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The Flesh or The Spirit

Published on July 17, 2014July 16, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Galatians 5:16-17

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Galatians 5:16-17

Reread verse 17, what is the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit?
What is the result of this conflict?
Yet, Paul gives us the way to conquer this battle. What is a way to overcome the flesh?
Each of us struggles daily with our flesh and the sinful nature. Is there something that has been particulary troubling for you? Write it down. Ask the Spirit to intercede…Focus on God and His will and allow the Spirit to transform you as you walk by the Spirit.

Walk like a child of God! I will be praying for you!

Facts or Emotions

Published on July 16, 2014July 16, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Numbers 14:1-4

“Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to one another, ‘Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.””
Numbers 14:1-4

The Israelite s cried out to the Lord. What was their complaint?
What do they want instead of the land the Lord had promised – the land of milk and honey?
Let’s think here…They want to go back to Egypt. What were their living conditions in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14)?
As the Israelites escaped their captors, God repeatedly protected and provided for them (See Exodus 7-16). Yet, they let their emotions overtake what they know to be true. God is faithful! Is there anywhere you are letting your emotions overtake the truth of God’s word?
Ultimately, what is the result of the Israelites rebellion (Numbers 14:20-22)?
We know that through Christ we are forgiven of all our sins. But when we choose to ignore what we know to be true about God and His word, we take steps away from our walk with Him. Don’t be a wanderer. Trust God! Look at the facts and not at your emotions. Write down some facts you know about God.
Remind yourself of these facts and live by the truth and not by your emotions.

Don’t be a slave to your emotions…instead be a slave to Christ! I will be praying for you!

Where Is Your Hope

Published on July 15, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

1 Timothy 6:17-19

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
1 Timothy 6:17

Do you think you are rich?
By the world’s standards you probably are. Here Paul instructs us on how we should think about money. According to this passage where should your hope lie?
God provides everything for us to enjoy, which is hard to see sometimes in our consumer economy where we can seemingly fulfill our needs and wants immediately. What does your life look like when your shift your focus from what you provided yourself to what God has provided for you?
We have a choice each day what to do with our wealth. Paul gives us some instructions on how to use our money. Write down some ways you could use your money that would fit into his list.
What is the result when we choose to focus on God and not money?

Take hold of the life that is really life – your eternal one! I will be praying for you!

Think About It

Published on July 14, 2014July 11, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8

Paul tells us here what to fill our minds with. Write down what you are called to think about.
Think about what you read/watch/day dream about, do they match up with this list?
Pray and ask God to reveal where you fall short. Write is down – I know it’s hard but it makes it real.
Repent.
Then seek His guidance in shifting your thought pattern. We are called to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5. When negative, impure, destructive thoughts creep in…take it captive and give it to Christ.
Pray Philippians 4:8 for yourself that God would transform your thoughts.

Think about what you think about! I will be praying for you!

Rest

Published on July 13, 2014July 11, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest,so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV

True Wisdom

Published on July 12, 2014July 11, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Proverbs 12:15

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.“
Proverb12:15 ESV

“Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.“
Proverb 12:15NLT

“Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
wise people take advice.“
Proverb 29:20 MSG

Do you think you are always right?
Think again…open your heart and mind to the leading of God and to the advice of others.
This doesn’t mean you always have to believe others are correct, but be willing to listen and consider. Test it against God’s word and His leading.

Don’t be a fool! I will be praying for you!

Heart in His Word & on your Lips

Published on July 11, 2014July 10, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Joshua 1:7-9

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9 ESV

God is preparing Joshua to carry out His long awaited plan for His people. How does He reassure Joshua…what are His instructions?
As with Joshua…He gives us a list of do’s and don’ts. Using this passage write your “To Do” list.
Now write your “Do not” list.
As I have shared before…I struggle with my tongue. But here, God gives us the remedy for that weakness. Write down the two key components that can help all of us, through Christ, win that battle.
This isn’t about quiet time each day, or saying the right prayers. It’s about meditating on His word day and night. It should never leave our lips…what changes can you make in your life to keep your heart fixed on Him and on His word?
This command leads to a “So That.” When we keep His word in our hearts and mouths what results.
The end of Verse 9 reiterates God’s command to Joshua – and to you. Write it down.
Write about the comfort it brings you to know that the Lord is with you wherever you go.

Put God’s word in your heart and on your lips! I will be praying for you!

Eyes On The Word

Published on July 10, 2014July 10, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

2 Peter 1:20-21

“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
2 Peter 1:20-21 ESV

Peter assures us that God’s word comes from what source?
Picture what it means to be carried along. What did you picture? Write it down.
Being carried along implies that it is not in ones own power. Instead whose power enabled the Scripture to be written.
Knowing this, we can be confident that when we study God’s word it is indeed just that. Soak that in…God’s own words. What power …write about your reaction.
Picture yourself being carried along by His Spirit. Are you allowing this in your study of His word or do you try to control your time with Him?
Pray about it and ask God to guide each time you spend with Him. Open your heart to Him and allow the Spirit to carry you.

Focus your eyes on God’s word! I will be praying for you!

Light In Your Eyes

Published on July 8, 2014July 7, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Matthew 6:22

““The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,but if your eye is bad,
your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”
Matthew 6:22-23ESV

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”
Matthew 6:22-23NLT

“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
Matthew 6:22-23MSG

Remember Jesus called himself the “Light of the world” (John 8:12) When we choose to use our eyes to see the that Light what is the result?
When we choose to close our eyes what is the result?
God has made Himself known through all of creation (Romans 1:20) we are all without excuse. What are some ways you may close your eyes to the Light of the world – or fill them with things that are not of the Light.
We know that when we follow Christ we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Pray about it and ask God to give you ways to keep your eyes fixed on Christ so that you will be filled with light – is it more prayer time, more time in His word… Write down what he is inspiring in you.

Keep your eyes on the Light!!! I will be praying for you!

True Wisdom

Published on June 28, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.com2 Comments

Ask the Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word for today. Remember to read the entire passage

Proverbs 11:28

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.“
Proverb 29:20ESV

“There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks without thinking.“
Proverb 29:20NLT

“Observe the people who always talk before they think—
even simpletons are better off than they are.“
Proverb 29:20 MSG

Do you think before you speak?
Unfortunately, I think I end up in the fool catagory a little too much here. I react to quickly to comments and words I see as slights. Usually the spoken words are not intended that way…but it’s too late! Have you ever had this experience?
Pray about it and ask God to change your heart.

Don’t be a fool! I will be praying for you!