MaggieBelle

Beloved–

As a child I memorized Psalm 23.  As a young adult and at the end of my rope, I used those verses to cry out to God to save me.  Realizing the power that Psalm 23 had on my life I determined that if one psalm was good probably I should read the book it came in.  

The book of Psalms divides the Bible right down the middle.  The next book is the book of Proverbs with 31 short chapters perfect for daily reading each month.   When you have a husband, kids, work,  plus meals, laundry, and extra curricular activities a chapter a day of Proverbs will help you keep your head on straight and aware of his constant presence.

I pray everyday for you to have that constant awareness.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

I have often written my prayers based on scripture and posted them on my bathroom mirror.  2 Corinthians 13:8  in the nlt version reads as follows, “For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth.”

The current posting reads, “My responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times; especially when dealing with me, myself and I.”  I may be able to hide my sin from myself but I can’t hide my sin from God!

I pray everyday that I have the courage to be honest with myself and I pray for your courage as well.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

When I am assailed by doubt or fear of the unknown I immediately go into “how can I save me mode.”  My thoughts race back and forth over various solutions only to be rejected.  On a good day I only waste 10 to 15 minutes before I remember where to find the correct answer.  Praise, prayer and obedience.  Praise and prayer of thanksgiving have become relatively easy for me but I struggle with obedience.  

What I want you to understand is that God has not abandoned you; as a matter of fact he is standing right behind each and everyone of you.  He is just waiting for you and me to lean back and be obedient, trusting our doubts and fears to HIS wisdom.  

I pray daily for your obedience and that you will “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do and he will direct your paths” (prov 3).   It’s not always easy but it works!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Last week what I said was and is easier said than done.  As I prayed this past 7 days I was reminded about the story of Daniel in the old testament.(Dan 10:12-13) how he prayed and prayed but no answer came for three weeks because the enemy had prevented the messenger with answer from arriving.

I know you have prayed for help to daily pray and read the Word but things and situations have gotten in the way, time just got away from you.  Your prayer for help has been answered but the enemy is blocking your view.  Step out in faith just as you did when you believed that the Lord paid the debt you couldn’t pay and saved you.  Don’t forget we win (if you have any doubts) look in the back of the book!

I pray everyday that you can sing like those of old (2 Chron 5:13b nlt) “He is so good!  His faithful love endures forever!”

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

I know that God loves me and you!   I know he wants us to have peace of mind and heart no matter what the circumstances.  But he can’t bless us if we won’t/don’t let him; if we do what is right in our own eyes without consulting with him.  

To have that kind of peace we need to get to know him intimately; we need to be aware of his presence constantly.  To do this we need to pray and read the Word daily.  Start off with 5 minutes a day: pray for an open heart and wisdom for 1 minute then read for 4 minutes.  This exercise is just as important to our spiritual health as the 2 minutes we spend brushing our teeth twice a day is to our physical health.

Beloved, I pray for you daily that you  …worship and serve the Lord God with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  1 Chronicles 28:9  (NLT)

Luv Ya! 

Beloved–

Around the time I was saved there was car bumper sticker that said, I FOUND IT!  It was in reference to finding faith in Jesus.  Did I find Jesus or did he save me?   

Happiness is a choice (Prov 15:15); that comes  from the inside out.   Faith is a gift that comes from the outside in.  

If faith is a gift from God (Psalm 136:4) I don’t have to depend on me (praise the Lord) to make my faith stronger or deeper.  I can pray, “I praise and thank you, Lord, that you are working in me so that I will be a better servant to you.”

I pray for you daily that you praise the Lord that you don’t have to make yourself more faithful and thanking him for working in you.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Stop asking and start praising and thanking.

When I met my husband, he had such a noble and moral character I didn’t realize he didn’t have a personal relation with Christ.  Lacking a deep enough faith to be obedient to 2 Corinthians 6:14, I told God not to worry, I’d get the job done; and married him!  Sin is often disguised as self confidence in one’s self.

For years I prayed for my husband’s salvation (it had become a bone of contention between us, I was pushing him away); then one day I decided (during prayer time; the Spirit leading??) that I would stop asking.  I would start praising and thanking God for the answer to my prayer.  I knew (John 3:16) that God wanted my husband to be saved.  I had also learned that God has his own timing and that I only had to be obedient (1 Samuel 15:22).  Obedience is very satisfying and it makes you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

I pray for you daily to be obedient sooner rather than later.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

As I was praying for help to find my misplaced school shoe (I didn’t get my things ready for school the night before as I was told to do) I was told I shouldn’t bother God for such a small thing.  As a new believer I learned that God cares about my every concern (Phil 4:6).

Beloved, I want you to be aware that God is just right behind you, you need only lean back (ever so slightly) into his loving arms.  He is your constant companion and he cares about every little detail of your life.  You can talk to him at any moment about any fear or worry, confess any sin just as soon as you are aware of it; you can even thank him for his forgiveness as well as for every joy.

I pray daily for you to enjoy the companionship the Lord has been and is offering you.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Ever since I could remember the only one I could be sure I could depend on was me.  As a 20 something, with my life in shambles, my stomach in knots and with no real solution I cried out to God.  Using the Bible verses that he had, often during my childhood, arranged situations where I had to memorize them.   

I remember the joy I felt when I first realized that I was personally included in the Bible verse John 3:16; that there was someone on whom I could depend no matter how dire the situation.  I have had to learn to keep my focus on God and his Word; not on the world.

We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us to learn to endure (Rom 5:3).  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Rom 5:5b).   

I pray everyday that you can rejoice knowing God loves you so dearly that he sacrificed his only son, Jesus Christ.

Luv Ya!

Beloved—

The WORD tells me that when I pray, my prayer needs to be in “sync” with the Lord’s plan for me (Jer 29:11).

But how can I pray if I’m not sure what the plan is?  The Bible makes it crystal clear that my life’s purpose is to glorify God in all that I do.   So I pray that he will guide the choices I make but most of all I pray that I want his way for me more than my own way (easier said than done).  I just need to keep my spiritual eyes and ears open and my earthly eyes and ears closed.

I pray for you daily, that you and I will trust and obey even if it looks like disaster is just around the corner.

Luv Ya!