You Were – But God

Published on July 8, 2016 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

**TAKE TIME TO PRAY BEFORE YOU BEGIN…**

So often here on earth “free gifts” are not so free. I think of all the offers that require us to buy something to get our free gift. It really isn’t free! But here Paul explains that our salvation is free! It is a gift! It is God’s unmerited favor! Stop feeling like you have to earn it. Accept the gift – then live in faith like the new creation that you are!

WRITE

READ EPHESIAN 2:1-10

FILL IN THE BLANK
- You were_______________! (Make a list)
- But God _______________!
You have been saved By God’s grace what is the result?
You are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for what purpose?
Write a prayer asking God to guide you as He uses you for His purposes & His glory!

GROW

This is a wonderful reminder! GRACE WINS! – Matthew West

If you know Jesus … God has prepared good works for you! Too amazing to even imagine. Praying for you – that the Lord to prepare and guide you so that you may “walk in them”.

Your Heart and His will

Published on August 22, 2014August 21, 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

Mark 1:35

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. “
Mark 1:35

When did Jesus get up?
Where did He go?
What did He do?
What does this verse reveal about the importance of time alone with God?
Do you have a quiet time each day to simply pray?
We often think we don’t have time or not now. But, what can you learn form Jesus abut His choice of quiet time?
Take time now to ask God when you have time in your day to spend with Him.
Now make it part of your daily routine as you grow to know Him better…

Alone time with God! Seek it! 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!

Live your Faith! James 2

Published on February 10, 2014February 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

James 2:14-26

“I will show you my faith by my works.”
James 2:18b

James answers his own question, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” Write his answer.
What does it mean to have faith (see also Romans 10:8-13)?
How does James say he (and you) will show faith?
Here James uses Abraham as an example of living his faith. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac proved his faith. According to v. 23 (and Genesis 15:6) what did Abraham do to be found righteous?
Abraham’s actions revealed what was in his heart. See Luke 6:43-45 and write down how we all reveal our true heart.
As a result, what was Abraham called?
You, too, exhibit that you are a friend of God when you live your faith. Read Colossians 3:12-17 & write down the traits and actions that characterize a Christian.
We’ve discussed before that we have a purpose here on earth. But, let’s revisit Matthew 5:14-16. Jesus speaks to you saying, “You are the light of the world.” What is the purpose in you revealing your light before men?
Give God the glory…seek today to spread the light of Christ by the way you act. Write at least one change you can make today to reveal your faith and His love.

Don’t let your faith be dead..seek to live your faith!!!!!!!! I will be praying for you!

Fulfill the Royal Law! James 2

Published on February 8, 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 2:1-12

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
James 2:8

Do you look at the people as God sees them?
When you judge someone by how they look, what do you become?
How does God see the poor?
In order to fulfill the “royal law” how should you act toward others?
The law finds you guilty when you________.
It is easy to think “that’s a little sin” or “it’s not that bad,” but James tells us here when you fail at keeping one part of the law you are guilty of what offense?
By your actions you may not have committed every sin, you have still broken the whole law. But, praise God we know Jesus and it is through His blood – God’s mercy – that we receive righteousness and not on our own merit. For this reason, how are you called to look at others?
Is there a consequence when you do not have this attitude?
Has this passage changed the way you look at the lives of those around you? Write about it…

God love you…love others with that same love! I will be praying for you!

Be a Doer! James 1

Published on February 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

James 1:19-27

^”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22

Write about what verse 19 instructs you to “be”.
Anger fails to produce what in you?
Describe the characteristics you are called to put away?
Instead, God freely gives…what are you called to receive?
Verse 22 gives you a call to action…write it down!
Record the result of being a doer who acts.
Rewrite verse 26 and begin it with “If I think”…
Write down how you can show that you are a doer of “pure and undefiled” religion.
Do your actions match your words? Pray and ask God to search your heart and guide you on your path to knowing Him. Write down how He is moving your heart today…

Be a doer of the word! 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!