Thank You For Your Promises

Dear God,

Becoming a wife and mother is one of the most precious blessings I ever received from You.  It brings so much happiness, and it fills my heart with a fresh, and special kind of love everyday.

My DH, DS and DD complete me, and they allow me to keep a very special memory etched in my heart; first, when I got married, and second, when I gave birth to each of my children.

But even though my life as a wife and mom is filled with love, joy, and all kinds of happiness, it is also laced with fears, doubts, and endless questions...And at times, the demands are overwhelming.  I thank You Father, because You do not expect me to accomplish my tasks alone.  Your Word is filled with so many promises.

And so I thank You, because I can always draw comfort from Your Word, and claim Your promises for my own life.  It is also my prayer that my personal, and fellowship times with You will always be a source of my strength and encouragement from You.  Amen.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.

Psalm 145:13

Do Not Worry

Dear God,

Often I am such a worrywart, and my worries drive me crazy after they pile up in my mind.  I try hard to convince myself  that it is just a healthy concern for the family, but in my heart, I know better.  I know it's nothing short of worry, and Your Word tells me it shouldn't be part of my life.

I should "not worry" about anything.  And there are so many other constructive things for me to do each day, and worrying consumes so much of my energy.  At times, it seems to affect almost every area of my life, and dampens my joy.  It sometimes harms and affects my relationship with my DH, DS, and DD, including some other people that surround me.

Please, Father, I do not want worry to overtake my life.  Help me to give my concerns up to You, and to concentrate on the work You have for me.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

Wisdom and Kindness

Dear God,

You have said it clearly, that one requirement for being a virtuous woman is that the words I speak be seasoned with wisdom and kindness.  By that I know I must be careful and mindful of how I speak, not only to my DS and DD, but also to my DH, and other people.

It is definitely not an easy task to achieve, because many times my reactions are quick and foolish, and mostly, regrettable.  And then when it is too late, I stop to consider the effect my words or actions have had.

Dear Father, please help me think before I speak!  Put the right words in my mouth so I could build up others and not tear them down.  My greatest desire is to be a virtuous mother.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31:26

To Be Victorious

Dear God,

You have said in Your Word, that I have a place with you in Heaven.  Not only that, but You also said that I will be seated with You in Your throne!  I cannot fully understand how that can happen, but I am humbled and awed by Your promise.

Being victorious isn't something I can do on my own.  And without constant encouragement and example, my kids won't be able to avoid doing the wrong things and stick to the right.  When I show them and tell them about Your ways, then they will be able to experience victory as they learn more about who You are.

There will be certain times, I am sure, when I would be needing You and Your Word to guide me as I journey the road.  Please help me become victorious as I look forward to that day when I sit with You in heaven.

To the one who is victorious,

I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,

just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3:21

Get Wisdom

Dear God,

My quiet time verse for today tells me to get something -- wisdom -- being the first, and clearly, the one I should prioritize.

I shared with my DS and DD that in order for them to gain wisdom, they need to be obedient to all the rules and statutes You give us.  When we are obedient, we can fully, and truly understand who You really are.  And with everything in us, we should strive to be wise and to know You in all Your power and glory. 

Father, please help me to show my kids the importance and need for them to be self-controlled, and not to give-in to the lures and temptation of sin.  When we turn our backs on sin can we only and truly get an understanding of wisdom.  We need a boost of Your strength to help us reach this important goal.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7

Peace That Is Perfect

Dear God,

We live in a world full of chaos and turmoil.  There doesn't seem to be any peace either from small neighborhoods to even those in the other side of the world.  There is rampant fighting, wars, bombs, threats, and so much more.  How can we ever find peace, solace, and tranquility around us?  Reality bites -- no earthly army can protect us from harm.

But, my quiet time message today promises that when we trust in You fully, we will experience peace.  The kind of peace that transcends all kinds of understanding...  The peace that we all need amidst wars and rumors of wars...  Our reliance on You alone can only bring us unexplainable comfort and contentment. 

As I explained the real meaning of peace to my kids today, they understood that it is the very core of calmness deep inside us.  No matter what happens to tilt us on the surface, You are in our innermost being, bringing peace, harmony and comfort in our lives.  Thank You, Father, that we can always trust in You.

You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

So Many Reasons To Give Thanks

Dear God,

Like Daniel, I thank You for answering my prayers.  There are so many answered prayers in my life as a whole...  You have said "yes" to my prayer for a husband and children...  You have given me wisdom as You promised...  You have provided financially and physically for us, even when circumstances made it impossible...  It is a wonderful assurance  to know that we have a God who delights in hearing and answering our prayers, and I am glad to be able to give thanks.

Lord, I want my heart and mind to be able to continue to be filled with praise and thanksgiving to You.  Please continue to keep me anchored in the thought that all You do is for our own good, and for your honor and glory.  You deserve our worship and praises, so please accept our hearts that is full of thanksgiving.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Daniel 2:23

Standing Our Ground

Dear God,

I am aware that in this world, there are a lot of temptations that are hard to see.  The devil fights against us and I see his subtlety in the ways my DS and DD are tempted by their friends, peers, and the influences of society in general, to do wrong.  I am not immune to it either, Father.

But I thank You for always providing a way out so we can be protected from Satan's lies.  I shared with the kids how You cover us from the top of our heads to the very soles of our feet.  All we have to do is make the decision to put on the armor You have provided.  When we are properly dressed in Your protective gear, we can always stand against evil and  temptation, no matter how deceptive it can be.

Therefore put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground,

and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13

Sound Doctrine

Dear God,

I thank You for giving us sound doctrine.  I know You have set boundaries for e that I can follow and also teach to my kids.  We don't have to guess what is right or what is wrong.  All we have t do in our part, is look to You and Your Word for guidance.

Lord, please guard my tongue as I teach my DS and DD.  Do not let me say foolish things that will lead to confusion or doubt, causing them to stumble or be led astray.  Instead, please do let me be a constant reminder of the way You want us to walk right beside You.  Season my speech with love and grace to encourage both my kids to walk in Your path. 

I praise You, Father, that Your Word is a light for us to follow, a glorious lamp in the darkness of this world.

You, however, must teach

what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Titus 2:1

Being Overjoyed

Dear God,

The day will come when your glory will be revealed to all of us...  Our earthly lives will come to an end, and we will be in heaven with You.

What a joyous time that will be!  The bible promises that there will be no more pain, no more tears, and no ore suffering.  I cannot begin to imagine what that day will be like, but I look forward to that time with great longing.  The biggest joy will be sharing that tie with You, Father. 

In the real world, there is always some kind of suffering in all of us, so I must always remember that my kids' suffering is every bit as real to them as mine is to me.  I need to show compassion, and to also show them that they are facing exceeding joy because of these trials in life.  Thank You, Father, for allowing us to partake of Your suffering.

 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate

in the sufferings of Christ,

so that you may be overjoyed

when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:13

My Portion Forever

Dear God,

It's like TIME is rushing past me swiftly.  Some days I feel so weak and old.  I don't have the energy I used to have when my DS and DD were younger.  I love my family, but sometimes I get so worn out when I am with them.  Physically, and because of Diabetes, I am wearing out.  And it doesn't feel very good.

In my innermost being, and in my heart, I still feel strengthened by You.  No matter how slow I become, or how feeling weak at times I feel, to get up in the morning, I still want to serve You, and offer my day to You in any way I can.  I can pray for my DH, DS and DD during the rest moments I need.  I am truly grateful for those times, Father.  What a blessed promise that this inner strength will be my portion forever.

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. 

Psalm 73:26

Living A Truly Fruitful Life

Dear God,

Ever since becoming a Christian, I have been familiar with the fruit of the Spirit.  I also told my kids about it too, and find refreshment when I hear messages about it in church, small groups, or even in seminars.  But I quickly realized I have been partial to the fruit, and favored hearing messages about the topics of love, joy, and peace.  After all, those traits are easy to apply and practice in life --- or at lest, it's easy to pretend that they are present in my life...

But self-control???  Well, that's a personal matter.  I feel it is none of any preacher's business, right?  Okay, Lord.  I know that it is conviction I am faced with when the preacher talks about it.  Your Holy Spirit tells me that self-control is not one of my strengths.  And I need to work on that area faithfully.  Rather than feeling offended, please help me to turn my struggle over to You and allow You to develop self-control in my life.  Thank You, Father.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, forbearance,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

You Are My Salvation

Dear God,

When my kids were little, I remember when each had their first taste of going to the big school, and I was not allowed to go inside their classrooms anymore.  I could see the trepidation in their eyes, and knew that they were afraid.  So I reminded them of one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  I often reminded myself of that verse whenever I was in an uncertain situation too.  The words reminded me of You, and Your saving grace, and the promise comforted me.  I was reminded to trust in You, Father.

Because You are my salvation, You truly are my strength, and my song...  I can teach my kids to sing, no matter what is going on around them.  And I want us to make a joyful noise to You --- the anchor and finisher of our faith.  We will praise You with every note we sing.

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself,

is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

A Life Of Praise

Dear God,

Thank You for the gifts you have been giving me.  Somewhere along my life, You know the trials I have faced... 

Today I heard my kids pray for me.  Their words are simple but heartfelt, I was overcome by joy and gladness within.  The times that You have allowed me to teach them to talk to You, and follow You, have given them an understanding of who You are.  They know You hear, listen, and answer their prayers.

I pray that my life will be a sacrifice for You, Lord.  Please help me to live a life of praise for You before my DS and DD.  Guide and direct me in showing them both how to make the sacrifice of praise to You.

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.

Psalm 54:6