"Giving Thanks to the Giver"

DAY #4 - "A Woman of Faith" Devotional
Verse: "Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." James 5:13 NIV

There are many Scriptures in the Bible that speak of praising, thanking and being happy or joyful. One of my fav's is of course the 100th Psalm (which is spoken of in the original devotion). "Shout for joy to the Lord..."

How often do we really shout? When we think of shouting, some of us first think of anger... Yet shouting can be a battle cry, or a time of rejoicing. Your entire being just bursts with JOY and EXCITEMENT, that it cannot be contained, so it needs to overflow in a shout! I love shouting in worship, yet it can also be 'embarrassing', as people stare, etc. But we don't need to be 'man-pleasers', we need to be 'God-pleasers'. God gives us sooooo many blessings (some that we don't even think of as blessings, cause' they just are there everyday for us, no question.) We need to share the gifts and blessings that the Lord has given us, and allow others to experience the JOY!

Some people think that trusting in God, and depending on God makes you weaker, that it compromises your will, etc... but when GOD is in control, you are able to do much more. He gives you strength when you are tired and weary, joy when you are in midst of despair, and even peace in the storms of life.

Today, we need to THANK God for ALL that He has done! He is the giver, the healer, the deliverer, the protector, and MORE...

PRAISE THE LORD!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

"Living Righteously"

DAY #3 - "A Woman of Faith"


Verse: "But now, you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be his children--is holy. For He Himself has said, 'You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 NLT

When we seek righteousness, or the act of trying to live righteously, or when we seek to maintain the company of those who do we reap spiritual benefits or rewards. (found in the devotional book & paraphrased.) We can honour God by the way we live our lives. If we try to live righteous, but not self-righteously, God can and will bless us. We will never be perfect, nor should we think we can be in this day and age on this earth. But we are to be pure and holy, as God has called us to be his children. We need to live our life worthy of the calling of our Father.


Corrie Ten Boom once quoted, "Do nothing that you would not like to be doing when Jesus comes. Go no place where you would not like to be found when He returns." WOW! What an eye-opener! Back some years now, a phrase was made popular, 'WWJD' (What Would Jesus Do), it has been now mocked and made into a joke by both Christian and non-Christian... but when it first came out, it made you think... what would Jesus do? Where would Jesus Go? Some movies, and TV shows we find ourselves 'protecting' our kids from, whereas we should also be protecting ourselves from it.


For example, one of my friends daughter's was having a innocent birthday party at the movie theatre. They didn't check into the previews or whatnot off all the movies, but read some summaries, and checked ratings of course. So they allowed the 'party' children to go to view the movie 'Burlesque' which was WRONGLY rated as PG... well first of all, 'Burlesque' the word seems dirty to me, yet I also saw previews and heard about it. (Unfortunately the parent's didn't). These children (ages 9+?) went into the theatre, unknowingly, and sat for the previews and the first 5-10 minutes... they were shocked at what they saw, and wondered if they should be watching this. Well, anyway long story short, they left the theatre, and waited to see another more age appropriate movie, 'Tangled'. When the mom was recounting the story, and when I have recounted the story to others, I said that I myself wouldn't even go to watch that movie. We do also need to protect our selves from the world's garbage. Sexual innuendos being mistaken as innocent 'dancing'... and this is rated as 'PG'... where is our world's standards? It was based on Christian standards, yet this no longer is applicable due to free speech, etc... No one wants to see a movie of you in the bedroom with your husband, so why would you want to watch someone else doing this... especially in most cases when it's not husband and wife.


I do know that I have watched movies or TV shows that aren't always as 'clean' as they should be, but I still do have some standards. We also have walked out, or shut off, changed the channel, etc of other movies. Some movies I have even sat through, yet prayed in the Spirit, or prayed over the minds of us and those watching... especially when I see young children watching somewhat scary stuff.


As I said, no one is perfect... only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are truly 'holy', but we are to live our lives as one who takes responsibilities for their actions. We choose the way to behave, we don't just do it. It's NOT genetics, or hereditary... or always ADD or something that we can 'try to' control with drugs/medicine. We need to put our FULL trust in JESUS, and lean not on our own understandings of circumstances around us, and acknowledge HIM as Lord and Saviour, and He will make straight our paths, and direct us in the way we should go!


I am looking forward to a GREAT year ahead, IF we do our part, GOD is more than willing to do His part.


Be blessed, and be a blessing!

PS - Editor's note: This was not completed on the 3rd, as I didn't come to write it due to worship practice, and playing the WII when I got home... which shows we ALL make mistakes, and yet God is faithful, and willing to forgive! THANK YOU LORD! <3

"He Heals the Broken-Hearted"

DAY 2 -- "A Woman of Faith" Devotional

Verse: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 NLT

The first sentence of the devotional today states, 'Women of every generation have experienced adversity, and this generation is no different.' The same can be said for women, men, boy or girl. Each of us will face adversity and trials. However in the Bible it says (as we were reminded today in Sunday School), that although we may face trials or have troubles, the Lord will deliver the righteous from them all. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken." (Psalm 34:18-20 NIV)

How do we become 'broken-hearted'? We choose the way to live, think and act, and sometimes by our own actions, we choose to live in bitterness and with broken hearts, so that we may receive sympathy from others. Some however do not choose to be broken-hearted, and are hurt by others, whom they have put their trust in. God however wants us broken... He wants us to come to Him as flawed creatures. He is able to take all those broken pieces, and form and re-shape us into NEW creations. NEW is 'new', it's not used, or 2nd hand material.

We also need to stop blaming God when troubles and trials come our way. Each adversity that we face, we are able to overcome it through the Blood of Jesus. We choose which way, which reaction that we will take. It is that choice that helps the outcome to be postive. As our verse above says, we need to 'endure testing'. To 'endure' means to;
verb (used with object)


1. to hold out against; sustain without impairment or yielding; undergo: to endure great financial pressures with equanimity.
2. to bear without resistance or with patience; tolerate: I cannot endure your insults any longer.
3. to admit of; allow; bear: His poetry is such that it will not endure a superficial reading.
verb (used without object)
4. to continue to exist; last: These words will endure as long as people live who love freedom.
5. to support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently: Even in the darkest ages humanity has endured.
6. to have or gain continued or lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit or greatness: His plays have endured for more than three centuries.

Continuing with yesterday's message (found here), we have to do our part to receive the blessings of God. If we patiently endure testing, we will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. So first we have to be one of those that love Him. As we were reminded again today at Sunday School, we need to choose to be a 'whosoever' first. In John 3:16, as we can all quote I'm sure, it says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

CHOOSE to be a WHOSOEVER... CHOOSE TO LOVE HIM... CHOOSE LIFE... CHOOSE BLESSINGS... CHOOSE TO RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE!

PRAY - It is THAT easy...

Remember, it's always as simple as A-B-C...
ACCEPT, BELIEVE & CONFESS...

Pray a simple prayer today, read my "Salvation Prayer" poem, and talk to God in your own words. No words that I could give you could be more powerful than you using your OWN words to describe your feelings to God.

Salvation Prayer Poem...

written by M. Hall 2010

Everyone knows "God loves you", how many believe it's true?

You want to have 'eternal life', here's what you should do...

ADMIT to God you are a sinner, 'cause all humans are.

REPENT from the sin, and turn away, you gotta' raise the bar.

(Romans 3:23)

The wages of sin, is death for sure, but God has made a way,

He sent his SON so you could live, an ETERNAL life someday.

(Romans 6:23 & John 3:16)

BELIEVE in Him, God and His Son, & Holy Spirit too,

believe that Jesus gave HIS OWN LIFE, all for me & you.

CONFESS your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your friend

The blessings you will receive & His love will never end.

(Romans 10:9&10)

But one thing you must REMEMBER, the road itself is long

There will be STORMS, & rough spots, but He will make you Strong.

(Philippians 4:13)

So finally one day, hopefully, after you've lived til' old

You can press on and win, your medal made of GOLD!

©M.H. 2010

Be blessed, and be a blessing!