Last year, when I was moving from an apartment I lived in for many years, I realized that I had mostly collected items that either I never used or didn’t remember I had purchased. I spent time collecting and buying things but didn’t spend a lot of time storing up treasured memories of friends, family and vacations.
Maybe it’s fine to have less furniture that I may make room for friends who would like to visit. Maybe it’s just fine not to have a new dress every month if it means having a little bit more money to travel to visit family.
Staying a little longer after a church service might be an opportunity to make a new friend or prayer partner. Family, friends, tenderness—our interior and exterior life are what matters to God. Maybe treasures can be found there every day.
I also have prayed for Katie and Kalt and all affected in that situation. Well said Debbie we can hoard so much excess when so little is needed. Thank you Vivian for a very thoughtful reflection.
Indeed, hurt people hurt people! Hurt People by Sidewalk Prophets https://youtu.be/p8Pj3SGTTPs
My friend has taken his final journey. Yet he is not gone. He is with me on the golf course helping find my lost ball in the trees, sitting across from me when I have tea at Barnes and Noble, and sits with me when I read his favorite author. Friends are always there in memories and thoughts. He is apart of my life as is Jesus.
Gary, I love this. I have often asked my friends and family (after a loved one passes) if they have “come to them” yet. There is something about feeling their presence in those activities that is very comforting. Amen.
Gary Thank you for putting to words things I've felt many times about friends and relatives that have passed. Always a good feeling. Ken
Vivian thank you for the reminder. Downsizing things and oversizing the heart. Amen. Lifting all those who need it today! Peggy, thank you for asking about Juan and Susan. I touch base daily. Improvements happening, but slow. I will speak with Juan this a.m. He’s a bit downhearted right now with worry - about caregiving, is her brain healed, what is this is permanent, etc…Continuing to lift and send light there. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you for reminder. I am thankful for my LF family.
Loved, "Lord, help me respond to the invitation to find soul-treasures that matter!" *** Here is the foundation of the Christian Faith in Ephesians 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God (all God); it is not from works (not you and I), so no one may boast. For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance (the horse before the cart), that we should live in them!" *** It is not what we do or who we are, but Who He is and what He has done! Who Am I by Casting Crown https://youtu.be/mBcqria2wmg?si=nOdS_N5nMngBBWs7 *** I teach my students in BSF to know the basic truths of the Christian faith: 1) Know WHAT you believe 2) Know WHY you believe 3) Know HOW to tell others WHAT you believe and WHY you believe ******* What does this Bible passage of Scripture reveal about God - His person, His purposes, and/or His work? It is important to know God because WHAT/WHO we believe about God determines what/who we believe about ourselves, our world, our purposes, our lives, and HOW we behave!!!
Please pray for my daughter, Katie who is a teenager and getting targeted by another teenage girl at school who is gossiping about her and spreading rumors. This has caused my daughter to hurt herself and to be very upset. Please pray that she makes Christlike friends who want the best for her. She has had trouble making friends in the past. Please pray that Jesus helps her through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you so much for your prayers. My daughter is getting help through therapy, but needs help from Jesus most of all to be strong through this difficult time. Thank you.
Kalt, blessings this morning. You don't say whether you've contacted your daughters' school, can they help? Also does your church have a youth program your daughter might like. God does work in many ways. May our Lord hear our prayers and may you and your daughter feel his wonderful love. Rita.
KALT...worry, fear and heartbreak I can't imagine how overwhelmed you are for Katie. Please know I have tucked you and Katie, as well as the girl who is the source of concern, in my prayers...right next to ALL of our Living Faith Family petitions. I totally agree with Jane ~ Kevin M. is spot on in his comments! Thank you, Kevin M. And as always...God Bless Us ALL And All Who We Love!
Please know that I join the others in LFF in praying for your daughter Katie and the girl who is hurting her. May Our Lord Jesus give Katie the strength that she needs to weather this storm in her young, sweet life. May the other girl receive the youthful grace to understand that she’s hurting someone who’s her fellow human. Bully’s are usually hurting inside themselves. Praying for you KALT as you hurt for your child. Lord Jesus please shower them with your Love and protection.
My oldest daughter's name is Katie :-) Sharing with you a glimpse of my CBS (Community Bible Study) women study on Job this week! *** Q25. How would you describe Job's final response to God? Do you think you would have responded in a similar way? Why, or why not? *** Job 42:1-6, "Job replied to the Lord, “I know that You can do anything. No one can keep You from doing what You plan to do. You asked me, ‘Who do you think you are to disagree with My plans? You do not know what you are talking about.’ I spoke about things I didn’t completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you some questions. Then I want you to answer Me.’ My ears had heard about You. But now my own eyes have seen You. So I hate myself. I’m really sorry for what I said about You. That’s why I’m sitting in dust and ashes.” *** Same!!! God, "Do you trust Me, Salina?" Salina, "Of course, I do!" God, "Why are you worrying? Do you believe My plan is better than yours?" Salina, "You know I do, Lord!" God, "Then why are you acting on your worries and wanting/changing things to be the way you want it to be?" Salina, "Yes, Lord! Your servant is listening now...I'm really sorry for worrying about my situations and not trusting in You, Your plan and Your timing! I should sit in dust and ashes as Job did..." ******* I feel like I have this same conversation with God above over and over again from time to time :-( especially when I have too much sugar which sedates me and puts me in a depressed mood :-))) *** Psalm 130:7, "I hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows!" Amen ♥️✝️♥️
Kalt I will pray for you and your daughter Katie right now. I have two daughters and I know the pain you fee when things hurt them. Jane is so right to pray for those people who hurt others. Ken
KALT, Kevin said it. There are days where my body isn’t up to typing but I carry those prayer needs with me through out the day. And on days that are really bad that I can’t manage to get on my meditation sites I catch up and then make my petitions a day or so later because I know God’s time is different from our time and a prayer today for yesterday can make a difference in God’s eternal time. Have a blessed day everyone.
Having raised three daughters and had six granddaughters, I am aware of how hurtful and cruel their peers can be. I pray that she can come to understand that Jesus is her friend who is always with her, loving her unconditionally, so much that He suffered and died for her. While you cannot always be there for her, He is there with complete understanding of her feelings and situation and unlimited compassion. I will pray for His guidance and protection and healing for both of you.
KALT, sending you and your daughter light to sweep this darkness away. Praying for a conversion of the heart for the girl who is damaging her. Amen.
Praying for Katie!
KALT, praying for you and your daughter Katie and the girl causing trouble. Also remembering and praying for Working Mom and her family. Please know that when someone requests prayers, whether we respond in text or not, we are praying for you. Prayer is powerful, God is hearing you, the Holy Spirit is interceding. May God bless everyone and their families in the LFF.
Praying for your daughter. Those are some great songs that Salena suggested and with teenagers or any age for that matter what you listen to can truly have an impact on your emotional state. During a very difficult time in my life a friend suggested I listen only to K-Love a Christian music station. I really believe God worked through that station to bring me back to my faith and the peace you can only know when you put God first. Blessing for your daughter and you, it's so hard to watch your children struggle at any age. May God bring you both strength through this.
No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k?si=af5CeJrozS4vkiXg
Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams https://youtu.be/sQTnREEtuNk?si=TLVGwx_vhjeMdcrg
Amother excellent song on replay: You Say by Lauren Daigle https://youtu.be/N8WK9HmF53w?si=wpYDhkBqRHwM0JzW
These Are The Days by Lauren Daigle https://youtu.be/RA8Lrtei90o?si=ntG4iMtZEqNGkQk7
The song coming out of COVID in Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle https://youtu.be/OoEr8BSsrxg?si=xgvnHKwPibl2VQmm
Vivian - Thank you you are wonderful. Love your reflection and each message you share with us . Have a magnificent day and may God continue the great works in you . Bless all the LFF and and those in need,. Yours in Christ always . Michael
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Wonderful devotion, Vivian. It hit home because I know I have way too much "stuff". Prayers said for KALT and her daughter, Katie. It is so hard as a parent to see your child in pain. May the girl who is bullying her realize the hurt she is causing. She may be in some kind of pain herself, which is causing her to act this way.