kristen from praywritegrow.com

Are You a Sheep?

Published on March 5, 2014March 5, 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

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1

In this Psalm David refers to the Lord as His shepherd. What are some characteristics of a shepherd?
What are some characteristics of sheep?
Jesus called Himself a shepherd in John 10:1-18. Read this passage…it does help to understand the relationship between the Lord and His sheep? Write down some specific verses that characterize Jesus as a Shepherd.
This passage also help us to understand the role of the sheep. What does 10:14-16 reveal about Jesus’ sheep?
The Lord provides for His sheep! In Psalm 23 what does David tell us about the Lord’s provision (read this verse in several translations to give you a fresh prospective)?
He knows our name! We know His voice! We follow Him and He provides all we need. How often we forget. What do you need to trust to Him today? Lay it in His arms and follow His lead!

Be a sheep! I will be praying for you!

What Kind of Love is It?

Published on February 27, 2014February 27, 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

Romans 5:8 John 3:16 John 14:15-17 Matthew 22:36-40

“’For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.'”
John 3:16

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8

“’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.'”
Matthew 22:36-38

“’If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.'”
John 14:15-17

God’s love for you is unconditional. Is your love for God unconditional?
Think about what it means to love unconditionally. Write down what that looks like.
You are not in this alone. God has given you His Spirit that dwells in you…a Helper! How are you going to live your love for God today?

Love God! I will be praying for you!

Why Is It Snowing, Again!?

Published on February 26, 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

Isaiah 55:8-11

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”
Isaiah 55:10

Do you ever ask God why? Are you ever left uncertain? Do you question your circumstances?
What do verses 8 & 9 tell you about trying to understand God?
God has a purpose! What is His purpose for the snow and rain?
Like the snow and rain, how does Isaiah explain the purpose of the word that goes out from the mouth of God?
How do you think that God uses His word to accomplish His purposes (see also 2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 10:17).
His thoughts and purposes are so far beyond the comprehension of you and I. But, you can be certain, He has a purpose for you & for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). You and where you are now in your life is not an accident (Romans 8:28)! Does this passage make you consider your purpose in a new way? Does it help you to trust in the sovereignty of God?

Truts God – He sees the whole picture! I will be praying for you!

Bring Him Back… James 5

Published on February 25, 2014February 24, 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

James 5:19-20

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:19-20

How do these verses shed new light on your call to bring your friends and loved ones back to the truth of Jesus Christ?

Seek the lost… I will be praying for you!

Then He prayed… James 5

Published on February 24, 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

James 5:13-18

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16b

Instructions for life…
What do you do if you’re in trouble?
What do you do if you are happy?
What do you do if you are sick?
What do you do if you have sinned?
You are righteous because Christ has made you righteous. Verse 16b tells us what the results of your prayers (in Christ’s name John 16:24)…write it down.
Your prayers are powerful and effective. He loves you and he wants to be an intimate part of your life…one of the ways you achieve that is by being in communication with Him – prayer. How does this change your thinking about how/when/why you pray?
Choose today to make God a part of your everyday life. Pray…

Your prayers are powerful and effective! Talk to Him! I will be praying for you!

Rest

Published on February 23, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.
Exodus 20:8-9

Yes & No! James 5

Published on February 21, 2014February 20, 2014 by kristen from praywritegrow.com1 Comment

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

James 5:12

“But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”
James 5:11

Is your “yes” a “yes” is your “no” a “no”?
Jesus tells us, “And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. ” Matthew 23:22 Do you carelessly utter, “I swear to God.” Think about what you are saying.
Is there something you need to change? Write a prayer asking God to change your heart and mouth to reflect His glory.

It’s as simple as yes & no! Do it! I will be praying for you!

Remain Steadfast! James 5

Published on February 20, 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

James 5:7-11

“We consider those blessed who remained steadfast.”
James 5:11

Are you patient?
Personally, I struggle with this quality. Here what image does James us to draw us a word picture to help us understand what patience looks like?
While the farmer waited for rain and his fruit to ripen, do you think he sat on his porch watching?
No, the farmer diligently works to prepare for the harvest. Likewise, we are called ot prepare our hearts for what purpose?
The Lord is coming (Mark 13:24-27) we are called to prepare for Jesus’ return. Record the specific action James 5:9 instructs us to take.
Are you a grumbler – do you speak ill of others and blame them for your circumstances – why?
Instead, what traits characterize the prophets?
Those who remain steadfast (firm in belief) are called what?
Like Job, God has a purpose for all events in your life (Romans 8:28). He will work all things together for your good – even when it doesn’t seem like it. In fact, we are called to thank God in ALL circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Through Job’s life how did God reveal Himself?
God can reveal himself through your life, too. If you search the word steadfast in the ESV version of the Bible, it is filled with verses about God’s steadfast love. He loves you so much…you can trust in Him (Deuteronomy 7:9), & abide in Him (John 15:5)! He is preparing you today – remain steadfast no matter the trial – He is faithful & His love endures forever! Give God whatever trial you are facing today, remain fixed in Him – His love never fails!

Remain in Him and He will remain in you! I will be praying for you!

What treasure? James 5

Published on February 18, 2014February 17, 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

James 5:1-6

“Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.”
James 5:2,3

What is your attitude about your earthly treasure?
Jesus tells you in Matthew 6:19-21 what kinds of treasure you should be storing…write it down.
Knowing your heart and treasure are connected, what does that tell you about truly giving your heart to God (Psalm 24).
Our hearts should be focused on God, trusting Him in every way…He has proven He is faithful! Ask God to renew your heart today. Devote it to God and live focusing on heavenly treasure and not on your earthly desires. Is there something you need to change today?

Heavenly treasure is far greater and eternal…Seek to store up what will last forever! I will be praying for you!

Got Plans! James 4

Published on February 17, 2014February 17, 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

James 4:13-17

“Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ “
James 4:15

Do you consult God as you make your plans for today…tomorrow…two years from now
According to James in v. 15 how should we think about/plan our lives?
When you don’t include God in your plans, you promote what behavior?
Do you ever get nudges from God? A phone call to make, a not to write, a situation to avoid…But you don’t listen? James tell us here what results when we do not heed God’s call.

Do not boast…you and I are bust a mist that comes and goes. But, when we know Jesus we can be certain that our forever citizenship will be in God’s kingdom (Philippians 3:20,21). Choose today to live as a citizen of heaven. Read Romans 12:1-2 write about how we can seek to do God’s will.

Seek God’s plans and not your own! I will be praying for you!