Prayer Not Repetition

The old house was cold and dark but I never felt safer as my grandmother helped me say my prayers before I went to sleep. This was a very special time for me and if I close my eyes to this day I can hear her saying, "Honeybee repeat after me, Now I lay me down to sleep I pray to the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul he will take.” There was a peace that seemed to come with saying this prayer as a little girl. As an adult I know that prayer is not just the same thing you say over and over again. It is much more than that. According to the dictionary prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. That just sounds so formal to me. I dare say that prayer is sitting with the father, praising Him, asking for forgiveness, telling him what is on your heart and asking him to help you.

God loves his children and wants to hear from us. One of my sons is going to college out of state and I love it when he calls me just to talk. It would be different if every time he called me he was giving me his needs list, I need money, my car needs fixing, I need help, I want this or that. Don't get me wrong I would still be glad to hear his voice and know that he is doing well but it would not be the same as when we are just talking about what is happening in his life, what he and his friends are up to, or how his classes are going. I think maybe God wants to hear from us sometimes just because we love him and not because we find ourselves in a crisis.

I think prayer could be a time to come to God to strengthen our relationship with him. He already knows all about us, what we need and what we want. It should be our privilege to get to spend time with the creator of it all, the one that loved us enough to make us in his image and just have a one on one personal conversation with him pouring out our hearts and devotion to him. I am thankful for my grandmother, she tried to instill in her grandchildren the importance of prayer by being a living example of what a one on one relationship with God could look like.

Psalm 17:6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Taking Time to Pray

       

     As I was working on a devotion this week I was thinking about prayer. I find my self going through the day and praying on the fly. When my friends on social media ask me to pray for someone I try to do it right then. As I am going about my daily life I say  little prayers here and there, then when the end of the day comes I find my self in bed, this is when I try to do that "deep praying". However,I have to admit I usually fall into a "deep sleep" before I am finished taking with God. I am not proud to admit I sometimes just can't stay awake. This reminds me of when the Lord was in the garden praying and the disciples could not stay awake and pray. I am sure like me they wanted to pray but the day had just worn them out.
Matthew 26:40-41”  And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?  Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
      I thought of how I could make my prayer life better and I realized that my favorite time of the day is in the morning hours between 3-4. I know this sounds crazy but it such a peaceful that time of day. Many times my eyes just pop open at about 3 am. The other morning I woke up about around that time but I didn't just lay in the bed. I got up and went into another room to pray. While I was praying the Lord seemed to bring many people to my mind to, even a girl I knew in high school. I am not her friend on social media and I have not heard about her practically since high school yet, I felt she needed prayer. The Holy Spirit also put many other things on my heart to pray about  such as: work, friends, family and more.
     This is what I leaned, that time with God is time well spent. It does not matter what time of day or night it is God just wants us to communicate with him. He made us to have a relationship with him. We give time to our co-workers, family, and friends whether in person, on the phone or even social media. We find ways to keep in touch with them. We need to do the same for God he should have the first place in our lives. As Christ followers, how will we get to  know him more if were are not continuing  to grow our relationship with him? We must take time to just sit down and talk with God, to praise him, pour our hearts out to him, and listen to him. 
I have decided to find more time to talk with the one who loves me the most, who created me to have a relationship with him and to just get to set in his presence more. 
In the blogs to follow I will be taking about Prayer and how we might can have a more productive prayer life. I hope that you will join me. 
Blessings Always! Veronna

Be Encouraged

It is just Tuesday and I can say that I have already faced  some trials (a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.) and tribulations (cause of great trouble or suffering.) this week.  I don't want to focus on the negative however sometimes I have to admit that I get so caught up in the things around me that I can forget to remember that God is in control and NOT ME! It is a good thing that He is in control because I could make a real mess of things. When I am praying and listening to the Father I have found that I make much better choices. If I choose to listen to the one who is in control everything works out better.  However, if I let the sinful nature take control I can  jump to conclusions and then say things I don't mean. This tends to make a bigger mess of every situation. I have heard it said " I am just human " as if that give us some kind of right of passage to do or say what is wrong and evil. We all will face hardship in this world but we must be people of integrity watching how we handle our selves in all situations.  Others may not understand why we may choose  handle a situation different from how someone else may handle it and they may think that we are being weak by the world standards. We should not worry about what other think because  our standards as Christians are to be like Christ not the world. Some times we are  tempted to say or do something that could cause others around us some type of pain. I admit the temptation can be real. I am thankful to be reminded about the verse in  1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation  has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,  he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Be encouraged, even though we will face trials and tribulations. We can stand strong knowing that God is in control!

Deuteronomy 31.6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Jehovah- Shalom is my Prince of Peace

Have you ever had a day where you felt as thought Satan was just camped out in your yard waiting to pounce on you? I know for me sometimes it is just feels like this. Actually, today Satan tried to deceive me in believing his lies that he could take my day away by trying to cause worry, confusion and chaos. In this certain situation I was reminded that God is Jehovah Shalom which means The Lord is Peace. God defeats our enemies to bring us peace. We get inner peace and harmony by leaning on his understanding. We may not understand why our circumstances are the way they are right now but we don't have to always know, we just have to know the one who loves us and wants what is best for us. God is not the author of fear so when Satan tries to make you afraid, worried, confused or to bring chaos into your life just remind him who you belong to and that God is in control of your life. Jehovah-Shalom is your Prince of Peace. Oh, by the way my day turned out great because my God Reigns and he is in control.

Isaiah 9:6
Prince of Peace For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Living it Daily: Friends Can Remind Us Who We Belong To

Living it Daily: Friends Can Remind Us Who We Belong To: I had lunch with a sweet friend today. I love being around sisters that you can just feel the Holy Spirits presents when you are wi...

Friends Can Remind Us Who We Belong To

I had lunch with a sweet friend today. I love being around sisters that you can just feel the Holy Spirits presents when you are with them. You know that once we have accepted the free gift of salvation that the Lord offers we really are changed. People will be able to see the transformation in the way we do everything from our speech, our dress, to the way we treat others, our actions really do speak louder than our words. We can say all day long that we are a child of the King but if our lives don't show it then was it really real? The word says" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (KJV) Matthew 7:21
If we have really made the Lord King of our hearts then we will want to do his will. The things that seem "normal" for this old world will not be what we will want to do. So now might be a good time to stop and do a check of our hearts do we desire God and his will or are we trying to do what we want and justifying it because everyone else says it is ok? We all sometimes loose track of the main focus but we should never be ok with it or let it become our life style.

Give your worries to the Lord

As I woke up this morning I was thankful to God for a new and fresh day. It rained and stormed a little last night. However, when the storm passed and the morning came so did the hope and possibilities for this to be a day that I would choose to honor the Lord. You see we have the chose to choose how we will react to situations today. Will we cast all our cares on the Lord or will we try fix all the situations that come up in our lives our selves? I know that when ever I try to fix my own situations, without trusting in the Father, I really make a bigger mess of things.
I hope that today you choose to let go and let God see you through the storms and in every situation so that you can have a blessed day. Give him all your worries and cares he is big enough to handle it!
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

What is our purpose in Life?

What is our purpose in Life?

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 At my place of employment each morning before we start the work day our staff opens with a devotion and prayer time. I am so thankful that I work where God is put first. This morning our devotional was to find our purpose in life. I know that our purpose is to worship the Father but sometimes it is so easy to lose our focus and take our eyes off of what we are really meant to do. It seems that being a wife, mom, friend, or daughter just takes over and I loose what my real purpose is. I am not saying that it is not part of our purpose to be the best wife, mom, friend or even daughter. What I am saying is that we can’t be the best at this life if we don’t put our worship to God before everything else.

In the mornings before we start our day is a great time to check in with God and thank him for that entire he has done for us. This could be as simple as saying thank you for waking me up and giving me another chance to glorify your name. I would love to say that I am great at this and that I start everyday out this way.  The truth is I get busy then I am in a hurry and I am out the door sometimes before I ever speak to the father.

Recently, I had a friend to introduce me to morning stretches and just praying through. I have another friend that I told about this and we meet in the mornings before work and do it together. It has been a great tool to help hold each other accountable. When my mind and heart are focused on my true purpose in life to worship my heavenly father it seems that everything else just goes so much better. Then I can be a better wife, mom, friend, or whatever other title I hold.

My prayer is that today you and I  both make a conscious effort to remember live out our purpose to put Christ first and worship him with a will heart so that we can be our best in everything else.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established

Darkness is Dangerous

Walking in the dark is dangerous. When I was little I remember playing hide and seek. On one dark night we were playing and I was hiding in what I thought was a good spot. What I didn't realize was that next to me was a fence that had a big hog in it. As I was sitting, there already a little uncomfortable because of the darkness around me, the big old hog came up behind me and gave a loud snort. I was so scared I screamed as loud as I could while running mindlessly in the dark looking for my brother who I just knew could save me. Thankfully, I found him and the hog was behind a fence so he could not get me.
When we are in darkness we can't see the dangers around us, this world is a dark place. We need the Holy Spirit in us to keep us safe and give us wisdom to know the dangers of this world and the promise of a future with Christ for eternity.

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk-in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Living it Daily: Best of Friends

Living it Daily: Best of Friends: Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Me and my mom were best of friends where you found on...

Best of Friends

Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Me and my mom were best of friends where you found one you were sure to find the other. She would always buy something for her self and then buy me the same thing. If she was going to do some canning she would buy me a pot just like hers so that we could do it together. We would some times show up at places wearing identical clothes. (she dressed young for her age or at least that is what I tell my self) The point is when it came time for her to pass on to heaven my heart was very heavy, I had not just lost my mother but my best friend. I could not ever begin to think of how I was going to do this life without her. I was tired and weak from the past months of being at her side while she fought cancer. I did not think that I would make it. Time has passed and as I look back I know through it all it was not my strength that got me where I am today. I could have only been the strength of the Lord. I can now reflect on it and see God's presence in every situation. Weather we were crying together or I was just holding her hand waiting on the Lord to take her home. I know he was with me. I still miss my mom and always will. The Lord has blessed me in a way that I can carry on and  know this is not the end. I will see her one day soon. In the mean time I will cook using both pots while remembering our good times together. 

Father, your blessings are more than I could ever imagine. You are always there to pick me up and I thank you for that. Please continue to work in my life giving me strength and power when I need it. In Jesus name, Amen

Living it Daily: Then I Started Confessing

Living it Daily: Then I Started Confessing:  Do find it strange when you start talking to your best friend just about life then all of a sudden your crying and confessing things you ...

Then I Started Confessing

 Do find it strange when you start talking to your best friend just about life then all of a sudden your crying and confessing things you have never really told anyone?  Well tonight I did just that. Then in that moment I realized that I am sitting here saying I can't and my friend is saying, your right but God can. Oh, talk about holding you accountable. I am so thankful for the friends in my life that listen to me, then they don't tell me what they think I want to hear. They hold me accountable and tell me the truth. If you have a friend like that then you have a true treasure. I am blessed to have a treasure box of friends who have walked with me through some dark times and have been there for me. They have loved me enough to tell me the truth, even if it hurt. They have also been there through the good times to encourage me. They have helped me stay focused and remind me that with God nothing is impossible. That He has a plan and that His plans are better than ours.


 This made me start thinking about Moses and Aaron. Moses did not think that he had what it took to do what the Lord was asking of him. So, Moses ask the Lord to let someone else take the responsibility because he didn't think he could do it. Then the Lord sent Moses brother Arron to help him. It says in scripture that “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses” ( Wow, that is pretty scary I am sure I don't want to know how many times the Lords anger has been kindled against me.) The Lord knew that Moses could do it because he would give him the ability. I am so grateful for Gods mercy and when He sends us to do something then He will equip us for it. God did that for Moses and sent him Aaron, someone to walk with him and help him.

I am thankful that we don't walk this life alone. If you ever find your self saying you can't, God says you can, and He not only sends the Holy Spirit to guide you, he can send friends to walk with you along the way. Having true friends that believe in you when you don't believe in your self is a wonderful treasure to have.



Exodus 4 :10-15 10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do.

Putting Forth the Effort

I love being in Gods word but I have to confess that I find it hard to memorize scripture. I would love to just bring what I need to memory the moment I need it. Many times I find my self looking up a passage so that I can share with someone. If I just had more of the bible memorized I could do a better job at sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reading the bible is one thing however, putting it to memory is another. I just have to put forth the effort and memorize it. A lot of the time I can tell you what the scripture may say but I may not know where the reference is. I have got to do better.
I was talking with a friend the other day and we were discussing how she too struggles with this. We decided it would be great to help each other and learn a verse a week. So, that is what we are going to do. If you would like you can join us. I will be posting the verse we choose each week . I am also going to write it down not just here but also in my journal and on my prayer wall. I tend to memorize better when I see something and then write it maybe this will help you as well.


This weeks bible verse :

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

How exciting that God wants us to talk with Him. Not just about our needs and wants but about EVERTHING! He cares about our everyday struggles it says “in every situations.” What a great verse to remind us just how much our Father cares for us.
These truths can bring us peace and comfort today just as they did in the day of Paul.


#womenwarriors #livingitdaily #whatdoyourbattleshoeslooklike

Living it Daily: Who is your Heroines of Faith?

Living it Daily: Who is your Heroines of Faith?: Please comment and share about who your Heroines of Faith might be. My Heroin of Faith was my grandmother, her name was Polly she was a wo...

Who is your Heroines of Faith?

Please comment and share about who your Heroines of Faith might be.

My Heroin of Faith was my grandmother, her name was Polly she was a wonderful roll model for me, she was my best friend, she was kind to everyone, she had a glow about her that was like no other person I knew,  she spoke truth in my life, and she was a mighty prayer warrior. I can remember seeing her read her bible and praying when she thought no one was around. He  relationship with the Lord was so strong, even as a child I marveled at her boldness before the father. Now, I know she had built a relationship with him, not just by proclaiming his name saying, "I am a Christian" She knew him and he knew her.  Because daily she was walking and taking with him. God was her first go to in every situation. She had a little mustard seed in a glass pendant she wore. I can still remember that she really did have such strong faith.  I am sure the pendant was to remind her of; Matthew 17:20 "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." 

I strive to have this kind of relationship with the King!

Are you some ones Heroine of Faith? We must not be passive about Jesus, we are ambassadors for Christ. Sharing the peace, joy, and love to all that we are around. Our actions in this life effects not just our relationship with God but others relationship with him. My grandmother lead me toward Jesus through her actions and love for him. If she had just proclaimed Jesus by name only, but her life looked liked the world,  she could have easily lead me away from Jesus. I am so thankful for her and her boldness to proclaim Jesus!

Titus 2:3 "Likewise. older women are to show their reverence for God by their behavior. They are not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but examples of goodness."

#livingitdaily  #womemwarriors  #whatdoyourbattleshoelooklike

A Fresh Start

Happy New Year! I was thinking about what "I" could do to make the new year the best yet. The answer I got was give it all to God! "I " can't do anything in my own power but with God all things are possible.(Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
So, I am going make January the month that I pray for me. For me to be the best christian, wife, mother, friend, worker, and so on. I am going to pray for wisdom in all areas but especially on how to defeat Satan at his schemes. 
Today's prayer: to slow down and take time to be in God's word to study and understand. To put God first in everything.


Ways to make time for God


I am going to give you some ideas about how to slow down and put God first. Those of you who know me will laugh, because I stay on the go all the time. That is why I need to do this, so that I will be reminded that I need to take time to put God first.


1. Wake up with God, Go to him the fist thing in the morning before I ever get out of bed. While I am laying there with my eyes closed I can just start praising him for waking me up to start another day that he is in control of (not me) for him to guide my steps, thoughts, words and actions.


2. Listen to the bible, I have an app that I can turn on and it will read to me. I don't even have to have my eyes open yet. I will just lie there and listen as God's living word washes over me. I will listen to the promises God has for me because I am his.


3. When I get up, I will listen to uplifting Christian music and worship him with song.


4. While I am work, I could start a prayer group, maybe meet a few minutes early and pray for each other. I could arrive early and sit in my car and pray for my co-workers before I ever go in.


5. Take a minute during my lunch not to just thank him for your food but to praise him.


6. When riding home from work I can listen to my bible app, sing songs of praise or just meet with God. This is a good time to just talk with him. No one is around so I can just talk out loud as if he is right there in the car with me (because he is) I just talk with him about my day and everything that is on my mind.


7. I like to wind down before I get into bed. This is a good time for me to read a devotional, do my bible study, and just lay my eyes on God's word and put it in my heart and on my mind.

8. I want to make sure that the last person I speak to before I sleep is the one that loved me so much he sent his son to die for me. So I will pray and thank God for my family, my life, my abilities and for all that he has done for me and most of all for Jesus.
I hope that you find this helpful is it probably nothing new but just a reminder that God should take first place in our life and if it is important to us we will find the time to have a real relationship with him. Don't let the devil rob you of becoming effective for the Kingdom of God