Being Blessed During Persecution

Dear God,

I don't exactly know how I can do this... How can I be blessed when, for example, people are upset with me, or dislike me because I believe in You? At times I also keep thinking of the way this is affecting my DS and DD. Because I want them to see me --- their Mother -- as a godly woman, but if they begin to doubt, then what...? Lord, please help my DS and DD to understand the need to suffer persecution at times, for Your sake...

When I put this into persepective, Lord, I know You suffered much more terrible persecution than I do sometimes. Although You were also tempted like us, You made the right choices. You didn't deserve what was done to You.

Please keep my faith, no matter what, Lord. When I am following You, I know I can be blessed, no matter what others say about me. Thank You, Jesus, for mapping the way for me and for my DS and DD...

Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say
all kinds of evil against you
because of me.
Matthew 5:11

The Most Secure Way

Dear God,

In my life, You are many times like an army surrounding me with Your awesome strength and power... an army that amazingly, cannot ever be defeated. I don't even have to depend on my limited might or abilities. You will always watch over me.

In these days of war and fighting around us, even my DS and DD notice the many uncertanties in our lives. When they become fearful, I can tell them how You are mightier than any army. You care for us all the way, and will surely be there when we need You.

During the times when I doubt, please remind me Lord, of this verse I have read for the day. Please bring it to my memory when I am afraid, uncertain, and scared. Teach me to draw on Your strength and fly above the storm so I can teach the same to my DS and DD. Thank You, Jesus...

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
2 Samuel 22:33

Part Of spiritual Maturity

Dear God,

I really want to grow spiritually. I need to -- for my own daily walk with You and for my DS and DD, and most importantly , because You have commanded me to. I must be more like You each day... You have given me a list of characteristics that need to be present in my life for this kind of spiritual maturity to take place.

Part of that list is temperance -- or self-sontrol. That I think, is a really tough one. There are so many areas in my life that require self-control. Sometimes it is hard to keep all of those areas straight, let alone to put this command into practice. I know that You wouldn't have to include self-control in the list if it weren't important.

Lord, You have promised to give me the strength to fulfill Your commands. Thank You for giving me the strength I need to grow spiritually.

For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
2 Peter 1:5-6

Planting The Truth

Dear God,

Today we came from a short family outing. My kids came home without cleaning themselves up. As I "surveyed" them from head to toe, I know that even if I do not actually see the dirt, they are covered with it. Their clothes have it too, and I quickly asked them to remove it and sent them to bathe and clean themselves before anything else.

I thought of the verse for today as my DS and DD cleaned themselves one after the other in the bathroom. I am to cast aside sin as I cast aside their dirty clothing. Then You ask me to receive Your Word with meekness. My children don't always face a bath with meekness, yet they always feel, look, and smell so much better afterward.

I want to kick away those filthy habits and embrace the words You have implanted in me. Lord, please fill me with the words of truth that can save my soul. Amen.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth
and the evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you.
James 1:21