Category: Godly life

read & pray

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PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you as you seek the Lord today.

 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:18 NLT

WRITE

  • We are commanded to pray in the Spirit all the time! So… look at a headline in today’s news and write a prayer. I challenge you to pray often for the events you see in the news and swirling around you every day. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful! Alleluia!

GROW

Ask the Lord to guide you with how and when to pray each day. Ask the Spirit to reveal to you what burdens Him, and seek God’s will in all circumstances. We may not even know what or how to pray, but we know that “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26. May we all be daily prayer warriors. Praying for you.

choose peace

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PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you study God’s word today! 

“You keep him in perfect peace
    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3

WRITE

Is it really that simple? My mind is constantly jumping around. Imagining “what if’s” and worst case scenarios. Planning weeks ahead and thinking about what might happen. But God gives us a formula for His peace in Isaiah – and reminds us constantly throughout His word that peace is possible when we choose Him.

  • God will keep us in peace – but what do we have to do?
  • We can keep our mind fixed on God by recalling His word. Write down some of your favorite verses – use them to keep your mind fixed on Him. (here are some of my favorites Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Peter 5:7, John 16:33, Romans 8:28)
  • We can keep our mind fixed on Him when we pray continually. Do you have a burden that is weighing you down. Write it down – lay it down. Pray about it, and turn the scenario you have concocted in your mind into a prayer to our Almighty God!
  • Finally, reminds us that peace comes when we actively choose to do what?

GROW

When we trust God, when we keep our mind fixed on Him – he offers us His peace. Praying that the Lord would draw you close, and fill you with peace as you choose to keep your mind fixed on Him!

got gifts?

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PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you spend time in God’s word today.

READ

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 & 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Romans 12:3-8

Exodus 30:22

Ephesians 4:11-14

WRITE

In case you were wondering – the answer is YES! If you are a believer in Christ Jesus than you have a spiritual gift, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 2:7. And, as we can be certain that it is for the common good of the church – we can be sure you are supposed to use it! There are a myriad of books and websites which may help you discern what your spiritual gifts are, but let’s start by looking at what the Bible says God has distributed to His people.

  • Using the passages that we read make a list of spiritual gifts.
  • Pray and as the Lord to help you discern your gifts. Think about your natural talents – write them down.
  • Consider where God is working in your life and honing your skills – is there a place where you see God’s hand?
  • Do you have a certain passion for service or ministry. Where does your heart break – where is God moving you?
  •  Paul exhorts Timothy to, “fan into flame the gift of God” 2 Timothy 1:6. What can you do today to develop and use the gift that the Lord has given you?

GROW

You have been given gifts by God to serve Him and His church! It is your responsibility to seek His will, His growth, and with boldness walk forward in service to Him. Praying that you will grow and fan into flame the gift of God in your own life!

pass the test?

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read God’s word today.

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”
1 John 4:1 NLT

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT

WRITE

  • What warning do you hear in both of these passages?
  • Always test what you hear by God’s word. What was the message you heard yesterday in church. Look up the passages, pray and ask God to give you His wisdom. Search other passages on this subject – write them down. Does the message you heard yesterday agree with God’s word?
  • Always test the message – God’s word is the only measuring stick that really matters.

GROW

May His word light your path, give you wisdom, and lead you into all truth. Praying for you!

yours and mine

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you
as you read and reflect on the passage today.

” For I long to see you, that I may impart to you
some spiritual gift to strengthen you
—  that is, that we may be mutually encouraged
by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
Romans 1:11-12

WRITE

  • Christian community is so important. Why does Paul desire to spend time with the church in Rome?
  • How does he express his desire to fellowship with the believers in this church?
  • Here is Paul, amazing man of God, writer of most of the New Testament and he is expressing his “longing” to spend time with these fellow believers so that he can be encouraged. Does this change your perspective on the leaders of your Church/Bible Study/Small Group and how they need to learn and grow and be encouraged by you?
  • Our faith grows when we are active in a Biblically sound Christian community. If you are not currently engaged in this way… pray about how you could become connected at Church or in an internationally offered  Bible Study like Community Bible Study. What are some steps you can take today?

GROW

Praying that you will be mutually encouraged as you fellowship and learn alongside other believers. May the Lord develop friendships in your life that will last into eternity! Praying for you!

a little light

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PRAY

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

WRITE

  • What are some of the ways that you are sharing the light of Christ today so that others will see the His love and give glory to God?
  • Do you need to make changes?
  • Could you do more?

GROW

Praying that we would all be the light of Christ today! May His love in your heart light up your life and the lives of others. Praying for you…

investment strategy

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you today
as you read through the entire passage!

READ

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3

“’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

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

WRITE

Recently I have been reading through the book of Ezekiel.  I have been thinking about the fickle hearts of the Israelites of long ago and about the people of God today.  We are no different than they were! We set our hearts on things other than God, we work for comfort, money and success. We desire the pleasures that this world has to offer seeking after happiness, and fulfillment and satisfaction in places other than our relationship with God through Christ. As Ezekiel prophesies about the fall of Jerusalem God instructs him to tell His people, “ Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.  They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I said I would bring this calamity on them.” Ezekiel 6:9NLT. All over the Old Testament God calls the act of unfaithfulness by His people “whoring.” It is a vivid picture of how God views us when we choose “things” before Him. And, though God has made a way to Him through our Savior Jesus Christ and He has given us grace upon grace – and abounding steadfast love.  Though, as Christians, He will judge us as redeemed citizen cleansed in the blood of Christ. I do not believe He views the act of unfaithfulness to Him any differently. He wants our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole mind. Does He have yours?

  • Where is your treasure?
  • Where is your heart?
  • Where is your mind?
  • Where are you investing your time, talents and money?
  • Write down some of the idols that you have set in your life. Destroy them!
  • Pray and ask the Lord to  change you so that you love Him with all your heart and soul and mind!

GROW

Praying that the Lord change you to seek Him first. May we all dedicate our lives and hearts to Him. Praying for you!

attitude adjustment

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Spirit to guide you today!

READ
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

WRITE

  • According to this passage, what is God’s will for you?
  • Is this the attitude that you carry with you each day?
  • Write down ways that you can incorporate this attitude into your day to day life!
  • Ask the Spirit to help you to change you so that you can rejoice, pray & give thanks at all times.

GROW

Praying that the Spirit would intercede so that you will stay connected with the Lord in prayer, be thankful no matter what & let His joy be yours always. Praying for you…

transformed

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through this time today

Read Romans 12:9-21

WRITE

Building on our thoughts from last week on transformation. I was thinking that we could pray this week for God to work on a specific attribute in us. As you read through Romans 12:9-21 choose an attribute and ask the Lord to cultivate it in you. Try to pray continually throughout the day. Ask the Spirit to show you where you need to change the way you think, speak & act. Then, pursue Him & allow Him to change you.

  • Take time to write each day about what the Lord is revealing to you as you continue to seek His transformation!

GROW

Praying that the Lord would guide you as He works in your heart and mind to transform your life! It is not always easy to think we need to change, and certainly it is not so easy to actually change! But, you can be certain that what the Lord will transform you into is far better than where you are now. Praying for you!

 

the problem with sin

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Take time to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read, ponder and write.

Read Matthew 1 John 1:5 – 1 John 2:2

“ If we say we have fellowship with him
while we walk in darkness,
we lie and do not practice the truth.”
1 John 1:6

WRITE

I’ve noticed something lately. We live in an age of moral relativism. Using this world-view we get to make up our own morality. We get to decide what is light and what is dark. What is sin and what is acceptable. I hear phrases like, “I’m not as bad as______” or “it’s not that bad…” or “it’s only a little lie”. Really?! Sin is sin! We have whitewashed sin and use others as our barometer of wrong-doing. But God’s word is pretty specific about both who we are as man (Romans 3:23) and who we are as believers in Christ (Romans 3:24-25, 1 Corinthians 5:17). It’s easy to disregard our sins, but as followers of Christ we are called to be “living sacrifices” and to change the way we think and live to be in tune with God’s word and His desire for our lives. I love what Romans 12:2 in the NLT tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” He loves us so much… he desires to transform our lives for our benefit and His glory! Now let’s dig into 1  John to see what God says about our problem with sin…

  • Where does this message come from?
  • What does verse 5 make clear about the attributes of God.
  • Write down the 5 “IF” statements in this passage as well as their corresponding result. – what is your reaction?
  • God is faithful and full of love.What does 1 John 1:9 tell us about what God does with our sin when we confess?
  • I love 1 John 2:1 – What does the “But” tell us about the solution to our sin problem?
  • Jesus “is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2 – What does this tell you about the thoroughness of the forgiveness available to all who put their trust in Christ?
  • How does this passage make you reconsider the way that you look at your own sin? Ask the Spirit to guide you as you seek His will and His transformation…

GROW

Praying this for us all today…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24