Rejoice Always

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Yesterday we prayed for my friend Lorrie who will have a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow.

We are praying for healing from her myeloma.

And that there is no sign of cancer.

And through it all, that God's will be done in her life.

Here's the prayer quilt I found for her.

Filled with Scriptures from the Psalms.

So tomorrow she can wrap herself in it while she undergoes her biopsy.

Covered in prayer.

If We Ask Anything According to God's Will, He Hears Us

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. — 1 John 5:14-15

We have confidence in approaching God.

If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Even before we ask, He knows our thoughts.

Whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of God.

And God knows what is best for us.

 

Live As God's Slaves

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 2 Peter 2:15-16

Yesterday we had a mom/daughter day at Mama Mia.

What a fun show!

Thry even offered a signature cocktail.

So of course, we each had to try. one.

It is God's will that by doing good we should silence ignorant and foolish people. 

God commands us not to use our freedom as a cover-up for evil.

But to live as God's slaves.

We Have Not Stopped Praying for You

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. — Colossians 1:9

We continually pray for each other.

And we ask God dto fill us up with His Holy Spirit.

And with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

Giving us the understanding that the Spirit gives.

Bring Unity to All Things in Heaven and Earth

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. — Ephesians 1:9-10 

God made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure.

He purposed this in Christ.

To bring unity to all things in heaven.

And to all things on earth under Christ.

Yesterday my colleagues decorated my desk for my birthday.

And they gave me chocolates and a book I had looked at ordering for myself.

Nothing like celebrating all week long!

I am blessed.

Do Not Conform to This World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

This is a tough verse to swallow.

It's hard not to confirm to the pattern of the world.

But God is ready to tranform us into something much better.

Renewing our mind so we can test and approve God's will for us.

His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yesterday, my writing team took me out to lunch to celebrate Boss's Day.

I am blessed by my coworkers and friends.

You Need to Persevere

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. — Hebrews 10:35-36 

God commands us to remain confident.

And to persevere in doing the will of God.

When we hesitate, He pushes us along.

Holding us up when we lose heart.

Providing the strength we need to persevere.

He is our Rock!

Be Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

God calls us to be in the world but not of it.

To be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ.

Not to conform to the pattern of this world.

All this so we will be able to test our for ourselves what God's will is for us.

To approve what He has in mind for us.

God's good, pleasing and perfect will for you and me.

Teach Me to Do Your Will

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. — Psalm 143:10 

God's Word teaches me to do His will.

For He is my God.

May His good and holy Spirit lead me.

And keep my feet on level ground.

Here's the baby ring neck snake that crawled into our house yesterday.

We'd left the door open throughout the evening during dinner.

He knew a good place when he saw it.

Fortunately, Kyle spotted it and he and Kirk managed to get it into this bucket.

He released it safely into the wild.

Confidence in Approaching God

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. — 1 John 5:14-15

We can have confidence when we come before God.

We know that God hears us when we talk with Him in prayer.

If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And we know that whatever we ask, He hears us.

We know that God always keeps His promises.

And that He wants what's best for us.

This is the confidence we have in God.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

God commands us to give thanks no matter what our circumstances.

That's not always easy to do.

Sometimes our circumstances are lousy and difficult.

It can be hard to see the blessings from God in some situations.

But when we ask, God's Holy Spirit will help illuminate those blessings.

Even in the midst of sadness and uncertainty.

This is God's will for me in Christ Jesus, His Son.

Here's my coworker with her baby girl.

So precious!

Live as Free People

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. — 1 Peter 2:15-16

It is God's will that we should do good to others.

He calls us to live as free people.

But He cautions us not to use our freedom for evil.

Rather, we are to live as God's slaves, following His lead and obeying Him.

That our actions and good deeds would help silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

The Mystery of God's Will

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. — Ephesians 1:9-10 

God made known the mystery of His will through Christ.

At just the right time, He will put His plans into effect.

According to God's good pleasure and purpose.

He will one day bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth.

At that time, He will defeat the ruler of this world and all things will be under Christ.

Jesus will reign forever.

Your Law Is Within My Heart

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. — Psalm 40:8 

God shows me His will in His Word, the Bible.

He sometimes gives me a shove in the right direction when I start to head off the wrong way.

His Holy Spirit lives within me to guide and direct me along the right path.

And His law lives within in my heart.

I desire to do God's will,

Even when I miss the mark.

He patiently guides me back into His way.

Tomorrow we head over to the zoo for Maddie's wedding.

Here she is with her sisters and aunt, second from the left.

Very exciting weekend!

Do Not Conform to the Pattern of This World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:1 

It's so easy to conform to the pattern of this world.

But God wants something better for me.

He wants to transform me into His image and renew my mind.

He wants me to be able to test, discern, and approve what God's will is.

We already know that His will is good, pleasing and perfect.

God knows what's best for me.

Whoever Does the Will of God Lives

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. — 1 John 2:17 

The world and its desires will pass away.

But those who do God's will are His children.

They have been saved by the blood of Jesus.

And He died so that we can live forever.

These Plumeria appeared to be just dead sticks and wilted leaves when we got it from my friend.

Kirk tended and watered them and they now have a second life.

Gorgeous.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always.

Today we rejoice and thank God for our mothers.

Yesterday Abby and I went to the Westgate Hotel for high tea.

Very fun afternoon of tea, laughing, and talking. 

And way too much food.

Instead of the harpist, they had a pianist this year.

He attended SDSU and then served in the military.

Some of the little girls who attended played the piano with him.

He improvised around whatever they played, and they had the best time.

So did we.

Giving thanks in all circumstances.

And thanking God for His Son, Jesus.

Whoever Does the Will of God Lives Forever

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. — 1 John 2:17 

During this special season of year, it's hard to remember that the world will pass away.

All of our earthly desires are just temporary.

The lights and sparkle will fade away.

But Christ reigns over all.

God lives forever.

Whoever does God's will also lives forever.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

By Doing Good

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. — I Peter 2:15

Yesterday I had the day off for Veteran's Day.

I met a friend and we hiked down to Mission Trails from our house.

By the end of the walk, we had both worked up a sweat.

While we were heading down Mission Trails toward the dam, we ran into Mari, another friend.

She was walking her neighbor's dog.

Mari is an example of someone who does good.

She stops to pray for anyone who looks like they are worried or in need.

She told us that in Mexico, even strangers are very receptive when she offers to pray with them.

Children of God

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. — John 1:12-13

Lake Poway

To everyone who received Jesus, he gave the right to become children of God. 

To those of us who believe in Jesus, He adopted us into His family.

We are His children, born of God.

Children who were not born from human decision.

But who were shown mercy by the grace of God.

We are chosen.

We are blessed.

We are kept by God.