MaggieBelle

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!

Beloved–

I can’t tell you how many times I started to say something (or thought something) that was stopped short by the memory of the WORD.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might sin against you. Psm 119 nlt

Take control of what I say, O Lord. and guard my lips. Psm 141 nlt  (It is put more succinctly in Spanish) O Lord don’t let me say, not even, one stupid thing.

My first attempts at daily Bible reading were hit and miss.  There were times when I just couldn’t find a minute; kids, laundry, meals, work, just not enough time.  Frustrated and ready to quit, I had one more thought (sure it was all mine) I would read the Bible first thing, I would only do it for 5 minutes.  From that time forward I was able to see a way to better schedule my day.  I just needed to set my priorities.

I pray for you daily to set your priorities on the WORD.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is God.  He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousands generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands….But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God (Deuteronomy).  When I first read the story of the Israelites, my first reaction was what a “bunch of dummies.”

Then I was brought face-to-face with the many times I failed to trust in God and the poor choices I made; I trusted my own wisdom and strength rather than be obedient.  God is in control and just because I can’t see it doesn’t make it not true!

I pray that you KNOW that God constantly loves you even when you don’t trust and obey.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Praying is just as important to me as my life’s blood!  I feel there is something missing when I fail to keep my line of communication open with the Lord.  When chaos reigns around me I cling to his word.  (Psm 17v6  When I pray I know you will answer, O God).

As I pray the Lord gives me peace of heart and mind because I have no problem too big or too small for his care and concern.  (Romans 12v12 Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying).

I pray that you keep on keeping on!

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

When I sin I’m telling the Lord, “I don’t trust your plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  Yet, I enthusiastically accepted God’s plan to save my soul from going to hell. (John 3::16).  So what kind of a believer am I?

I’m in all the way!  Help me Lord, I pray, to trust you.

I pray daily for you to know what kind of a believer you are.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Sin is subtle.  Not only does sin catch us unaware but we actually miss seeing blessings meant for us. 

2 Corinthians 13:8 tells me that I’m responsible to face the truth starting with me, myself and I.  I need to face the fact (truth) that without the Lord’s constant vigilance over me I regularly walk into sin.  Intimate knowledge of God’s word is the only protection against subtle sin.

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm (Prov 19).  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.  Wise choices will watch over you, understanding will keep you safe (Prov 2).

I pray for you every day to feel empty when you don’t feed daily on God’s Word.

Luv Ya!

Beloved–

Getting angry is not a sin, entertaining anger is a sin.  Entertaining anger causes a person to feel unfairly treated, wanting to strike back and get even.  2 Corinthians 13:8 tells me that I’m always responsible to face the truth.  The truth is I sinned by entertaining my anger instead of turning my anger over to God.

Sin is subtle.  At first I ignored the quote unquote unfair treatment; then I formed my unspoken responses which led to a fire in me and I exploded and retaliated.  Proverbs 26:27 tells me if I roll a rock down on others it will roll back and crush me and so it did.

I pray for you daily that as the world comes snarling at you, you will see it as an opportunity to praise God for his protection.

Luv Ya!