Illness

My husband and I are often pray for protection over our children from physical illness or from getting into physical injuries... but we were recently reminded to pray for protection over their mental illness as well. Whether it's the food we eat, genetics, or experiences that cause people to get depressed, anxious, or diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia or autism... we just pray against these things and ask that God would poor out His grace and protect our little ones with His angels.

Withholding Good

God does not withhold good from us. He is gracious and merciful regardless of how sinful, unresponsive, irresponsible, disrespectful, disobedient and unthoughtful we are. We should have the same kind of grace and mercy for those around us and not withhold anything good from them. God's love and grace will bring people closer to Him (including ourselves!).

"Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
James 4:17

Expectations

God wants us to live expecting something good. We need to look to God for what we need and not people. If we want to see the blessing of God in our lives, we need to stop rehearsing what the Devil tells us and start rehearsing out loud what the Word of God tells us. -Joyce Meyer

Proverbs15:15

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Psalm 103

Every time I read Psalm 103 it renews my spirit and reminds me of how great our God is...

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's"
(v.2-5)

Press On

Proverbs 10:24

²⁴The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

So your promise for the day is to hold on to your desires, for God will honor your faith and will grant your desires.

His Grace is Sufficient

"Therefore He says:
'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."
James 4:6-8

In this world and culture, we are encouraged and pressured to be proud, confident, knowledgeable, experienced.. etc.. But the Lord says to be humble.. and to only have confidence in Him. It is comforting to know that God gives grace to the humble and not the proud... and that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy that covers my sins. Thank you that your "compassions fail not, and they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23).

Praying for the Future of Our Children

This segment from Joyce Meyer's teaching tapes spoke to me about praying over our children throughout the day:

A woman was saying to Joyce, "I'm so afraid that my child is going to get into trouble!"
Joyce responded, "Well, you should have started confessing the day your child came out of your womb . . .
MY CHILD IS GOING TO SERVE GOD
BE BORN AGAIN
FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST
MARRY A BORN-AGAIN SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVER
BE USED BY GOD
THEY’RE GOING TO BE BLESSED
THEY’RE GOING TO PROSPER IN EVERYTHING THEY LEND THEIR HAND TO
AND THE DEVIL IS NOT GOING TO GET ‘EM
AND THEY’RE NOT GOING TO GET ON DRUGS
AND THEY’RE NOT GOING TO GET ON ALCOHOL
AND THEY’RE NOT GOING TO GET IN WRONG RELATIONSHIPS
We don’t have any problem talking about all the wrong stuff. Why do we have so much trouble talking about the right things?

Passage Jeremiah 29:11:
¹¹For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.