Quick Spiritual Reset

Wise love, loving wisdom

Maureen — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:18:44 +0000

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17

Love is patient and kind…It does not demand its own way and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. I Cor. 13: 4-6 (Par.)

Jesus showed the wisest love and most loving wisdom the world has ever seen.

Lord, help me to be lovingly wise and wisely loving.

For teachers and other mentors

Maureen — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:55:01 +0000

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Prov. 2:10-11

A person doesn’t have to be famous to be profoundly influential. Young people need great mentors and teachers to equip them with knowledge, wisdom, and truth that will help them live with passion and integrity. We need those influential friends throughout our lives to keep us grounded and inspired.

Lord, I am so grateful for the network of relationships that influence my life and the lives of my children. Lord, bless each one!

His call

Maureen — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:02:47 +0000

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 2 Thess. 1:11

Each of us is responsible to respond to faith’s prompting without worrying about whether our responses measure up to other people’s expectations. Whether a life is worthy of His call, is…well…His call.

Lord, help me to do more, judge less, and stop worrying about being judged.

In the land of the living

Maureen — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:23:21 +0000

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Ps. 27:13

Life on earth contains some bleak moments and hard paths. Even these rough patches are not outside His goodness. He reveals His goodness in the beauty of His creation, His faithful provision, and the love of a friend. He balances our hard times with times of celebration and restoration. God may be saving the best for last but He’s not saving everything for last.

Lord, help me see Your goodness today.

If you care, God cares

Maureen — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:45:14 +0000

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. I Pet. 5:7

We are not merely faceless players in God’s big plan, each of us is truly significant to God the way each child in a family is significant to parents. God knows what is going on in each of our lives. Our worries and cares, our delights and dreams matter to Him. He is even big enough to care about and handle the conflicting worries and concerns that arise among His children. God can be trusted with our hearts.

Here, Lord, sort this out, my worry can’t fix it.

I’ll have what He’s having

Maureen — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:22:46 +0000

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” Jn. 4:34

Human beings seek physical and emotional nourishment from a number of sources, not all of which are healthy. In order to feel satisfied we may feed our stomachs, our egos, our bank accounts, etc. Rather than seeking to gain a sense of fullness for himself, Jesus found fulfillment, satisfaction, and sustenance by focusing outward God’s purpose. This is God’s offer of fulfillment for all His children.

Lord, I want to be nourished and satisfied by fulfilling Your purposes for me.

Mother’s Day reflection

Maureen — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:56:17 +0000

What a pleasure to have children who are wise. May she who gave you birth be happy. O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Prov. 23:24a-26

I am happy to be the mother of each one of my grown-up children. May they continue look to God who is the source of any wisdom I could give them. May they follow whatever of my ways that are consistent with the ways of Jesus. May they remember our journey together with delight.

Lord, whatever I have of their hearts I give back to You and pray that every corner of their hearts be Your own.

We are family

Maureen — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:53:03 +0000

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. Jn. 19:27-28. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Rom. 16:13

Sometimes God puts together people who aren’t related and makes them family. There are mothers who need children and children who need mothers. And an extra mother or child never hurts either.

Lord, thanks for the family you’ve formed for me.

God’s true colors

Maureen — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:26:37 +0000

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me. Hos. 14:8

Ever put on a pair of sunglasses that makes everything look green? Maybe life needs a lens like that. When things look bleak God might looks less loving, caring or powerful than He really is. Praying, reading the Bible, hearing about others’ experiences with Him, and seeking out encouraging friends who love Him help us see God’s true colors.

Lord, forgive me when I despair. Help me see You as your really are in those times.

Here comes trouble

Maureen — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:05:08 +0000

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. Ps. 120:1

The important thing is not why the trouble happens but where it will lead. Troubles sometimes redirect our steps onto great paths we’d never have chosen for ourselves. Troubles sometimes test our strength and make us stronger still. Troubles that we take to God give Him an opportunity to be God in our lives and give us the opportunity to trust Him more.

Lord, I’d rather avoid them but lead, strengthen and direct me through the troubles I do encounter.