DAY 6:
Yes! Let the celebrations continue. It's my Birthday Month! I'm celebrating all month, yes, every single day!
Today I’ve been thinking about God's love for me. We know that God is love but do we really understand the depth of that love. I know it’s bigger than I can grasp so I continually think of this Scripture and pray it over myself.
TODAY I'M PRAYING THIS SCRIPTURE OVER YOU:
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19 MSG)
FAITH CONFESSION:
Yes Lord, help me to really know the depth of Your love for me Thank You for expressing that love through Jesus taking on and dying for my sins so I could spend eternity with You. Help me to love selflessly. Let me be an expression of Your love to others.
FAITH CONFESSION:
(Your Name), out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!" God told (Your Name), "I've never quit loving you, (Your Name) and never will. Expect love, love, and more love, (Your Name)! And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again, dear, (Your Name). (Adapted from Jeremiah 31:3-4 MSG)
I know I can't fully understand the depth and breadth of God’s love, but I am eternally convinced that He loves me. His love for me is unconditional, meaning it doesn't depend on me or how I act, it depends on Him and who He is. His love for me is everlasting.
“The Lord appeared from of old to me [Your Name], saying, Yes, I have loved you, (Your Name), with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you, (Your Name).” (Adapted from Jeremiah 31:3 AMPC)
I know that as I grasp the depth of His love for me my heart becomes secure and that changes how I interact with others. Security in Christ is priceless! When love is at the foundation of all we say and do then lives are transformed, beginning with our own.
FAITH CONFESSION:
Lord, thank You that Your love for me is everlasting and unconditional. Your love for me never fails, fades, or comes to an end.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 AMPC PERSONALIZED:
“God’s love endures with patience and serenity, God’s love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; God’s love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. God’s love is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; God’s love does not take into account a wrong endured. God’s love does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. God’s love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. God’s love never fails [it never fades nor ends].”
Sometimes I just have to reflect on the depth of God’s love for me! His love changes everything!
Today’s blessing is just resting in His love, knowing there’s nothing I can do that will ever separate me from His love. I’m thankful I know exactly where I will spend eternity and with Whom. Another blessing, on the material side, was a mistake was made on my Sprint bill and it was $45 higher than usual in addition to changing my plan to a two lines separately billed plan instead of a two-line plan. The agent put me back on the regular plan and removed the $45 upcharge for this month’s bill.
Day 7:
Yes! Let the celebrations continue. It's my Birthday Month! I'm celebrating all month, yes, every single day!
I’m reminded today that I am not in control! No matter how much I want to, or plan to be, I control nothing. As a recovering professional this is sometimes hard to accept! We’re taught to have a plan, work the plan, and have a contingency plan. Walking with the Lord never falls into these categories. About the only thing I can plan with a reasonable amount of certainty is my time with the Lord. I’m pretty consistent with having it but not necessarily how it looks!
In order for me to have a successful, and productive, walk with God it has to be predicated on my ability to surrender to His authority and love in every area of my life. It means, for me, I can’t fix everything, no matter how much I try. And, more importantly, I should not even be trying to fix everything. Instead, I must submit those things to God and seek His direction. This is always a good place, the best place to start! He knows what we don’t and sees what we can’t!
The very things that have made me successful in the corporate world have been, from time to time, stumbling blocks in my walk with the Lord. Believe it or not, God doesn’t need my help! Yep, that was a hard one for me. What I’ve learned is, God needs my cooperation. He doesn’t force us to do anything. He makes it all available to us but it’s ultimately up to us if we avail ourselves of it.
Control is really about power. God reminded me He is all powerful and when I am in Him, and He is in me control isn’t necessary. Everything I need He has. I don’t have to make things happen! I can relax and walk in what God is doing, is creating for me.
One other thing I’ve learned: Love is more powerful than control.
That’s why the Word commands us to:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV)
When you have love you’re in control! Love will cause you to control your thoughts, words, and actions!
Love will cause you to:
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NKJV)
Yes, love is powerful and it can change lives. It has definitely changed mine!
Today's blessings were multiple cards and gifts in the mail. The cards were beautiful and heartfelt. I could feel the love! I am so thankful that people were thinking about me, what a blessing!
Stay tuned, because God isn't finished with me yet!
Be Encouraged! ❤
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