But I…

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PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin. Psalm 71:12-16

“O God, be not far from me;
    O my God, make haste to help me!“
Psalm 71:12 ESV

WRITE

I have often thought about the “but God” moments in the Bible. Stories of seemingly impossible situations that God redeems in only the way that God can. But here we see the psalmist writing of dire circumstances. He is fearing for his life and being pursued by his enemies. Yet he maintains an attitude that we all should have when difficult events arise.

  • What is his response in verse 14?
  • We all have struggles. Write down what you are struggling with today.
  • Then write … “but I” and write a praise to our Almighty God!

GROW

Awesome Praise Song – Revelation Song – Kari Jobe

Thanking God for His amazing blessings – during the storm and during the calm. Sing a new song to our Almighty God! Take time to praise Him more and more today! Praying for you…

On Guard

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PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin.

READ 1 Peter 2:21-25

peter-2-21

WRITE

This passage is so rich! Take time to search each verse and ask the Lord to really reveal the depth of His love and care for you. He is the Guardian of your Soul!

  • Write about Jesus’s example.
  • Write about what He did for you.
  • Write about what you once were.
  • Write about your position now in Christ.

GROW

He is your Shepherd. He is your Redeemer.  He is your Healer. Turn to him. Turn to him. Turn to him. Praying you would feel the depth of His love for you today!

Never Changing

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com2 Comments

PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin.

“God is not man, that he should lie,
    or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
    Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
Numbers 23:19 ESV

WRITE

Trust! Trust God! He is faithful! He is sovereign! He is eternal! His love is enduring! Do not doubt that He is in control. Do not doubt His promises.

  • Find a Bible verse about God’s faithfulness (some options: Deuteronomy 7:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Timothy 2:13)
  • Find a Bible verse about God’s steadfast love (some options: Lamentations 3:22-23, 1John 4:10, Romans 8:38-39)
  • Find a Bible verse about God’s sovereignty (some options: Matthew 19:26, 1Corinthians 1:25, Revelation 12:10-11)
  • Are you doubting God today? Are you overwhelmed by your circumstances? Do the headlines make you uneasy? Write it down. He is Bigger! Apply God’s word to your concerns and trust God that He is in control.

GROW

Love this song By Aaron Shust – “Ever Be”

 

Praying that you would experience the loving, steadfast, sovereign love of our Amazing God! And may His praise ever be on your lips…

 

 

Be an Overcomer

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin.

Read
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21

WRITE

Short passage today… and jumping back to Romans 12, but I’m really struck by this verse! Good v. Evil. It is a battle that we know is constantly swirling around us. Ephesians 6:12 tells us “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” First He commands us to not allow this evil to overcome us! And yet… He gives us a way to overcome it! Good! Good overcomes evil! Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it is hard to do the good thing… to say the right thing… to stand up for the moral thing… to do the Jesus thing! But, what happens when we do? We overcome evil. And remember – we are not doing this on our own – we have a helper – a counselor – the very Spirit of God that will empower, enlighten and guide us along our path. (Luke 12:2, John 14:25-26, Acts 4:31). Praying that the Lord would guide each of us where we need to be the good today!

  • What does this verse mean to you?
  • So I ask… where is God revealing evil to you? Pray about it!
  • What is God calling you to do to shine the light of Christ into this situation? Write down the ways that God is encouraging you  to overcome this evil with good.

GROW

Love this song… a Call to Action – Thank you Matthew West!

I hope that you will continue to pray Romans 12:9-21 for yourself and for others. May we grasp what it means to live as a light to others and to shine Christ’s love into the darkness. Praying for you!

Then Act Like It

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PRAY

Make sure you take time to read the passage and pray about it before you begin.

Read
Romans 12:9-21

true-christian

WRITE

Before I start… I just want to say that Romans 12 is one of my very favorite passages in scripture. I have written about it before. But, with all that is going on in the world I just think it is so important for us to remember the characteristics that we are supposed to be exemplifying and be encouraging in others. Over the past months I have had the opportunity to study Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. It is beautiful to see how God is giving His people ways to live their lives that set them apart from the nations that surround them. First, He asks them to put Him at the center. Then he gives them ways to  bring Him honor, and establishes rules & boundaries to protect them and define them as a nation. Like the Israelites, through Christ – God has set us apart. We are not supposed to conform to the ways of the world, but instead be transformed as He renews our minds (see Romans 12:2).  We have been called out of darkness into light – for a purpose (1 Peter 2:9). If you are a Christian – your life should look different!

  • As you read over Romans 12:9-21 do you see qualities that are different than those celebrated in our society?
  • Why is it important for us as Christians to live a life full of these attributes (Matthew 5:16)?
  • Pray through this passage and insert yourself… “Lord, let my love be genuine, help me to hate evil and cling to what is good…
  • Is there a certain attribute that you especially struggle with? Write about it and ask God work in your heart and mind to transform your life.

GROW

I am going to try to pray this prayer over the coming days. Praying that the Lord would work to transform us all that the way we live our lives would set us apart as His kingdom citizens, and bring Him glory!

Are You Ready?

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PRAY

…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15

WRITE

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior… then you have the story of Christ in your life. He has beautifully written His story in your life and what a blessing it is to share it!

You have the story of what you were… and how He drew you in
You have the story of when you made the decision to trust Jesus
You  have the story of how He has changed you and made you new
You have the story of how He continues to work in your life

  • Take time now to write your before, your beginning & your after Christ
  •  How have you changed? How has your world-view changed? How have your goals changed?
  • Write some of the Bible verses He has used over the years to transform you.
  • Is there a verse that He has given you that is shining light into your life? Write a few sentences about how He is working in your life through this verse. Think about it in terms of a conversation – write it so that you could you slip this “hope” into a phone call with a friend or discussion with your daughter.
  • How is He working in your heart today?

GROW

I love this song by Big Daddy Weave – “My Story”

Praying that the Lord would give you words, and courage to share His beautiful story in your life…

Love – God’s Way

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com2 Comments

PRAY

 Read Matthew 22:36-40
Exodus 20:1-17 

“‘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.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Matthew 22:37-39

WRITE

  • Jesus tells us that all of God’s law is dependent on these two commandments.  Divide the Ten Commandments into these two sections.
  • Is there a place in your life that you are not loving God with all your heart all your soul and all your mind? Have you made yourself an idol? Are you careless with your language? Write about it… and ask God to cleanse you and lead you into complete devotion to Him.
  • Is there a person in your life that you are not loving the way God has asked you to love?(see also John 13:34). Ask God to show you what you need to change and to love without strings .(see 1 Peter 1:22)

GROW

We often love with conditions. A kind of if… then sort of love. But, that’s not the kind of love that God directs us toward. Love me completely He tells us… then go out and love others. He doesn’t say when life is perfect, or when others are nice – he gives us no conditions. He calls us to love Him and love others the way He loves us – unconditionally & completely. Praying for you that He would help you to love earnestly from a pure heart today and every day.

I WILL

Published on by kristen from praywritegrow.com2 Comments

PRAY

 Read Joshua 1:1-9

“‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.'”
Joshua 1:9

WRITE

I let me son pick the scripture for this post. He’s 11 and just starting to figure out what it means to be strong and courageous. And even more, what it means to trust God to be with Him wherever he goes. I think that is the draw of this passage to young boys – and really it is so simple yet so profound! Can you imagine being Joshua? God chose him as the one to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. A people who have been wandering the desert for 40 years. Finally! They have arrived – but it is only just the beginning….

  • Write down God’s promises in the scripture passage. – what do you think He is trying to tell Joshua?
  • Write down God’s commands in this passage.
  • Why does God say that it is important to keep the book of Law always on his lips (and ours)? Why is this reminder so important at this stage of their journey?
  • God may be calling you to lead people, or simply trust Him to take the next step. What is God speaking to you through this passage.

GROW

God so beautifully promises Joshua and us that He will never leave us and that we need not be afraid or discouraged. Still, He commands us to GO… and to be strong and be courageous. Hold tight to God’s promise and step forward with courage and strength knowing that He is with you wherever you go! Praying for you!