New Granola Bar Devotionals

Bad Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:50:00 +0000

I remember the day my hubby handed me my new Droid phone. I looked at him blankly, wondering why he was handing me a calculator and how in the world would this gadget fit in my hand, purse, and life. I’m an old-fashioned girl with a technology allergy that flairs up around digital devices. I do well enough around computers, but that’s about it. In time I got used to speaking into my calculator-phone, and I’ve realized it’s an important tool for communication. When it comes to music I’m still i-less: no iPad, iPod, or iTouch, (though I do have iDrops if anyone needs them). Instead, I get in my truck and turn the radio to my favorite station, the Joy FM. Simple. Sometimes I play – gasp – CDs, and sometimes I go with wind-blown silence. But lately I’ve noticed something odd with my radio station reception. When I drive out of our neighborhood each morning I pull up to the turning lane light and the radio station reception blanks out. Instead of music, the steady sound of static fills my truck. It’s frustrating. Why can’t I hear anything? Why in this exact spot? Yet I know the station is still playing music and I just have to continue listening because eventually I’ll drive away from this spot. Then I’ll hear static-free music again. Often we’re faced with the same situation in our faith. Beautiful spiritual music can be interrupted by lonely, uncertain silence. There are times during our faith walk that we can’t clearly hear the music of our Savior’s voice, and our soul feels lost and confused. But rest assured, Heavenly reception isn’t gone and our Savior is not far away. He is near, just as His Word promises. After all, the most important technology we have to cling to during times of bad reception is God’s Word. From Abram to Jonah, the Bible details periods of bad reception for God’s people -- days, weeks, months and even years that God refined, taught, emptied, and lifted up. In the belly of the fish Jonah certainly must have experienced bad reception, yet God heard his desperate prayer. “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple” (2:7). The Lord delivered Jonah from the fish, and His word promises He will never leave us or forsake us. Don’t stop praying and trusting when you experience bad reception. Strengthen your faith through God’s Word and the promises found within. In my truck each morning, I remember the silence won’t last forever and the music will play again. When the light changes and I head south, the beautiful music comes back on, clear and strong.

Memory Verse:
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.”
- Proverbs 18:10 (NASB)

Prayer Prompt:
“Heavenly Father, we’re not promised ease in this earthly life. But we are promised peace, strength, and grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Son, that He’s our strong tower and our refuge, even during times of silence and confusion. Grow our faith as we learn to trust You more, and forgive our doubt and worry. We love You….”

Contributing Writer:
Kerry Johnson

Power of the Flashdrive

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

For some reason my computer would not read my camera card. Every time I would stick the tiny disk into the USB port, the computer refused to open my picture folder. I'd have to put the card back into my camera and continue taking my family photos. However, after several weeks and dozens of photo ops, my camera was jammed packed with beautiful memories; and I desperately needed to upload them to my family blog – the grandparents were waiting! So I decided to put the pictures on my laptop, save them to a disk and upload them to my home computer. I forgot how large photo and video files are because the entire process took about an hour and used up many CDs. Finally, when I tried to put the last video on a CD, the file was too large. The video could not be uploaded. I was so frustrated because I couldn’t finish this already aggravating project that I started. I went upstairs and found a flashdrive. I plugged it into the laptop, cautiously put all the files on it and pushed save. It worked! As the files were being transferred, I was reminded that when we try to accomplish goals in our own strength; we will only find ourselves frustrated and inadequate. But when we tapped into God’s strength, we will find an endless supply of power and ability.

Memory Verse:
"But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.'"
- Matthew 19.26 (AMP)

Prayer Prompt:
"Father, help me to remember that I am weak and insufficient, but You are mighty and powerful. On my own I can do nothing, but with You in my heart and leading my steps, I can do all things...."

Contributing Writer:
Alisa Hope Wagner

Fellowship of the Mice

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:20:00 +0000

My sister’s garage door broke one night, and mice got into her house. Since her husband was away on business, she and her three little ones had to live with mice for several days. She was miserable. She put out traps, she searched her house for foul smelling carcasses and she went to bed with visions of rodents in her head. She called me crying, so I went into action and obtained reinforcements. There was no reason why my sister had to face this mice menace alone. My brother, my sister-in-law and I all went to my sister’s house. Just having us there made her feel so much better. We told our stories of rodent woes and helped looked for the smelly remains. My sister’s mood instantly brightened once she realized that she wasn’t alone. There were people around her who loved her and who wanted to help her through the foul predicament. We all had a good laugh, and we got to encourage and uplift each other. It was such a wonderful time! Isn’t it interesting how fellowship can change a yucky situation into something enjoyable?

Memory Verse:
"And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
- Ephesians 5:2 (AMP)

Prayer Prompt:
"Father, I know that relationships are important and that we all need each other. Fellowship and companionship help the days seem brighter and the tough times seem not so dreary. Help me to be a support to others, and help me to freely seek and accept help when I need it...."

Contributing Writer:
Alisa Hope Wagner

Thorough Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:58:00 +0000

My department was moving to a new floor. We were told our new spaces had been cleaned already by the previous occupants. We hoped that was the case. From a distance they looked clean. However, as we walked into the cubicles and took a closer look, we were disappointed. The desks and cabinets were filthy. It took lot of cleanser and elbow grease to get the spaces clean enough for us to feel comfortable moving in. I was tempted to complain because I hate dirt and filth. But the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “The desks and cabinets are like your heart.” That took me by surprise. What kind of comparison was that? I thought on it for a moment and came to a humbling conclusion. While on the outside I might look “clean”, a close look inside would show my heart was soiled by unconfessed sin. The longer I wait to confess sin, the harder it is to hear from God and allow Him to wash away my sin. Just as I was upset that the spaces were so dirty, how much more the Holy Spirit must be grieved when I allow sin to fester in my heart. Once I thoroughly cleaned my space, I was happy to move in. The Word tells us that “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). By confessing sin daily, our hearts become a clean and welcoming place where God is able to move and speak clearly to us.

Memory verse:
“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
- Psalm 51:2 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Dear God, thank You that You want to always be at work in my heart. Thank You for always being available to hear my confession of sin. Let my heart and spirit be washed clean by Your mercy and grace. Allow me return to sweet fellowship with You by confessing the sin of....”

Contributing Writer:
Marietta Taylor

Mine

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:10:00 +0000

I took my precious guitar into the music shop to get looked at. It had taken a face plant at church a few weeks ago while I was singing. All the guitar technician could say was, "It's bad, Monica, real bad." I felt my heart twinge as never before. Looks like what I thought was just a tumble was actually a "devastating blow." Then I thought about life. Sometimes we think we have just taken a slight tumble only to look back and realize that we actually experienced a devastating blow, cracking our foundation. But God’s Word says that nothing we do can separate us from His love. No matter how far we tumble, He is always there to pick us back up. The guitar technician was able to fix my guitar. It will always have a character scar from the fall, but that makes the guitar mine. It was at the moment when I received my guitar back, God reminded me that there is no crack that He is unable to repair. And when we will fall and take tumbles, He will be there every step of the way because we are His.

Memory Verse:
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’”
- Isaiah 43:1 (NLT)

Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, thank You for accepting me for who I am – scars, flaws and all. I trust that You know me by name, and that You have claimed me as Your own. I pray that You take me under Your care and heal me of my tumbles and falls, including…”

Contributing Writer:
Monica Carrion

Strength to Kneel

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:54:00 +0000

Okay, so I admit I am a bit out of shape. There I said it. Strength is definitely an area I could use some improvement in...but...one thing I have discovered working-out cannot prepare me for nor get me used to is kneeling. You see, recently I have been participating for the first time ever as a Group Leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). In our various leadership meetings, we do something I honestly have not done in far too long. We kneel and pray. Often the floor we are kneeling on is basically concrete covered in a nice shiny thin layer of linoleum. (I now bring a pillow to kneel on, as many of the others do.) I didn't think much of kneeling until I actually started doing it regularly during our leadership prayer times. Kneeling is truly humbling. It not only lowers my position and posture in reverence, but it also reminds me of just how weak I am. In this case, physically weak, though my physical pains cause me to recognize how much my heart is out of shape in the prayer and humility arenas. Additionally, I am reminded that we often get so caught up living in a self-absorbed world of thinking we know what is best for us that we become too weak to kneel in humble reverence and submission to the One who created us. The One who alone can give us the strength we need to endure the difficulties of this life. The One who can give us the strength to admit when we are wrong and turn away from our self-indulgent, destructive lifestyle so many have fallen victim to. The One who can give us the strength to kneel. When was the last time you knelt in prayer? Ever? Do you, like me, need strength to kneel? Go now to the One who made you---Jesus Christ---the only One who can give you the strength and wisdom you need to face the many challenges of this life.

Memory Verse:
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
- James 4:10 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
"Dear Father, I come to You now lifting my weaknesses up to You. I ask You, Lord, to help me to be humble as I kneel my heart and knees before You. Please give me Your strength and wisdom as I face the many challenges in my life. Shine Your light through me so that others will see You in me and glorify You alone because of the amazing peace and provision that You provide...."

Contributing Writer:
Haelie Heard

New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:09:00 +0000

When you find yourself beginning a new chapter in your life, you feel both anxious and excited. It is hard to start over or begin it again. We challenge ourselves and doubt everything along the way. I am beginning multiple new chapters in my life, so my anxiety, doubt, and excitement are even higher. Being a woman, a mother, and a wife, of course, makes all of this an even bigger deal. My mind can’t help to wonder, why do I have to start over and begin again? Is this the plan, and if so why I did I not get it right the first time? My first new beginning was finding myself as a new Christian and bringing God into my life. My second new beginning was with my husband. We have reunited after a lengthy separation. My third new beginning is a new job in a new town. (Well, that’s two new beginnings in one). To be able to do something new or even do it over is a great opportunity for anyone. I am enthusiastic about embracing these journeys. After a lot of thinking and praying, I realize that it’s not what went wrong but more so about how to make it better and permanent. I think God understand that we sometimes we won’t get His plans right the first time and these “beginnings” or “redo’s” are just about Him pulling us back into His plan because we were lost.

Memory Verse:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Prayer Prompt:
“God, help me with my new beginning. I want to stay on Your path and keep myself committed to Your will and Your timing in all areas of my life. I’m excited about what You will do in this new season of life….”

Contributing Writer:
Tiffany Molina

Freedom to Play

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:15:00 +0000

I love to watch children as they play. There is such a freedom to express who they really are. We took our God-niece (4-year old) to Macdonald’s Playland for supper and, of course, ate with all the other brave moms, dads, grandparents, and sitters in the community. Miss Annabelle (AB) was certainly more interested in playing than eating but was only looking at the tubes and slides. I realized the problem when I remembered that she had commented in the car that someone had told her not to be afraid of the red slide. I asked the mom sitting next to us if I could introduce AB to her daughter and would she help her negotiate the playland. So, introductions done, AB and her new friend went off to explore and learn. A short while later AB said she couldn’t find her friend, who was hiding in the bubble. She went to find her and had discovered that she didn’t want to play because AB didn’t want to go on the red tube/slide. A bit later AB came up with a new friend named Emma. As they played, I noticed AB still was playing on the green slide but Emma wasn’t worried about that. She had a friend and that was what was most important to her. What a picture of Jesus’ love for us. He doesn’t care if we don’t want to play on the red tube/slide, He just wants to be our friend. What a reminder of James 2:8. We honor the Royal Law, of which we are a part, when we ‘love our neighbors (friends) as ourselves. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus!”

Memory Verse:
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
- James 2:8 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, thank You for desiring a relationship with us that is based on Who You are and what You did for us on the cross. We know that we will never be perfect, but our actions will not change Your faithfulness and Your love. We are honored that You would desire to spend time with us….”

Contributing Writer:
Marie Bungard

Be Noble

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Back in college I attended an early morning women’s Bible study. Once a week, I would roll out of bed and look forward to coffee, community, and encouragement through God’s word. There was one morning, however, that I was faced with a daunting task. We were split up into pairs and asked to translate Proverbs 31, making it more applicable to our modern day lives. Upon reading it over with my partner, I was instantly overwhelmed. Boy, was there a lot to The Wife of Noble Character. She was more precious than rubies, virtuous and capable, praised publicly for her deeds. Me, be like her? Impossible. I wasn’t even close to being a wife, barely able to do my laundry, homework, and feed myself, so how could I relate to her at all? I finished my translation with a sheepish shrug, and that was that. For years after the exercise, I remained in my thinking that The Wife of Noble Character was someone beyond my reach. I recently attempted the assignment again, as I embark on a brand new journey in life, and discovered what I’ve been missing all along. I looked past what she does and looked deeper into how she does it: without fear. Nothing on her To Do List would have been possible without confidence in the Lord and the gifts He gave her. From energy and strength for the tasks at hand to the wisdom she speaks, she puts those gifts to use without fear for what comes next. She is steadfast in her trust that her Creator equipped her for the life He gave her and that is what makes her accomplishments possible. I imagine her telling me, “You think I did all of this alone? No way. It was all God.” I have been afraid for far too long -- afraid to try, afraid for tomorrow, afraid of others’ opinions -- and with that attitude, the Proverbs woman wouldn’t have gotten very far. Fear is what stops us short, what makes us think we can’t tackle what is in front of us. It deceives us into believing we could never do everything she does. I think she would encourage us to embrace our gifts, laugh with abandon, and trust that our Creator is in control of all things. With Him, we can do our best, and that’s noble.

Memory Verse:
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.”
- Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father God, please help me to lay down my fears and instead remember that You are in control of all things. You have equipped me with the strengths and abilities I need in my life, that I may provide for and bless my family and others. Help me trust in You so that I may…”

Contributing Writer:
Natalie Soldano

My Son Hears!

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:12:00 +0000

Isaiah 29:8 reads, “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.” This verse has given me such grief for many years. Every time I heard it, it felt like a thorn in my side. My youngest son, Aric, is deaf. Finding out Aric was deaf was no big deal. Being a believer, I knew that God does not give us anything we can't handle. So why was this verse about the deaf being able hear bothering me so much? Well in my little brain I wasn't hearing the bigger picture. All I was hearing was the deaf could hear. Uh, hello! There is no cure. Even if a child is implanted with a device, such as the cochlea or the baja system, he is still deaf once the device is off for the night. So how was my child going to hear? Was some miracle going to happen? I was challenging God….Ok, let's see, some kind of miracle here, Lord. Well, Guess what? I received my miracle but not as you may think. “The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11 NIV). You see, Aric had been in love with music from birth. People think just because a person is deaf they cannot hear the music, but they hear through feeling the vibrations. As a mom, this was so exciting! God has placed lots of wonderful influential people in Aric’s life, especially two wonderful men from our church. God had to strategically place these men in my son’s life because I had no clue what He was doing. All I knew was that Aric began emulating these two men. He would sing his heart out while playing his guitar, singing songs that he made up about God and all the wonderful things Jesus has done for him. When he wasn't singing, he was preaching to the audience (his stuffed animals or the cartoons on T.V.) Through the spirit of the music that he hears every Sunday at church, Aric hears God’s Word. God has enabled Aric to hear! How nice would it be if we too were able to feel God's presence in such abundance before we were ever able to hear His Word? Hallelujah! I knew when I gave my children to the Lord upon their birth that He would do great and glorious things in their lives, but why I never thought He would use them to teach me about God's glory...I don't know. God is most definitely with us even when we don't see, feel or hear Him.

Memory Verse:
“In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.”
- Isaiah 29:8 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Thank You, God, for allowing me to be the mother of two wonderful boys whom -- by Your grace -- continue teach me and others of Your love for us all. Although things may not be to our own understanding at the moment in due time You show us the big picture and in that moment all the tears of frustration turn into tears of joy. Thank You for Your continuing patience, Lord….”

Contributing Writer:
Jamie Gordon

The Tree on the Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:42:00 +0000

It caught my eye immediately, high on a rock-hewn mountainside in West Virginia. The lone pine tree towered over jagged stair-steps of granite, a startling sliver of green among dull grays and browns. We were heading home after a week-long stay in Pennsylvania, tired but grateful for the fun vacation with our family. I-77 snaked through towering mountain peaks, along vast, tree-filled ravines, and over bridges so high I wasn’t sure if they covered land or water. Because I’ve lived in flat, palm-tree dotted Florida almost half my life, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the never-ending green peaks hemming in the highway and rising to meet the clouds. I spotted the secluded pine tree rising out of impossible rock and wondered at its location. How had it survived the precarious time from scrawny sapling to majestic pine in the nearly-vertical landscape? It was almost incomprehensible that the tall tree found enough soil to grow in, yet there it stood -- an emerald gem thriving amid rock and stone and steep cliff. That tree somehow buried its roots under all that rock. How well anchored in the ground it must be! Pouring rain, whipping winds, and freezing sleet would have no affect on the tree. The foundation of the tree – its root system – sunk deep, deep into the ground. “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock” (Luke 6:46 & 48, NKJV). When we’re founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, saved by faith in Him and living according to His word, His strength will see us through life’s many storms. Jesus provides a foundation that’s steady, unchanging and always filled with hope. There will be times in life that we’re called to stand alone in Him, just as the pine tree stood alone on that rocky mountainside. He will be all we have and we’ll learn that He’s all we need. When the winds whip and floods rise against us, Jesus our Rock will never change and never let go. Dig deeply into Jesus, anchoring into His love and His word, and life’s steep cliffs will provide a beautiful view of our Creator’s glory.

Memory Verse:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
- Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance of eternity with You, forgiveness of sin, and the promise of abundant life through Your precious Son. Teach us to dig our foundation deep in Jesus so we may know Him more and stand fast through the storms of life. Open our eyes to the truths in Your Word so we may apply them to our lives and live for You….”

Contributing Writer:
Kerry Johnson

The Runner

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:20:00 +0000

The Runner is so attracted to the border of what’s right and wrong. The Runner thinks he can dabble in sin and outrun it. He sees the consequences as small and the pay-off well worth the risk. The Runner defends what he does with excuses. He scoffs at all warnings. Sin is effortless and he’s in control. He maneuvers and takes it in stride, throwing caution to the wind. Blame goes to someone else. As time goes by, the Runner notices sin gaining speed, creeping up on him. Is he getting weaker or is sin getting stronger? The Runner needs more excuses now, but he’s still ahead and in control. The warnings are from fools who don’t realize his strength. The Runner can stop the sin at any time he wants. At some point the Runner sees that sin keeps pace with him. He needs more excuses, but this setback is not defeat and the Runner is still strong. Tomorrow he will pull into the lead. But the day comes when sin takes control. He never noticed sin pass him by. He never noticed sin’s size and strength. The Runner is weakening and the voices of warnings swim in his head. The eyes of the onlookers reflect his doom. Deep in his heart, the Runner knows the end is near. A memory flashes through his mind. Didn’t he hear the still, small voice of God along the way? Sin poisons and clouds his mind and the Runner struggles to keep control of his thoughts. Has he gone too far? Has sin crept up and robbed him of his very life? Do you know a runner? Many of us do. While growing up, my brother was sensible and kind. He was a good big brother and protective of me. During his teens, he made poor decisions: alcohol, hard drugs, and homosexuality. Our relationship was strained with arguments and struggles. He scoffed at all reasoning and went on his way. He became the Runner. He boasted that he was in full control and could stop these addictions at any time. He was never to blame for what went wrong. He knew it all and we knew nothing. He ran at a steady pace, and he was in the lead. But I saw sin gaining on him. His face turned hollow, his skin lost its color, and his teeth decayed -- the scars of a drug addict. When sin caught up with him, I saw him looking nervous. All his excuses increased. Finally, he came back home broken and vowed to turn his life around. But with the passing of time, he gained speed and once again, he ran. Now at 60, he’s growing frail and weak. He has allowed sin to destroy his life and his family relationships. Even his friends have deserted him. He still rejects all warnings and all my pleas for him to give his life to the Lord. His mind is now fogged and his reasoning gone. I’ve watched the life of this runner and I’ve seen it in others. I know the end of the story if he won’t respond to the voice of the Lord calling. But, God doesn’t force us. Each person has to make their own decision to come.

Memory Verse:
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
- James 1:14-15 (ESV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, I pray for all the runners in this world who are running a race with sin. Lord, help them to run to You because in You we have love, hope, peace and joy. Lord, I specifically pray for the Runner in my life who needs to respond to Your invitation to come….”

Contributing Writer:
Susan Wood

What's In Your Vacuum?

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Today, I was using my vacuum and I noticed that she wasn't working very hard. I was surprised, because I have been quite kind to my lovely appliance, rarely making her do any work. She seemed to be having a difficult time "sucking"; the poor dear was having her own type of appliance asthma attack. I sat on the floor and began to peer into her cylindrical body parts. I determined that one of her vessels had to be clogged; she was going to require surgical assistance from me. Screwdriver in hand, I unclenched the cylinder that was connected to her heart. I was sure that whatever was blocking her heart from functioning at its fullest capabilities had to be a very large and sturdy object, and I began to wonder who her enemies might be--that they would shove such an enormous object in front of her and force her to swallow it whole. When the tube came free, approximately 40 tiny air-soft gun pellets fell to the floor. Round, red and plastic--each one approximately 0.05cm, the little pellets danced across the floor in freedom. As I began to gather the pellets, it occurred to me how much like my vacuum, we suck things in just one little pellet at a time, and often clog the passage way to our own hearts. Very rarely are we drawn into a situation seeing the full extent of how it is going to affect us. If we saw a large pile of discontent lying in the middle of the room, we would surely recognize it for what it was and turn away. But, the majority of the time, it is just one little pellet at a time. One little negative thought. One little advertising image. One little disagreeable opinion. One little sardonic comment. One little bitter seed. There is no way for us to not be "sucking" things into our vacuums; our brains have been wired by God to be filled with many little thoughts! It is our responsibility to make sure that the thoughts we are grabbing onto will not clog our hearts. We have to suck in one little verse. One little prayer. One little worship song. One little decision to forgive. Our brains, like our appliances, deserved to be handled with care. We owe it to ourselves to remain obstructed and sucking things in that will not clog the heart.

Memory Verse:
"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, Guard my mind and lead me down the paths that allow me to think as You think. Allow my thoughts to create in me a heart that loves as You love. Let the love that I show to others be a constant reminder to the world of Your perfect love….”

Contributing Writer:
Jackie Sill

Accepting the Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:31:00 +0000

"Lord, how long does the season of suffering last?" I asked myself. Each day I go about my daily routine, I'm unceasingly asking the Lord to provide me with a fresh word that will comfort me in my anxiousness. Having the responsibility of being a full-time wife and mom along with work and ministry is often accompanied with a great amount of pressure. There are many times I might find myself overwhelmed. It's in those moments (of being overwhelmed) I find meditating on God's Word and the desires of my heart to bring me a sense of peace. Over the past few weeks I have been reflecting back on my life and beginning to recognize that God has been with me all along. Through all the past trials and tribulations I have faced, He has been with me, giving me strength that will allow me to endure this present season. God has the provision for my life and never ceases to amaze me in all that He does. I have realized that God has been working in my life by proportions, considering my weakness and faintheartedness. It is God that holds the divine plan for my life and if I was never faced with these pressures, I would not be able to sustain in future challenges. I am so passionate about my Father, because He is teaching me humility in the most uncomfortable places of my life. This is my place of wilderness, where I commit to God's divine path for my life even though it is not the quickest route. God has allowed His strength and love to keep me from looking back when I encounter unexpected dilemmas.

Memory Verse:
"It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt."
-Exodus 13:17 (MSG)

Prayer Prompt:
"Lord, allow us to develop a patience in our wilderness. May our hearts chase after You and not our situations and circumstances. Help us, Lord, to heed to Your Word and follow Y0our divine guidance, understanding that Your ways are not like man. Let us not faint but help us to rest in You at all times. Strengthen us in our weakness and fill us with Your love so that we may be used for your glory….”

Contributing Writer:
Latoya Tolbert

God's Coincidences

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Sometimes things happen that we might call coincidences but are actually divine interventions. There is always a special purpose behind them. They reveal that God is truly interested in His most important creation--human beings. The following story is about such an intervention. One night while I was at the ER with my daughter, a nurse began slandering my name in public. I could not understand why a total stranger would so vehemently attack me with such gross lies. Her cruel words had stung my heart though I tried unsuccessfully to hide it. Several months later, after much praying, I believed that I was no longer harboring any ill feelings toward the woman. Then one day my friend called me and during the conversation, we began discussing persecution. I recalled the experience I'd had with the nurse. I told my friend that I was finally free of any bitterness I'd felt toward her. At that same moment, she got a beep on her phone. While waiting for her to return to the line, I also received another call. It was someone from the same hospital where the nurse was employed. They wanted to know if I had been satisfied with the service while my daughter was there. The woman asked in a professional tone, "Do you have any concerns or complaints?" Instantly, I could sense a bitterness rise in my heart. Conflicting thoughts filled my mind as I struggled to speak. I thought to myself, "Should I report that nurse's horrible behavior? She deserves it. What if she did that to someone else too." Then I realized I was only trying to justify my bad feelings. Finally, I heard my relieved voice say, "Everything was fine, thank you." Once those words had left my lips I realized everything was fine with my soul too. God had tested me to show me what was still hidden in my heart. Then He gave me the grace to let it all go.

Memory Verse:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
- Romans 8:35 (NKJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Thank You, Lord, for being longsuffering and merciful. Help us to always see Your chastening as an act of love. Help me to always remember Your love when I find myself in persecution….”

Contributing Writer:
Tine Cole

Soften Your Heart to Break Down a Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:49:00 +0000

My path crossed Amanda’s* when she was a student in my second grade Sunday School in Connecticut. A problem child from day one, Amanda was disagreeable to the other children and disrespectful to me. Each Sunday I hoped she wouldn’t arrive and each week I would bristle with anxiety when she appeared in the doorway. Sunday mornings found me praying that God would help me hold my tongue and increase my patience 100-fold. Week after week was a struggle; she remained obstinate and each class left me weary with frustration. For the final class before summer break, the church took the entire school on a field trip to the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Preparing that morning and knowing it was going to be a long day in the company of the children, I prayed for our safety and protection throughout the trip and spent some additional time in special prayer regarding my “tough case.” I’d already given up asking God for insight into her issues and just prayed that He would continue to grant me tolerance and patience enough to be loving and gentle with her this one last time. Arriving at West Point, we got off the buses and I observed that Amanda was more withdrawn than usual. Selfishly wondering if God was answering my prayers, I made sure she wasn’t ill and even though she assured me with a halfhearted smile that she was fine, she didn’t seem to enjoy herself and kept close to the teaching staff most of the day. Near the end of our trip, while walking through the cool silence of Cadet Chapel, I felt a little hand slide in to mine. I looked down and was astonished to see Amanda looking up at me. She whispered, “I love you, Miss Clarke.” I squeezed her hand and gasped, biting back the tears as this pure act of affection was displayed. I continued to hold her hand until we spread blankets for our picnic lunches. It was then that Amanda told me that this was her last Sunday at church and that her family, who moved around a lot, would be moving again very soon. Suddenly, I was ashamed at myself. That morning I’d been delighted that this was the last Sunday I would have to be around her as she’d graduate to the next level and wouldn’t be my “problem” next year. Now, knowing some of what she was dealing with, I wanted a Do-Over! I wanted a chance to tackle this situation from the perspective I should have in the beginning: a person with a soft heart and gentle spirit. How could I have ever have thought that this young child was anything but the most precious gift from God? How hard was my heart to not see the lost little girl before me, just looking for a friend, someone to be patient, someone to listen? That night I begged for the Lord’s forgiveness. He taught me a powerful lesson that year.

Memory Verse:
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
- Colossians 3:13-15 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Let me emulate You, Jesus, and greet all who come into my life with a soft heart and open, warm spirit. Even the toughest walls will be brought down with love, peace, and kindness and sometimes we only have one chance to show someone Your heart….”

Contributing Writer:
Felecia Clarke

* Amanda is not her real name.

No Matter What

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:36:00 +0000

My sister is the music teacher at the Christian school where I teach. It’s her first year as a music teacher and she has been nervous all year long. To add to her anxiety, her husband was sent overseas for a little more than two months with the military. During that time, she worked with the students practicing for the Spring Program. Almost daily, she asked prayer for the students who forgot lines, couldn’t remember the words (or the tune!) to the songs, or for some other aspect of the program. Her desire was not for a Broadway-worthy musical but rather that the message of the program would not be hindered by mistakes or mess-ups. The day of the program three students from the bell choir informed her they wouldn’t be at the program that evening. She ended up playing the bells with the other students. It all came together beautifully. The students spoke clearly and remembered almost all their lines. The words to the songs spoke clearly to every listener. The theme of the program was to praise God regardless of our circumstances. Even when nothing is going right, praise God. The final song titled “No Matter What” summed up the whole message. The chorus declared that I’m going to love and praise God no matter what happened in my life. With great confidence, the children sang that they knew God was capable of taking away every pain, but if He chose not to do it, He would be with us through it. It gave me chills. God tells us to praise and glorify Him, not just in the good times, but in the rough times. When we give Him praise ALL the time, He is honored and glorified. After all, that’s our job here on earth. That is why we were created, to praise God no matter what.

Memory Verse:
“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
- Psalms 69:30 (KJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Loving Father, help us remember to praise You even when we don’t feel like it. Give us that ability to sing and magnify You through whatever You allow in our lives. Thank You for being with us…always.”

Contributing Writer:
Christine Long

The Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 25 May 2011 20:17:00 +0000

Every time the Lord speaks to me any bit of wisdom or sends me a message through someone else, I think of it as a gift to me. If someone gave me rubies and gold, it wouldn’t mean as much as one piece of wisdom from my Lord. I received a gift today. I feel like I say that so much to myself. Each gift seems better than the last -- each so bright and shiny, each has its own niche and characteristic. Today’s gift was so special because God used my exact wording to speak a message to me. While watching Joyce Meyer this morning, Joyce used the same words I have been using in my private prayers to the Lord, along with a wonderful teaching about it. The crazy thing is, whenever God answers my private prayers with such accuracy, I get more excited that He would make the motion to answer me than the actual answer. His motive behind His motion to me is even more spectacular than the answer to my question or situation. Through His motion to answer, I can see His heart. To me, His private words to me are like precious jewels. I feel like I have a great big treasure chest that I store all of His priceless jewels that He gives to me. Years ago, young women would have hope chests filled with special items in anticipation of their future marriage. In the Bible Jesus makes many references to us as His bride and to a glorious celebration and wedding feast we will one day participate in. My treasure chest is my personal hope chest, where, along with His words, I store all my hopes and dreams of my eternity with Him.

Memory Verse:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
- Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, thank You for the amazing treasures that You give me each and every day. Help me to slow down and keep my ears attentive to Your ‘motions’ in my life. I know that you have a chest full of awesome insights for me, including…”

Contributing Writer:
Susan Wood

A Sister in Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 03:05:00 +0000

This past weekend was our annual Glo Women's Conference. I had invited friends, neighbors, my mom and sisters. While walking the dog the first morning, I prayed for God to free me and my sisters and Mom of any ailment that might threaten to keep us from receiving what God had in store of us at the conference. I prayed that I would be more concerned about "being" than about hosting while my family was here. My sister and I barely got out of the house for the first night of the conference on time to meet my friends for dinner at a local bistro. We had to leave my husband with instructions for my 3 kiddos plus my sister’s two year old, kiss everyone at least three times and change jewelry and purses twice. My sister was unbelievably calm driving out of the driveway leaving her only child in the hands of my husband who at the moment wasn't even in the house with the kids! He was content to stand and water plants, for who knows how long. When we got to the conference, we were late and since I had brought 7 ladies with me, we couldn't exactly sneak in the front. There were over 2000 ladies there! We had to sit way in the back. I was content to watch the crowd and pray for God's movement among such a gathering. As the evening closed, the band played Chris Tomlin's song, “Our GOD,” and I happened to look past my friend next to me and over at my sister. It was the most beautiful site. My sister, the middle child, meek, sweet, gentle and reserved was standing with both hands straight up in the air, earnestly singing, "Our God is Greater, Our God is Higher…." She was drinking it in. She was unashamed to claim her faith. She was strengthened by the magnitude of faith in this place; she was encouraged by the presence of thousands of women proclaiming their faith. I am not a crier, but I could not hold back the tears. God had answered my prayers on the first night. He had sweetly chosen to reveal Himself to me through my sister’s act of worship.

Memory Verse:
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."
- Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Dear God, thank You for the gift of worship. Thank You for allowing me to experience You through the worship of another. God, You are great and we can never fathom all of You. I praise You for sharing pieces of Your greatness with Your people….”

Contributing Writer:
Sunny Reed

His Watchful Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:44:00 +0000

Teenagers are a bit crazy. It’s a well-known fact. My sister and I proved this one summer as we traveled by bus from Northeast Texas to Charleston, West Virginia. We were eighteen and sixteen, on the road for thirty-six hours to visit close family friends. It was the first time my parents had sent any of us on this kind of trip. We’d all gone away to camp at one time or another. I had spent the summer away when I was fourteen. But this was different. This was before the cell phone (there was life before cell phones?) so there was no way to keep in contact along the way. They put us on a bus around 6:00 AM; we were to arrive around 3:00 PM the next day. We packed a small cooler since we weren’t sure when or if we’d have time to get off the bus to grab something to eat. My extra-careful mother made us carry a bag with the essentials – disinfectant wipes, Lysol spray, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, tissues, and I can’t remember what else. She made us take a vow that we wouldn’t use the restroom without applying at least two coats of disinfectant. We each carried a pillow and my younger sister insisted on bringing a blue, three-foot tall teddy bear. Don’t ask. Of course neither of us could travel without the mandatory large purse and we also carried an “entertainment” bag with books and magazines. (Sorry, no electronic gaming devices.) That was our “carry-on”; we checked our suitcases and overnight bags. This all wouldn’t be too bad if we didn’t have to change busses four o’clock the next morning with all that paraphernalia. Not only did we change buses, we had to change bus lines. Four o’clock in the morning we dragged all of our carry-on baggage four blocks to the new bus line. We were so tired and giddy and we kept dropping things. The business streets were deserted and quiet, except for the echo of whatever we were yelling at each other – or singing, or laughing about. We finally made it to the next station and threw all our stuff onto plastic chairs, swearing we’d never do that again. If this scene is giving you a chuckle, imagine what the plainclothes policeman who followed us from one station to the next must have been thinking. Yes, that’s right. My parents called the local police station and asked them to keep an eye out for two teenage girls traveling alone. We didn’t find out until years later that they did this. We laughed so hard at what we must have looked like to him! But the truth of the matter was that we were under his watchful, protective eye whether we knew it or not. God used this man to give my parents some peace, despite our oblivion to the matter. How often do we not realize during a situation or event in our life that God is watching over us? He may use others to help us along the way, or He may be the still small voice inside to give us the guidance and peace we need. Enjoy the journey, knowing He’s watching.

Memory Verse:
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
- Psalm 91:11 (KJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, help us to be ever mindful that You see us all the time. May it give us comfort as we journey to know that You guard and guide us, even when we are unaware….”

Contributing Writer:
Christine Long

Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:01:00 +0000

It was a brisk March morning as I walked along the tree-lined sidewalk near our home. My dog snuffled along beside me, his nose intent on anything and everything squirrel. Florida winters are milder than much of the rest of the country, so our fall season happens about mid-winter. I noticed each live oak we walked past was at a different stage in its seasonal cycle. Some of the trees were completely bare -- their spindly, gray-brown branches naked -- and I shivered from the bold reminder of winter. Other trees were already decorated with tiny, bright mint-green buds of new life. “Here’s spring!” They shouted. A couple of the trees still had last year’s dark-olive, dry leaves desperately clinging to branches. I wondered how trees so close to each other and exposed to the same weather, could be at different stages in nature’s seasonal cycle. When we’re in Christ, we’re like the live oaks dotting my neighborhood. We each go through seasons with our faith. We begin by accepting Christ’s free gift of salvation – we’re firmly planted. The Son is our power source and when we seek Him, Jesus nurtures us perfectly. But like the oak trees along the sidewalk, we are unique creations. We’ll each bloom for our Savior, but in His perfect time. After all, the world would be a boring, monochromatic place if all the trees looked the same. Where would we go for shade if every tree was bare? How else would we teach our children the different colors of green in God’s world? And where would the birds and squirrels hide their nests? God can use the beautiful full bloom of your abundant faith to encourage my bare limbs to grow for Him. Next year my copious green buds will remind your leafless branches of God’s faithfulness. May we always share Jesus’ love and grace with each other as we cycle through seasons in our faith.

Memory Verse:
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
- Isaiah 42:9 (NKJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Loving Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in each season of our life. Thank You for the promise of new life through Jesus. Help us rest in You when our limbs are bare and cold, and may we never stop praising You in the full bloom of spring. Remind us to comfort and edify others in You, all for Your glory….”

Contributing Writer:
Kerry Johnson

Happy in Any State

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:19:00 +0000

For most of my life, my family moved. A lot. I’ve lost count of how many times but I can still recite most of the addresses and a few of the phone numbers. The summer I turned sixteen, my family made a major move. We lived in a rural area of central Pennsylvania. My father wanted to finish Bible college to get his degree to pastor. After months of prayer, God led him to a Bible college in northeast Texas. Yes, you read that correctly. We moved from Pennsylvania to Texas. If there can be more polar opposites than those two places and still be in the United States, I haven’t seen them yet. Until we moved to Texas, I thought I was an American. Folks there quickly set me straight and told me I’m a Yankee. Who knew? There were so many differences in lifestyle. It took us a long time to adjust. One of the verses I kept quoting to my family was Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I always added, “Whether it be the state of Pennsylvania or the state of Texas!” I am sure that God did not intend for that to mean it the way I was using it. But it does apply. Our peace and contentment should not be based on our geographic location or any other external situation. When Paul penned this verse, he was in a prison in Philippi. Obviously he didn’t base his state of mind on his surroundings. God expects us to lean fully on Him for our peace. When we do, it won’t matter what season of life we are living or where we live. We will always be content.

Memory Verse:
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
- Philippians 4:11 (KJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, help us to always rely on You for our inner peace, not the circumstances around us. Grant us true contentment as we live our lives in You, especially during…”

Contributing Writer:
Christine Long

Hiccup Distractions

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:15:00 +0000

I was driving in the car with my kids, and my oldest son who is six said that he had the hiccups. He was pretty upset over them and begged me for a remedy. Since I was driving and there’s not much you can do for hiccups, I started telling him to do random things. “Hold your breath, wave your arms and then yell as loud as you can,” I said. He did this and nothing happened. “Look out the window and cough twenty times then stomp your feet for one minute.” Again the hiccups came back. “Try to make yourself sneeze,” I finally added, “hoping that would distract him long enough to quiet his constant belly-aching from the backseat.” As my son tried to figure out how to sneeze, I wondered if that was how all the crazy remedies for the hiccups were created. A poor mother may have been in the middle of milking a cow, hemming a dress or plucking a chicken, and she needed some peace and quiet for a moment so she could concentrate. She’d tell her child to go drink from a cup backward. Her child -- eager to get rid of the pesky hiccups -- runs into the house for half an hour trying to figure out how not to spill water all over, hoping to quiet the spasm in his diaphragm. Then I thought many Christians are doing that. The Enemy distracts us with worries, pleasures and money in order to keep us away from our main purpose: Knowing and loving God. I don’t want to run around doing fruitless acts to fulfill the desires of my heart; I want to follow after God and fulfill the calling He has for me. I am determined not to allow myself to be distracted by Enemy’s schemes. It’s impossible to drink from a cup backward!

Memory Verse:
“Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.”
- Mark 4:19 (AMP)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, please help me not to get distracted by the things of this world. I want to enjoy the blessings You have for me, but I also want to finish the race that You have laid out for my life. Please rid me of any distractions, including…”

Contributing Writer:
Alisa Hope Wagner

Weeds

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:00:00 +0000

We were driving along US 301 one sunny spring morning when my son, Cole, commented, “Those are really tall, pretty flowers.” Construction crews had just paved a large sidewalk next to the road and no one had mowed the tall grass alongside it yet. Recent heavy rain and the constant Florida sunshine lent a beautiful, healthy flourish to all the vegetation. I glanced toward the flowers and frowned in surprise. Instead of flowers, I saw wave after wave of tall, spindly weeds growing along the road, reaching over the new sidewalk. I commented back to him, “Those are actually weeds.” He was quiet for a moment then said, “But they look like flowers. They have bright colors and everything.” I briefly explained that weeds do sometimes have bright colors but they choke out the real flowers and take over, blocking sunlight and soaking up moisture. Weeds are typically very hardy and some even have spiky protection on their leaves and stems. Just like those colorful, overgrown weeds, sin always looks attractive. That’s why we’re tempted. Sin doesn’t seem like it would hurt or that it has the power to take over our life, but it does, and it will. Satan cleverly masks what can easily consume us in beautiful, tempting packages. Our selfish human nature is drawn to things and people who promise to help us, give us something, or make us feel good. Ultimately sin will cause decay in our soul and separate us from God. What a blessing that God’s Holy Word is the best weed killer on the market! The Bible provides warning and guidance for how to avoid sin. Most importantly, those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer slaves to sin. Christ-followers have the righteousness of our wonderful Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit within. We’re given new eyes to discern the weeds of life from the beautiful roses of blessing God offers to His children.

Memory Verse:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
- Roman 8:1-2 (NKJV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Loving Father, thank You for the new life You give through faith in Your perfect Son, Jesus. Help us to live and breathe Your Word, and humble our hearts so we hear the Holy Spirit’s voice and guidance. Remind us that no sin is worth the cost, and please give us strength to live Your truth each day….”

Contributing Writer:
Kerry Johnson

On The Path

noreply@blogger.com (Faith Imagined) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:08:00 +0000

We went on a family vacation to Colorado and we carved out a morning to go snowmobiling. During our play time, we were allowed to ride our snowmobiles as fast as we wanted. Before we took off, our guide had us follow him along 2 paths that did a figure 8 of where we could go. He also said to be careful and not to go left or right of the path because you could get lost amongst the trees. He made the comment that there have been others who have gone off the path and have gotten lost and did not know how to get out. I thought he was just trying to scare us. I was so excited during our play time that I veered off the path slightly. All of a sudden, there was no one around; and once I realized that I did not know how to get back, my hands started to sweat and my heart began to beat faster. However, minutes later, I saw my husband in the distance and he yelled, “Come follow me!” Right behind him was the guide waving his hand. After our excursion was over, I thought about the times when I felt lost, like I veered off the path that was set before me. Sometimes we ask God to make our paths straight, cool and smooth. But if you read in Psalm 18:33, you read David saying that “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights” (NIV). You see, David was asking God to make his feet like the feet of the deer so he may stand without fear on the highest places. It dawned on me that I have been asking God to give me an easy path. I wanted my path flat, wide, smooth and cool. God says it isn’t like that. There will be times in your life where your path will be hell -- a straight incline that is extremely dangerous with one big rock after another in 120 degree heat. David was not asking for an easy path; he asked God to give him the right kind of feet. If we have the right feet, we can handle any path God gives us. So as I was thinking about our snowmobiling adventure and the path I was on, I realized that I have been asking God for an easy path: a smooth way of doing church ministry, of raising children, of opening a new business and of dealing with my daddy's death. I wanted a wide and open path that I could not get lost on. But much to my dismay I was lost. I felt lost, like I did high up in the Colorado mountains on a snowmobile. What I should have asked God was for Him to give me the right feet for the path. What kind of path are you on at this time of your life? Are you trying to venture to the right or the left of where God wants you to be or are you asking God that whatever path He has you on that He gives you the right kind of feet?

Memory Verse:
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”
- Psalm 18:33 (NIV)

Prayer Prompt:
“Father, please help me to be ready for all that You have for me. Give me the ‘feet’ that I will need to stay in Your will and to continue on the path that You have established for me. Let my steps glorify You….”

Contributing Writer:
Tiffany Locke