My God My Everything

Passion Prayers are short prayers that I pray will help prepare hearts and minds for Easter. The celebration of our Risen Lord is only a few weeks away and the enemy is doing his best to distract us from focusing on the most beautiful display of love that has ever been given. Let these prayers help you refocus your mind and heart on the One and Only Savior who loves you more than you can comprehend and who is right beside you no matter what is going on in this crazy world. Matthew 6:33-34: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you…

I was reading a booklet called “From the Pit to the Palace” by Johan Schep about the life of Joseph this week and came across a timely reminder of how to live from his example. The author writes, People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind the people may accuse you of wrong motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the Best. It may never be enough. Give the Best anyway. Your…

I just finished a study on Hebrews 11 which is often referred to as the the Hall of Faith. Several bible characters are mentioned and all were commended for their faith. Although they were commended for their faith in the New Testament, the stories of their weaknesses and at times failures are listed in the Old Testament. So many of the issues they dealt with we also struggle with. The truth of their human efforts is shown in what could be called the Hall of Shame. By recklessness Noah got drunk and his nakedness was exposed to his son Ham (Genesis 9:20-27).By fear Abraham lied about his relationship with Sarah,…

Over the last couple of weeks the decision to choose joy has made a huge difference in my attitude. At first I was kind of discouraged when I realized how often I had been choosing the opposite. Dwelling on the what ifs and always thinking ahead of the possibilities and trying to manage the outcomes. Several times a day I would say to myself, “Choose Joy,” and instantly my attitude would begin to adjust. My circumstances didn’t change but my heart and mindset did. I recently read a study on Joseph who was sold into Egypt and was reminded that my attitude will make all the difference in any situation.…

I finished reading the book Personality Plus this week and it prompted me to take a serious look at myself. At first I questioned some of the characteristics that were common with the personality type that I was identified with, but after further reflection I knew they were right. One in particular was that this personality type lacks joy. I have always thought of myself as a happy person but as I slowed down and really looked at how I respond to situations and people, I found that it’s true. I take life to seriously and my mind is always planning for whatever is next. Anticipating outcomes and preparing for…

A friend of mine lent me a book about personalities. It starts with a short test to see which type you are and then explains the strengths and weaknesses of each category. Later it provides suggestions on how to overcome your weaknesses and the best way to communicate with other personalities. After taking the test I was not really surprised to find out that I am what the author calls a Perfect Melancholy. As I read the strengths and weaknesses section I often laughed at how spot on they were. A Perfect Melancholy has to have everything in order and cannot rest until they are. I had just finished organizing…

This last week has been one of awe and wonder as I’ve seen God working in mighty ways. There have been familiar situations replayed that I’ve expected the same outcomes as I have seen before, but this time the responses are different. Although the circumstances were the same the difference was a heart that fully surrendered to God. My husband told me that in the past he found himself in situations which were unpleasant, but direct results of his choices. He would pray for God to rescue him but would only surrender part of the problem. His heart was only to get out of the current trouble and still live…

“Talk with Me about your fears, expressing your thoughts and feelings freely. Relax in My Presence and entrust all your concerns to Me. Then ask Me to bless you with My Joy, which no one can take from you.” Those were the words from a Jesus Always devotional that I read this week. After reading it the question, “Are you convinced?” came to mind. Convinced means to be completely certain about something; to be firm about one’s belief. So I asked the question again, “Am I convinced that I can go to God with anything? That I can talk with Him about my fears and express my thoughts and feelings…

What kind of images come to your mind with the words into the deep? Is it something that you are excited to do or are you more apprehensive and reluctant to participate? There is a bible verse that I’ve heard many times but never really understood until I ventured deeper. It’s found in Psalm 42:7: “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” My question was, “What does deep calls to deep mean?” Psalm 42 was written by King David during the time when he had been driven from his throne by his rebellious son Absalom. David had fled for…