Monday, October 29, 2018

11 Affirmations to Build Your Faith

In last week's Devotion Three, I promised to share some scriptural affirmations with you this week. These affirmations are a nice segway in between devotions. They provide fodder to dream and step out in the spirit of last week, and they remind us of scripture's power, which I'll address in next week's devotion.
I've often heard it asked, "How can I get more faith?" Maybe you're going through a difficult time, and you want to believe but you're faltering. Faith isn't something you have to muster. Instead, it's something that needs to be fed. If you're facing discouragement or risk, you need to surround yourself with biblical affirmations of hope. Let statements like the below be your daily diet, and see what happens to your faith!

11 Biblical Affirmations to Build Your Faith:

1. I will not surrender to my fears. Isaiah 41:10
2. I will take one day at a time in obedience; I will live in the present moment and not worry about the future. Matt. 6:25-34
3. I claim the biblical freedom to trust that God is powerful enough to work all things for my good. I will not be preoccupied with worse case scenario thinking. Romans 8:28
4. God is my Provider. I draw confidence and strength from how he has provided for me in the past, and I continue to look to him for the future. Philippians 4:19
5. I will do what is within my control to the best of my ability and leave the rest to God. God's hands are capable and his promises are for ME. Hebrews 10:23
6. I am NOT alone. God sees my struggle and will come alongside me. I will look for signs of his presence and grace today. Deut. 31:6
7. I am LOVED by God. Romans 8:38-39
8. I will always remember who I am and WHOSE I am. If God is for me, what can stand against me? Romans 8:31
9. I do not expect my path to always be easy. I am equipped and well able, and I will grow through every experience. James 1:2-4
10. I am called to be brave. 1 Corinthians 16:13
11. I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 


Stay tuned next week for Devotion Four! And did you see my meme for affirmation #11 on Facebook? "Like" or "Share" it! Want more biblical inspiration? Check out my "Resources" tab for two free printables!

Monday, October 22, 2018

Dare to Dream: Devotion Three

We continue our devotional series this week with another sample devotion from my free ebook. Each week I've encouraged you to look inward; this week it's about your dreams. Watch my social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for an inspirational meme associated with healthy risk-taking. And if you want your own copy of this free devotional ebook, follow the prompts here.


Day 5
“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” Ephesians 3:20–21
Are you in the habit of dreaming? Perhaps you dream for your children since, as parents, we want to give our children every advantage. But it’s also important to remember to continue dreaming for ourselves too. As weighty and wonderful the task of parenting is, it is not all of who we are. We are also children ourselves—children of God. Imagine the plans God has been dreaming for your life as his child. Naturally, we might shrink away from these plans if they involve change or risk. But these elements are often the food of faith. If things are certain, then we do not need faith at all. Rather, I believe God desires us to live an adventure. Prepare for surprises and to be amazed when you start taking the limits off of what God can do with and through your life. Today, take time to cast a dream for your life and consider the power of your example as your children observe it.
Further Reading: Joshua 1:9; Mark 10:27


Next week I'll be sharing a biblical mantra of important affirmations to remember whenever you are stepping out. If you're looking for more inspiration in the spirit of this devotion in the meantime, this a favorite and so is this. If you want to inspire dreaming in your children, read this. Finally, to find out how my dawdling toddler encouraged me to consider my dreams and call, read this!

Monday, October 15, 2018

What Are You Thirsty For: Devotion Two

In order to be grounded parents, we need to consider our own hearts. Our hearts inevitably affect family decisions, which was the devotion topic last week. This week's devotion invites us into honest reflection. Scripture uses the metaphor of thirst to inspire us to think about what we truly yearn for at the most basic level.


Day 3
“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
It’s easy to understand thirsting for water, but there are other things we thirst for that might not be so readily transparent. We must dig deeper into our hearts to discover our thirsts. Options might include popularity, approval, success, or wealth. While these things are not necessarily wrong, when they’re taken to the extreme as a measure of a person, they become chains rather than gifts. We can think less of ourselves, causing our self-esteem to falter based upon whatever rubric we envision as the ideal. Self-worth, by comparison, never falters because it’s based upon God’s approval of us. We are his intricately made creation, endowed with purpose and crowned with his unconditional love. Faith affords us the option to climb off the hamster wheel of comparisons and enter into a new kind of judgement of ourselves—one that is freeing. That’s something to thirst for every day! Today, consider what God says about you.
Further Reading: Romans 8:38–39; 1 Peter 2:9


Watch my social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for an inspirational meme associated with this theme! And if you want your own copy of this free devotional ebook, follow the prompts here.

Monday, October 8, 2018

Protecting the Intangibles: Devotion One


Over the next several weeks, I will be sharing devotions from my ebook. My hope is that each devotion will spark further reflection. The ebook's goal is to open the spiritual reservoir of God's provision and guidance as we parent. That provision is waiting for you today. Feel free to share your responses and journey in the comments; I will respond to every one. And if you want your own copy of this free ebook, follow the prompts here.

Day 1
“You bestow on him blessings forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21:6
Chaos in our lives can be driven by comparison games. It’s easy to become busier and busier as we compare our schedules with others. There are often good intentions behind these efforts. Schedule-wise, we don’t want our children to fall behind, miss out, or fail to reach their full potential. The problem is that these tangible activities can choke time for the ones with intangible rewards. Spending quality time and planting godly seeds in our families are not always activities that pop on a page, but their rewards are far richer. True inner fortitude can’t be measured by how firmly a child kicks a ball; lasting happiness can’t be found at the end of an expert recital. By investing in what God measures as worthy, we can experience greater blessings and joy, often when we least expect it ... and with no regrets later on. Today, tally three intangible blessings that you want to impart as you parent.
Further Reading: Psalm 1:1–3; Psalm 119:1–3

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