Love – God’s Way

Published on January 20, 2017 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.

What’s Your Golden Calf?

Published on August 5, 2015 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.

Exodus 32

“The people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’”
Exodus 32:1

As God faithfully brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, He calls Moses to Mount Sinai to solidify His covenant with His people and to give Moses the law. While Moses is gone, the people wonder where he is. God is sharing His heart for His people, and His people are asking for another god. Do you ever question where God is?
Our own strength & knowledge is no strength at all! Have you created a golden calf (money, happiness, friends, success) to make yourself feel more comfortable?
You can be certain, God’s steadfast love endures forever…He is working even when you don’t feel like it! Confess your idols now and ask the Lord to cleanse your heart and guide you as you trust in Him alone!

Again, it is about a relationship built on trust…
Lord, “If I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.”
Exodus 33:13
Praying for you!

At Work in You

Published on August 3, 2015August 3, 2015 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 Thessalonians 2:13

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.“
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NLT)

Here Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to exhort, instruct and encourage them in their faith journey. He thanks God for the faith of the Thessalonians… he thanks God that they had willing and open hearts. I was struck by the action words that Paul uses here to describe their journey. Fill in the blanks.

First they _________ the message.

Then they __________ the message.

Did the message come from Paul?
What is the result of the word of God that they accepted?
How exciting to know that God’s word is at work in our lives when we choose to accept and believe it. It truly is His voice speaking to us. How has this passage changed the way you think of the word of God – are you open to hear, receive and accept His voice?

Again, it is about relationship. God wants you to know Him… He wants to be at work in your life. Praying for open and willing hearts ready and waiting for His precious word to transform. Praying for you!

Hunger & Thirst

Published on July 31, 2015 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 4:4

Jesus answered, “’It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4

We hunger for food, we crave food (we love bread – hee hee)… but here Jesus tells us that in the same way we think about/enjoy/ crave/ need food we should also desire what?
We need food to survive… why do you think that we need God’s word in the same way?
In this passage Jesus is being tempted by satan, Jesus’ response is God’s own word (see Deuteronomy 8:3). We are told in Ephesians 6:17 that as believers we wield the sword of the Spirit which is the very word of God. It is the only “weapon” of all the armor we are told to put on (Ephesians 6:10-20). Why do you think this is an effective tool against the acts of the devil (2 Timothy 3:10-17)?
Here Jesus is reminding us that we NEED God’s word – for our growth and protection. It is not an if I feel like it, or maybe if I have time. No, it’s an I have to. It’s a necessity… like food or water. How are you going to make God’s word a priority in your life today?

This is my prayer for you today. From Psalm 63:1 … May you earnestly seek the Lord, may your soul thirst for Him, your flesh faint for him, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Seek & Find

Published on July 29, 2015 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.

Jeremiah 29:13

“You will seek me and find me,
when you seek me with all your heart.“
Jeremiah 29:13

Pick one word from this passage that stands out to you, and write it down.
Why do you think the Lord has focused your attention on this word?
It is pretty amazing that the Lord promises us that we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart. What do you need to change in your life to allow you seek Him in this way?

The God we love and serve wants us to know Him. He wants us give our whole selves to Him in love and He meets us there. Praying you will find Him in this day! 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!

You are Blessed! James 1

Published on February 6, 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 1:9-18

^“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12

Here James tells us that believers who are poor can boast because God has honored them, and the rich can boast because God has humbled them. But what does James point out is true of earthy standings?
When you remain steadfast in your trial you will receive what blessing?
God has promised the crown of life to those who love Him. So, you can be certain that He will never lead you astray. From this passage, how do you know that He will never tempt you?
Instead, how are you lead astray?
Where does it lead?
Paul exhorts you, “Do not be deceived.” Instead, what comes from our heavenly Father?
Will this change – does God change?
No, God love you (Jon 3:16), and He brought you forth by the word of truth. You are His firstfruits – a promise of what He has given you – Holy Spirit – and what is yet to come (Romans 8:23). Read Deuteronomy 26:10-11. What were the Israelites instructed to do with their firstfruits?
If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you too are His firstfruits. How does this change your thinking about your life and it’s purpose?

You are blessed! You have received the crown of life – you are His firstfruits! Live like it! I will be praying for you!

Just Ask! James 1

Published on February 5, 2014February 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

James 1:2-8

^“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”
James 1:5

James has a view of trials that it probably different from your own. How does he instruct you to view your tials?
When you are tested it develops what characteristic in you?
When you are steadfast you remain fixed in the Lord it brings about what change?
James instructs you exactly what to do if you are confused or uncertain as you go through life, what does he tell you to do?
Does God expect you to know and understand everything…how does He give to you?
With what mindset should you approach God?
Conversely, what does the man with the doubting mind receive?
God’s answer is not always what we want or expect, and sometimes it’s wait. But, Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that ” we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.” What is on your heart right now…write it down and ask God to bring you His wisdom.

God love you and wants you to come to Him! Just Ask! I will be praying for you!

Who are you? James 1:1

Published on February 4, 2014February 3, 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 1:1

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:”
James 1:1

Before we start…how would you label yourself?
Here James writes to Jewish Christians in the First Century, and to many throughout the ages, and it is obvious that he wants to portray himself in a certain way…How does he identify himself?
He calls himself a servant of God and of Jesus Christ. Is that how you labeled yourself?
I’m sure that, like us, James had many roles to fill. But, he doesn’t make a list – he says, simply, that he is God’s servant.
Envision the other labels you gave yourself and how they can change to reflect your defining characteristic of servant of God (Matthew 22:35-40, 1 Peter 4:8-11)
Ask the Spirit to change your heart and to make you a true servant of God. May He reveal to you just what you need to change so that the light of Christ can shine through you always. Write down where God is moving you to make changes.

Choose to be a servant of God! I will be praying for you!

Your Gift to God – Prayer

Published on February 1, 2014January 31, 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

Revelation 8:3-4

“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”
Revelation 8:3-4

Here the word saint is used to desribe every believer who accepts Jesus Christ as his or her savior. The picture of heaven given to John and shared in the book of Revelation reveals where your (and all saints) prayers go…from your heart to where?
Your prayers rise to heaven and are placed on the golden altar of God before the throne…Awesome! What prayer would you like to place now on the altar of the Almighty God? Allow the picture to form in your head…from your heart to God!

Place your prayer on the altar of the Almighty! I will be praying for you!