Day 23 09052015

7 Ways to Practice Peace 

Living in God's peace is vital to enjoying life. I believe that one of the keys to living with peace in your life is taking small steps toward peace every day. Here are a few tips you can use to develop a more peaceful lifestyle. 

1. Be selective with how you spend your time. You may be trying to do too many things and end up doing none of them well. Hurrying is the flesh trying to do more than the Holy Spirit is leading you to do. Be led by the Spirit.
2. Be prepared to say "no" nicely. Sometimes we take on things we shouldn't because we're uncomfortable saying no. Ask God to give you the words to say no when you need to. 
3. Resist the spirit of procrastination. God's Word tells us to exercise self-discipline. Do what you know you need to do now so you can fully enjoy your times of rest. 
4. Eliminate key distractions. If you know you are prone to certain distractions, such as watching TV, set some guidelines for yourself. 
5. Set appropriate boundaries for interruptions. Life is full of interruptions, but you can learn to set boundaries that help you manage them in healthy ways, such as scheduling times when you are "off limits." Schedule time to give yourself a break. 
6. Modify your life. Ask God to show you out-of-the-box ways to save time and trouble. For instance, when I don't have time to do the dishes, I use paper plates! 
7. Pray and listen. If you can see that your plan is not producing peace, go back to God, pray for peace in the now, and for the wisdom to make changes that will benefit your life. 

The bottom line is to make peace a priority, take practical steps toward it, and let God lead you every day into His perfect peace that passes all understanding. 

Prayer Starter: God, lead me into Your peace that passes all understanding. Show me the daily steps I can take to walk in Your peace for me.

My response: 

Thank God for leading me into his peace and show me the steps could walk in his peace everyday. 

Thank God for his peace, joy and love that showered on me. Praise Lord!!! 

Day 21 07052015

Experiencing God's Peace By Living in the Now 

Having an attitude of peace and calm is priceless. It's an attitude that says, 'I'm trusting God,' and it speaks powerfully to people. But it takes time, focus, and the grace of God to be consistently peaceful. 

Too often our stress level is tied up in our circumstances. You could be stressed because you're always busy or you're struggling financially or because you're not getting along with someone you love. 

To conquer the stress in our lives, we need to learn to practice the peace that's been provided for us by the overcoming power of Jesus. 

One way to develop consistent peace is to learn to live 'in the now.' We can spend a lot of time thinking about the past or wondering what the future holds, but we can't accomplish anything unless our mind is focused on today. 

The Bible tells us that God gives us grace for each day that we live. I believe God's grace is the power that enables and energizes us to do what we need to do - and He gives it generously, as we need it. 

Every day we need to say, 'God has given me today. I will rejoice and be glad in it.' 

If you can learn to trust God 'in the now,' receiving His grace as you need it, you can become a truly peaceful person - and that's powerful. 

Prayer Starter: God, I know that You have overcome any and every obstacle, so I ask You to help me live in the peace that You've provided for me. Show me how to trust You as I live 'in the now.'

My response: 

God I'm truly socking in your present and peace. Thank God for giving me a peaceful holiday today. I enjoyed max and appreciate much!!! Praise Lord 

Day 22 08052015

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

Experiencing God's Peace By Living in the Now 

Having an attitude of peace and calm is priceless. It's an attitude that says, 'I'm trusting God,' and it speaks powerfully to people. But it takes time, focus, and the grace of God to be consistently peaceful. 

Too often our stress level is tied up in our circumstances. You could be stressed because you're always busy or you're struggling financially or because you're not getting along with someone you love. 

To conquer the stress in our lives, we need to learn to practice the peace that's been provided for us by the overcoming power of Jesus. 

One way to develop consistent peace is to learn to live 'in the now.' We can spend a lot of time thinking about the past or wondering what the future holds, but we can't accomplish anything unless our mind is focused on today. 

The Bible tells us that God gives us grace for each day that we live. I believe God's grace is the power that enables and energizes us to do what we need to do - and He gives it generously, as we need it. 

Every day we need to say, 'God has given me today. I will rejoice and be glad in it.' 

If you can learn to trust God 'in the now,' receiving His grace as you need it, you can become a truly peaceful person - and that's powerful. 

Prayer Starter: God, I know that You have overcome any and every obstacle, so I ask You to help me live in the peace that You've provided for me. Show me how to trust You as I live 'in the now.'

My response:

Thank God in giving us grace for each day as we live. I know God you have overcome any and every obstacle so I could ask for help in giving me peace in my life. Praise Lord. I know there are alots of thing which could influence is and make us worries. But I know, I should trust in you by not living on my own understanding. Amen. 

Although physically I'm tired, but I know your are my strength Lord!! Please be with me!!! Hallelujah 

Day 19 05052015

Today is a good day. 5-5-15

Complaining Is a Sin! 

In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul instructs us not to use any foul or polluting language. At one time, I didn't realize that this included complaining, but I have since learned that murmuring and complaining pollute our lives. 

Plain and simple, complaining is a sin! It causes many people a great deal of problems in their lives and destroys the joy of anyone listening. 

We need to ask ourselves, how quick are we to become impatient and begin to complain when stuck in traffic or while waiting in checkout lanes in grocery stores or department stores? How quick are we to spot and point out all the faults of our friends or family members? Do we complain about our job when we should be thanking God that we have one? 

The best antidote for complaining is thanksgiving. Truly thankful people do not complain. They are too busy being grateful for all the good things they have that they have no time to notice the things they could complain about. 

The Bible says that we are to enter God's courts with praise and thanksgiving. You and I need to make it a daily goal to live a life of thanksgiving. Let's be as positive and grateful as possible. 

Try going to bed at night pondering everything you have to be thankful for. Let it be the first thing you do in the morning. Thank God for "little" things or things you might normally take for granted: a parking place, waking up in time for work, a meal, your family... Don't get discouraged when you fail, but don't throw in the towel and quit either. Keep at it until you have developed new habits and you are living with an attitude of gratitude. 

Be generous with your gratitude. It will sweeten your relationship with the Lord. 

Prayer Starter: God, I want to live with an attitude of gratitude, starting right now! I thank you so much for loving me and for blessing me. Help me see the positive things in life and to thank You for them.

My response:

Stop complaining... Thank God for helping me to see the positive things in my life... Stop gossiping as well. Praise Lord!!!

Day 20 06052015

Today's devotion 

God Works Through People 

One morning I was having my quiet time alone with God, and I said to the Lord, "God, how can You stand seeing all the pain, starving children, human trafficking, genocide, injustice, degradation, poverty, in the world and not do something?" 

I didn't say it as a complaint or because I was questioning His integrity, and I don't even know that I was really expecting to get an answer, but I just asked Him. Immediately His answer came back: "I work through people. I'm waiting for My people to arise and do something." 

You and I are part of an army, the body of Christ, and it's going to take everyone doing their part to change this world. God wants to work through us, and He's calling us to put on love and get to work. 

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul talked about how the churches in Macedonia gave, saying, "But first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]." 

That just amazes me, because they didn't just give their money, they gave themselves. God's calling us to live the same way. And one person working for the Lord has the ability to make a profound difference! So how will you give yourself to the Lord and be His agent today? 

Prayer Starter: God, I invite You to work through me. I choose to lay down selfishness and pick up love so that I can be used by You to change the world.

My response: 

Today I'm started to pray and invite God to work through me. 

Thank God that I'm having this opportunity to share his love and healing miracle to my patient's mom. Although I'm not sure what's the result of sharing. But I know I'm calling to share the joy and greatness of Jesus had done in my life. 

Besides, today I met a great people who pray for me and use the word of God to encourage me when I'm going for my interview. That's amazing interview section in my life. That's really God plan that I could met her and talk to her. Intentionally I'm fasting for my future, but end up in praying for my church, brother and sister more frequent than what's I'm suppose to. I nearly forget about my worry and problem. But God, you never forget my problem and worries. You place a nice person in my life at a right time to inspire me, guide me and talk to me. At last, she even speak my primary love language by giving me a great hugs. That's lovely God!!! Praise Lord!!! 

Such a wonderful day, today. You are awesome God!!! I love you!!!

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. (II Corinthians 8:5 NKJV)

 Again... God you built my faith and confidence. Thank God! ^^

Day 18 04052015

Last night I plan to have my early exercise before sun shine at 7am. But... It seem that's a bright sunny day for today. I really can't imagine I should have run under the sunshine. ;) I skip my plan and rest another while.

Pray Persistently 

About twenty years ago, this next sentence changed my life: "You do not have because you do not ask God." This short verse opened a door for me to discover the life-changing power of persistent prayer. 

At that time in my life, I was stressed out about a lot of different things. I was trying to make my ministry grow, trying to make my husband do this or that, trying to make my kids act a certain way, trying to make other people do the things I wanted, trying to basically do absolutely everything on my own. As you can probably guess, it wasn't working! 

As a burned-out, frustrated young Christian, I realized one day that living in my own strength was useless. I needed to take my problems to God. In other words, I needed to pray more!

When we understand God's love for us and His plan for us, then we can begin to realize the doors that He wants to open for us. But we'll only realize these things when we're constantly talking with Him, listening to His voice, and growing deeper in our relationship with Him. 

In Matthew 7:7 (AMP), Jesus tells us, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you." 

So many times, when we reach the end of our rope, we turn to prayer, but when our prayers are not instantly answered, we give up. Today, I want to encourage you to not only pray, but to pray persistently. Don't stress out trying to make things happen on your own. Give it all to God as you pray. 

Remember, He promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. Let's pray and seek Him with all our hearts. 

Prayer Starter: God, remind me to bring my problems to You. I'm tired of living in my own strength. I need Your guidance and Your direction. As I seek You daily, I will put my trust in You.

My response: 

God, again you remind me to bring my problem to you. Actually I'm tired of living in my own strength. I need your direction and guidance. As I seek you daily, I will put my trust in you. In Jesus Christ Name I pray, Amen. 

There are few thing I need to change after I had get the message from yesterday. I need to change... I shouldn't judge what's right and wrong. Judging is not by us, Jesus would not judge the sinned lady in front of the public, although he had the right to judge. 

We should accept and love one another , pray for his or her weakness. 

RECEIVING FORGIVENESS 

TALKING TO GOD 
Silently confess the things you have done that are hurtful to others. Ask God for forgiveness. Then thank Him for forgiving you. 

DIVING IN 
At your next family meal, have everyone wear earplugs or earphones but talk as usual, without trying to help each other hear what you are saying. Also wear them as you clear the table as a family. 

GOING DEEPER 
When you don't come to God to be forgiven, it is as if you refuse to listen to Him. By not hearing God, you separate yourself from Him, just as you did when you suddenly could not hear your family well. Read Psalm 32:5, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' — and you forgave the guilt of my sin." When you ask for forgiveness, God forgives you. It is as if He removes the earplugs from your ears, and you can hear Him again. 

TALKING TO EACH OTHER 
- Have you ever kept something you did wrong a secret? If so, how did trying to hide this secret make you feel? 

Yes. I will pray to ask for forgiveness.
- What might keep you from going to God and confessing a sin? 

That's should be my proud I think.
- How do you feel when someone forgives you for something you've done wrong?

Quite embarrassing initially. I would wish to do something for he or she as a return. 

Day 17 03052015

Early in the morning I'm getting up and pray. 

That's a good habit I'm practicing and to maintain it. Not only for the 40days of my fasting prayer.

Letting God's Love Overcome Past Hurt 

Early in our marriage, Dave and I had some rough years, and a lot of it was because I needed God to heal me from my past of being abused sexually, emotionally and verbally by my dad. Through a lot of tears and difficult moments of choosing to forgive instead of getting revenge, God brought me through, and He's also used my testimony to bring healing to the lives of others. When God heals you of past hurt, He not only wants to help you, but He also wants your experience to be a gateway through which others can experience the same healing. 

Eventually, I came to a point where God led me and Dave to move my parents to St. Louis and even buy them a home, which was very difficult for me. But my dad ended up apologizing to me for all he had done and even received Christ into his life. 
I experienced a whole new level of emotional health because I let God heal me through the power of forgiveness, and allowed Him to use my restoration to help heal my dad. 

You know, we can all hurt in a lot of different ways. Loneliness, disappointment, rejection, fear and insecurity all have the ability to hurt us deeply. I couldn't move beyond the hurt from my past until I received and experienced the love of God and allowed Him to turn it all around. 

Before you can move beyond your pain and learn to love and forgive others, you have to experience God's love. 

When dealing with your past, remember that God loves you deeply. The Bible says that we are only complete when we experience the love of Christ, which is so great you could never fully understand it. As you receive His love, healing will begin in your heart and you will be made complete with the fullness of His life. 

Prayer Starter: Lord, I believe You can help me overcome the hurt and pain of my past and use my healing to help others. Help me to experience the love of Christ and make me complete with all the fullness of Your life and power.

My response: 

I know my hurt and pain of my past that been healed can be a great testimony to the others. I know you have make me complete with all the fullness of my life and power. Thank God. 

That's quite disappointed when I'm getting to know my bro Darren was not replying the text from me when I'm asking him to attend the Sunday service. I'm... So sorry that I couldn't follow up on him. Physically or mentally I have let it go... But will still pray for him :) 

PRAISING GOD IN PRAYER 

TALKING TO GOD 
Praise God for making you and everything you have, including food, a home and people who love you. 

DIVING IN 
Think about the things you're grateful for. Make a list of 10 of them. Tell someone why you're grateful for each, and praise God for all that He has given you. 

GOING DEEPER 
Through the use of short blessing prayers that relate to everyday life, people learn to praise God and express thanksgiving. The moment you open your eyes in the morning, you might pray, "Thank You, God, for my eyes. Thank You for sight." While getting dressed, you could pray, "Thank You, God, for meeting my needs — giving me clothes to wear, such as these," and at the first sight of the sun, you may declare, "God, You are so great! Thank You for your creation." Psalm 145:1-2 is a great example of how to praise God: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." Praise God today and every day! 

TALKING TO EACH OTHER 
- How did writing down a list of things you're grateful for change your attitude? 

More cheerful

More generous 

More hardworking...
- If you praised God for everything He has given you, how long would it take? 

That's quite long... God has blessed me such a long list of things...
- How might praising God change you?

That's make me realize how much were the blessing and praise Lord...?