tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57228980168095997262024-02-22T02:00:12.599-08:00After God's Own HeartAfter God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-11619163557232100272012-10-30T10:44:00.003-07:002012-10-30T10:44:49.349-07:00The apple of His eye<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye’ Deuteronomy 32:10</span><o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether it’s a new cheer she’s made up, a drawing she spent hours on, or just a story that lights up her eyes as she tells it, I’ve noticed my daughter longs for my attention in her every move. If I miss any of it, if I ask her to show me later, I see her frustration and her heart sadden. She craves that attention and expects it at that moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And don’t we all? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lord has definitely used my children to teach me a thing or two on how we as His children behave with Him. I crave God’s attention. I crave for Him to hear my stories, to see my dance as I twirl, my tears as my heart breaks. When I don’t feel His eyes on me, my heart saddens. I expect to hear His voice right then and there with the words that my heart wants to hear, and when I don’t my dreams seem to slip away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is in those moments that I begin to feel as though I am not important, or valuable. I begin to feel as though my prayers need to be put low on His priority list as there are others that need to be listened to, and my spirit fails. I begin to ignore the vibrant promises that tell me it is within His timing and not mine. I begin to feed into the lies of the one that tells me because of my wretched heart, I am not worthy to be noticed as His daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But isn’t His truth far from this? We are not only His children. We are the apple of His eye. Cherished, loved passionately by a Father that will do anything to step in to defend us from lies that tell us otherwise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I become so focused on how others show their attention that I expect to see it in the same form from my Father. How selfish of me to limit His affection towards me! He loves me and appreciates me far more than the people of this world. When I learn to shut off the distractions and focus only on Him, it becomes crystal clear that not only have His eyes always been on me, but that I am the apple of His eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the minute I wake, throughout the night, when I lay my head to rest, I am loved and cherished by the One that gave it all, to have me by His side. I am indeed a precious possession the Lord Almighty. I am His child and in Him I find my worth.</span></div>
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-50691940601113769262012-10-19T14:17:00.000-07:002012-10-19T14:17:30.728-07:00Day 3: Rejoice, RejoiceHello friends! it is Friday, enough reason to be happy, right?<br />
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well we have come to the end of our study on this week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/though-he-slay-me.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> based on the book of Job.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.' Job 13:15</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We hope that God has used this to show you great things about trials and difficult times. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His Word says He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow so regardless of the type of storm you may be going through, God is there constant and in control. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Is that enough reason to rejoice, or what?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we continue this path that we are on, with God by our side difficult times won't stop coming our way, but we can carry ourselves with less worry and more joy because we can always hope in Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Praised be His name!!</span></div>
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-86675238715467972422012-10-17T09:33:00.000-07:002012-10-17T09:33:11.856-07:00Day 2: Write it out.We are forgetful beings. aren't we. Especially when things are tough, we like to zone in on the situation at hand.<br />
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Welcome back for study day 2 on our current<span style="color: orange;"> </span><a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/though-he-slay-me.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a>. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.' Job 13:15</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yesterday, we hashed it out with our emotions and asked God to deliver us and reveal to us the source of all our feelings when we are going through darkness. We forget during those times that His hand has always been present and zone in on how difficult our path is. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Take out your pen and paper people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today we are going to go through and exercise and write it out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">List the difficult situations that God has allowed to take place in your life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Write out what your feelings were at the beginning of it all. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">worry, anger, frustration may be some. I know those are mine. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Second, write out how it felt to come to the Lord for assurance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Did you receive it, how?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When did you see God's answer to your questions, and if the questions have not yet been answered, how has He given you peace. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What emotions did you have when it was resolved, when you were out of the storm?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If God is the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow then your answers will be a lot like mine. God always showing faithfulness to His people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Writing it out sometimes allows us to see His promises fulfilled when our emotions push them out of our memory. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But God is so good and never fails. </span></div>
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After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-25524477071422839792012-10-16T08:06:00.001-07:002012-10-16T08:06:13.691-07:00Day 1: Come Before HimGood morning friends!<br />
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This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/though-he-slay-me.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> spoke to me in volumes. I hope that you might have been blessed by it as well. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.' Job 13:15</span></strong><o:p></o:p></div>
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We discovered that even in the midst of our darkness, God is there. <br />
Sometimes, it doesn't feel like it and sometimes we just want to blame Him.<br />
It's a scary thought, to want to blame or be angry at the Creator of the universe, huh?<br />
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I'm sure you have been there at some point because when the pain is too hard to bear, it's easier to blame than to endure.<br />
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Today, we invite you to look past the anger and the pain. <br />
Today we encourage you to come before the Lord and ask Him to allow you to feel His presence in that dark time that you may be going through, and that He may speak to you letting you know He is there.<br />
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Job came before God with many questions and pain, and God as faithful as He always is responded reminding him that He is I AM. (Job 38)<br />
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May your quiet time with Him be of immense blessing.<br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-34449016969872338842012-10-15T06:46:00.002-07:002012-10-15T06:46:11.695-07:00Though He Slay Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>'though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.' Job 13:15</strong><br />
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Complete darkness.<br />
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It is what surrounds those moments of complete devastation. <br />
We've given our heart out, dared to dream higher than the stars, to be let down and to simply watch those dreams and hopes through our hands like sand. <br />
And it hurts. <br />
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Growing up, I had an image of what my life would look like today. My life today doesn't look close to what my dreams were. <br />
On some nights, the pain can cut real deep and in that darkness, I've dares to point my finger at God for allowing my unfortunate.<br />
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Job was in complete darkness and in physical and emotional pain, having lost all he had. Material belongings, his children and his health. <br />
God had allowed the devastating events to invade his peace and his joy. <br />
While his wife encouraged him to curse God, while His friends tried to make sense of it all, Job in his agonizing pain, held on to the hope of God in his immense grace to deliver him. <br />
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Many times when our life is extremely hard and troubles which we feel we cannot overcome, we feel it's easier to be angry at God or to question Him. <br />
In the midst of everything, we fail to see that He's never lost control and we can still hope in Him.<br />
Only God knows what He's taken away from your life. <br />
Maybe it's a dream you've held on tightly to. A job you love that's been lost. Infertility may be your burden, or a broken marriage. <br />
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God time and time again had given favor to Job and this Job knew. There wasn't anyone else that he could place his trust in aside from God, even if it meant coming face to face with Him.<br />
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Whatever God has taken, He will give back with a greater blessing. Because even though He slay us, though He gives and takes away, our hope is secure in Him forever.After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-17482729544247922562012-10-11T08:53:00.001-07:002012-10-11T08:53:19.167-07:00Day 2: Changes in the Making<br />
Happy Thursday friends!<br />
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We hope that your week has been blessed and know that God is moving to do great things. <br />
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This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/work-left-undone.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> showed us the great work that has been given to us by God. <br />
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'<strong>for we are God's workmanship,created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God created in advance for us to do' Ephesians 2:10</strong><br />
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<o:p>On day 1, we focused on allowing the Lord to reveal to us the things that hold us back from completing those good works. Timidness, judgement can be some. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>With what God has revealed to you, we pray that today you set it aside to ask His guidance for changes to make in removing those obstacles that have held you back before. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>Have a pen and paper ready as He guides through it and make the commitment to put those fears aside to begin your walk by His promise in reaching others that He's already set in your future paths. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>Embrace the new changes. Although they may be out of your comfort zone, God will be there walking before you and give you the words and the actions to fulfill. </o:p><br />
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After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-19363443813609328902012-10-10T06:40:00.001-07:002012-10-10T06:40:18.366-07:00Day 1: What holds you back?Good morning friends!<br />
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We're going to dive right in today.<br />
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This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/work-left-undone.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> had us take a look at the works that God has asked for us to since the beginning of time.<br />
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'<strong>for we are God's workmanship,created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God created in advance for us to do' Ephesians 2:10</strong><br />
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<o:p>Think of a time when the Lord directed someone to you, and in timidness you drew away. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>Many things can influence or choice to either act or not to act. </o:p><br />
<o:p>-Pre-judgement of the person.</o:p><br />
<o:p>-Worry of our image.</o:p><br />
<o:p>-Feeling unprepared or inadequate.</o:p><br />
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<o:p>Regardless of what holds us back, one thing is certain. An opportunity to shine the light of Jesus on someone is lost. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>Today, I pray that we take some time to reflect on what has been holding us back to do the good works that God has prepared for us. </o:p><br />
<o:p>What prevents you from taking that step?</o:p><br />
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<o:p>Come to the Lord in prayer and surrender, that He may reveal to us His answers and mysteries. </o:p><br />
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<o:p>Have a blessed day friends. </o:p><br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-64297357920131461502012-10-09T06:52:00.001-07:002012-10-09T06:52:30.650-07:00Work left undone.'<strong>for we are God's workmanship,created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God created in advance for us to do' Ephesians 2:10</strong><br />
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It's happened more than once, and each time it frustrates me.<br />
On the brink of running late, I will prepare breakfast for my husband and leave it in the microwave for him to simply re-heat it and enjoy it. Later in the morning, I will remember I didn't text him about it, and sure enough, he's left for work without realizing there was a healthy home-made breakfast for him to enjoy. My efforts seem wasted.<br />
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<strong>I wonder if this is how God feels at times.</strong><br />
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I can look around on a normal day and see normal people, doing normal things. Commuting, shopping, holding conversations, etc.<br />
What I'm looking at though, is the outside of things.<br />
I can testify that on some of my saddest days, most people wouldn't know any better that I was in need of a n encouraging word.<br />
Everyone is fighting a battle inside, whether it'd be due to a divorce, depression, work loss or family problems.<br />
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Some are able to hide it well, while the pain in others is more evident through drug abuse, alcoholism, homelessness are urgent cries for help. Whether they are screaming loud and clear or silent pleas for help, everyone needs their soul quenched with a hopeful message.<br />
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Maybe you can thing of a time where you felt compelled to speak to someone about the Lord, or you found yourself in a situation that required God's children at work.<br />
Out of timidness, many choose no to act, and God';s work which he prepared for us to do in advance, goes undone. It goes enjoyed by Him to give Him glory, and it happens every single day.<br />
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As his children, our passion for humanity should be as big as His. Our heart should break for those that do not know of His grace or have to live each day not knowing there is hope.<br />
We've been given the greatest privilege to know Him. It is time to share it with those in need of His presence in their lives. It is time for us, His workmanship to live out eh good works, that He's already set out for our life. After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-19533713471865553522012-10-05T08:32:00.002-07:002012-10-05T08:32:33.330-07:00Day 2: Changes<br />
Let's begin.<br />
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This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/heirs-to-grace.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> reminds us that we are no longer considered slaves to sin, but now can be called heirs of the Lord.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out </span></strong><em><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Abba, </span></b></em><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Father. So you are no longer a slave but God's child; and since you are His child, God has also made you an heir.' Galatians 4:6-7</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p>We hope that during yesterday's study time, the Lord was able to reveal to you the sin that you are still holding on to, making you still a slave. I pray that as He reveals to you what He wants you to let go of, that you will be able to surrender it to His feet. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p>During this day's study, we encourage you to ask the Lord in prayer how to go about it. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p>Change is not always easy, especially if it is something that you've held on to for a long time. Sometimes, we will try to make excuses and try to justify our actions, attempting to make them seem natural or not that bad. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p><strong>How can you make the radical change to let go of that sin that still has you bound?</strong></o:p></span></div>
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After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-26820637183305153182012-10-04T06:06:00.002-07:002012-10-04T06:06:36.942-07:00Day 1 Study: Letting God guideGood morning friends!<br />
<br />
Wherever you may call home, I hope you are enjoying a cooler morning today. The weather is just beautiful!<br />
<br />
This morning we are going to begin with day 1 of our study questions based on:<br />
<strong>'Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out <i>Abba, </i>Father. So you are no longer a slave but God's child; and since you are His child, God has also made you an heir.' Galatians 4:6-7</strong><br />
<br />
On this week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/10/heirs-to-grace.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a>, God allows us to see that we've become not only His children, but also heirs to His goodness and what He has to offer. We are no longer slaves of sin.<br />
<br />
It may be possible though, that despite of this powerful word God has given us, many of us walk around in shame feeling defined by the sin that lived in us. We refuse to forgive ourselves for it, and replay it in our minds and in our lives from time to time.<br />
<br />
<strong>What is preventing you from letting go of that sin? What has you bound that prevents you from coming to His feet to surrender it all?</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Acknowledging what part of your life you still hold on to and refuse to let go of, is one of the first steps to encountering holy surrender. <br />
Place yourself in prayer today and allow the Lord to guide you in what still has you captive.<br />
<br />
May this day be full of blessings. <br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-51322152315566485552012-10-03T09:02:00.002-07:002012-10-03T09:03:37.402-07:00Heirs to Grace<strong>'Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out <em>Abba, </em>Father. So you are no longer a slave but God's child; and since you are His child, God has also made you an heir.' Galatians 4:6-7</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Whenever we visit family, unless it's my parents or sister, I always feel the need to use caution while in their home.<br />
I don't feel entitled to just grab the remote and turn on the TV or wander into their fridge to satisfy any craving without asking permission first.<br />
The answer I receive from them is always the same though, "of course, help yourself!"<br />
When we're in a setting that doesn't belong to us, it's difficult to feel at ease and comfortable. <br />
It takes the warmth and kindness of someone else to give you an inviting feeling.<br />
Looking at our spiritual lives, it may be we've felt the same at a certain point. <br />
Let's face it, we're flesh and because of it, we will fall and make mistakes. <br />
When we recognize our mistake, it may sometimes get awkward or uneasy coming into the Lord's presence. After all, our sin must be marked all over our face!<br />
<br />
A man I know, who use to have a developing interest in seeking God, said that he no longer tries to get closer in his spiritual walk, because if a sin that he committed in his past. It'd be too much hypocrisy to go back.<br />
Sadly, he remains away from God's presence shackled by the chains of sin.<br />
Little does that man realize, as many of us do, that God has a fridge filled with grace that He's just waiting for us to open and satisfy that craving of peace and forgiveness.<br />
We visit His home with caution, because we feel it is not our place to seek Him or attempt an intimate relationship with Him.<br />
If we would realize that we no longer are slaves to our sin, because Jesus has broken every chain, we would leap into His arms, and be surprised that no shackles are holding us back.<br />
Instead we are heirs of all He has to offer because of grace. That amazing loving grace that although we can never repay, is being offered by the Lord to satisfy our souls each and every day.<br />
<br />
We are no longer daughters and sons of sin. Our past sin no longer defines us, no matter what's been done. His promise, which we are heirs to because of Jesus Christ, redeems us and gives us a life of hope and peace. <br />
<br />
How great is it to be called His children. The Maker of the universe, our Father. After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-84496022036746115932012-09-25T12:37:00.000-07:002012-09-26T07:37:57.893-07:00How come doing right is so hard?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>“</strong></em><span class="text"><em><strong>I can do all things through him who gives me power.” Philippians 4:13</strong></em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feeling philosophical today, I guess this PHYL course has
been affecting my mind more than I’d hope. So I started thinking: how come
doing right is so hard? When I say doing right, I do not mean choosing extreme
rights from extreme wrongs. For example, extreme rights would include clicking
the (x) at the top corner of that pop-up on your laptop, inviting you to see
explicit nudity, or getting off your car to exchange information with the
person you just rear-ended while driving, instead of driving off. For me, and I
believe for most of us, it is quiet easy to choose to do these extreme rights.
However, ironically, it is difficult for the majority of us to choose to do
those, over-looked small things. Over-looked, small things are harder to
accomplish because for one, they are over-looked! They are ignored by the
passerby and well if no one notices them, why should you care to attend to
them, right? Is this sounding familiar? My house is generally clean throughout
the week. Every morning I make sure to pick up objects that do not belong where
they are and put them back in their corresponding place. But each morning, I do
not mop, or vacuum and clean the restrooms. However, if my husband tells me my MIL
(mother-in-law) will be visiting us that night, I make sure I scrub the house
sparkly clean as if my women hood depended on it, which it kind of does anyway
(haha.) Well, so this is what I mean when I say, we care less for the
over-looked small things. It is harder for us to do right with these small,
over-looked things. To God, though, they are not small, and they are much
noticed! What things? We can make a list of those small things that God
probably, and most-surely, hates us to not do right with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over-looked, small things:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tiny, somewhat humorous
lies <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Husband: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Amazing wife of mine, (ha! Sure! Maybe in a
PG, cheesy, romantic, movie), did you pay that bill I told you to pay last
week?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amazing
wife: (dripping sweat and heart is racing, realizing you FORGOT!) “Yes my dear,
I paid it that day…. (You grab your phone, and run to the restroom to pay it
via mobile site)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gossip, not directly intended, but
deep-down inside, intended<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A girl walks
in with an outfit showing body parts not meant to be shown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You turn to
look at your friend with that “eye language,” only understood by women. This look
translates into, “Uh-uh, what was she thinking!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friend: Why
does she think she can wear that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You: I know
right, I know this one girl who….. (Gossip begins!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not reading your bible daily<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did I write
daily? Oh, I’m sorry, is that too much bible in a week? Wrong!? Yes, I meant
daily! Or do I not need God daily? Yes, sister, I am talking to me and you. We
need the word of God in our system, in our mind, in our mouth, heart, bones,
blood, on a daily basis!! Instead of waking up to the BEST, Distraction Destroyer
out there called, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SOCIAL NETWORK ex.
(twitter, Facebook, instagram, blogger!) </i>we must first socialize with the
one who breathed air into our lungs for goodness sake! Would you like it if you
were praying, asking God for something dear to your heart and He said, “Oh,
hold on, and let me check to see what the Angels are up to here on Heavengram
or Heavenbook!” Of course not! If we are after God’s heart, we must get it
together!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So yes, it is extremely hard to do the right thing, but not
impossible. What makes it not impossible? God. “<span class="text">I can do all
things through him who gives me power.” Philippians 4:13 With His power, we are
able to conquer those difficult things we just cannot seem to get right! We
must pray and pray about them. I want to be a woman of God, not because I do
those right things that are easy to do, but those things that cost sacrifice!
Not lying, even if it’s a tiny lie. Not gossiping, even if you don’t know the
women! Not being lazy or distracted and instead, read my bible daily. I want to
walk the walk, not talk the talk. God maybe just hates that. Why say you are
this and that when the One who knows what you are really like, when no one is
around, sees who you truly are? Can you decide to choose to do the right thing
even with those small, over-looked things? I'm not watching, but God, who you asked to hover over you today, is watching. ;)</span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></o:p></u></i></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-54076997857051415392012-09-19T07:51:00.000-07:002012-09-19T07:51:32.327-07:00Day 2: The EffectEvery choice has an effect. Boy, am I trying so hard to drill this into my kids lately! <br />
But it goes without saying that children and adults have to abide by this.<br />
<br />
This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/09/friendships-after-his-own-heart.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> led us to focus on the friendships we develop based on the key verse:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'Then I will give you shepherds <u>after my own heart</u>, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.' Jeremiah 4:15</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The study question for today will be two in one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Part of God revealing to us which friendships are those that pull us apart from Him rather than directing us closer to Him, is understanding the effect that those friendship have had in our lives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When you look back at the times that you are around such friends, what effect do they have on the way you live out God?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">List times when choices that you have made are </span>not according to God's Word that would be different if you were surrounded by friends after God's own heart. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As shepherds ourselves to those that are not currently believers, the second part of recognizing the effect, is looking at how our actions can lead those friends to His feet. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Do we act according to His ways around those that are not His followers yet? What effect might we be having on them on how they see the Gospel?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We are called to be different, to shine a light on those that are in the darkness. How bright is our light around them? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Take some time to come to the Lord in prayer, so that He may reveal these things to us and that in His loving ways, He may mold our heart according to His. </div>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-51827459405951443312012-09-18T09:16:00.000-07:002012-09-18T09:16:58.090-07:00Day 1: ReflectionGood morning dear friends!<br />
<br />
<br />
Today we begin with the reflection part of our study on Jeremiah 4:15.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'Then I will give you shepherds <u>after my own heart</u>, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.' Jeremiah 4:15</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/09/friendships-after-his-own-heart.html"><span style="color: orange;">yesterday's devotional</span></a> we discussed friendships after God's own heart. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As humans, and as women even more so, having friends is part of our being. Friends are there for a shoulder to cry on, for an encouraging word, for company. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Many times, if the friendships we count on are not according to God's heart, our faith might not be encouraged thus falling slowly away from His ways. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You may not have friendships that are close to your heart that do not influence your faith, and what a blessing that is! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However, if you do, we'd like to invite you to come before the Father and have Him direct your thoughts on friendships that we've held on to that might not be the best for our relationship with Him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Reflect on what about your friendships compliment God's heart or personality.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Make a list if you have to. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Are you able to express your faith around those friendships or is your relationship with the Lord put on hold until you are alone again?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The answer will not always be to do away with those friendships, but for now just to reflect on what impact the friends you have chosen, make on your faith and your relationship with the Lord. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We hope that your quiet time with Him today is blessed and beautiful. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-43342992972881479102012-09-17T08:05:00.000-07:002012-09-17T08:05:27.005-07:00Friendships after His own heart.<strong>'Then I will give you shepherds <u>after my own heart</u>, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.' Jeremiah 4:15</strong><br />
<br />
I'm terrible with directions. Terrible.<br />
<br />
Anytime that I have to drive to a new location, I will not make the drive without a mapquest printout.<br />
One unfortunate day, however, I forgot my print out at home, but quickly remembered I could download GPS on my phone to get me to my destination.<br />
Dowloading the application, however, required internet connection, and due to the rain, which I blame, my phone was not able to acquire the right amount of signal.<br />
Three failed attempts later, I was forced to stop at a gas station and ask for directions, which I'm horrible at following.<br />
<br />
Israel after following the Lord and depending on Him to give them direction, decided to attempt finding direction on their own with the influence of surrounding nations. Away from Him. Sadly it led them further from God until they found themselves tarnished in their sin and had forgotten their first love.<br />
<br />
In our life, we will have opportunities to allow people into our lives. Some will come and go, but some will remain as close friends.<br />
Our close friends are who we count on for laughter, for encouragement, for support and company, and at some times direction, all things that we as humans need emotionally.<br />
However, we must be careful to seek hearts that are after His own.<br />
Hearts after His own will have that necessary connection to the Father to re-direct you with knowledge and understanding, if your heart should ever be wayward.<br />
As believers in His name, we have been chosen to be a holy priesthood, leadership and as such our hearts should seek close friendships that can influence that leadership in our life.<br />
Last week we looked at how separation from God should create and anxiety within us. If we surround ourselves with company that does not seek God's loving ways, that anxiety of being far from Him may not develop, hindering our return.<br />
Seek hearts that love the Lord to lean on. Surround yourself with those that with wisdom and knowledge will encourage your walk with Him. Those friends that have a passion for living for the Lord will fan that flame within you into a roaring fire to conquer the nations for His name, instead of feeling lost.<br />
<br />
Should we then shun out the non-believers as friends and not say a word to them?<br />
No, because that's where the other side of the coin comes in. As believers in a godless world, our duty is to be shepherds to those that are lost. We've been called to lead them back to their Creator.<br />
When we interact with them, our actions should reflect His holiness and love. With wisdom and knowledge that only comes from the Lord, we should be planting a seed in them to desire a relationship with God.<br />
<br />
We all need direction. Believers and non believers the same as we are all sheep, His word says that at times go astray. <br />
Knowing that the close, brethren like friendships that we have established are after His own heart, gives us comfort that as instruments of the Lord, they will be there to encourage and lift up our faith, which is the one thing we should treasure above all. In turn we will too, be there to shepherd those that have gone astray.<br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-40444057453961095702012-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:002012-09-14T08:23:16.489-07:00Study Question #3Today is the last day of our study series on <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-09-12T08:07:00-07:00&max-results=2">Seperation Anxiety,</a> the good kind. I know one day when Suri grows up and she is more confident to venture out in life without me, her seperation anxiety will be gone. But that is one thing we should nevere let happen to us as children of God. We need to forever feel God's presence next to us. We need to forever hear his voice close by. We need to forever smell his sweet fragrance nearby. And when we do not, we need to feel a pain in our hurts, that indicate we have stepped away from His holiness. Let us continue to ask God to create an anxiety within us when we have wondered away. <br />
<br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-12853123964066767942012-09-13T07:38:00.000-07:002012-09-13T07:38:38.953-07:00Study Question #2This week we are<a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-09-12T08:07:00-07:00&max-results=2"> talking about separation anxiety</a> within your relationship with Christ, and how that anxiety helps to lead us back to our Father, when we have walked away.<br />
<br />
Yesterday I asked you to reflect on the times you have stepped away from God's presence. Did God reveal to you, what has caused you to stray? Was it your busy schedule? How about a friendship or relationship with a significant other? Maybe it was a decision you made; even if it was such a small detail that went against God's precepts, it still could have led you away because God is Holy 100%, not only 99.9%. <br />
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Today reflect on how you were led back into His presence. What were you feeling that tapped into your heart to return to His? I remember feeling sad one day when I had gone a few days with out reading God's word. I had walked away from His presence, but that gloomy, empty, hungry to hear His voice, made me realize, I needed to walk back. Let us try to ask God as much as we can today, to make us anxious for His presence, hunger and desperately need Him, so that when we have walked away our separation anxiety will indicate our wondering.After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-67942500239251413712012-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:002012-09-12T08:07:10.221-07:00Day 1: Study Question<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where you realize you have walked away from God. On this weeks </span><a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">devotional</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> we looked at how that may happen, but what can lead us back home. Let's face it, walking away does not need to mean you lifted up your fist towards God and shouted, "no more God, I choose the world!" Walking away from God is: to not be in His presence. It may have been a decision, a relationship or a busy schedule. Let Go speak to you in what has been taking His place today. Write it out and pray over it so that God may give you understanding over it.</span>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-82271346847509458472012-09-10T07:17:00.002-07:002012-09-10T07:17:01.760-07:00Separation Anxiety <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Separation Anxiety<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden (His) face from you..” Isaiah 59:2<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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Last year in one of my psychology courses, I learned about the different types of separation anxiety phases an infant experiences throughout their infant life. Separation anxiety refers to a developmental stage in which a child experiences anxiety, due to separation from the primary care giver (usually the mother). <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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There was some remodeling going on in my house one day, and I was overwhelmed by the trash left and cleaning I had to do. My mother in law fortunately called and offered to babysit my 3 month old baby girl for the first time. I went over to her house with blankets, a diaper bag full of essentials, and relief that I would get my house back to shape in no time. However, as I was leaving, Suri began to cry a cry I had not heard before. She did not want her bottle, or her paci, she wanted her momma. I carried her and instantly her cries, subsided! Oh-Oh! <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />
My Suri was suffering from separation anxiety. She had already recognized my scent, and knew momma, was not nearby. I brought her back home, and realized how many countless hours she spends studying my face. When I am feeding her, when I am changing her, or rocking her to sleep, my sweet baby just places her focus on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I thought, Oh-Oh, when I realized she wanted my arms, because separation anxiety is not such a good thing in a society where we push for independence and sociality. But there is a good type of separation anxiety. It is called, Spiritual Separation Anxiety. This type of anxiety makes you aware when you have gone too far from your Guardian, the Lord your God. Without this type of anxiety, you could continue to live in sin without feeling the need to run back into His arms. Do you suffer from spiritual separation anxiety? Symptoms include-weakness to the bones, as if hungry for your maker’s presence, a devastating need to rush near to your Abba and lock your eyes with His to feel confirmation that you are safe and secure. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is unheard of, to work at gaining symptoms. Yet, you should try for this type of anxiety. The only way you can feel what my sweet Suri felt for me as I walked away that day, is to do what she has done since birth. Study your creators face; spend countless hours in His arms. Let Him provide for you. Let Him rock you to sleep. And when you have gone astray or for just a minute walked away, let your anxiety lead you back into His arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-19762397989605911442012-09-07T09:22:00.000-07:002012-09-07T09:22:53.379-07:00Day 3: PraiseIt is finally Friday and the final day of our study this week based on Proverbs 20:7.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>'The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.' Proverbs 20:7</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">God's wisdom is so amazing, do you agree? He obviously had everything planned out for us to live out a life full of righteousness so that our generations could be blessed from it. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/09/blessed-imprints.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> reminded us how much of an impact we can make on our little ones and the past two days, we've come face to face with evaluating what kind of impression we've been leaving in their lives so far.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We hope that this study has allowed the Holy Spirit to point out the areas that need to be changed and through faith, knowing that giving God full control, those areas will be molded according to His will. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Today we invite you to praise Him for being the best example to follow. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Write out the attributes of God that He should be praised for. (You might need a whole notebook!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Together, we invite you to pray with us, that we may each day reflect more of Him and less of us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Have a blessed weekend friends!! </span>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-17369270676331385382012-09-06T08:04:00.000-07:002012-09-06T08:04:56.452-07:00Day 2: The EffectGood morning friends. <br />
Let's dive right in, shall we?<br />
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This study has truly tugged at my heart as I am a mother and it has made me pretty concious of what kind of legacy I am leaving behind. <br />
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You can read this week's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/09/blessed-imprints.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a> too based on:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">'The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.' Proverbs 20:7</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
In yesterday's post, we were called to reflect on our actions and attitudes that we portray in our lives and that our children are able to see in us. <br />
We hope that as we sat in the quiet confronted by God's loving presence, that we were able to realize what are those attitudes and behaviors that have been leaving negative imprints in them. In the same manner, we hope that you were also able to recognize the good traits that are also making a memory in their heart. <br />
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Today, we invite you reflect on the effect. <br />
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When we think of our children or those younger than us that we hold dear, what kind of person do we hope for them to grow up to be?<br />
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Kindhearted, gentle, patient and a great role model are some words that come to mind. <br />
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How can we as parents or mentors do our part in encouraging those traits from early on? How can we model these behaviors to them?<br />
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Write down some ideas and share them with the Lord. Take it in prayer that He be your guide in raising men and women who model Jesus Christ. <br />
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We hope that today's quiet time can be of blessing. Keep us in prayer as we will do the same. <br />
After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-6710532591725124192012-09-05T08:08:00.000-07:002012-09-05T08:08:04.197-07:00Day 1: ReflectionGood morning friends!<br />
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It is the middle of the week already and we're hoping Fall makes its appearance soon.<br />
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We're so glad that you have taken some time to stop by and study God's word with us and apply it to our lives.<br />
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In yesterday's <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/09/blessed-imprints.html"><span style="color: orange;">post</span></a>, we discussed the importance of living blameless lives to pass on to our children as blessings. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">'The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.' Proverbs 20:7</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></strong><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Parenting or being a role model to family members is a job with great responsibility.</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just like with everything else in life though, we have made mistakes that we learn from. </span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We encourage that you take some time today to reflect on the imprints you've been leaving on your childrens' hearts. If you don't have any children, perhaps, your younger siblings or other family members that look up to you.</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Use a journal and being honest with ourselves and in prayer, ask God to reveal the habits and attitudes that do not reflect Jesus best and how it could be impacting them. Look at your children's traits and see which can possibly be coming from you - both good and bad.</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Life is a learning process, but we have the best teacher of all. If you come to the conclusion that the imprints you've been leaving on your children's hearts are not the best, do not fret and beat yourself up. Use today as a starting over point. Turn over your everyday attitude towards the Lord, and allow Him to mold you and transform the things in you that are not the best. In Him we find Grace to start new. </span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<strong>'The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.' Proverbs 20:7</strong><br />
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First impression is everything, they say, when meeting someone. <br />
You want to be remembered and usually, remembered as a great person.<br />
Whether it is at a job interview, we dress the part and make sure that we are well fluent, to be remembered as the perfect candidate.<br />
On a first date, our goal is to make sure that the person on the other side of the table, also remembers our vibrant personality and the color of our eyes. <br />
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Although, that might be difficult or stressful on some level to some as you only get one chance; leaving a lasting <strong>every day</strong> impression on someone is a different and probably more difficult task.<br />
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Probably, because the difficulty of it, depends on the heart of the person making that impression.<br />
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I find, that as a parent, every day I am leaving imprints on my kids' minds and hearts. <br />
Rather difficult to remember, when having only three minutes to leave for school, a glass of milk is spilled and a shirt has to be changed. That's where the importance of knowing God as our Father comes in. <br />
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When I think of all the spilled glasses of milk, I've had in my lifetime, I've seen He's forgiven me with grace time and time again.<br />
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Throughout the day, I realize I have many opportunities to leave those imprints in them.<br />
When a driver cuts me off on the road and how I react, shows them what kind of grace we should show to those that cause us upset.<br />
During a conversation on the phone with a friend, if I choose to gracefully decline gossip over lending my ear to it, will remind them judging others is not what Jesus has taught.<br />
When I encounter a thirsty soul and choose to lend a helping hand, it will teach them love for humanity, instead of showing scorn for it.<br />
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Little details, that when we feel they are not watching, is when they most are. <br />
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As parents, mentors, or older siblings, we have a calling to shine the light in our children's lives. That is one of our greatest ministries.<br />
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Everyone of us wants nothing but the best for our children, and when it comes to education, or material things, we strive to give it. In the same manner, we should also strive to give them the best examples of what it means to have God as our Father.<br />
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The imprints we leave in their hearts today, will carry on into their adulthood and be a blessing to them and to others around them, including their own children.<br />
When we allow ourselves to live according to God's heart, and lead blameless lives, their hearts will be touched leaving an everlasting legacy for generations to come.<br />
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After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-19263401323878752112012-08-31T09:35:00.000-07:002012-08-31T09:35:37.826-07:00Day 4: Praise It is Friday friends!<br />
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It's definitely been a blessed week, as we are alive and healthy. This is the final day on our study on Proverbs 15:13.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>'A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.' Proverbs 15:13</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the devotional on the verse, click <a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/08/let-your-face-testify-as-well.html"><span style="color: orange;">here</span></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The word of God instructs us to praise Him in trials and peaceful times. Take some quiet time today to thank Him for always being present and near. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We thank you for joining us on this study. May it have been a blessing to your heart as it was to ours. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blessed weekend!</span>After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722898016809599726.post-63583799151252856012012-08-30T10:03:00.000-07:002012-08-30T10:03:15.428-07:00Day 3: Consider it a BlessingHello friends!<br />
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It is Thursday and almost the end of the week!<br />
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We hope that your week has been blessed. Speaking of blessings, this is Day 3 of our study on Proverbs 15:13.<br />
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<strong>'A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.' Proverbs 15:13</strong><br />
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On Monday's<span style="color: orange;"> </span><a href="http://godsheart4me.blogspot.com/2012/08/let-your-face-testify-as-well.html"><span style="color: orange;">devotional</span></a>, we discussed how gladness in our heart can be displayed outwardly and seen by others for them to be blessed.<br />
It is undeniable, that along with happy moments, life will definitely throw in some curve balls, that may be harder to handle than we'd like. <br />
Either way, God asks us to remember to praise Him in good and difficult times as He has a plan for us. <br />
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We encourage you today, to reflect on this.<br />
Rather than allowing heartache to crush our spirit, how can we treat it as a blessing?<br />
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We hope that your quiet time with the Lord may bring peace to your heart today.<br />
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Many blessings!<br />
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After God's Own Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201723587010284946noreply@blogger.com0