Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”  Remember when that was the prayer of your heart and God’s response was His unfailing love and forgiveness, wrapped up in His mercy that is new every day. Mercy is an unmerited, unearned favor from God that was made possible to us by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.  Our sins separated us from God and when Jesus paid the penalty for everyone one of them, He made a way for true believers to be forgiven and experience…

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 I read this quote today concerning self-righteousness: “Self-righteousness is being more concerned for, and motivated by, the knowledge of the sin of others than your own.” (Dr. Paul Tripp) He then said and asked the following; “Be honest right here and right now as you’re reading this.” Those questions took me back to a devotional I read years ago by Stormie O’Martian called, “The Praying Wife.” When I started the study it was with the intention of praying for my husband and the things that I…

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23 I have often thought of today’s passage in the context of work and serving others, especially when the tasks seem to keep rolling in. When I become frustrated and impatient either with the task or the person, I say to myself, “Do it as if you were doing it for God.” That usually helps me to have a better attitude and helps me finish the task. But sometimes afterward I have felt a bit unappreciated, used, or even rejected for my efforts. It’s in those moments that I find myself thinking, “Jesus would…

Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.  Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:2,6 Sarah’s story is one that showcases the miraculous hand of God in the life of a woman who, like myself, often doubted and worried. Many years had passed since God had first told Abraham that he would be father of a great nation. Then imagine giving birth to the long awaited child at the age of 90 when according to the world’s standards, all hope was lost. But according to God, her child arrived…

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24 The other day while I was exercising my mind was filled with thoughts of “what’s next?” Not in what’s next in this exercise routine, but what’s next on my to-do list. The instructor in the video then said, “Close your eyes and breath. Listen to my voice and just be present in the moment. Feel it. Enjoy it.” So I did. What a wonderful experience that was! The exercises were stretches that would increase flexibility and when I quieted my…

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. Psalm 47:6 One of my favorite things to hear each morning when I wake up are the birds singing. They sound so cheerful and their melodies help to make my day start off on the right foot. As I’ve been working on taking my thoughts captive, I read that filling them with worship will always help them to align with God’s will. If my mind is full of praises to my God, it cannot be filled with things of the flesh. It’s a deliberate act to choose to worship regardless of the circumstances in your life. I tried this at work and while feeling the pressure…

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 After God showed me the plan He has to help me take control of my thought life, He gave me plenty of opportunities to practice. With the three bible passages in mind, I had everything I needed to experience victory. Here’s how it works. When a questionable thought comes to mind I say to myself, “take it captive.” This causes me to stop and think about what I’m thinking about. Sounds strange, but I sometimes find myself mindlessly…

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 I recently starting reading a bible study called Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake. It’s a guide through participating in a 40 day sugar fast. I started this while at my last God retreat a week ago and what I discovered was that the key to success in this area will be overcoming my thought life. After asking God to search my heart and show me areas that I need to refine and change, He revealed that my thought life is out of control…

Blessed is ___________ if she hungers and thirsts after righteousness, for she shall be filled.  – Matthew 5:6 You, God, are ____________’s God, earnestly she seeks You; she thirsts for You, her whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1     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.  Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me…

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. – Matthew 5:6 What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?  It means to greatly desire to know God and understand His will for our lives. This knowledge will lead us on the path of righteousness and will help transform us in becoming more and more like Jesus.  Everything that is needed for living a godly life has graciously been given to us in God’s Word.  As we study the Bible we will become personally and intimately acquainted with the character, commandments and promises of God.  We begin to experience His character in action…