Anything?

This has always been a favorite verse. As I've been thinking about this lately, the word ANYTHING sticks out to me. Do not be anxious about anything....what does that include? What "ANYTHING" in your own life can you use to to fill in the blank?

Do not be anxious about_________.

Health issues, hurricane Matthew, the presidential election, employment, finances, parenting, school, difficult decisions, relationships, infertility, loss of a loved one, pregnancy.....

I know many who are struggling in many different ways right now. Can you apply this verse to your situation?

Pray with a thankful heart and share your situation, cares, and worries with God. Let Him be your peace.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

(I'm linking with Spiritual Sundays.)

Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

Psalm on Sunday

Psalm 103:8--12
 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

This passage was on my scripture writings this week.  (I have been writing scriptures this year using plans from this site if you would like to check it out. A new one is posted each month.)

As I was writing this verse the attributes of the Lord in verses 8-10 stuck out to me.
compassionate
gracious
slow to anger
abounding in love

I got to thinking that since those qualities describe Him, shouldn't they also describe me since I am a Christian?  It made me think..... Am I compassionate to others?  Am I slow to anger?  Do I forgive others instead of holding grudges against them?

Something to think about as we begin a new week.  Thanks for stopping by!

I am linking this week with Spiritual Sundays.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Are you waiting for answers?

We had a thunderstorm this week.  We received 4 - 5 inches one night. Certain parts of town were flooded.  Flooding has happened all around the state of Texas this spring.

We have been praying for rain here for a long time.  We have seemed to have several years of drought conditions.  Rain is requested in prayers at church, and you see yard signs that say "Pray for Rain."

The rain ceased for a while Thursday morning and then started again in the afternoon. I opened the front door and looked out at our muddy yard full of puddles.  I thought to myself is this the answer to all those prayers for rain?

It reminded me that all those prayers for rain were answered.  God did not send the rain the moment the prayers were uttered last summer, but as I watched the rain fall I am reminded that He does answer prayers.  We collectively did not give up praying for rain just because it did not rain immediately.

What prayers are you waiting to be answered?  The answer may not come today or tomorrow but be sure God does hear and He will answer in His time.  Don't give up praying!

I'm linking up today with Spiritual Sundays.



Have a day of blessings!

Prayers and Promises Week #35

For the month of August the theme for the verses will be glory/glorify. I've chosen this theme because I have been thinking lately about how God can be glorified through the various trials we go through even though it is hard on us. So my prayer is that He will receive the glory for all that happens, whatever that may be.

This week's verse is I Peter 1:6, 7.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Prayer requests for this week:
~ John and Elaine, John is battling cancer. The doctors don't have anything else to do for him. Pray for him and his wife, she is devastated.

~ Anderson, a young boy also battling cancer.

~ my husband.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #29

Today I have a verse to share with you from Romans 1:20--
"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

It is interesting to read this passage in context. When I think of this verse, I think of seeing the beauty of creation and realizing Who made it all. The wicked and godless don't glorify God though as the Creator, they make their own things to worship (vs. 21).

This week I have some prayer requests to share as well.
~ Wills, a young man (in his early 20s) undergoing treatments for cancer.

~ families that have recently lost loved their loved ones Dennis and Michael.

~ our family in our move. We close July 26. One more week here!

You can join us at Spiritual Sundays today! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises #26

I have one more verse with the theme of trust this week and next week I'll change to a new theme for July.

Today's verse is Psalm 56:3--
"When I am afraid, I will trust in you."

These are the words of David as he was being pursued by his enemies. This is a short verse but offers much encouragement. What makes you afraid? We are all different and different things can cause us to be afraid at different times of our lives. The Lord wants us to trust in Him. Even in the unknown.

Thanks for visiting today for Spiritual Sundays. Hope you are having a happy day!

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #24

This week's verse is another one from Psalms.

Psalm 91:2--
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

I did want to ask you to pray for these things this week:

~ A praise from Kristi's daughter, Rachel. You can read her great news here.

~ remember Denise and the struggles she has had recently.

~ Debra and her son Josh as he is at boot camp right now.

~ Our family and God's timing. I'll share our news this week (probably).

Join others today for Spiritual Sundays.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #22

Thank you for visiting today for Spiritual Sundays.

For June the theme for the verses will be trust.
The first one is Psalm 22:4--
"In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them."

Let's remember this week to pray for....
~ Graduates and their families at this special time.

~ Those serving in the military and their families as well.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #21

We are having a nice weekend and home. We've gotten several things marked off our to do lists and that is a great feeling! Caleb has a week and 2 days left of school, June 2 is his last day. I have been thinking for several weeks how great it will be for him to be home with me again this summer. I went to get groceries last week and it made me smile to think how he'll be going with me again soon. I love having him along with me and we always have fun times together. Today I got his rest mat (towel) out of the wash and thought of the song "You're Gonna Miss This." Next year my boy won't have nap time at school and there won't be a towel he brings home to wash every weekend. Time goes so quickly!

This week's verse on light is John 1:4, 5--
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

Please join me in remember these (both children and adults) who are battling brain tumors:
Anderson, Kate, Clayton, Tonya, and John Pray for these and their families to be encouraged this week.

Thank you for visiting for Spiritual Sundays.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #18

Welcome and thank you for stopping by today! I have a new theme for the verses for May. I've chosen to do verses on Light this month.

The first one today is Ephesians 5:8--
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

We know that light is the opposite of darkness. It looks different from darkness. As "children of light" we should look different and stand out from the darkness around us.

I have a few prayer requests to share today also.

~ First May is brain tumor awareness month. I participate in a program called Audrey's Umbrella. We send cheer mail to children and adults battling brain tumors. A little friend named Anderson has been on my heart the past few days. His MRI this week showed significant changes in his tumor. Pray for Anderson and his family as well as the many others that are fighting brain tumors.

~ A praise....I previously mentioned Harlan, who nearly lost his foot in a farming accident back in February. He is recovering and doing well.

~ I made a huge mistake Friday afternoon....at least it feels huge to me! I accidentally deleted a message on our answering machine that was for my husband. I heard part of it and knew what it was about. I pray that we will be able to get in touch with the office Monday and find out more what the call was about (and that it is the good news we think it is).

~ Next Sunday is Mother's Day. Remember this week to pray for all those who have lost their mothers this year and also say a prayer for Mom's who have children that have gone to heaven this year.

Thank you for visiting for Spiritual Sundays. I am glad you stopped by.
Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #16

Have you been encouraged by someone recently or have you made a point to be an encouragement? Please share your story if you have one. Find a way this week to intentionally do the things that this week's verse says we are to do.

This week's verse is I Peter 3:8--
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

Please let me know if you have any prayer requests this week.

Join us today for Spiritual Sundays.

Have a day of blessings!

Prayers & Promises Week #12

My heart is in prayer tonight for our country. I don't follow politics, but I do know there is a big debate going on right now about health care. As I was preparing to write this post with this week's verse, another verse I know by heart (that is also fitting with the theme of humility) came to mind. You may be familiar with it too...2 Chronicles 7:14--"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

If you click above on the link, you can read the rest of this passage. The Lord is talking to Solomon here as the temple is finished. The Lord said basically when there is no rain and locusts have eaten everything, when you humble yourselves and pray, I'll hear you.

I believe today God wants us to humble ourselves before Him. We need to throw aside our materialism and pride and be completely humble before Him, seeking Him in prayer for our country. Where is our country headed? I don't know, but I do know God is in control and that gives me comfort. I know in the end He is the victor. I trust Him still.

I'm going to use this verse for the week this week as a reminder to pray for our country. I hope you will join me in prayer for our country and leaders.

Here are some other requests:

~ Karen's son, Cameron--physical healing.

~ families of local students killed. Our newspaper has reported a couple car wrecks this week. In one two high school seniors were killed in one vehicle and a 1st grade boy in another car was killed, his father was hospitalized. Then another day there was another wreck killing a high school senior. My heart is sad for these families, schools, friends, and communities.

~ my husband. I pray he has a less stressful week at work.

Join us for Spiritual Sundays today.
Have a day of blessings!

Proverbs & Prayers: Week #47

The verse for this week is Proverbs 26:20--

"Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

Isn't this such a wonderful nugget of truth? How many problems would be solved if we would just quit adding wood to the fire and keep our mouths shut? This is a good verse to think about this week.

I have some prayer requests to share also. Please let me know if you have any to add.

~ Kristi's daughter Rachel is having surgery on November 24. I'd like to ask you to go by and leave Kristi a comment to let her know you are praying for her and Rachel. It must be hard on her heart as a Mom. I know from reading her entries that she has full faith in God. I'm sure she'd appreciate the encouragement as well.

~ our personal friend Amy's son Cade is having surgery this week on November 24 as well.

~ Orion's family as they have their first Thanksgiving without him.

~ our troops and their families. Let's never forget to pray for them.

~ safe travel for those traveling on Thanksgiving.

Thank you for visiting today for Spiritual Sundays. I hope you have a wonderful week full of thankfulness!

Have a day of blessings!

Question from Caleb

One day Caleb asked Gramma, "why don't babies have teeth?" She gave him an easy-to- understand explanation that they don't need teeth when they're born because they don't eat food. This got me thinking well if they DID have teeth COULD they eat food, which I said aloud. Mom said with teeth they might hurt themselves as newborns and bite their mouth or tongue. Good point.

God's plan is so good like that. He had a reason to not give baby teeth. He knew babies wouldn't need to chew up food. They get the nutrients they need from milk as they begin life outside the womb.

The same is true for each of us. He knows what He is doing and has the timing for our lives figured out. We may want more of something right now, but He knows what is best for each season and moment of life. He knows what we can handle and what might hurt us. He knows when we're ready to move from one stage to the next. He has the best in store for us. We just need to be patient and accept the growing process as all part of his plan.

Join us for Spiritual Sundays or visit others who've participated.

~~~~~~~~~
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Song: Voice of a Savior

What a privilege to hear Mandisa sing and share her heart at the Women of Faith conference! I was not familiar with many of her songs. This is one she sang Saturday afternoon that blessed me and I wanted to share on my blog. You can watch the clip or read the lyrics here.

Every person has the same basic needs. We all want to be accepted and loved. If you don't have that, you feel like something is missing in your life. Where are you looking to have your needs met? When you look to people or money or power or things to meet those needs, you are going to continue to be empty, searching, and longing for more. I've heard it said that everyone has a God-shaped hole in their hearts. I've heard of people doing some interesting things trying to fill that hole, fill that void. But nothing works. It isn't things or money or relationships or power that will fill that hole. None of those things will save you. Seek the Lord and let His love fill all your holes. Let Him be your Savior.

Visit here to join others for Spiritual Sundays. Have a wonderful weekend!
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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. " Matthew 11:28

Friday Favorites: Christmas #2

"Joy to the World" is another of my Christmas favorites. I love this version that I've added today by Casting Crowns. It's on their Peace on Earth album.

Our world is in need of some major joy! To often we base our feelings on our circumstances. The joy of the Lord isn't like that though. He gives a joy that is unlike anything else you may feel. It isn't based on what's going on in your world. If you look at the condition of the world there is not much to be found that would cause us to be joyful. However, when we have the joy of Jesus we know those "things" don't matter. Joy is more than just being happy. As Christians we should be joyous people. So many people go around looking gloomy. We should be full of joy to overflowing and that should flow to those around us.

Are you sharing your joy with others this Christmas season?
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"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.' " Luke 2:10