six things…

Published on August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

PRAY

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

Proverbs 6:16-19

^{“There are six things that the Lord hates,

    seven that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

    and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans,

    feet that make haste to run to evil,

a false witness who breathes out lies,

    and one who sows discord among brothers.”}
Proverbs 6:16-19

WRITE

Write down the six (or seven) things the Lord hates.
Dig into the Bible to uncover more about what God thinks about life choices.
- Haughty Eyes – Humility (Philippians 2:3)
- Lying Tongue – Put on your new self (Colossians 3:9-10)
- Hand that Sheds Innocent Blood – Reconcile (Matthew 5:21-26)
- Heart that devises and runs to evil – Set your heart on the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6)
- Bears False Witness – Put away falsehood (Ephesians 4:17-32)
- Sow Discord Among Brothers – Build up (Ephesians 4:17-32, John 13:35)

GROW

It’s easy to set our hearts and minds on earthy things. And desire to get even, exact our revenge, or get ahead at any cost. But as we see in Proverbs – it’s not something the Lord encourages. Instead we are directed in Romans 12 that ““if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Remember you get to choose what you hold in your heart. You get to choose what you act on and what attitude that you have – every day. If you know Jesus then you are a new creation and you have His Spirit renewing you day by day. Choose to set your mind on the things of the Spirit – so that you may live in light and peace! Praying for you!

got gifts?

Published on July 24, 2017July 22, 2017 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

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!

transformed

Published on June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 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!

Then Act Like It

Published on January 25, 2017January 31, 2017 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
Romans 12:9-21

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!

Good Good God

Published on June 24, 2016June 24, 2016 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.

You pick! We have an amazingly good God! Search the Bible and find a verse that highlights this part of His character. Here are some possibilities…

Psalm 145:9 Mark 10:18 Psalm 110:5 Romans 12:2 Lamentations 3:25

Thanking God for His goodness. May we all see His hand and perfect will in this day Praying for you!

Even the Heavens Speak

Published on July 22, 2015July 21, 2015 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.

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
Psalm 19:1

My friend posted these pictures on her facebook page from the Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore. Our God truly is an awesome God. Look upward, where did you see the glory of God today? Where did you see His handiwork?

Praying that you will see the glory of God everywhere today. He is so amazing, every part of His creation cries out to Him.

In the Mirror

Published on July 17, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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

Romans 12:9-21

Paraphrase the whole passage we’ve been studying.

That is what your life should look like.

Our lives should reflect the love, mercy and truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Praying that His Spirit will work in you to transform your life for His glory. Praying for you!

How to Win

Published on July 16, 2015July 17, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

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

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

2 Timothy 1:7

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”
2 Timothy 1:7

According to Romans 12:21 what is God’s plan for overcoming evil?
As we see this world filling with more and more immoral and evil acts we can be certain it is not by accident. What does Ephesians 6:12 & 2 Corinthians 4:4 tell us about who we are fighting against.
But, if you know Jesus, God has provided His Spirit to dwell within you. Using 2 Timothy 1:7 describe the spirit that lives in you?
We are not called to overcome evil on our own. No, God has given us His very own Spirit! Jesus Himself shared with us how the Spirit would aid us in doing good and defending ourselves against evil. Write down His promise in Luke 12:11-12.
We can overcome evil with the love of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Ask the Lord to give you insight and discernment about how to do good in the face of evil…write out your prayer.

Praying “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11

Love All Around

Published on July 15, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'”
Romans 12:20

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

Matthew 5:44-48

^“But I say to you,
Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you.”
-Jesus
Matthew 4:44

Using Romans 12, instead of vengeance, what are we called to do for our enemy?
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that it means nothing to love those who love us. To stand out in a self-centered society, what instead does He ask us to do?
Society tells us it’s ok to call names and make horrible accusations to those who oppose us or our views. But Jesus calls us to more. He asks us to pray for our enemies and Paul tells us to feed and provide for the needs of our enemy. Is there someone who you need to pray for? Is there someone who you need to feed? DO IT!

It is not enough for us to love those who love us. No, we must show God’s love by loving, feeding, praying for those who oppose us. Praying for you!

Perfect Justice

Published on July 14, 2015 by kristen from praywritegrow.comLeave a comment

How to Act Like a True Christian – Digging Deep Into Romans 12:9-21

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
Romans 12:19

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

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:1-5

In Jesus’ teaching on judgement, what does He reveal about our own guilt when we judge others?
We are guilty of hypocrisy. But, also, we judge only what we can see. Instead, how does God judge (Luke 16:14-15)?
God’s judgement is entirely just, judging hearts and minds. Our judgement is hypocritical and only at face value. We can not know who is truly unrighteous or ungodly. But God can. We must trust that He will enforce perfect justice. We do not know the plan of God. But we know that He can work all things together for the good of those who love and serve Him (Romans 8:28). Ask the Lord now to help you trust Him for His perfect justice and judgement. Ask Him to give you wisdom and words to face the injustices in this world and stand for His truth.

We are called to be salt and light, not judge and jury. We are told not to repay evil for evil. God is the perfect judge and His justice will prevail! Praying for you!