Who in your life prayed for you?
Thank God for grandmothers. I know that my grandmother was a believer and prayed for each of her children and her grandchildren. I know that she prayed for the souls of her sons and daughters, that she prayed for their success and their future spouse. I know that my grandmother prayed for her community and leadership. My grandmother was a prayer warrior.
Thank God for mothers. I know that my mother prayed for me and my sister and brother. She prayed for our growth and our futures. She prayed for her husband. She prayed for our country and community. My mother was a prayer warrior
Thank God that they fought their battles on their knees so that I am the recipient of their prayers. They are no longer with us, both taken so soon. But their faith, strength, and prayers are what built me today.
Who in your life prayed for you?
Who is God calling you to pray for?
Future Focused-What am I missing?
Sometimes I look so far into the future that I cannot appreciate the blessings that are in front of me.
The other day I was turning right into traffic. There was a line of cars stopped at a red light and I did not expect to be able to get into traffic until all of the current cars passed. I looked far into the distance to see how many cars would need to pass me prior to my ability to pull into traffic. Because I was looking so far into the traffic I did not see that right in front of me there was a gentle soul stopped to let me turn in front of them.
How often do I do the same with God? He is offering blessings right before my eyes, yet I am looking so far into the future that I cannot see it.
How often do you do the same?
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5
"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Dueteronomy 31:8
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:24 ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27
Praying for our Leaders
As we turn another page in our Nation’s history, we see new President Joe Biden swear into office using his family Bible. We are fortunate to live in a democracy where we can vote and our vote counts. At the same time, that does not absolve us from supporting our leaders even when we did not vote from them.
When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon, God spoke to them through Jeremiah.
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Jerimiah 29:7
God is instructing us to pray for our Nation and those who lead our Nation so that we will be prosperous as a Nation and as a People. Prosperity can mean more than financial but prosper in love and peace.
Further, we are encouraged to pray and lift up all people and for those in leadership roles so that we may live the lives designed for us in peace and as is pleasing to God.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:1-4
Lastly, in Romans, we are instructed to submit to authority. Despite our living in a Democracy, all things are known and established by God.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1
In this, every four years we may feel either elated or defeated in January; but, feel hopeful in knowing that in keeping our eyes on God our future is in God’s hands.
Father God, as our new leaders take their place at the helm we lift them in prayer to you. May you guide them and remind them that love conquers all, hate has no place in our country, and to respect the rights and liberties of those whom they serve. Father, please watch over our country and provide each of us with feelings of peace and love to our fellow man. Let us love each other and seek to understand each other’s point of view. Praise you Father for providing for us and our eyes are on you in this time of uncertainty. Amen.
I am a Child of God
I am a Child of God, are you?
I am a Child of God, are you?
What does being a Child of God mean? What does it not mean?
First, I do not believe that we are all children of God. In the New Testament, being a child of God is a choice: a daily choice, a lifelong choice from the moment we know God and accept Christ as our savior.
John seems to discuss this more than anyone in scripture.
I John 5:1
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
Essentially, a child of God believes in Christ, but also we must share Christ’s love with others.
If we look further back in John’s letter, he states that loving others is essential to Christianity and being a child of God.
I John 4:19
We love each other because he loved us first.
I John 3:16
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
John's text dives deep into what it means to be a child of God.
· Love the Father
· Love as Christ loved
· Respect each other
· In all choices we make daily, they should show love.
When I think of those qualities of a child of God, true and genuine feelings of love for one another (family, friends, co-workers, and strangers) are a necessity.
But then, what does it mean to not be a child of God? Of course, anything not of love:
· Being the mean girl
· Gossiping
· Losing patience
· Not stepping out in understanding
· Not seeking to understand.
We are all so different, and Praise God for these differences so that we are unique and interesting. Let’s seek to love each other, share God’s love, seek to celebrate our differences as well as our similarities. Let’s choose to be children of God.
O Come to The Altar
In 2019, I heard O Come to The Altar by Elevation Worship and it spoke to me, brought me to my knees.
In 2019, I heard O Come to The Altar by Elevation Worship and it spoke to me, brought me to my knees.
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling
Are you hurting and broken within?
Yes, I am. Every day I feel the world crushing in on me.
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Yes, I am. I cannot keep my head above water as the weight tethered to my legs holds my head at the bare surface.
Jesus is calling
And my tears begin to fall, I hear you, Father.
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Yes, Father, gladly.
Come today there's no reason to wait. Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy. From the ashes, a new life is born.
Father God, forgive me of the sins that burden me. Let me release my feelings of shame and guilt. Allow me to learn from my mistakes rather than allowing them to weigh me down. Give me your guidance and give me the strength to let go of my indiscretions and let you, God, take over. Free me from my self-imposed prison and allow me to forgive myself so that in you I can find joy again.
Amen.
Why the name Responsibly Authentic?
I started thinking about my emotions in 2019. Really looking. I felt they were out of whack. Little things would set me off, make me angry, frustrated, disappointed. I had a lot of negative feelings. Today I know the way I felt was likely rooted in something else. For example, the anger and the disdain I felt for my new boss was centered around not feeling respected, important, listen to, understood, acknowledged. This need for acknowledgment and validation should be fulfilled from within and not be found in others. I knew it inside but accepting responsibility for my feelings was not happening. Further, I always felt that I needed to be someone else to fit into any given situation. I was always wearing a mask and never really being me my true self. I felt that I would never, could ever be accepted and validated by being my true authentic self. Taking responsibility for my authentic self, or at least realizing that is what I needed to do, I decided that I needed to grow up at age 45. I need to share my true authentic self, who God meant for me to be, and accept responsibility for my behaviors and feelings without blaming others – not easy, not by a long shot. Sometimes I do not like myself as I go through this process. Sometimes I see how much I need to grow. But, overall I have learned to give myself Grace and feel the love and acceptance of God and my family and friends.
