Elizabeth George's Blog, page 38

Keeping a Prayer Journal—Teen Tuesday

[image error]What is your #1 problem today? What makes your heart heavy? Do you worry about your family’s well-being? Is a friend struggling? Have you been feeling left out at school? Whatever it is, prayer is the answer.

Begin the Day with Prayer

The Bible says to “cast” your problems and burdens on your heavenly Father. Isn’t that absolutely great? You get to say to God, “Take all of this stuff from me!” When you do this, you’re putting “impossible” problems into His powerful hands. God will take care of them...as only He can.

When you begin each day by giving all the cares of your life to God in prayer, you’ll feel the freedom of having a weight lifted from your shoulders and your heart. 

Begin a Prayer List

Have you ever been hungry for prayer? A good way to grow in faith in God is to keep a prayer list. Today’s a perfect day to start one. A journal will fuel and feed a deep hunger for this time of talking to God. This will help you remember what to pray for and inspire you to pray more passionately. When you see and write down how God answers each prayer, your faith will soar!

Your list may be short at first, but soon your mind and heart will be filled with more physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to bring to God. He’s always listening. Remember to take time to listen for His responses during your quiet time and throughout the process of discovering His will.

As your connection with Jesus grows, you’ll be eager to lift up concerns for family, friends, and yourself to Him each day. And when God answers your prayers, you’ll be in awe.

RESPOND

Lord, I’ll start my first prayer list with this prayer for growth in my own faith and prayer life: I give You everything that weighs me down. Sometimes I think it is up to me to carry everything that comes my way. But You are offering to take it all on and deal with every problem...even the really hard stuff. Here it is, God. Take it all. Thank You! I can’t wait to talk to You and to listen as You answer each of my prayers. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES[image error]

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REFLECT

How often do I pray?

Decorate a pretty journal to handwrite your prayers and God’s answers in this New Year.

REMEMBER

Prayer puts “impossible” problems into God’s powerful hands.

Who was Mary, Mother of Jesus?

[image error]Consider God’s choice of Mary as the mother of His Son. Mary was young and probably not from a prominent or wealthy family. The Bible doesn’t give any details about her physical appearance or information about her father and mother. We are not told of any outstanding characteristics Mary had . . . except her love for God and her deep trust in Him.

Mary’s selection—Luke 1:26–33

Mary was a teenage maiden betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter. Why was she selected to give birth to Christ? Her humility, gentle and quiet spirit, and piety give some indication. In God’s perfect timing, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced that she would bear the long- expected Messiah.

Mary’s submission—Luke 1:34–38

What’s amazing is the way Mary received the news. Neither skeptical nor hesitant, she only asked an intelligent question of Gabriel: How could she, a virgin, become the mother of Jesus? Following Gabriel’s explanation that she would conceive of God’s Spirit, Mary said with complete faith, “Behold the maidservant of the LORD! Let it be to me according to your word” (v. 38).

Mary’s salutation—Luke 1:39–55

Mary traveled south to visit her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a baby. To Mary’s surprise, Elizabeth greeted her with praise for the child in Mary’s womb. Then Mary joyfully worshiped God in song. She quoted many Old Testament passages, revealing that Mary’s heart was saturated with God’s Word.

Mary’s sorrow—Luke 2:35

As God in human flesh, Jesus must have had an awareness of who He was and what He was doing on earth. This awareness gave Mary and Jesus a unique mother-child relationship. When Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem at age twelve, He wasn’t a dependent child. He said, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Although favored among women, Mary’s life was a bitter cup of sorrow consumed at Jesus’ crucifixion.

Mary’s salvation—Luke 1:46–55

In her famous Magnificat, Mary described God as “my Savior,” acknowledging her need of a Savior. After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Mary identified herself as a believer in Jesus as she gathered with other believers in the upper room in Acts 1:14.

Mary had a heart for God, a heart of love, obedience, and trust. God is asking for your obedience and trust too.

RESPOND

God, thank You for the young woman You chose to bring Your beloved Son into this world. Thank You for her example of love and obedience to You. I know that You can do anything through me if I will obey and trust You. Amen.

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REFLECT

How do I respond when I receive unexpected news or experience troubling treatment?

Do I trust our gracious God to know what is best?

REMEMBER

Life may bring sorrow as it did for Mary, but God saw Mary through, and He will do the same for you.

Reading the Bible in One Year

[image error]When our daughter Courtney had Baby #4, Jim and I were there at Courtney’s home on baby-watch duty when she and Paul left in the middle of the night for the hospital. We stayed about ten days afterward to help out and ease the usual adjustments of a busy household to a new baby.

I carry one very special memory with me... Each day at breakfast Courtney sat and ate with (and tended to) her five-, four-, and two-year-olds, and Jim and me. Beside her placemat was her beat-up, well-worn One Year Bible. And later, after the kitchen was cleaned up, faces and hands wiped, and the little ones sent on to their next activities, Courtney sat down again at the breakfast table, by herself...and read her Bible.

Why Read the Bible in a Year?

Now I ask you, how does a mom handle each stretching day? How does she manage, in a God-pleasing way, her marriage, her housework, the first baby, the second baby, the third baby, and the fourth baby...all of whom quickly become active toddlers and preschoolers? Answer: She looks to God’s empowering— and peace-producing!—Word. And doing so makes a difference—a huge difference!

I don’t know how other mothers manage to fit in their daily Bible time, but this is how one mom does it as near to every day as she can. It’s a powerful habit every mom can build into her life.

What Does It Take?

What does it take to read through the Bible in a year? It takes about 10 to 12 minutes a day. That’s roughly the same time as a quick internet session. That’s one-half of a good conversation on the phone with your sister, mom, or best friend. That’s one-third of a sitcom on TV. That’s one-sixth of a television talk show.

But with an earnest, hungry heart, you rise up from those dozen minutes in the Word filled.  You have set aside worldliness and instead set your mind and heart on things above “where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God...not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). And God’s spiritual “fruit of the Spirit”—His “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)—is evident.

Remember, God’s Word makes all the difference in the world in your heart, in your day, and in your parenting. This handful of minutes is such a tiny investment to make in something that produces such massive daily—and eternal—dividends! It’s a little choice that will reap big benefits...both in your heart and in the hearts of your children. It will accelerate you down the path to being a more dedicated mother after God’s own heart.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, what a precious gift time is! Please keep me aware my stewardship of this great award. Help me make good use of every hour, realizing that once spent, it can never be returned to me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES[image error]

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REFLECT

When can I carve out time to read God’s Word each day?

Make a list of the benefits you receive when you spend time daily in Scripture. Reference back to these on days when you struggle to get in God’s Word.

REMEMBER

The degree of our spiritual strength will be in direct proportion to the time we spend in God’s Word.

Forgiving Others

[image error]Christmastime offers many opportunities to gather with people who have hurt us and whom we avoid throughout the year. Thankfully, God’s Word helps us navigate such relationships.

How Many Times Should I Forgive? 

One day Peter asked Jesus a question that had prob­ably been forming in his mind for some time. “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21). Peter was being generous when he sug­gested forgiving someone seven times, for the traditional rabbinic teaching was that an offended person needed to forgive a brother only three times.

However, Jesus’ reply communicated that we need to exercise forgiveness to a much greater extent. “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (verse 22). Jesus was teaching that forgiveness has no limits. We’re to forgive no matter what the number of sins committed! 

Then Jesus told a parable that illustrated the concept of unlimited forgiveness (verses 23-35). 

He told of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed an enormous amount — the equivalent of about a million dollars in today’s economy. 

Well, of course the servant couldn’t pay. So, according to the custom of the day, the king ordered the servant and his family to be sold as slaves to recoup part of his debt. But when the servant pleaded with his master, begging for time to repay his debt, the master took pity on the servant, canceled the debt, and set him free. 

So what did the forgiven debtor do? He went out and found another servant who owed him a much smaller amount—the equivalent of a day’s wages. The first servant demanded payment and refused to show mercy toward his debtor. In fact, he had the second servant thrown into prison until he paid the debt.

Others went to the master and told him what had happened, what his forgiven servant had done to a fellow servant. When the master heard this, he called back the first servant and jailed him for failing to show mercy to a fellow servant when he had been forgiven a much greater debt.

How Much Should I Forgive?

By way of this parable, Jesus was teaching that forgiveness should be in direct proportion to the amount we’ve been forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he in turn should have forgiven all. If you are a child of God, all your sins have been for­given through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when someone sins against you, you are to forgive that person fully from your heart, no matter how many times the act occurs.

Now, this does not mean that you are to continue to place yourself in a position to be abused. But, the spiritual act of forgiving another helps you recall that we are all sinners, and it is God who is judge, not us. As a believer, you have the love of God within you to praise God for His grace to you and forgive another’s actions against you in order that they know that a kind, good, and forgiving God can rescue them from their sin too.

RESPOND

Jesus, may I always remember with appropriate humility and gratitude the sin condition that was mine without your intervention. Help me to demonstrate this forgiveness to others who have hurt me in order that they may know you and change the direction of their destructive lives.

RENEWING RESOURCES[image error]

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REFLECT

Who have I not forgiven for past offenses?

Ask the Lord for His grace is forgiving this person.

REMEMBER

Forgiveness should be in direct proportion to the amount we’ve been forgiven.

What are Angels?

[image error]If you are like many people, when you think of angels, your mind immediately thinks about the figure many people place on the top of the Christmas tree. Perhaps we are inclined to respond this way because the Christmas story in Luke 2 mentions angels who spoke to the shepherds.

The English word angel comes from the Greek word angelos, meaning messenger, so in Scripture, an angel is essentially a created being whose task is to be a messenger from God.

What are Angels?

GOOD ANGELS

This category is made up of holy angels or angels of God. Jesus also spoke of “his angels” as those who would be called upon to provide assistance (Matthew 24:31). Michael is described as the commander of the army of good angels who defeated and expelled evil angels from heaven (Revelation 12:7-8). Gabriel, the other good angel named in the Bible, appears to be the chief messenger angel.

Even within the category of good angels there are different kinds of angels:

Cherubim — The first kind of angels mentioned in the Bible are cherubim. They were celestial beings sent by God to guard the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). They were represented symbolically in the Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18-22), in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31), in the temple (2 Chronicles 3:7), and seen by the prophet Ezekiel in a vision of the restored Jerusalem (Ezekiel 41:18-22).

Seraphim — These angels have their ministry in heaven. They were seen by Isaiah in a vision as hovering above the throne of God and described as having six wings (Isaiah 6:1-3).

Guardian angels — These are sent by God to minister to all believers (Hebrews 1:14), and to those angels who guide the affairs of nations, also called the “chief princes” (Daniel 10:10-14).

God’s messengers — These good angels announced and heralded the birth of Christ. They also tended to Jesus in the wilderness and in the Garden of Gethsemane. They were present at the empty tomb of the resurrected Lord and at His ascension into heaven. In the future they will proclaim God’s messages of judgment (Revelation 14-17) and, as messengers, will execute God’s judgment (Revelation 20:1-3).

BAD ANGELS

This category of angelic beings consists of “the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). They formally resided in heaven, but they were unfaithful to God and were driven out of heaven. Satan is the chief advocate of evil and wickedness in this group of fallen angels. Although Satan as an angel is very powerful, he does not possess the ability to be in more than one place at a time, nor is he all-knowing, and he cannot read minds. He does, however, manipulate people into doing his bidding.

What Does This Mean for You?

There’s a war going on, but it is not a war you see. It’s the spiritual warfare. Although God and the devil are in battle, you don’t have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated Satan in the power of sin and death with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Today and every day Satan is still trying to wreak as much havoc as possible. He is still using the same schemes and tactics he has used on other people through the ages to tempt you to sin. Don’t let Satan attack you through your weakness. Follow these three practices prescribed in the Bible:

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)

“Be alert and sober mind your enemy the devil probably around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he’ll flee from you.” (James 4:7)

RESPOND

Dear Lord, when temptation comes my way, give me strength to bear it with grace and maintain a clear conscience. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES[image error]

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REFLECT

Each morning, put on the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (see Ephesians 6).

REMEMBER

God has already defeated Satan in the power of sin and death with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Keeping Calm Over Christmas

[image error]Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, but I’m well aware that this month has potential for many disasters! If you’re like me, your calendar is already crammed full with kid’s plays, family visits, traveling, shopping, and more … oh my! There is so much to do, so many decisions to make, so many people to make happy.

In the midst of these full days, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s really important, isn’t it? God’s Word reminds us that when we’re weary, to look to the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I don’t know about you, but I get a great deal of encouragement from that verse.

Something else that has helped me bring some calm to the potential chaos is a little three-step method to make sure first things like spending time with God are truly first—especially this time of year.

Make It a Daily Time. 

Choose a time right now and put it on all of your calendars. Make this the one thing that does not get bumped. Why? Because all of your time will be better spent when some of your time is spent in God’s Word. Yes, even in these full days before Christmas! It will not only help you keep your own sanity, it will calm everyone around you.

Make It Your  First  Time. 

Even if it’s only for a few moments, give God’s Word the first minutes of your day (you can read more later). It doesn’t have to be a long stretch of time, although once you start, you’ll likely find yourself craving more. “Honor the Lord with the first-fruits of all your increase.” (Proverbs 3:9) You’ll be blessed in your spiritual and in your practical life when you make it a point to give God the first portion of time from your day.

Make It an  Early  Time.

Before you open your eyes and peek at your phone, speak to God. Pastor John Piper wrote, “Let the first words out of your mouth while still on your pillow be a cry to God: ‘I need You again today.’” David wrote in Psalm 63:1, “O God, early will I seek you.” Abraham rose up early in the morning and to meet with the Lord. And Jesus got up early to talk with the Father.

This simple formula has brought me closer to God’s own heart and His ways during the busy month of December. I can only imagine how many potential disasters were avoided because my reactions and words were in line with Scripture!  I encourage you to follow this in the days and weeks ahead. You’ll be so glad you did. 

RESPOND

Dear Lord, I am fixing my gaze upon You. My prayer is to honor You in all I do. May I model Your character and represent You well this Christmas season. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

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REFLECT

Do I make time with God a priority in my day?

REMEMBER

(1) a daily time, (2) the first time, and (3) an early time.

Budgeting for Christmas

[image error]With all the gifts and donations given during the holidays, our finances can quickly become out of control. But a little bit of prayerful planning will make better use of all our resources and rivet our focus on God’s priorities.  

First things first … before you break out the calculator and spreadsheets, pause and pray. In any area of life, a good motto to have is No Decision Without Prayer. And that is really important when you’re talking about your finances: donations and gifts.

Giving Donations

Now is a good time to ask ourselves: What do we have that we did not receive? The answer is: absolutely nothing! Generosity comes in many forms: our time, service to others, and monetary donations. When planning your holiday budget, consider Deuteronomy 8:18; it says it is the Lord your God who gives you power to get wealth. And the apostle James reminds us that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights.

The fact is, if you love God, out of gratitude, it will spill over into your giving to others. It’s the principle of where your treasure is, so is your heart. Make the words of Jesus your prayer, an attitude of your heart: freely you have received, freely give. And remember, we’re not giving to others or even to a church. We’re giving to God as an act of worship.

The issue is not how much we give, but our heart attitude when we give. This is a part of what brings God’s blessings. As Proverbs 11:25 states, “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”

Giving Gifts

Is there something you think you should purchase? Find out what God wants you to do. Find out what His will is. There are a lot of biblical guidelines about money. Number one is that it isn’t your money, it is God’s. And if the Bible doesn’t speak specifically to your situation, then … when in doubt, don’t. Or at least, when in doubt, check it out. Ask for advice. Pray for guidance. If you want God’s wisdom in any area of life, He promises to give it to you. All you have to do is be sure you pray and ask Him for His wisdom with a heart ready to obey.

Ask God to help you prioritize your day and your life, planning your minutes and your money. You can’t put a dollar value on your God-given resources of time and energy, but you can set a budget for your money and stick to it to not go into debt this Christmas. Plan wisely and enjoy the freedom it brings as you plan your holiday purchases and donations.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, thank You for Your abundant provision. Please help me become a wise steward of all the gifts You’ve given me. Amen.

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REFLECT

Do I seek God’s wisdom on how I spend my money and stick to a budget?

REMEMBER

Make No Decision Without Prayer.

6 Ways to Make Family Memories

[image error]The Thanksgiving weekend often heralds the beginning of eating, shopping, and celebrations. Oftentimes, holiday schedules are hectic with family members shooting like fireworks in every direction for social activities, plays, and Christmas preparation. But, don’t let your time get away from you!

Whether you stay at home or plan a vacation over the next two months, make sure to set aside special times for your family to slow down, reflect, and connect. Give everyone plenty of notice, especially if teens are involved. If you’re not a parent, get friends together.

Make Memories

1. Ask everyone to share what they’re doing over the holidays that will be fun and meaningful.

2. Share what plans they have for the next year and encourage each person to share a goal or a dream … and be supportive. Dreams aren’t always based on current reality.

3. Talk about the childhood antics of the kids, how you grew up and spent your Christmases.

4. Share your faith experience… and let others share theirs.

5. Read the Gospel accounts of the Christmas story.

6. End your time together by drawing people’s names out of a hat and committing to doing two nice things for that person this Christmas.

Time keeps on ticking, and seasons seem to go by in an instant! Be purposeful to pause and develop the relationships that will last a lifetime!

RESPOND

Lord, You’ve given me a wonderful family and awesome friends. I delight in being with these people You’ve given me to cherish…and I especially delight in You. Amen.

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REFLECT

Do I make time to spend with my family and friends?

REMEMBER

Be purposeful to pause and develop the relationships that will last a lifetime!

When Thanksgiving Is Hard

[image error]Has something happened in your life that doesn’t make sense? Are you facing a Thanksgiving Day that is not full of celebration? Has this been a tough year for you and your family? Maybe you couldn’t understand how a loving God could let something like that hap­pen to you or a loved one.

When Thanksgiving Is Hard

Traditionally, Thanksgiving Day is a food-filled celebration associated with expressing gratitude to God for the harvest of His bounty. Praise, thankfulness, and gratitude should be a regular part of our everyday life. Unfortunately, our sensitivities are often dulled to God’s grace and gracious provision.

Most people have events happen that are difficult or impossible to understand. Rather than question the Lord with your whys, it can help to take a page out of Jesus’ life and be thankful. As the Bible says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Where to Look

Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus continued to offer up prayers of thanks and gratitude to the Father for all He had accom­plished for and with Him, His Son. In His prayer in John 17, just prior to His betrayal, Jesus…

… thanked the Father for the power and the opportunity to secure eternal life for all believers (John 17:2).

… thanked the Father for giving Him the disciples (verses 6-7).

… thanked the Father that believers had heard and obeyed the Father’s Word, which Christ had spoken (verse 8).

Then, with a heart of thankfulness, Jesus turned His focus on the cross and His death. How could Jesus be thankful? And what was the reason for this grateful attitude? He knew the Father was in absolute control. He knew everything was going according to God’s divine plan.

We have that same confidence in God. While some seasons are difficult, God is always good. He is with us. And He is for us. Let’s give thanks for these wonderful promises!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, I thank You with a heart of grat­itude. In the words of King David, I marvel “Who am I, O Lord God” that You have blessed me so abundantly? I offer You inadequate but sin­cere praise and thanksgiving. Thank You, dear Lord! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES[image error]

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REFLECT

Do I trust God’s divine plans for me?

REMEMBER

God is in absolute control. Rest assured that everything is going according to God’s divine plan.

Whatever Is True

[image error]

Too many times in the past I’ve told others “I’m fine” in order to hide my pain and sorrows from them. The truth is, my thoughts pulled me down so far that, in private, tears regularly streamed down my face.

Combating Negative Thoughts

Are you constantly thinking negative thoughts? Do you second-guess what others say? Do your thoughts lead you to anger or depression or any other destructive emotions? Being a woman after God’s own heart is all about “minding your mind.”

To live out God’s plan for your busy life with passion and purpose, you must harness the ten-thousand plus thoughts that pass through your mind each day. Your mind has to be disciplined for God’s purposes and for His glory. That is a tall challenge!

Choosing True Thoughts

In 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, the apostle Paul tells us: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself . . . who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation . . . comfort your hearts.”

One way the Lord has comforted my heart is by bringing me back again and again to Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are true . . . meditate on these things,” things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Read Philippians 4:8 again and again. Say it out loud over and over. Meditate on it. And most of all, use it to harness your thoughts so they are godly thoughts.

Because of this verse, I make it a priority to think on the truth about God’s love and the truths found in His promises. They are constant and never fail.

We must learn to shift our focus away from trying situations, and instead train ourselves to dwell on what is true and real. Turn your thoughts and attention to God and His faithfulness, and trust Him to carry you through. Enjoy the everlasting consolation and comfort God offers to you.

RESPOND

Lord, I need a major change in the area of my thoughts. Thank You for Your instruction and for pointing out the many positive, gracious, godly “things” You desire me to “think on.” Help me renew my mind according to Your Word. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES

A Woman After God's Own Heart Bible—Today’s devotion is one of 365 daily devotions written by Elizabeth for this Bible. Pick up your copy today!

Creating a Beautiful Life by Elizabeth George —This book with a built-in Study Guide prepares you to create a more beautiful and productive life. Click here to view this helpful Bible Study. 

REFLECT

The next time a negative thought arises in my mind, I will ask myself, Is this thought true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy?

REMEMBER

Saturate your mind with truths from God’s Word.