thoughts by Gail Rodgers Archives - Page 6 of 16

Published March 29, 2022

You are Loved

Question: Do you find it easy or hard to accept how much God loves you?

You are precious in His sight. Today… yes, right now!

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

Father in Heaven, What wonderful understanding Your word gives me. Today I ask that You would give me strength in my inner being. Thank you that You reach out to strengthen me from Your vast store of riches. Help me to remember that today I have the living Christ dwelling within me. Remind me that this is my Source today in all I need to do or face.

Lord God, help me today to grasp how very much You love me. Help me to see in fresh ways how I am grounded by that love and rooted in it as a sure anchor for my life. Help me to believe it! What a heritage I share with other believers… this wonder of Your equipping love in my life. How we need to remind each other of this strengthening power that we have access to through Your Spirit.

Today when I am tempted to fall into thinking thoughts that drag me down, remind me of this rich love that You pour over me and into my life. Remind me, by Your Spirit, that this love is wider and longer and higher and deeper than I can ever imagine. Let me feel wrapped and encased in that love today. Help me to grasp this truth when I am tempted to feel less because of my own limited abilities or resources or circumstances.

Father, thank you that growing in this understanding of the riches of Your love will fill me up with a fullness and a completeness that can come from nothing else. Set me on a journey today to reply on You in every detail of my life. Let me live in the fullness of Your love today like never before. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus with thanksgiving. Amen.

Question: Do you find it easy or hard to accept how much God loves you? How does His love change the way you face the day?

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Send Jesus to the Door

Today when stress and worry come knocking at your door, send Jesus to answer it.

She is 78 years old. Though not actually related to me through bloodlines, she is truly family. I have called her “Auntie Lorna” for as long as I can remember.

Auntie Lorna has had more than her share of challenges in life, yet her visits never fail to bring laughter into the room.

Recently we visited on a Saturday afternoon. As we peeled vegetables and puttered in the kitchen preparing a meal together, Auntie Lorna shared her life. Unknowingly she also shared a great nugget of wisdom.

She told me about the cares that flood her heart. And then she said it, the nugget of wisdom that is so worth passing on.

She had hung up from a phone call that brought great concern to her heart and now she needed to leave the house to get to her responsibilities of the day. She felt overwhelmed. She wasn’t sure how she could go with dry eyes today. Worry and stress were at the door of her heart. She said, “I told the Lord, “I can’t handle this right now”, and so I just sent Jesus to the door”. She went on, “Though I might cry all the way over to nursing home (where she gives her time regularly), Jesus answered the door and took the worry and I was able to go in with a smile.”

“Send Jesus to the door”. What a beautiful, simple, perfect picture of wisdom.

Today when stress and worry come knocking at your door, send Jesus to answer it. It’s not always easy, but it is simple. Let Him deal with it. Receive His love and strength and go do what needs to be done.

1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you”.

Take that burden that overwhelms you today and cast it into His open arms. Send him to answer the worry and stress as they knock at your heart door. He is able.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8

Thank you Lord, for Auntie Lorna and for her nugget of wisdom. Thank you for those You put in our lives to share light on our pathway. Today I ask that You would answer the door of my heart when worry and stress bang to enter. Thank you for the promise of Your care. Thank you that You are able to give me all that I need today to walk where You have called me to walk. Help me to do what is in front of me right now and grant me peace. I pray this in Jesus’ name and with a thankful heart, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Come Near to God

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;

Shelly envied her friend. Nell seemed to feel God’s nearness and find comfort in His presence daily. Shelly had invited God into her life too yet He often felt distant and she wondered why.

God’s Word holds the answer. It says:

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8

Just how do you come near to God? How do you enter into His presence and feel His nearness and draw on His comfort?

Start with offering your thanks to God for His blessings in your life. Even when life is difficult find the blessings, however small they seem, and thank Him for them. God says we enter His gates with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving opens the door.

Next, begin to praise God for the faithful characteristics of who He is. Praise Him for His compassion toward you. Praise Him for His mercy and His forgiving heart toward you. Praise Him for His faithfulness and the fact that He can always be trusted, even in the dark. Choose to praise Him for His graciousness toward you.

Cultivate a thankful heart. Keeping the faithfulness of God in clear view through deliberate praise will open the door to His presence in new ways.

Begin today. Loosen the doubt and the lack of trust from your heart by going through the gate of thanksgiving.

Loosen the fear and skepticism from your heart by praising God for who He is. Take time to let the truths of His character penetrate your heart. He is good and He is faithful.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name, for the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4 & 5

Prayer: Father God, My heart is hungry to feel Your presence close to me. Help me to enter into Your presence through the gate of thanksgiving. Remind me to draw near to You with praise for the wonderful qualities of who You are. You are good, Father God. I trust You to come near to me as I declare Your blessings and Your character. Let these truths penetrate my heart, shape my thinking and change my attitudes today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Prayer to Discern what is Best

Paul, praying for the believers said,

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

Prayer to action this in my life:

Father God, I ask right now that You would help me to grow in having my heart filled with overflowing love for You. Keep me growing in my understanding of that love and how your Truth can help me avoid error in my own life.

Father, help me to discern what is best and give me strength to follow that course. Help me to keep my heart pure in thought and attitude and to live my life in such a way that I cast no shadow on Your name. May my life reflect the love of Jesus, may I share His joy and bring His peace into areas of conflict. May I be patient with those who I find abrasive and be gentle in return. May I reflect Your goodness to others and share my faith in You. Let my life be marked by a humility that shows my confidence is in You and not in my own wisdom. Let my life proclaim who my God is!! In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Trade Anxiety for Peace

God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God… And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6 & 7

God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully. (Proverbs 4:23)

He also gives us amazing insight as He tells us how HE will also guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It isn’t all up to us. Yes, we make the choice to pay attention to what we allow to settle there. We need to choose wisely and bring our thoughts and concerns to Him for His help.

And then God does the amazing and gives us a peace in our hearts that is beyond understanding! This peace itself guards our hearts and minds from dangerous stress and hasty, unwise choices. Thanksgiving is a key.

Everyday there is much to be thankful for. There is also much to keep one feeling anxious and worried. Yet God calls you to live in thanksgiving and in peace. Worry only gives way to fear and fear will displace your faith causing anxiety to grow. God tells us to let faith take the upper hand and cover over the fear that tries to slip in and rob you of peace. Let the truth of His word change your anxious heart and mind and let worry be your call to prayer.

Dear God, Fill my heart and mind with the recollection of all I have to say “thank you” for. Thank you that as I take responsibility for guarding my heart and bringing my fears to You, YOU also guard my heart and mind with Your amazing peace. What a wonderful exchange! Today I turn my worried thoughts over to you and ask You to preside over the details of my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Advent – JOY

During this time of Advent take some time to give yourself a digital cleanse. Look up from your devices for someone to specifically connect with.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Communicating is at an all time high in our digital world of social media and information access! Yet real connecting seems to be slipping. Loneliness is trending higher in recent years than ever before.

Oh, Facebook gives ample opportunity to display just how “happy” we really are with our smiling selfies and the cool places we check in at. But the loneliness and isolation many feel is not uncommon.

God invites us to reach out to others and faithfully take charge of handing out His favour, His grace, through the means He has given us.

Someone around you is lonely this Christmas Season. Maybe your own heart is longing for belonging. Advent gives us a road map out of the barren Land of Lonely. It’s a map that leads us to Jesus and to one another.

As we hand out favour to those around us simply because we have received the unmerited favour (grace) of God, we find a new level of true JOY.

- Use your gift of compassion to reach out to someone who is alone right now.
- Use your gift of finances to ease the burden of someone struggling to pay the rent this month.
- Use your gift of hospitality to open your home to someone needing the warmth you have to offer.
- Use your gift of encouragement to write some special notes this Christmas.

Advent is the time of year when we pause and think not only of the Christ child – but of the Savior of the world! This Jesus offers us unmerited grace and invites us to share it with others.

Make a quiet decision to look around on the path you are on today and really see who Jesus has put alongside you. Tell Him you will be His faithful steward, freely passing out the grace He has given to you.

“Jesus and Others and You – what a wonderful way to spell JOY.”

PRAYER

Father God, Today I want to make the choice to find someone in the Land of Lonely and as my offering to You, faithfully give away Your love and grace. I know that when I put You and others before my own self focus, I find an unusual map that leads me out of the Land of Lonely too. Fill my heart with the desire to truly see others and to freely pass out the grace I have received. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

TAKE ACTION

During this time of Advent take some time to give yourself a digital cleanse. Look up from your devices for someone to specifically connect with. Invite Jesus into your own lonely places and ask Him to walk with you there. Then ask Him to open your eyes to see someone who needs to know His love this week. Use your gifts to offer grace in one of its many forms.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

True Hope

The message of Christmas is a call to look with fresh eyes at what Jesus brings to our lives every day!

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my HOPE is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4 & 5

True hope is so much more than wishing and hoping. It’s having a confident expectation!

“The world feels heavy these days”, a young mom commented to me. Even in this Christmas season when hearts are generous and loving, we sense a holding back as uncertainty weaves its way through our lives.

Yet the very message of Christmas is a message that can breathe HOPE into our hearts. The message of Christmas is a call to look with fresh eyes at what Jesus brings to our lives every day! It’s so much more than a warm story of a baby boy born in a stable. This Jesus who we celebrate at Christmas, is the the One who can bring HOPE to us every day, even all day.

Where is anxiousness pulling at you today?
Do you need God’s mighty power to move on your behalf?
Do you need His love to embrace you?
Do you need His wisdom to tame your thoughts and bring peace to your mind?

When Jesus’ birth was foretold in the early writings of the Bible, it was said that this One who would come would be called:

Wonderful Counsellor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Every need you or I will encounter today can be encompassed and met through this Jesus. He offers us:

His wise counsel
His mighty power
His amazing love
His peace that passes understanding

This Advent ask Jesus to show you His ways and teach you His paths in a fresh way. They are paths of peace and wisdom, love and power, even as we weave our way through uncertainty. Our confident expectation can rightfully rest in Him who is our HOPE all day long.

PRAYER:

Lord God, Please guide me today. Thank you that I can put my confident expectation in Jesus to help me through the challenge of ——————–name it————————today. Help me to see this season of Christmas with new eyes as I declare my hope is in You today. I need You. Help me to keep my eyes on You all day long as I await Your power to be at work in my circumstances. In Your strong name I pray, Amen.

What is one thing that is robbing your peace today?
Ask God to specifically show you His way through it and teach you His ways in it. Keep your eyes and heart open for His appearance and His wisdom.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Renewed

Jesus lifts us from the things that drag us down, and helps us focus on His great love and compassion

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits –
-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
-who redeems your life from the pit and
-crowns you with love and compassion,
-who satisfies your desires with good things
-so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5

As I pause and ponder this beautiful piece of God’s word I am amazed at the picture these words paint.

On the one hand are the things God’s love rescues us from.

So much stress and anxiety come from things we feel we should do and should have done, yet have not. Here God tells us that all, even our sins of omission, the things we have omitted to do, are forgiven. All the past and present “shoulds” are wiped clear off the table. We are released to listen daily to what He instructs us to do, rather than the guilt of the “shoulds” we put upon ourselves.

All the things that erode our minds and our bodies can be brought to Jesus . Much of what we allow to erode our thoughts and steal our peace, is what erodes our bodies as well. He invites us to release our thoughts and emotions, to Him which in turn, brings health to our minds and our bodies.

When the darkness of discouragement, disapproval, disappointment, or anything that dims the Light of Jesus threatens to pull us into the pit, Jesus is there to calm our hearts. He pulls us back to the Light. He releases us from the darkness and redeems our lives.

He draws us to Himself for cleansing, healing and rescue.

On the other hand, He reminds us of what He restores and renews in our lives as well.

He has crowned us with His love and His compassions that never fail. His faithfulness rests on us and over us. He will empower us to keep the “shoulds” and the erosion and the darkness away.

He places desires in our hearts that will bring good, and then He satisfies those desires Himself. We can have confident expectation that our God brings beauty out of ashes and gives joy in place of mourning as He renews our lives.

As He lifts us from the things that drag us down, and helps us focus on His great love and compassion, our desires change and He brings new fulfillment to our lives. This energizes us with strength, and the confidence of youth rises up within as He enables us to soar like an eagle.

What a beautiful word picture of God’s hand in our lives, first to rescue and redeem us, and then to give us new desires and renewed strength to soar.

Pause and ponder.

Heavenly Father, What a beautiful picture You give us of life lived with You. Please help me today to give to You all the things that tend to drag me down. Help me to focus on the limitless love and compassion that You crown me with. May I rise up with energy and focus to do the good things that You put in my heart. Thank you for Your faithfulness in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

What is Following You?

In Psalm 23 He invites us to pitch our tent and camp on the fact that He is our Good Shepherd.

What eats at the heels of your life as you walk?

Worry? Stress? Fear? God promises Goodness and Mercy will follow you as you follow Him.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

Stop for a moment and try to identify what it is that is on your heels as you go through your day. Do you feel pressured by time? Does thankfulness leave it’s trail behind you as you go? Or Is fear of tomorrow or regret of yesterday chasing after you?

God knows we tend to live with things at our heels. In Psalm 23 He invites us to pitch our tent and camp on the fact that He is our Good Shepherd. When we choose daily to follow Him He leads us in quiet places and gives rest and strength to our souls. Oh, the stuff of life may clamor and swirl yet He offers peace as we focus on Him.

He knows the valleys and the shadows that will “dog” us as we walk yet He calls us to walk calmly, confidently and fearlessly with Him. HE will nurture us even when we walk in unfriendly territory.

Your cup can run over today with joy and thankfulness, no matter what else is happening. It’s possible because the Good Shepherd leads you and He will make sure goodness and mercy follow you as you follow Him.

Thank you Lord that You are my Good Shepherd. May my focus today be on You first and the peace and confidence and fearlessness that You help me to walk in. Thank you for Your promise that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Give me an undivided heart to follow hard after You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

I suggest you print off Psalm 23 and carefully read through it every day this week in both the morning and the evening. It will impact your life!

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Everything?

Isn’t that amazing! God’s divine power will give you everything you need to walk through whatever life brings and with a godly perspective!

“God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3

Isn’t that amazing! God’s divine power will give you everything you need to walk through whatever life brings and with a godly perspective!

That means that through everything God will give you all you need to get through. He’s not promising riches and fame here, but He is promising you will have what you need when the waters of life rise threateningly and you wonder if you just might drown in worry, despair, or dread. His divine power will come to your rescue! But how does it happen when gloom and worry hover ominously or when restlessness overtakes your soul?

Through our knowledge of Him!

The depth of all God is for you, in this very day and in this very moment, is portrayed through His names and, as your knowledge of Him grows so does your faith. His divine power begins to work within you as you steep yourself in the knowledge of all He brings to your life to help you live in victory even in the midst of challenges.

The name of Jesus as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace” captures it all in nutshell. Yet to continue to explore the full depth of God’s names will enrich your life in a way that will enable you to experience His divine power at work in and around you. Ponder these “broad strokes” of His character:

God is vast and real! There is nothing and no one that escapes His knowledge.

God is present! You are never alone even in the midst of deep challenge.

God is love. He doesn’t promise that your life will never be touched by the harsh realities of this world, and by the choices of others. Yet He does promise His love and His love can be trusted to carry you and to work even the harshest of realities out for your eventual good and for His glory to show the world that He is the God who cares. He is your Redeemer, the One who buys back the “train wrecks” of your life and makes something beautiful.

God is eternal. He is. He always will be. The deep call within your heart for something more, for something better, is His call within you. Because God has put eternity in your heart nothing will satisfy fully until your hand is securely in His every day as you walk the journey of life with Him.

He is God! As your knowledge of Him grows so will your faith and, as life opens up in a whole new way you will experience His divine power at work within you!

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Parked

Connecting with God is more than distracted reading. God’s Spirit waits to connect with your Spirit in a meaningful way.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Are you parked in your faith and not moving forward, as you would like?

Connecting with God is more than distracted reading, a quick SOS prayer or a church event. God’s Spirit waits to connect with your Spirit in a meaningful way.

Find 15 minutes to simply sit quietly on your deck, a park bench, in your home with the TV off, or your parked car. Listen for His Spirit to speak to you as you think on the words below. He will come to you when you stop and come to Him.

“COME unto me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest…for your souls.” Matthew 11:28

C – CAST your concerns

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Believe He cares. Tell Him your questions, your disappointment, your lack of faith.

O – OPEN your heart

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Ask His Holy Spirit to bring you courage, strength, and wisdom. Tell Him your physical needs too. Admit your doubts to Him. He understands you.

M – MAKE REQUEST

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

Lay aside your idea of solutions and ask God to give you what He knows you need. Thank Him for the help He will send.

E – EXPECT

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Breathe. His Spirit is there to guide you. Your trust will grow and, amazingly, His peace and joy will flow over you and even spill out around you.

Lord God, Make my spirit come alive today in the knowledge and power of Your Spirit at work within me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pray the COME acronym every day this week.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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All Day Long

Published October 14, 2021

All Day Long

Questions: How would you define hope? What is the difference between wishing and hoping?

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long” Psalm 25:4, 5

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the promise and hope of Your Word. Thank You that You can be counted on to guide me through my day. Today I need to walk in the hope that only You can give. My way is unclear, my path sometimes feels like it twists and turns in confusing and busy ways as I wind my way along my journey.

Show me Your ways, Lord. Show me how You would walk in these places. Teach me Your paths of grace and mercy and integrity and love. Help me to grasp Your ways so I can walk securely in them even in insecure places. I need Your perspective today.

Guide me in Your truth, Lord. Without Your Word active in my heart and mind I cannot know Your truth. Help me to make time to read my Bible. Help me to take time to think on it and let it penetrate my heart. Lord, Your Word will guide me as a beacon and a light. I need Your Word to guide me. Forgive me when I have left it on the shelf or have simply grabbed a verse and run off for the day, quickly forgetting what I read.

Thank You that You promise to guide me and teach me as I let Your truth impact my heart and my mind.

Oh Lord, You are my Savior, my rescuer and my redeemer. You alone are the One who restores and renews my spirit and brings meaning to my life. You bless me. May my heart overflow with thanksgiving to You for Your hand in my life.

I will put my hope in You today, all day long. Remind me by Your Holy Spirit to look to You to guide me. Call me into Your quiet presence to think on Your truths and may I not be distracted. This is the oxygen of my soul. Thank You that You give the hope and help and peace I need today. Thank You that You never cease to call me to Yourself. Help me to respond afresh to Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

Questions: How would you define hope? What is the difference between wishing and hoping? Why can we hope in God all day long?

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Following Jesus

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NCV)

Father in Heaven,

I need You in my life. Forgive me for going my own way without acknowledging You. Thank you that You sent Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you that You forgive me. Cleanse my heart and come into my life today. Please help me to grasp Your ways so I can walk securely in them even in insecure places. I need Your perspective in my life.

Guide me in Your truth, Lord God. Help me to make time to read my Bible. Thank you that Your Word will guide me as a beacon and a light.

You are my Savior, my Rescuer and my Redeemer. Thank you that it is You alone who restores and renews my spirit and brings meaning to my life.

Today I put my trust in You. Thank you that You will give me the hope and help and peace I need in my journey through life. Thank you that You are my Savior.

In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Taking Time to Care

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Be intentional today to stand as one loved by God, with purpose and dignity. Reach out in kindness to someone today and feel His love flow to you … and through you.

God’s love, given generously through you, has a way of coming full circle back to you.

You have much to give! Stand tall! His grace will shelter you and protect you. His grace will fulfill you. His grace will enable you to step forward and not shrink back. His grace will enable you to give CARE even when you desperately want to receive care yourself. His grace is given to you in order to be given away. Let His grace flow to you … and through you as you care in the ways He has made you to uniquely show His love. It will fill you up in an unexpected way.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Four ways to show C A R E today …

C – Compassion = concern, kindness, consideration.
As you go through your day today ask God to show you where and how you can show kindness, consideration and concern in a meaningful and simple way to someone on your pathway. When you feel the nudge take the time to respond. Show consideration.

A – Appreciate
Show appreciation in an intentional and specific way to someone whom the Lord highlights on your radar screen today. Be genuinely appreciative. Say “thanks”.

R – Reach Out
Don’t wait for others to take the first step to greet, speak, say or do something. Be ready to reach out in the moment you become aware of the choice. Go first.

E – Encourage
It costs nothing to say a sincere and encouraging word. Be aware today that you have the power of life and death in your tongue. Bite your tongue when careless words want to spill out. Ask God to fill your mind and heart with His goodness toward others. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Use your words to build.

Prayer to help action CARE in your life: Father God, Today my heart yearns for love. To answer that yearning, please help me to extend CARE to those in my circle. Let me feel Your lavish love toward me today and help me to pass it out. May consideration, appreciation and encouragement mark my attitudes, words and actions today as I reach out with Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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Draw Your Focus Back

Published September 22, 2021

Draw Your Focus Back

“The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Amidst the details and lists clamoring for my attention, I found Psalm 23 running through my mind. So, I pushed aside the lists for a few minutes and wrote myself a prayer for my day based on Psalm 23. It made a difference in my attitude and in my sense of peace as I focused on God’s impact on my day.

Life is full and good. Even so, I need to be aware of choosing my focus or I can get bogged down with details and concerns and end up being unproductive and unfruitful. Writing helps me keep my focus.

What is it that draws your focus back to the Lord in the midst of busy days? Is it a walk in the calm of nature? A visit with a friend who shares your faith? Playing music that washes the dust off your soul? Listening to an inspiring podcast?

Where we focus, we follow. Keep heading toward the Lord in your focus today and you won’t find yourself in the ditch of worry or unfruitfulness. Follow Him as your Guide!

Oh Lord, You are my constant guide; my spirit receives from You all I need. You remind me to rest so I can find spiritual nourishment from You. You lead me to drink the refreshing water of Your Spirit by reading Your Word and letting it sink into my heart and mind. When I do, my thoughts and emotions are quieted. I am lifted above the fray of countless details and concerns to find renewed strength and joy as I re-focus on You.

You lead me along the path that is right, the path that draws praise to You and Your name. Even as the enemies of fear and worry, distraction and dread skirt around my path, You prepare a feast for me; You invite me to sit and be refreshed as You watch defensively over me. My heart overflows as You tend to me.

With You as my constant guide, I can count on Your goodness and mercy to be at my heels, every step of the way. Thank You for Your strength and Your refreshing presence that anchors me both today and forever! Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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Category: <span>thoughts by Gail Rodgers</span>

Question: Do you find it easy or hard to accept how much God loves you?

Further Reading

Today when stress and worry come knocking at your door, send Jesus to answer it.

Further Reading

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise;

Further Reading

Further Reading

God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully.

God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully. (Proverbs 4:23)

Further Reading

During this time of Advent take some time to give yourself a digital cleanse. Look up from your devices for someone to specifically connect with.

PRAYER

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Further Reading

The message of Christmas is a call to look with fresh eyes at what Jesus brings to our lives every day!

Further Reading

Jesus lifts us from the things that drag us down, and helps us focus on His great love and compassion

Further Reading

In Psalm 23 He invites us to pitch our tent and camp on the fact that He is our Good Shepherd.

Further Reading

Isn’t that amazing! God’s divine power will give you everything you need to walk through whatever life brings and with a godly perspective!

Further Reading

Connecting with God is more than distracted reading. God’s Spirit waits to connect with your Spirit in a meaningful way.

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Questions: How would you define hope? What is the difference between wishing and hoping?

Further Reading

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NCV)

Further Reading

Further Reading

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“The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

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