Psalms 40:1-3 (ESV)
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
It's so easy to get caught in a slump in life. Where everything seems to either come to a standstill or work against you. We begin to feel down-cast and our vision is fogged as we stumble through our lives, unsure of where to go. We cry out for help to friends, to addictions, to relationships and things that bring us comfort in the world. We all cry out in our own way to the things we think will pull us out of that slump, which often will bring us momentary pleasure. But how often do we cry out to the One who always hears, who always responds, and is the only One who can pull us out of that slump? God is waiting patiently for you to cry out to Him and reach up to His hand so that He can pull you out. He wants us to wait patiently as His purpose is constantly at work in us, guiding to the place we need to be. Once we truly reach out and trust in God from the pit that we are cast into in our lives, He stands us upon His solid foundation and makes us secure in Him. All this gives us a joy beyond anything we've ever experienced and pours out into our lives. As we see the power that God has and how He cares for us with such a passion, we find ourselves trusting in Him with reckless abandon, letting go of anything that would hold us back from the love of our Saviour.
Take this moment to dig deep into your heart and cry out to God. Be honest with Him about what's weighing on your heart, for He desperately desires to hear from you, the one He loves so deeply. If you feel God leading you, ask Him to come into your heart and draw you out of whatever pit or slump you find yourself caught in. Pray for patience to wait on His purpose, and allow God to move in you in this moment, filling you with a new song of praise on your heart. Really rest in this moment and cherish the comfort that God is bringing. And let hope fill you for the days ahead that God has planned for you.
I pray that this word would empower you greatly today in God's purpose for your life. I hope you all have an amazing day! :)
Madelynn Marlow
Monday, August 27, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Building Plan
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Our day-to-day lives have a way of wearing on our hearts and breaking us down. Long days and the emotions they carry can often be very taxing on our bodies and hearts. As this world constantly persists in its attempts to break us down, we search for things to build us up. We dig frantically through whatever rubble the world leaves us with to find anything that would make us stronger and build us up. The more we dig to find something to build us up, the more we come out empty and more worn down than before. We were not made to be broken down by this world, but rather to be built up in Christ. Christ gave His life so that we may have life in Him and be built up on the foundation of His love. As we surrender our lives to God's building plan for us, we are spared the wrath that was before pressed on our hearts and we experience true life in Him. We no longer go through life merely surviving, but truly living with the divine purpose God has laid on our hearts. And with this love filled purpose, we find that what God has placed within us can't be contained as God begins to work through us so that we and those around us may built up in Christ.
Open up to God about ways that you feel you are suffering in this moment, and what you are building your life on now. If you feel Him leading you, invite Him into your heart and give your life over to Him so that He may build you up in His incredible purpose. Ask God to work in you so that with His love, you can build others up in Him too.
I pray that this word would empower you in the plan God has for your life, and that it would guide you to build others up in Christ as well. I hope everyone has a great day!
Madelynn
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Our day-to-day lives have a way of wearing on our hearts and breaking us down. Long days and the emotions they carry can often be very taxing on our bodies and hearts. As this world constantly persists in its attempts to break us down, we search for things to build us up. We dig frantically through whatever rubble the world leaves us with to find anything that would make us stronger and build us up. The more we dig to find something to build us up, the more we come out empty and more worn down than before. We were not made to be broken down by this world, but rather to be built up in Christ. Christ gave His life so that we may have life in Him and be built up on the foundation of His love. As we surrender our lives to God's building plan for us, we are spared the wrath that was before pressed on our hearts and we experience true life in Him. We no longer go through life merely surviving, but truly living with the divine purpose God has laid on our hearts. And with this love filled purpose, we find that what God has placed within us can't be contained as God begins to work through us so that we and those around us may built up in Christ.
Open up to God about ways that you feel you are suffering in this moment, and what you are building your life on now. If you feel Him leading you, invite Him into your heart and give your life over to Him so that He may build you up in His incredible purpose. Ask God to work in you so that with His love, you can build others up in Him too.
I pray that this word would empower you in the plan God has for your life, and that it would guide you to build others up in Christ as well. I hope everyone has a great day!
Madelynn
The Healer
Psalms 147:3-4
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
There is one thing that is inevitable for every person to experience in life: hurt. Whether it be physical, spiritual, or emotional pain, we all have to face some sort of hurt in our lives. It's a truth that some have great difficultly accepting while others embrace the hurt in their lives far deeper than they ever should. It's not something that we want to face or dwell on, but it holds a gripping presence in our lives when it does creep in. And for many in the world, there is a hurt that cuts deeper than any physical wound, and that is the pain of a broken heart. It leaves us broken even if for just a moment, and causes us to be weak as we become vulnerable. When most reach a heartbreak that runs so deep, they give up and lose hope. But God designed our lives for such a greater purpose than to lose hope. He designed us to live in the stronghold His infinite love, holding on to an unbreakable hope in Him. It breaks His heart more than we'll ever know to see the hearts of His children breaking. He so deeply desires for us to let Him nurse our wounds and heal us into a new and stronger creation in Him. If He so divinely crafted every star that is held in the vast night sky, how much more does He hold an incredible purpose for you, the child of His that He so fearfully and wonderfully made with an astonishing purpose in life. He is our maker, our healer and our hope. We just have to open the door in our hearts and let His healing spirit move within us.
Open up to God about any pain you are experiencing right now in your life, big or small. All of us encounter hurt, and it's something that God wants us to come to Him with. If you feel God leading you, humble your heart before Him and allow Him to move within you. Ask Him to heal you in this moment and guide you live in the new life that He is creating in you now. Cherish this moment and the strength that God is empowering you with.
I pray that this would heal any hurt you are facing in your life, and that this word would empower you greatly with God's incredible purpose for your life. I hope everyone's day is amazing!
Madelynn
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
There is one thing that is inevitable for every person to experience in life: hurt. Whether it be physical, spiritual, or emotional pain, we all have to face some sort of hurt in our lives. It's a truth that some have great difficultly accepting while others embrace the hurt in their lives far deeper than they ever should. It's not something that we want to face or dwell on, but it holds a gripping presence in our lives when it does creep in. And for many in the world, there is a hurt that cuts deeper than any physical wound, and that is the pain of a broken heart. It leaves us broken even if for just a moment, and causes us to be weak as we become vulnerable. When most reach a heartbreak that runs so deep, they give up and lose hope. But God designed our lives for such a greater purpose than to lose hope. He designed us to live in the stronghold His infinite love, holding on to an unbreakable hope in Him. It breaks His heart more than we'll ever know to see the hearts of His children breaking. He so deeply desires for us to let Him nurse our wounds and heal us into a new and stronger creation in Him. If He so divinely crafted every star that is held in the vast night sky, how much more does He hold an incredible purpose for you, the child of His that He so fearfully and wonderfully made with an astonishing purpose in life. He is our maker, our healer and our hope. We just have to open the door in our hearts and let His healing spirit move within us.
Open up to God about any pain you are experiencing right now in your life, big or small. All of us encounter hurt, and it's something that God wants us to come to Him with. If you feel God leading you, humble your heart before Him and allow Him to move within you. Ask Him to heal you in this moment and guide you live in the new life that He is creating in you now. Cherish this moment and the strength that God is empowering you with.
I pray that this would heal any hurt you are facing in your life, and that this word would empower you greatly with God's incredible purpose for your life. I hope everyone's day is amazing!
Madelynn
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Passion
Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
The moment when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in our hearts is truly an incredible, indescribable moment. It's one that completely changes the course of our lives, and gives us true life in the life of Christ. In that moment we are left on a spiritual high with a fire burning brightly inside of us with a new found passion for God. We want to go all in for Christ, to live out our lives in this the light of the newly restored lives we have received. However, it is so easy in that moment to get lost in the excitement and not know where to go. So many of us slip and slowly lose that passion God graced us with when we received new life in Him. And so many of us finally come to a point when we stop and wonder where that passion went and how we could ever get back on track we we've fallen so far. God is a God of restoration through love, and He so desires for us to experience that love through life in Him. He calls us to come back to Him, to hold on to that passion we first had when we fell in love with Him, and to continue to feed that fire within us burning for God. Once we give our lives to Him, He becomes the foundation of our lives in which our souls are firmly rooted. He takes our weaknesses and strengthens us, and continues to strengthen us as He reveals to us His ways through His word. And with all this flowing into us, we can't help but overflow with thankfulness. This amazing cycle of love and grace that God so calls us to is right in front of us, ready to be grasped and used. All we have to do is step out and take hold of the beautiful rhythms of grace we are called to.
Read over this word of God a few more times. Open up to God about what this word lays on your heart. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Take a moment and think about what new life in Christ means to you, and let the fire for God grow deep within you. Cherish this moment and the fresh passion for God's love that He is putting on your heart. Ask God to guide you so that you never lose this passion, that you are always rooted in Him, that He would strengthen you through His word and that you would always overflow with thankfulness for Him. Truly rest in this moment, and the sweet restoration it brings.
I pray that this would strengthen you greatly as you are rooted in the love of God today. I hope everyone has a fantastic day! :)
Madelynn
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
The moment when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in our hearts is truly an incredible, indescribable moment. It's one that completely changes the course of our lives, and gives us true life in the life of Christ. In that moment we are left on a spiritual high with a fire burning brightly inside of us with a new found passion for God. We want to go all in for Christ, to live out our lives in this the light of the newly restored lives we have received. However, it is so easy in that moment to get lost in the excitement and not know where to go. So many of us slip and slowly lose that passion God graced us with when we received new life in Him. And so many of us finally come to a point when we stop and wonder where that passion went and how we could ever get back on track we we've fallen so far. God is a God of restoration through love, and He so desires for us to experience that love through life in Him. He calls us to come back to Him, to hold on to that passion we first had when we fell in love with Him, and to continue to feed that fire within us burning for God. Once we give our lives to Him, He becomes the foundation of our lives in which our souls are firmly rooted. He takes our weaknesses and strengthens us, and continues to strengthen us as He reveals to us His ways through His word. And with all this flowing into us, we can't help but overflow with thankfulness. This amazing cycle of love and grace that God so calls us to is right in front of us, ready to be grasped and used. All we have to do is step out and take hold of the beautiful rhythms of grace we are called to.
Read over this word of God a few more times. Open up to God about what this word lays on your heart. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Take a moment and think about what new life in Christ means to you, and let the fire for God grow deep within you. Cherish this moment and the fresh passion for God's love that He is putting on your heart. Ask God to guide you so that you never lose this passion, that you are always rooted in Him, that He would strengthen you through His word and that you would always overflow with thankfulness for Him. Truly rest in this moment, and the sweet restoration it brings.
I pray that this would strengthen you greatly as you are rooted in the love of God today. I hope everyone has a fantastic day! :)
Madelynn
Holding it Together
Colossians 1:16-17
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
If we stop and take a look at the world around us, we find that a lot of things are falling apart. The economy. People's relationships. People's lives in general. People's health. And if we pause from the craziness of trying to hold everything in our lives together on our own, we often find that many of us are tearing at the seams on the inside as well. We all strive so hard to keep our lives together, to give our lives purpose, and in doing so we miss out on the true purpose our lives were designed to uphold. The God who created us holds us, along with all things in this world, together in his supreme power, and He is the one who gives our lives purpose. God was at the center of all things when the Earth was created. He is still at the center of all things today. And God and God alone will continue to hold all things together in our lives, in this world, and in the universe He created. Our lives were fearfully and wonderfully designed to have Christ at the center. We just have to stop fighting to have control and give control to the one who was meant to have control in the first place: God.
If you feel like you are fighting to hold all the things in your life together, and you're not sure where Christ plays a part in alll of this, open up to God about it. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and surrender all control to Him so that He may reign your life in the center of your life, holding all things together with His perfect purpose.
I pray that this word would give you confidence in the power of Christ throughout today. I hope everyone has a great day!
Madelynn
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
If we stop and take a look at the world around us, we find that a lot of things are falling apart. The economy. People's relationships. People's lives in general. People's health. And if we pause from the craziness of trying to hold everything in our lives together on our own, we often find that many of us are tearing at the seams on the inside as well. We all strive so hard to keep our lives together, to give our lives purpose, and in doing so we miss out on the true purpose our lives were designed to uphold. The God who created us holds us, along with all things in this world, together in his supreme power, and He is the one who gives our lives purpose. God was at the center of all things when the Earth was created. He is still at the center of all things today. And God and God alone will continue to hold all things together in our lives, in this world, and in the universe He created. Our lives were fearfully and wonderfully designed to have Christ at the center. We just have to stop fighting to have control and give control to the one who was meant to have control in the first place: God.
If you feel like you are fighting to hold all the things in your life together, and you're not sure where Christ plays a part in alll of this, open up to God about it. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and surrender all control to Him so that He may reign your life in the center of your life, holding all things together with His perfect purpose.
I pray that this word would give you confidence in the power of Christ throughout today. I hope everyone has a great day!
Madelynn
Content
Philippians 4:12-13
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
In today's western culture, there is one thing that reigns in supreme importance over the minds of most of society: convenience. We are so focused on getting things done as soon as we need them done. We get frustrated over slow computers, long lines, dysfunctional technology, traffic and anything else that hinders our "need" to have the things we want right away. We are so easily discontented with situations that inconvenience us, and so often this discontent can overwhelm and control our day-to-day lives. God calls us here in His word to do something so counter-cultural, so unheard of in our society: to be content in whatever situation we face and do everything in the Lord. Once we allow God into our lives and allow Him to become our strength, we are filled with an incredible joy that overpowers any circumstance we face, and we are greatly empowered in the power of our God. With God's strength within us, even the most impossible situation we face in life becomes possible because God enables us to do all things through His strength. All we have to do is lay down our guard so that He may come into our hearts, and His strength will enable us to do all things through Him.
Open up to God about what you are not content with in your life, and how it's affecting you in this moment right now. Talk to Him about what being strong means to you, and about the weaknesses you are facing in your life. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and allow His presence to fill you life. Ask Him to empower you with His strength so that you may be enabled to do all things in Him, even to be content in every situation. Rest in this moment, and the joy the presence of the Lord brings into your life.
I pray that the strength of God would empower you greatly throughout today that your soul may rest and be content. I hope everyone has a marvelous day!
Madelynn
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
In today's western culture, there is one thing that reigns in supreme importance over the minds of most of society: convenience. We are so focused on getting things done as soon as we need them done. We get frustrated over slow computers, long lines, dysfunctional technology, traffic and anything else that hinders our "need" to have the things we want right away. We are so easily discontented with situations that inconvenience us, and so often this discontent can overwhelm and control our day-to-day lives. God calls us here in His word to do something so counter-cultural, so unheard of in our society: to be content in whatever situation we face and do everything in the Lord. Once we allow God into our lives and allow Him to become our strength, we are filled with an incredible joy that overpowers any circumstance we face, and we are greatly empowered in the power of our God. With God's strength within us, even the most impossible situation we face in life becomes possible because God enables us to do all things through His strength. All we have to do is lay down our guard so that He may come into our hearts, and His strength will enable us to do all things through Him.
Open up to God about what you are not content with in your life, and how it's affecting you in this moment right now. Talk to Him about what being strong means to you, and about the weaknesses you are facing in your life. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and allow His presence to fill you life. Ask Him to empower you with His strength so that you may be enabled to do all things in Him, even to be content in every situation. Rest in this moment, and the joy the presence of the Lord brings into your life.
I pray that the strength of God would empower you greatly throughout today that your soul may rest and be content. I hope everyone has a marvelous day!
Madelynn
Hope
Psalms 42:11
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God
It's so easy to go throughout life and become downcast over even the littlest things. Even when life seems to be going fantastic, we always find a way to uncover something to worry about and bring us down. Many of us let all the little things that bring us down build up, until it overwhelms us and almost controls us. We search for hope in so many of the things that this world has to offer us, and yet we always come up empty and short-handed of hope. But here in God's word we find that there is a true source of hope that will always uplift us: God. His unfailing love and matchless light shines so brightly on our souls that we cannot help but turn our faces up to the God of grace and find the hope we seek in Him. He takes our lives, even in our most broken state, and restores us into a beautiful masterpiece. In Him there is no sadness, nor hurt, nor pain of any extent. There is only hope that will never fail and fills us whole. A hope that He so deeply desires for us to take hold of and trust in. And a hope that draws sweet praises from our lips and illuminates a contagious joy within our souls.
Talk to God about the things that are weighing on your soul and causing you to become downcast, even the littlest thing. Open up to Him about what hope you have, and where you have been seeking that hope. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and allow Him to lift up your face to His light and love that will shine the brightest hope into your life. Allow the presence of His Holy Spirit to work within you in this moment, and rest in this moment and the hope that has been unveiled in your heart.
I pray that this word would fill you with a deep, sustaining hope in God throughout your day and empower you in Him. I hope everyone has an amazing day!
Madelynn
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God
It's so easy to go throughout life and become downcast over even the littlest things. Even when life seems to be going fantastic, we always find a way to uncover something to worry about and bring us down. Many of us let all the little things that bring us down build up, until it overwhelms us and almost controls us. We search for hope in so many of the things that this world has to offer us, and yet we always come up empty and short-handed of hope. But here in God's word we find that there is a true source of hope that will always uplift us: God. His unfailing love and matchless light shines so brightly on our souls that we cannot help but turn our faces up to the God of grace and find the hope we seek in Him. He takes our lives, even in our most broken state, and restores us into a beautiful masterpiece. In Him there is no sadness, nor hurt, nor pain of any extent. There is only hope that will never fail and fills us whole. A hope that He so deeply desires for us to take hold of and trust in. And a hope that draws sweet praises from our lips and illuminates a contagious joy within our souls.
Talk to God about the things that are weighing on your soul and causing you to become downcast, even the littlest thing. Open up to Him about what hope you have, and where you have been seeking that hope. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart and allow Him to lift up your face to His light and love that will shine the brightest hope into your life. Allow the presence of His Holy Spirit to work within you in this moment, and rest in this moment and the hope that has been unveiled in your heart.
I pray that this word would fill you with a deep, sustaining hope in God throughout your day and empower you in Him. I hope everyone has an amazing day!
Madelynn
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Perfect Friend
John 15:13-15
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Look back for a moment and reflect on the friendships you have right now in your life and the ones that you've had in the past. Think about how long they've lasted, how they started and maybe how they ended. Friendships often have a huge impact on us and others, and sadly are temporary in most cases. Friendships are designed to share love between friends and build others up here on Earth. And while many of us feel that there is at least one person that none could compare to, there is One who surpasses any relationship we could ever form here on Earth. God is the best friend we could ever invest our lives in if we just let Him into our hearts. He laid down His life for us so that we may have life in Him, and He is love itself. He has every right to call us His servants with all the power He holds, but He chooses to humble Himself and call us His friends. He shares unfathomable wisdom with us through His words, and He builds us up in a way that none other can. God truly is the perfect friend to which none could compare, and He so desires for you to embrace this incredible friendship that He offers you. All we have to do is accept Him in our hearts as our friend and savior and walk in the light of this divine relationship.
Open up to God about the relationships in your life. Talk to Him about any conflict you may be facing, or even if things are going fantastic, simply open up in conversation to God. If you feel Him leading you, accept His love in your heart and ask Him to guide you to walk in the light of this amazing friendship between you and Him. Rest in this moment knowing that the best friend you could ever have is living and breathing within you, guiding you all the way home.
I pray that this incredible relationship with God would give you peace and guidance throughout today. I hope you all have an amazing day!
Madelynn
Look back for a moment and reflect on the friendships you have right now in your life and the ones that you've had in the past. Think about how long they've lasted, how they started and maybe how they ended. Friendships often have a huge impact on us and others, and sadly are temporary in most cases. Friendships are designed to share love between friends and build others up here on Earth. And while many of us feel that there is at least one person that none could compare to, there is One who surpasses any relationship we could ever form here on Earth. God is the best friend we could ever invest our lives in if we just let Him into our hearts. He laid down His life for us so that we may have life in Him, and He is love itself. He has every right to call us His servants with all the power He holds, but He chooses to humble Himself and call us His friends. He shares unfathomable wisdom with us through His words, and He builds us up in a way that none other can. God truly is the perfect friend to which none could compare, and He so desires for you to embrace this incredible friendship that He offers you. All we have to do is accept Him in our hearts as our friend and savior and walk in the light of this divine relationship.
Open up to God about the relationships in your life. Talk to Him about any conflict you may be facing, or even if things are going fantastic, simply open up in conversation to God. If you feel Him leading you, accept His love in your heart and ask Him to guide you to walk in the light of this amazing friendship between you and Him. Rest in this moment knowing that the best friend you could ever have is living and breathing within you, guiding you all the way home.
I pray that this incredible relationship with God would give you peace and guidance throughout today. I hope you all have an amazing day!
Madelynn
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Greatness
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.
We live in a world that has a major focus set on greatness. Ever since we were born, we have been pushed and taught to perform our best so that we can achieve the best. And any achievement of greatness that we obtain satisfies our hunger for pride that the world causes us to deeply crave. We build ourselves up on pride and what the world defines as greatness, constantly working to make ourselves greater and better. However, whenever our lives revolve around making ourselves greater, we end up empty because we are chasing after an endless cycle hat never fully satisfies us. Our lives were designed before we were even born to revolve around God. It's a necessity in every part of our lives for God to be at the center. God desires for us to humble ourselves before Him so that He may flow abundantly into our lives and become our life source. Once we remove ourselves from our worldly pedestal and focus on the greatness of God, that is when we are satisfied and carrying out the purpose that God crafted us to fulfill.
Open up to God about what greatness means to you, and how it has played a part in your life. Talk to Him about any battles with pride or insecurity you may be facing. If you feel God leading you, humble yourself in this moment before Him that He may come into your heart and bring you to life in His light. Commit to God to always strive to put Him before yourself that you may satisfy that need of humbly living in the greatness of God.
I pray that this word would humble you and give you peace throughout today in knowing that God is in control of your life and that He is guiding you in the incredible purpose He has set before you. I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Madelynn
He must become greater; I must become less.
We live in a world that has a major focus set on greatness. Ever since we were born, we have been pushed and taught to perform our best so that we can achieve the best. And any achievement of greatness that we obtain satisfies our hunger for pride that the world causes us to deeply crave. We build ourselves up on pride and what the world defines as greatness, constantly working to make ourselves greater and better. However, whenever our lives revolve around making ourselves greater, we end up empty because we are chasing after an endless cycle hat never fully satisfies us. Our lives were designed before we were even born to revolve around God. It's a necessity in every part of our lives for God to be at the center. God desires for us to humble ourselves before Him so that He may flow abundantly into our lives and become our life source. Once we remove ourselves from our worldly pedestal and focus on the greatness of God, that is when we are satisfied and carrying out the purpose that God crafted us to fulfill.
Open up to God about what greatness means to you, and how it has played a part in your life. Talk to Him about any battles with pride or insecurity you may be facing. If you feel God leading you, humble yourself in this moment before Him that He may come into your heart and bring you to life in His light. Commit to God to always strive to put Him before yourself that you may satisfy that need of humbly living in the greatness of God.
I pray that this word would humble you and give you peace throughout today in knowing that God is in control of your life and that He is guiding you in the incredible purpose He has set before you. I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Madelynn
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wake Up Call
Ephesians 5:14
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
It's so easy to live out our lives and come to a point where we feel like we are just sleep walking through life. We go throughout our day-to-day lives often in the same mundane pattern, and often we find ourselves stuck in a rut, not really going anywhere but through the motions. When we enter into this deep period of spiritual sleep in our lives, we feel lifeless and a little empty, like we're missing that something that we need to wake us up from our slumber. God is that thing our souls crave and desire when we've been caught in the motions of this life. He is the wake up call telling us to rise and experience the light of the morning, to no longer live in the dark. Even when we know we need to wake up, so often we hit snooze on our spiritual wake-up calls and go back into our sleep because we don't want to leave the comfort of what we already know. But when we wake up and answer God's call to life, we are overwhelmed by the light our souls need in order to live. As we rise from the dark and lift our faces to God's morning light, we absorb the light Christ so willingly shines on us and find ourselves incredibly satisfied in the light of true life.
Open up to God about where you are in your life right now, whether it be in a deep spiritual slumber or a light filled life in Christ. He deeply desires to hear what's weighing on the heart inside you that He so fearfully and wonderfully created. If you feel God leading you, ask Him to come into your heart and wake up any part of your life that may be caught in a spiritual sleep so that you may experience the fullness of life in Christ. Cherish this moment as your heart wakes up to a beautiful new life in Christ's light.
I pray that your new life in the light of Christ would give you an incredible joy throughout today.I hope you all have an amazing day!
Madelynn
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
It's so easy to live out our lives and come to a point where we feel like we are just sleep walking through life. We go throughout our day-to-day lives often in the same mundane pattern, and often we find ourselves stuck in a rut, not really going anywhere but through the motions. When we enter into this deep period of spiritual sleep in our lives, we feel lifeless and a little empty, like we're missing that something that we need to wake us up from our slumber. God is that thing our souls crave and desire when we've been caught in the motions of this life. He is the wake up call telling us to rise and experience the light of the morning, to no longer live in the dark. Even when we know we need to wake up, so often we hit snooze on our spiritual wake-up calls and go back into our sleep because we don't want to leave the comfort of what we already know. But when we wake up and answer God's call to life, we are overwhelmed by the light our souls need in order to live. As we rise from the dark and lift our faces to God's morning light, we absorb the light Christ so willingly shines on us and find ourselves incredibly satisfied in the light of true life.
Open up to God about where you are in your life right now, whether it be in a deep spiritual slumber or a light filled life in Christ. He deeply desires to hear what's weighing on the heart inside you that He so fearfully and wonderfully created. If you feel God leading you, ask Him to come into your heart and wake up any part of your life that may be caught in a spiritual sleep so that you may experience the fullness of life in Christ. Cherish this moment as your heart wakes up to a beautiful new life in Christ's light.
I pray that your new life in the light of Christ would give you an incredible joy throughout today.I hope you all have an amazing day!
Madelynn
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Give to Get
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Serving. It's something few want to do to others, but many want done to them. It's an action that requires us to humble ourselves and put the needs of someone else before us. Many of high position are reluctant to do it, while others often have serve to in order to survive. However, the one man that walked this Earth who held the highest position of all- the king of kings and perfect in every way, with intelligence and wisdom not even the wisest could understand, and hands that crafted the universe and the very world in which we live- He was the humblest of all. Even though He was the son of God, He still served those He created, even when He was not served in return. He served in the greatest way possible, in a way that none could ever live up to: He humbled himself to the death of a cross, and put all in the world before Himself in that moment. And He calls us to serve too. We don't have to give our lives on a cross for others, but God does desire for us to serve even in the smallest way so that others may see His love in us. When we serve, we are giving a gift to the people we are serving. Serving is a gift that is not fleeting, and leaves a lasting impact on the person you reached out to. And it is not only a gift to others, but a gift to ourselves. Serving bring us joy and peace in knowing that God is working through us. It allows God to work powerfully with purpose within us to show the world His love. And it creates a positive transformation on the lives around us and in our own lives as we serve.
Open up to God about what serving means to you, and how serving and being served has impacted you in your life. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart that He may transform you into the beautiful creation that He designed you to be, and ask Him to guide you to show His love to others through serving. Ask Him to lay on your heart anyone that He wants you to serve. You'll be surprised who He brings into your life sometimes. Rest in this moment knowing that God is working powerfully within you.
I pray that this word would challenge you to serve today, and empower you as God works within you. I hope everyone has an awesome day! :)
Madelynn
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Serving. It's something few want to do to others, but many want done to them. It's an action that requires us to humble ourselves and put the needs of someone else before us. Many of high position are reluctant to do it, while others often have serve to in order to survive. However, the one man that walked this Earth who held the highest position of all- the king of kings and perfect in every way, with intelligence and wisdom not even the wisest could understand, and hands that crafted the universe and the very world in which we live- He was the humblest of all. Even though He was the son of God, He still served those He created, even when He was not served in return. He served in the greatest way possible, in a way that none could ever live up to: He humbled himself to the death of a cross, and put all in the world before Himself in that moment. And He calls us to serve too. We don't have to give our lives on a cross for others, but God does desire for us to serve even in the smallest way so that others may see His love in us. When we serve, we are giving a gift to the people we are serving. Serving is a gift that is not fleeting, and leaves a lasting impact on the person you reached out to. And it is not only a gift to others, but a gift to ourselves. Serving bring us joy and peace in knowing that God is working through us. It allows God to work powerfully with purpose within us to show the world His love. And it creates a positive transformation on the lives around us and in our own lives as we serve.
Open up to God about what serving means to you, and how serving and being served has impacted you in your life. If you feel God leading you, invite Him into your heart that He may transform you into the beautiful creation that He designed you to be, and ask Him to guide you to show His love to others through serving. Ask Him to lay on your heart anyone that He wants you to serve. You'll be surprised who He brings into your life sometimes. Rest in this moment knowing that God is working powerfully within you.
I pray that this word would challenge you to serve today, and empower you as God works within you. I hope everyone has an awesome day! :)
Madelynn
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Equality
Galations 3:28 (NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
All of us are guilty of judging someone at some point in our lives. All of us have looked down on a person for something, and all of us have looked up to and compared ourselves to others. No matter how much we may hate to admit it, we have all struggled with facing inequality in some form at one point in our lives. And it seems today that inequality is a struggle that is growing more and more, something that is becoming a monster and overtaking many people's views. Inequality is a monster that so many of us try to passionately fight and defeat, however, in that process so many of us become the monster itself. The God who fearfully and wonderfully crafted each and every single one of us did not design us to be monsters. He created us all equally with a love filled purpose. Every person from every background and every view is one of God's beloved children that He willingly sacrificed His life for by an incredibly painful death. He didn't die just for the Christians. He didn't die just for the broken. He died for all, because in His eyes we are all His equally loved children. God calls us all to step up to a challenge that all too many deny: to reflect Him by loving everyone equally, completely abandoning any circumstance or condition, just as Christ did on that cross.
Open up to God about any struggle you face with inequality. Talk to Him about any person you may look down upon, or show special favoritism to and why you do so. Come to Him honestly, not holding anything back. As hard as some things are to admit sometimes, God wants desperately to hear from His child. If you feel Him leading you, invite Him into your heart that He may overwhelm you with His unconditional love. Ask Him to guide you to share this vast, uncontainable love to every person you encounter, abandoning any judgements or conditions. Rest in this moment and cherish the love that God willingly gives you.
I pray that God's word would drive you to reach out to someone today out of the love He's given you, and I pray that this love would give you peace and strength throughout today. I hope everyone has an awesome day! :)
Madelynn
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
All of us are guilty of judging someone at some point in our lives. All of us have looked down on a person for something, and all of us have looked up to and compared ourselves to others. No matter how much we may hate to admit it, we have all struggled with facing inequality in some form at one point in our lives. And it seems today that inequality is a struggle that is growing more and more, something that is becoming a monster and overtaking many people's views. Inequality is a monster that so many of us try to passionately fight and defeat, however, in that process so many of us become the monster itself. The God who fearfully and wonderfully crafted each and every single one of us did not design us to be monsters. He created us all equally with a love filled purpose. Every person from every background and every view is one of God's beloved children that He willingly sacrificed His life for by an incredibly painful death. He didn't die just for the Christians. He didn't die just for the broken. He died for all, because in His eyes we are all His equally loved children. God calls us all to step up to a challenge that all too many deny: to reflect Him by loving everyone equally, completely abandoning any circumstance or condition, just as Christ did on that cross.
Open up to God about any struggle you face with inequality. Talk to Him about any person you may look down upon, or show special favoritism to and why you do so. Come to Him honestly, not holding anything back. As hard as some things are to admit sometimes, God wants desperately to hear from His child. If you feel Him leading you, invite Him into your heart that He may overwhelm you with His unconditional love. Ask Him to guide you to share this vast, uncontainable love to every person you encounter, abandoning any judgements or conditions. Rest in this moment and cherish the love that God willingly gives you.
I pray that God's word would drive you to reach out to someone today out of the love He's given you, and I pray that this love would give you peace and strength throughout today. I hope everyone has an awesome day! :)
Madelynn
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