord, sometimes I pray, but then I fail to rejoice in the answer, having moved on to the next need or next prayer. Today I thank You for every memory stone. You are a powerful and loving God. I am grateful for Your provision over me and my family, In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog to discover how to create a prayer journal and start collecting memory stones of your own.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller
Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life by Sarah Young

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!

Application Steps:
• Write down one story of God's faithfulness.
• Thank God for it in your personal time. Ask for insight on the right opportunity to share it with your child.
• When you share it, don't make it a lesson, simply a praise.
Reflections:
People create scrapbooks so they can treasure memories. What would a scrapbook of my life as a believer look like? What a legacy that would be in the hands of future generations!
Power Verses:
Joshua 4:5b-6, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?'"
Joshua 4:7a, "Tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord."

Monday, June 27, 2011 - Encouragement for Today

Morning:
Prayer / Devotion
Exercise:

Insanity Pure Cardio

June 27, 2011 Where Did the Time Go? Lynn Cowell

"May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace." Psalm 144:12 (NLT)
I remember like it was yesterday...the dark-haired little princess dancing on top of the coffee table, star-studded sunglasses gracing her face, singing as though she was a rock star.
Where did the time go? Now, she's a beautiful young lady in the making, grinning at me from the dressing room. Her smile still says, Look at me, Mommy, don't I look pretty?
And she does, in so many ways. Her beauty is more than just physical. I see a tender heart, and it makes me long for her to learn who she is in God's eyes. There is nothing more that I want than for her to become who the Lord made her to be.
Vicki Courtney says, "Girls who are 'sugar and spice and everything nice' are made, not born." This is so true.
Today's key verse says the same thing a bit differently. It reminds me that pillars are not found in nature. Pillars are not born. Pillars are formed. Carefully, an artesian chisels away at the stone little by little, creating a masterpiece.
You can be the artesian in the life of your daughter, with the Master Artesian as your teacher. You can be the one the Lord has appointed to take the rough piece of stone and carve it into the graceful pillar, fit for a palace.
But it will take time, prayer, grace and patience.
Our girls are under so much pressure to be this and do that; striving to please the ever-changing culture. Caught between their daytime world of school and their evening world of family, the push and pull can often bring confusion.
What our girls long for is to be known. To feel like they matter. To believe someone sees them as valuable and significant. Maybe that is why God created mothers — to be the conduit for the power of His truth to our children.
It is our place to teach our daughters exactly how He sees them. We can be the voice that says, "...out of all creation, [you] became his prized possession." James 1:18 (NLT) When looking in the mirror picking themselves apart, may they be reminded of God's promises and prayers we have spoken over them.
Dear Lord, this task seems too big for me. Raising a daughter that knows and trusts You is contrary to our culture. I want my daughter to find her fulfillment in You. Show me opportunities today where I can lovingly speak Truth into her life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you have a young woman in your life who needs to know God's perspective of her? His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell empowers young women to discover God's love in a way that builds confidence, enabling them to make wise choices.
His Revolutionary Love DVD and CD are a great resources to share with your daughter, small group or Sunday school.
Stop by Lynn's blog today where she is sharing specific ways that you can be used by God to be an artesian your girl's life. She is also giving away a copy of her DVD Revolutionary Love.
Application Steps:
Learn who you are in Christ. Study scriptures that teach these truths. Lynn shares some of her favorites here.
Ask the Lord to show you a young woman whose life you can make a difference in. Consider giving her a copy of His Revolutionary Love. Invite her to lunch and share your story of finding Jesus' love.
Plan a "Revolutionary Love" conference at your church or community group. Or start a Radical Revolution group for teen girls. Lynn offers a free leadership guide on her website as well as one-on-one advice as you get started!
Reflections:
How would my life be different if I'd known, and believed, the unconditional love of God as a teen?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 43:1-4, "...Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." (The Message)

Thursday, June 23, 2011 - Because I am loved

7:00 a.m. Prayer / Devotion
8:00 a.m. Hip Hop Abs Body Sculputre

June 23, 2011 Because I am Loved Lysa TerKeurst

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5: 6-7 (NIV)
My friend, Kathrine Lee, once challenged me with this question: Are you doing this because you are loved or so that you'll be loved?
Her question is a great one.
Doing something "so that we'll be loved" is a trap many of us can get caught in. When I do something because I'm trying to get someone else to notice me, appreciate me, say something to build me up, or respect me more, my motives get skewed.
I become very "me" focused. I put unrealistic expectations on myself and the other person. And I can get stinkin' angry when I don't feel more noticed, appreciated, or respected.
I can get all twisted up and take my frustration out on myself and that person in an unfair way. I typically sabotage my own efforts and bend to discouragement and defeat.
But, doing something because I am loved is incredibly freeing.
I don't view the relationship from the vantage point of what I stand to gain. Instead, I look at what I have the opportunity to give. I am "God focused" and love directed. I keep my expectations in check. And I am able to lavish the grace I know I so desperately need. I live free from regret with clarity of heart, mind, and soul.
So, how do I know if I'm doing things because I'm loved or so that I will be loved? See how easy or hard it is to apply this Scripture:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5: 6-10 NIV)
Because I am loved, I can humble myself.
When I'm trying to be loved, I must build myself up to look better.
Because I am loved, I can cast all my anxiety on Him.
When I'm trying to be loved, I cast all my anxiety on my performance.
Because I am loved, I can resist Satan and stand firm in my faith.
When I'm trying to be loved, I listen to Satan and stand uncertain trying to rely on my feelings.
Because I am loved, I know God will use this to make me stronger - and I want that.
When I'm trying to be loved, I don't want to be made stronger - I want life to be easier.
Indeed, I want to pursue life, relationships, and the goals I set from a healthy and free vantage point — because I am loved.
Dear Lord, I don't want my motives to get skewed today. Help me to not be so 'me' focused. I want to live each day knowing that I am loved. Living because I am loved is freeing. I long to stop trying so hard. I know You love me, Lord and that You are making me stronger. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Tired of people pleasing? Read this article on Lysa's blog today. She's also giving away several helpful resources as well.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book: Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
Isn't it interesting how much easier it is to apply scripture when we're doing it because we're loved? As you read your Bible this week filter each word, teaching, and story through this perspective. Record the difference between reading God's truths because you are loved vs. trying to be loved.
Reflections:
Doing something "so that we'll be loved" is a trap many of us can get caught in...but, doing something because I am loved is incredibly freeing.
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (NIV)
John 8:12b, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk I darkness, but will have the light of life." (NIV)

© 2011 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - A ready Answer

5:30 a.m. - Prayer

6:30 a.m. -  Jogged 2 miles

8:00 a.m. - Devotion

 

June 22, 2011 A Ready Answer Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst

"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" Matthew 16:15 (NIV)
Have you ever met someone who left a lasting impression you'll never forget? Is there a memory of them permanently engraved in your mind or on your heart?
I will never forget a gal I once knew named Stephanie. Many years ago we attended the same college. We were very different, yet we enjoyed each other's company. We shared a conversation one evening which still rings in my mind today.
We were taking a walk through campus when she matter-of-factly informed me that she was an atheist and did not believe in God. Without hesitation and a calm assurance, she simply shared her beliefs with me. She then paused, and graciously proceeded to ask me what I believed.
More than 20 years later, I can so vividly remember my answer as if it were yesterday. I was able to tell her that I had faith in Jesus, but I was not able to tell her about my faith in Jesus.
I am still convicted by how I felt then, even now. Do I have a ready answer for the very next person I meet?
When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter was prepared with a ready answer and responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16 NIV)
But what about me? Who is my Jesus? What has He done in my life? Why do I follow Him?
Today I have a ready answer in four simple words — He is my Hope.
When we are in the midst of a catastrophic situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps our eyes open and our heads held up.
When we are in the midst of a frustrating situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us looking beyond the disturbance.
When we are in the midst of our daily routines, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us believing for something more.
That glimmer of hope is assurance in the One who did not stay in His grave. The One who saves, forgives, loves and carries us through it all. This hope is all we need. This glimmer of hope is Jesus.
It is my heart's desire to be ready at a moment's notice to explain my faith to anyone who asks. My faith is in a God who offers hope beyond our circumstances. Beyond reason, beyond logic, and beyond the ordinary things we can see.
It is a hope worth clinging to.
I am now able to tell those I meet not only that I have faith in Jesus, but also about my faith in Jesus.
If asked today, what would you say you believe? Is Jesus your Lord? If so, what does that look like in your life? Do you have a ready answer?
Dear Lord, You are my hope every day. Thank You for loving me and guiding me. Help me to see You in my circumstances — all of them. You are that glimmer of hope that keeps me hanging on. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Connect with Holly on our P31 Devotions blog today.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.
Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst, along with accompanying workbook:Participant's Guide.
Do You Know Him?

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
If someone were to randomly walk up to you today and ask you about your faith, what would you say? Do you have a ready answer?
Reflections:
Are you sure of what you hope for?
Are you certain of what you do not see?
How can you use these answers to lead others to Jesus?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (NIV)
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - Owner's manual

6:30 a.m prayer / devotion

Evening - Insanity Pure Cardio


 

June 21, 2011 I Don't Read Owner's Manuals Glynnis Whitwer

"The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." Psalm 119:160 (NAS)
I don't read owner's manuals. Never have. Perhaps I should clarify that statement and say I don't read owner's manuals... until I have a problem. By then, I'm usually in trouble.
A perfect example is a new vacuum/steam cleaner combo I just purchased. It promised to do away with messy buckets, chemicals and mops when cleaning tile floors. That promise appealed to me because with three dogs and five children at home, my floors need lots of cleaning and sanitation.
The first time I used the steam-cleaning component it worked great. The second time it worked ok. The third time it barely worked. And the fourth time I just dragged a dry machine around the tile. Then I read the owner's manual. Seems I should have used distilled water to protect from clogging.
I don't know too many people who make a habit of reading owner's manuals before they need them. In fact, the most popular time to read the owner's manual of a car is when there's a flat tire or a weird light pops up on the dashboard.
There was a time when I treated my Bible like the owner's manual of my car and steam cleaner: only read when necessary. My reading of it was limited to a few verses printed in my church bulletin, or an occasional flurry of interest. That approach proved ineffective when faced with the challenges of college and early-married life.
I wasn't equipped to deal with the self-sacrifice needed in marriage, or the allure of finding my identity in work. I frantically juggled all the demands on my time before I read that God had good advice on how to order my priorities.
By the time I looked in the Bible for answers, something in my life needed repair. Some days it was a broken relationship; other days it was a bitter attitude or bad decision I had made. Eventually I realized I had to stop using my Bible like a reference book and start using it like a life manual.
I started reading the Bible to prepare me for life, rather than rescue me from it.
I joined small groups to study with others what God's Word said. What a difference that approach made! I discovered God really does know how to navigate this thing called life.
Bit by bit, God's guidelines for living have become a part of my everyday thinking. While I may not become an expert in repairing steam cleaners, I'm trying to be a life-long student of God's Word. My floors aren't any cleaner, but my life makes a lot more sense following the ultimate "owner's manual."
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us comprehensive and helpful owner's manual. Help develop in me a hunger for Your Word. I ask for wisdom to understand the hard things, and strength to live out Your commands. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Monday, June 20, 2011 - Encouragement

5:45 Devotion /Prayer

6:00 a.m. Exercise

June 20, 2011 Word That Heal T. Suzanne Eller

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
I was searching in my husband's sock drawer when I found a familiar thick white envelope. I put on my glasses, sat at my vanity and started reading.
Tears followed.
"Dad, you are my hero." Ryan penned these words the day my husband, Richard, finished graduate school. The words in the three pages revealed a young man who was not afraid to open his heart and let his dad see inside.
Reading the letter once again made me want to write a letter to my son. I wanted to tell him that I remembered when he was a little boy and he offered drive-by kisses as he ran past. I desired to tell him that when I was an exhausted mother to three toddlers his lopsided smile and Kermit the Frog belly laugh made me happy to be a mom.
I longed to tell him that I remembered when he walked behind me, trying to gain my attention with "Mom, Mom, Mama!" I wanted to share that I was sorry when I wasn't as patient as I should have been.
Most of all I wanted to let him know how proud I was of him as a man and how I saw many of the same beautiful traits of his father emerging in him.
Why do we leave such precious words unsaid? Words that heal. Words that share the way we feel. Words that become treasures one day when words are all that remain.
Today's key verse from Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that the power isn't in the tongue as a muscle, but in the words that fall from the tongue. We often talk about the negative words we should hold back, but what about the words that we can freely offer to those we care about?
Those are powerful words, indeed.
Dear Lord, scripture is filled with words that remind me of Your love. May my tongue be used to affirm, to encourage, to lift up, and to share simple words that say "I love you" to the treasured people You put in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway. Are you a mom and need a thriving community? Join Suzie's Moms Together Facebook group.
The Mom I want to be: Rising above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future by T. Suzanne Eller

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
Maybe you are unsure of how spoken words might be received, especially if they are rare. Share those words in a letter. Write a note to your loved one. Share one thing that you love that they do, or about who they are to you. Share a treasured memory, or a moment when they brightened your day.
Leave it somewhere unexpected — in a lunchbox, on a pillow, taped to a steering wheel.
Reflections:
Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men's souls, and a beautiful image it is. — Blaise Pascal
Power Verses:
Matthew 12:36, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (NIV)
Matthew 12:37, "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (NIV)

Friday, June 17, 2011 - Mean Girls

5:13 Prayer / Devotion

6:00 a.m. - Exercise

June 17, 2011 Mean Girls Lynn Cowell

"You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless." Song of Solomon 4:7b (MSG)
The words on Facebook glared back at her. "You are so ugly! You are fat, annoying and I hate you!"
Lindsay just sat there, staring at the screen, baffled. "What did I say? What did I do?"
Maybe this has happened to one of your children, or in some way they've faced this same type of painful rejection. Maybe you have felt it yourself. I recently spotted a t-shirt at the mall that read "You're no one until someone talks about you." What a sad state of affairs.
Growing up in a world where "Mean Girls" and "Gossip Girl" are movie and TV titles, it comes as no surprise that "mean" defines many females today. How can we guard our hearts against this? As a mom, what can we do when our children's hearts are crushed by meanness?
Feeling unaccepted is nothing new. In Song of Solomon 1:5a, we are introduced to a young girl who felt this way: "Don't look down on me because I am dark..." (MSG). She felt rejected. Those feelings are so opposite of what we and our children want to feel. We long to be accepted.
Matthew Henry concludes about this passage in Song of Solomon that we, as represented by the young girl, are "often base and contemptible in the esteem of others, but excellent in the sight of God." [1]
We can counteract the poison of meanness by remembering who we are in God's eyes. I am excellent in the sight of God and so are you. Song of Solomon 1:5b reveals the tanned girl's acceptance of this truth; she knows full well that her Lord finds her lovely. When I know that I am accepted by the Lord, it puts me exactly where I need to be to slough off insults and to help my child do the same.
When my daughter was in sixth grade, she was 5'10". One day as she got off the school bus, I noticed she was holding back a flood of tears. Once again she had been made fun of for her height.
On that day, her youth pastor wasn't there. Her teacher, counselor and small group leaders weren't there either. But her mom was. I began telling her how her Father saw her. Sharing truths like these:
• "My beloved is mine, and I am His..." (Song of Solomon 2:16a, NKJV).
• "You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless" (Song of Solomon 4:7b, MSG).
• "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord" (Psalm 45:11, NIV).
I poured these truths and others into my daughter that day and continue to remind her of them still. I put them everywhere so that together we can read them over and over again. When we feel rejected, these words remind us that we are, in fact, accepted! I pray they will be a sweet reminder for you, and perhaps your daughter, today.
Dear Lord, help me to be purposeful in putting Your truth about who I am into my heart and mind so that am not swayed by the opinions of others. And when the time is right, I can pour Your truth into the hearts and minds of my children and friends. When my child feels rejected, help me remind them that in You they are accepted. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - Faith

June 14, 2011
Faith that Moves God's Heart
Glynnis Whitwer
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless..." 2 Samuel 22:26 (NIV 2011)
"Are you scared?" my daughter asked. Nibbling on fingernails, she glanced at the harnesses hung on pegs, then to the mountain and finally to my face to assess my take on the situation.
Shading my eyes, I looked up the same mountain to the highest landing, barely visible between branches. Within a few minutes we'd be there, strapped into harnesses and hooked onto a thin wire. Her apprehension was clear.
"No, I'm not scared," I answered honestly. I trusted the harness and wires to keep me safe. I trusted the staff who'd done this with thousands of other people. Beyond explanation, I (the person who avoids wasting any adrenalin) had faith I'd be safe zipping through the canopy.
As I waited my turn to get trussed up, God whispered in my heart, "That's the kind of faith I'd like you to have all the time — only in Me."
That thought settled in my heart and begged me to explore it. My initial response was a tad bit defensive. Sometimes my faith is strong. Haven't I leapt into situations trusting You to make a way, I asked God. Before I could start reminding Him of specific instances, the Holy Spirit nudged me to go deeper. So I did.
In the most honest places in my heart, I had to admit that often — even those areas I almost bragged about — my trust was in God and my exit strategy.
I trusted God, but I also trusted the strength of my arm or my ability to negotiate a positive outcome. It was like I said, "I trust You but just let me get this harness strapped on and hooked to the wire."
I knew God was speaking about faith with no backup plan. Faith that really gets His attention — where there's no harness or wire. No experienced staff. No net. There's just God. I've tasted that faith, but not often enough.
God is calling me to a higher place of faith. It's a place where I believe God can and will provide for me. And therein lies the hard place. I've anchored my life in the belief that God can do anything, but somehow feel presumptuous believing He will for me.
That's doubt masquerading as false humility. And that, my friends, saddens God and limits His work in my life.
Scripture shows us God is moved by followers with faith. There's not enough space in this devotion to list the miracles God performed when people had faith. Nor is there space to list those times when doubt made a difference.
God's whisper challenged me to submit my unbelief to Him once again in my pursuit to become a woman of faith. My heart longs to be completely sold-out for Jesus, following Him without doubt. I want the same faith in God I had when I jumped off a platform 100 feet above the jungle floor and laughed with the sheer joy of soaring. Yes, that's the type of faith I want in God. All the time.
Dear Lord, I declare today that You are faithful and worthy of all my faith. You never lie, will never leave and never break Your promises. Help me to be a woman who follows You with complete trust. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Friday, June 10, 2011 - Slow it Down

5:30 a.m. prayer
               devotion

6:00 a.m. Hip hop Abs



Slow It Down

T. Suzanne Eller

"God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning..." Genesis 1:5 (NIV)
I was reading my Bible one day and noticed a huge "mistake" in scripture. Everyone knows that morning comes first, and then evening follows. Right? But there it was in black and white. Genesis 1:5 read "and there was evening, and there was morning."

Of course, it was no mistake. God started with evening — a time of rest — and a day's productivity resulted.

We live in a culture where rest is often viewed in a negative light. When we work, we work hard. When we play, we play hard. We know how to fill our time with e-mail, activities, carpool, cleaning, aerobics, and our list of tasks. But do we know how to rest?

Nineteen years ago at the ripe age of 32 I was diagnosed with cancer. When I found out, I blurted, "I don't have time for cancer!" But cancer didn't consult my schedule. My life changed as I put aside a lot of things I once thought were absolutely vital as I went through chemo, surgery, and radiation.

One beautiful result that emerged from that difficult time was a new list of priorities. I learned how to climb between the sheets and put aside my worries. To rest my body and my mind. To slow down when life became crazy and to weigh what was important, and what was not. Before long I began to see evening as the first part of my day. From rest, sprang morning; I had earned a good day's work.

It's a concept that changed my life. Not just physically, but also spiritually. Recently I had two speaking events sandwiched together. As the date approached, my time with my Heavenly Father became "evening." I prepared, but spiritually rested as I communed with God. Once I arrived in the city where I was to speak, I closed the door of my hotel room and listened to the heart of my Father instead of going over my notes. Out of rest, sprang true ministry. I was refreshed and filled by His presence, instead of my efforts.

How often do we run out of steam because we are out of balance? I wish I could say I was forever cured. But I'm not. There are times that I have to slow it down and reconsider my priorities all over again. And if physical rest or spiritual rest has been pushed to last place, I have to put it all on the table and let The Boss help me sort through it so I can put "evening" back where it belongs.

Dear Lord, when I push You to last place, I miss out on hearing Your voice. When I keep going until I drop, I get all tangled up in my to-do list. I know that life is busy, but help me to discern between what is important, and what is not. Reorganize my life, and reveal true rest that only comes from You. In Jesus' Name,, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?
Visit Suzie's blog where she shares a quiz to help you decide if you are too busy and enter to win her great give-away!
If today's topic struck a chord, you'll want to read the chapter "Turn the Beat Around" in Rachel Olsen's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.

The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller
The Yes, No, and Maybe to a Balanced Life (CD) by Wendy Pope

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Application Steps:

Write down all the to-do's that consume your time.
Are there any that aren't absolutely necessary?

Do you need to say "no" to one or two so that you can say "yes" to a more restful family and a more rested you?

Reflections:

As women, we often take care of the needs of our children, our community, our church, our spouses, our jobs, our homes, but we leave ourselves out of the nurturing process. Am I willing to nurture myself in one way today spiritually or physically?

Power Verses:

Mark 6:30-31, "Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.' For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." (NKJ)

Friday, June 3, 2011 - Are you content?

5:30 a.m. Prayer
5:45 a.m. Devotion

6:00 a.m - P90x "Legs and Back"

Friday, June 03, 2011	Send to a Friend     More Free Newsletters

June 3, 2011 The Secret of Contentment Micca Monda Campbell

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11b (NIV)
Have you ever noticed how over-extending yourself tends to bring unwanted pressure into your life?
Sometimes I think we busy ourselves in order to gain more, find acceptance among peers, land a better position, and gain riches of all kinds. Perhaps we live under the illusion that having such riches is what makes a person complete, content, and deliriously happy. Yet, when we discover that's not the case, we're left feeling empty and discontent.
Contentment and security are not found in career titles or in the kind of car we own. The logo on our car only tells others what kind of car we drive — not who we are. True satisfaction, in its purest form, is found in the wealth of who God is and the riches He graciously lavishes upon us.
Recently God's been showing me that when I constantly want more than He has given me, it reflects a heart that is discontent. It's like I'm telling God, "I'm not satisfied with what You have provided for me. I want more."
In wanting more, I place undo pressure on myself in an attempt to get what God hasn't provided. Naturally, anxiety is the result when I focus on things other than God and His will for my life.
The pressure to have more and do more can lead us down paths we never intended. In our attempt to fill the vacuum of our empty souls, we discover that external luxury is only a cheap substitution for spiritual wholeness. As our key verse points out, Paul knew the secret of finding contentment. "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Take note that Paul wrote these words in a high stress situation as he sat in jail awaiting a verdict for a crime he didn't commit. I don't know if I could find contentment if I were in his sandals. I would probably strum my wooden cage with a rock singing pitifully, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow." Finding contentment doesn't mean we have to like our current situation, but it may require an appreciation for it. Let me explain.
Paul learned that the fruit of contentment is developed when we are thankful for what God has provided whether we like it or not. That's because peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God and our attitude toward His provision in the midst of our stress. By expressing gratitude, Paul experienced richness of being, not having.
You may be in a hard place right now and you're longing for freedom. Maybe you're in a job that feels like a dead end; perhaps you have two of them! It may be that you live in a space too small for your family and you hate it. You're not where you planned or hoped to be and you certainly don't like it.
The truth is, we don't have to like where we are or what we have, but if we will choose to thank God for His provisions regardless of our feelings toward them, we'll experience the same contentment Paul encountered.
Being thankful doesn't mean that God will eventually remove us from our situation. He may; He may not. Rather, being appreciative sets us free from the desire to have and lets us rest in the riches of contentment. And when we reach a place of contentment, we don't need earthly riches galore.
God becomes our greatest treasure. In Him, we have everything we need.
Dear Lord, I'm grateful for what You've provided for me. Fill me with Your peace so that I may be truly content in Your blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca's blog and enter to win her giveaway!
Today's devotion was taken from Micca's book, An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voscamp
The Most Powerful Two-Word Prayer (DVD) by Lysa TerKeurst
Application Steps:
Instead of focusing on what God has not provided, make a list of what He has. Then, thank God for His provision.
Reflections:
Does my heart always long for more than what God has provided?
If so, why and what do I need to do to find contentment?
Power Verses:
Psalm 103:1-5, "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (NIV)

Its time to get back to the Grind! Whew..5:00 a.m. Reading/Workout

Monday - Memorial Day
Gym - Warm up 10 min, 30 min UpperBody @ the gym, 20 min jogging

Tuesday - No workout :*(

Wednesday, June 1st
Evening - @Gym - 10 min warm up/50 min Lower Body/Abs / 20 min jogging burned 575kcal
1 hr 20 min
           -  Played tag outside with my 5 yr old niece
10 pm - Played "Lets Dance" with my 5 yr old niece

Thursday - June 2, 2011

5:13 a.m. Prayer

5:30 a.m. Meditation /Reading

5:45 a.m. - 6:45 P90x "Chest, Tries and Biceps"

June 2, 2011 Should I Quit? Lysa TerKeurst

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:7 (NIV)
We all have those times in life where we wish the voice of God would audibly speak so loudly there's no way we could miss it, "THIS IS THE DIRECTION I WANT YOU TO GO." Then we'd know whether to stay the course or quit and head off in a new direction.
Have you ever wished for this kind of certainty?
I have.
We want to know what to do.
Sometimes we stay in a place too long. But I think the greater loss happens in those times we quit too soon. And we live with this nagging sense of "what if?" What if I'd persevered one more year, one more month, one more day?
What if David had been so put off by his dad's brush off, he refused to come in from the field and see Samuel? (1 Samuel 16)
What if David had assessed whether or not to face Goliath based on the shadow of his opponent rather than the shadow of the Almighty? (1 Samuel 17)
What if Abigail's pride or fear had stopped her a few steps shy of bowing low before David? (1 Samuel 25)
Knowing when to stop and when to keep on keeping on is a crucial life lesson. One I want to learn well.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus encourages us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
I used to get so frustrated when I heard this verse because I thought, I don't want rest. I want reassurance! I'm burdened by this decision I have to make. I don't want to mess up my life by missing a cue from You, God.
But the gift of the rest Jesus is offering here is not a spiritual Ambien. The Greek word for this kind of rest is anapauo which has as one of its definitions, "of calm and patient expectation."
In other words, Jesus is saying if you come to Me, I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation.
But how?
My friend Jennifer Rothschild does this enlightening exercise at some of her conferences. She tells the audience to imagine her writing two different words on a large chalkboard. She then speaks the letters as she draws the first word into the air... R-E-S-T. She does the same for the second word...R-E-S-I-S-T. Then she asks what's the difference?
The difference is, of course, "I."
I don't know what to do. I can't figure this out. I'm worn out. I've tried everything I know to do. I've given all I have to give.
I'm familiar with these "I" statements because I've said them myself.
We can only find anapauo rest — fresh hope — as we stop running ragged and simply take on the next assignment Jesus gives.
In verse 29 of Matthew 11 Jesus gives us the assignment to take on His yoke and learn from Him. Ask Jesus to show you just the next step. Not ten steps. Not the whole path. Not the Google map with the highlighted route. Just the next step.
Complete that step with excellence and an open, humble heart. Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in this next step.
This is your part of the equation.
But after the assignment, comes the reassurance in verse 30, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." We don't have to have all the answers. We just have to stay connected to the One who does. Where our strength ends is the exact point where His will begin.
This is God's part of the equation.
I must do all I can do. Then trust God will do what only He can do.
Should I stay? Should I go? Maybe the better question is, "God, what is the next step I'm to take today? I'm going to do my part. And trust the rest with You."
Dear Lord, I am tired and I can't seem to figure some things out today. Please help me to see Your part in this equation. Where my strength ends is where Yours will begin. Help me, Lord, to look to You for my very next step. I will wait in calm expectation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog by clicking here and register to win a Bible Study kit for What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new 6 week DVD teaching set, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. For more information, click here.
The accompanying Yes to God Bible Study workbook can be found by clicking here.
Lysa will be speaking in more than 40 cities this year. Click here to see her schedule. She would be honored to meet you.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
Listen and look for all Jesus wants to teach you in the very next step you will take. Determine what your part is and then look to God for His. Trust His faithfulness today.
Reflections:
Jesus says to me, 'I will take your exhaustion and uncertainty and turn it into a calm expectation'. What does this look like to me?
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:9, "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." (NIV)
Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (NIV)