Exit…last sunset of 2022 beautifully captured in all of its splendor that only God can give.
Enter…2023 with its bountiful harvest!
We planted good seed and now He’s bringing forth the rain for new sprouts.
Isaiah 30:23
I believe it.
I proclaim it.
I receive it.
Our word of the year is PRESENT.
Never have I received such a diversified word.
One definition is “to lay before a court as an object of inquiry.” Merriam Webster
When I read this, I see us presenting our prayers at the feet of Jesus.
I present my requests, yet surrender my will for His.
“Even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”
Success is in the surrender.
Strength is in the surrender.
Sing His praises in the surrender.
Surrender is the hard pathway, but stay the course.
He is faithful.
Shout for joy at His goodness and all for His glory!
Hallelujah, always!
Credit: @_heykorina
My prayer today…
“Bless them all, Father. Let them hear your voice
Let them feel your touch
Let them see your goodness,
In Jesus’ name! Amen!”
When circumstances are beyond my control, I am poised to release trust in God for His divine protection and wisdom.
What is my call to action? Praise Him.
photo credit: @heykorina_
When looking for a miracle, stop looking down at what you have before you.
Start looking up to Heaven, just as Jesus did that day.
He knew where the miracle was coming from, He knew where the abundance was coming from, that faithful supply of more than enough.
He looked up towards His Father, Jehovah Jireh to provide exceedingly and abundantly more!
The same God that gave on that day is the same God we serve today and He’s not running short on miracles.
Today, that gateway of hope is right here, right now. All we have to do is take that step through it.
Breakthrough is just on the other side. I am so grateful for His faithfulness!
Praise God!
The definition of RESTORED
is to return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position.
This is my given word for this year.
At first glance, I am so excited for this word and all God will do through it.
I also know it will bring it’s fair share of growth.
The key is in the knowing that above all else, He will faithfully provide and I will continue to say “yes, Lord.”
Two questions for you today:
What’s your word for this year?
What will God have for you on the other side of your “YES”?
The Shephards gave no concern or thought to what would happen to their flocks, or what their families or friends would think.
There was no question or hesitation, they just responded immediately to God’s call and said “Yes, Lord.”
These men, the Shephards were the first to share the good news of Jesus! The greatest gift, ever!
Hallelujah! All glory to God!
Merry Christmas!
If you are seeking direction today,
I have a good Word for you!
God is saying, I have given you the way and shown you the path. Your direction is determined by your Choices…
One step at a time today. He is faithful to reveal each stepping stone when we keep moving forward. It may appear foggy up ahead, but as you take that step, you know, the one He’s already shown you, revealed to you that you’ve been hesitant to take, the fog clears and you will see all of His goodness! Praise Him for it, and keep His praise on your lips, until that next step is revealed.
Life is always more beautiful
looking through the lens of Jesus. If things seem to be a bit dark and cloudy, call out His name, invite Jesus in and turn on the light of His love
Photo Credit: Korina Smith
Each one of us has been there and none, not one is better than the next. In order to survive, we had to enter in to things to numb the pain.
Stop living inside the shame of it…God is faithful through the forgiveness that only comes from the sacrifice of Jesus and great exchange at Calvary. You deny God the glory when you remain in the shame.
Leave it at the cross. Don’t you dare pick it up again.
As we approach Thanksgiving,
I am reminded to keep a tight focus on those things that really matter. Not to be caught up in the business, but pause in the moments. Fully appreciate the unique , but often overlooked blessings in each hour of each day. Lord, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear.
Life comes with
challenges, victories, ups and downs and our fair share of disappointments and failures… The great thing about all of these things? There is a lesson to be learned, wisdom gained and someone else’s key to survival is born from it. Jesus will always walk you through, without fail. The beautiful thing is, you will be better for it.
Lasting change
begins with teeny tiny, baby steps every day. Progress is evident in the continuance of the forward movement, no matter how small. Keep pressing on!
The word PREPARE
is defined as “make ready for use or able to do or deal with something.” This is not without action… when we step forward in obedience, then we see obstructions fall to the way side, for God is always faithful to bring us through what He brings us to. I will stay the steady course, for I believe to see the victory!
Recently, I had an echocardiogram…
. Basically, it’s an ultrasound of the intricate functions of your heart. So lying there, I was intrigued by the Rhythmatic motion and sound of my own heart… it was to me all of a sudden, stunningly beautiful, watching my heart valve open and close, working it’s work to keep me alive according to Gods perfectly complex design. With each beat, the valve looks like two little arms with clapping hands in applause, celebrating each push of life giving blood through my heart….I even pointed this out the the technician conducting the test.
I often wonder how one can doubt the existence of God with such intricately detailed, splendor and awe in which our bodies are designed.
Have we really grown so filled with self that we could possibly deny our creator? I pray not.
“Father God, thank you for the magnificent splendor of the new day dawning over the horizon that simply leaves me breathless.”
Remember, consistent obedience to God’s will reaps all the benefits. Keep moving forward beautiful! Keep growing, keep letting God shine that ever glowing, brilliant light through you!
Life is a race,
and when we let our expectations and desires move out ahead of God’s plan, that’s when we encounter disappointments.
My prayer today is “Father, keep me In step with Your perfect will.” Amen.
Forced changes aren’t ever fun, but sometimes those provide the best results, and they are SO worth the courage it takes to take that first step.
The funny thing about challenges is they look big, but once you take that first step in, it's not as hard as your mind tries to convince you it is.
Always say “YES” to the opportunity. You never know when God is planning a surprise for you.
God sees you, right there in your struggle…
Don’t put your faith in reverse… keep believing, keep trusting, keep pushing through. Keep going.
Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord is bringing you!
Do not abandon the seeds before they have the chance to spring forth…
Stand dutifully firm and unwavering until that day of breakthrough when that sprout pops up and says good morning to the new hope, the wondrous miracle of all God has done!
Today, I am choosing…
to see the raw beauty in the pain that accompanies change, knowing Father God is faithful in working it all out for His glory and greater purpose..
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Henry David Thoreau
photo credit: Korina Smith
The answer is always no if you don’t ask. What are you believing God for today?
Looking for some joy?
A joyful life is one that is found in quick forgiveness every day. One thing I know, You will be offended, IF you choose to pick it up. Choices… don’t pick it up! Kick it to the side. Always get rid of offense before it has the chance to root in.
Separate who you are in Christ from what you do in the flesh.
Love on yourself. Know that you are covered by His grace and clothed in the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus!
My story is not
your story…
and your story is not their story. Each with our own unique purpose, we are all designed to perform together. Just as an intricate tapestry is filled with a plethora of varied, colorful threads, when woven together creates the most beautiful, and clear design.
What does your middle look like? Divorce, job loss, addiction, depression, death of a loved one, sickness or is it lack of motivation, complacency, boredom, stagnant?
Whatever may be there in your middle, know God is with you, right in the midst of it. Know that He is hiding you, tucked in the shadows, under His mighty wing of protection.
Keep believing, keep pushing forward, because that’s the only way to move out of that fiery furnace situation. Just as Jesus was in the midst of the hottest roaring fire with Meshach. Shadrach, Abednego. He faithfully removed them from it and proceeded to promote them. Without fail, because it is written His love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV) That day is coming for you, that day when God raises you up out of your middle.
That’s what life experience does… we fall, we get back up and it strengthens us for the next time.
The same God
that spoke this miraculous beauty into existence is the same God speaking life in you today. Trust His promises..
“You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
Psalms 139:16 NLT
“And Jesus answered them,
“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.””
Matthew 21:21-22 ESV
He who dwells
in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalms 91:1 ESV
As far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalms 103:12