Happy file

We need to remember to take time and create a happy file.  So when things go south, we have a place to return to get our thoughts straight and Satan out of our mind.

Monks Marraige

That’s why I want a “monk’s marriage,” the benefits of being married to a godly woman, but with a monk’s attitude, expecting nothing, depending on God, and so being genuinely grateful for whatever my spouse chooses to bless me with. (Breathe spiritual passion into your marraige) 

What an amazing concept.  To have a thankful heart in all things. 

Forgive me father for not being Thankful in all things.  Create in me a thankful heart.

Psalm 95:1-7 NIV

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord ; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,

Building character

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 NIV

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

One thing I would like to explore is why do all of the great leaders of the bible tend to screw up in the process? 

Choose Life

John 10:10 NIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Choose Life!

We will never enjoy life unless we make a quality decision to do so. Satan is an expert at stealing and our joy is one of his favorite targets. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. In John 10:10 we are told that "the thief" comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but that Jesus came that we might have and enjoy life. Satan is the thief, and one of the things he seeks to steal is our joy. If he can steal our joy from us, we will be weak; and when we are weak, the enemy takes advantage of us.

Weak believers are no threat to him and his work of destruction. In order to live as God intends for us to live, the first thing we must do is truly believe that it is God's will for us to experience continual joy. Then we must decide to enter into that joy. Experiencing enjoyment in our souls is vitally important to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." It is God's will for us to enjoy life! Now it is time to decide to enter into the full and abundant life that God wills for us.

Joy and enjoyment are available just as misery is available. Righteousness and peace are available and so are condemnation and turmoil. There are blessings and curses available, and that is why Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us to choose life and blessings.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

This is such a good devotional. Lord Jesus thank you for coming that we may have life. Lord I lift up deven to you. Father, I am so torn.  I love him but I want him to return to you.  I also lift Danny up to you.  Draw them both to you.  Call them Lord.  Fill them with your peace and presence.  Forgive them of their sins. 

Friendship

Lord, forgive me for not being a friend.  Forgive me Lord.  Show me what made me fall in love with Craig to begin with.   Thank you for your faithfulness.  I want to be my husbands friend.  I am so tired of everything being such a struggle. 

Blessings

I am blessed.  I am more selfish though.  When I consider the times i become frustrated with craig it is when he isnt living up to my expectations.   Forgive me Father.   I desire to have a joyful thankful heart.   I know it can only come from you.  
Craig provides.
He loves me
He is affectionate
He is fun

God have i become a bitter wife?  Forgive me.  Lord fill me so that i can give to my husband.  He gives of himself without asking for anything in return.  Who will fill his emotional bank account?  I think he appreciates being appreciated.  LORD show me little ways to appreciate Craig.  Thank you for him. 

Guard your heart

http://bible.com/111/pro.4.23.niv Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Bible.com/app

So often it seems that the stresses of my job start to catch up with me and then it only takes one more word and I give up control of my heart and mind to others.  Lord I know this is not from you.  Please fill me with your spirit Jesus.  That I would have a heart and spirit full of your word.  Then the words that come from my mouth would glorify you. 

Guarding Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 says to guard your heart "for it determines the course of your life" (NLT). Think about that. Whatever's in your heart is eventually going to show up in your everyday life. Whatever's inside will eventually find its way out, where anyone and everyone can see it.

That alone makes it extremely important to monitor the things we allow to shape our hearts. I don't want something nasty, sinful, and selfish finding its way out and damaging my relationships with others, and I doubt you do either.

A large part of guarding your heart means learning how to control your thoughts, your words, your disposition and your general outlook. What you think usually comes out in what you say. What you say affects how you feel, and that shows up in your overall attitude.

In the course of everyday life, this is what determines how you handle your circumstances, whether you'll have peace or fall apart in a stressful situation. It governs how you respond to others, either with compassion and understanding or with judgment and arrogance, especially when you disagree with them!

You can try and keep your inner thoughts from altering your words and attitudes, but I find it's much easier to have godly thoughts to begin with. Spend time in God's presence, and let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with His goodness.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I only want my heart to be filled with thoughts and desires that are from You. As I spend more time in Your presence and focus solely on You, I know that my heart will change for the better, affecting the rest of my life in godly ways.