The New Has Come

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor. 5:17 (NIV)

New Year-New Beginning...the old has gone, and the new has come. God has graciously given us another year. What will you do with this special gift of time? Some make new year resolutions, only to check off one or two at year's end and leave others undone. Life just gets in the way, doesn't it? But wait a minute...if you are in Christ, you are a new creation, and in Jesus we have everything we need!

Let's begin the new year with God's Word..."Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105). We can "pray and ask God for everything we need, always giving thanks" (Phil. 4:6). I challenge you to "hide (treasure, store up) God's word in your heart (and mind)" (Psalm 119:11) by memorizing a new scripture every month, week, or day- according to your ability- in the new year. Seek the Lord every morning, always giving thanks for what He has done for you and yours, and ask for an extra measure of faith to fulfill your day. Then start on your memory work, saying it out loud so YOU will hear and digest the scripture.

What will be the first scripture you memorize in this new year? Please respond in "Comments".

Pray for:

• Wisdom and inspiration to learn and teach the Word of God.
• Salvation for each household for generations to come.

Thanks for being a praying grandmother!

Bobbye

My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

"My eyes have seen your salvation..." Luke 2:30 (NAS)

Simeon was a righteous and devout man. He waited anxiously, expecting the fulfillment of a promise- Messianic salvation. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

As Simeon held the baby Jesus, he blessed God and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel." (Luke 2: 29 - 32).

2009 is behind us. And we consider what our eyes have seen: rising unemployment rates, a mounting national debt, corruption, deception, droughts, fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars, and more.

We have also seen the Lord's goodness and His faithfulness. He has heard, and continues to hear our prayers. And He answers. We have seen His provision, His protection, and His healing power. We have seen His blessings of wisdom, direction, and favor. We thank Him and praise Him for the things He has done!

In this new year, share with your descendants "the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done" Psalm 78:4.

Have a blessed New Year!!

Lori

Take Time to be Thankful

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

We live in a busy, noisy world which causes our minds to run a race with the pace getting faster and faster. This makes it difficult to devote oneself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

The Hebrew word "Yada" means "to know", indicating an intimate relationship with the God of the universe. It has to do with His Presence. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4- NKJV).

This month, take time to be thankful for every blessing God has given you. Challenge yourself to find a quiet, private place to enter into the holy presence of God and spend time in thoughtful praise and thanksgiving to Him and allow a time of silence for God to respond with His love for you...a Yada time of love and devotion.

Prayer: Thank you God for saving my soul. You bless me in so many ways every day, and I am so thankful that You are in my heart. I pray that my attitude is grateful, and that I always have a thankful heart.

God bless you this Thanksgiving season!

Bobbye

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Join us as we pray daily for our pastors, their families, and our churches.

Click here for a thirty-one day prayer guide by Dr. Richard Krejcir, Into Thy Word Ministries.

Inheritance Planning

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him

and keep His commands."

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

Inheritance planning - our grandchildren inherit many different things from us: facial features, eye, hair and skin color, our name, and maybe our personal possessions. Have you ever heard a grandchild laugh or make a funny face, and you said to yourself, "That is just like 'so and so' (a family member)"? So, we have already "passed down" a lot of things that will be with them all of their lives. But, what is passed down that will last through eternity? It is never too late to plan for a spiritual inheritance for our loved ones.

We may bless their lives with the power of our prayers, and by example, leave a picture of our faith. When the Apostle Paul wrote Timothy to encourage him, he said, "I constantly remember you in my prayers...I have been reminded of your sincere faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." 2 Timothy 1: 3, 5.

What is your inheritance plan for your grandchildren? Please spend a moment in quiet reflection and prayer to consider this question. Record the first things that are revealed to you and make your own inheritance plan!

Pray for:

• Salvation - Acts 2:21


• Purity - 1 Timothy 4:12


• Godly relationships - Psalm 1: 1-2


• Revelation of God's Word, and teachable moments - Psalm 25:4

You are welcome to share your inheritance plan in our comments section. I love your praying heart!

Bobbye

Hearing God's Voice

"Love the LORD your God, listen to His voice,

and hold fast to Him."

Deuteronomy 30:20 (NIV)

My son listens to political talk radio on his commute to work. Recently he mentioned that the message is so depressing, he decided to switch to a different station. Now he's listening to sports talk, and the hosts are funny. He's listening to a different voice.

What voices are we listening to?

The LORD instructed Moses to send twelve men to explore the land of Canaan, which He was giving to the Israelites. After forty days of exploration, they reported to the people and showed them the land's fruit. Ten of them spread a bad report about the land. Rather than listening to Caleb and Joshua, the Israelites wept and grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Because of their sin, God did not allow Israel to enter the land for 40 years. All over the age of twenty who grumbled against the LORD died in the desert. The men who spread the bad report died of a plague. Only Caleb and Joshua survived.

Before Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, Moses exhorted them to "love the LORD their God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him."

In our generation, there are voices of fear, doubt, discouragement, and deception that attempt to drown out the Voice of Truth. Let's pray that our descendants will hear God's voice over our culture's powerful and influential voices such as the media and entertainment industry.

Pray for our children and grandchildren:

• Trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27
• Develop discipline of prayer and time in God's Word - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6. "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word." Psalm 119: 15-16
• Develop sensitivity to the Spirit of God - "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things ad will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26
• Receive godly, wise counsel - "My son pay attention to wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge." Proverbs 5: 1-2
• Obey God - "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." Psalm 119: 60
• Choose activities wisely - "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

All Scriptures NIV.

Unfailing Love

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

God loves us with His whole heart by wanting a relationship with us that will last through all eternity. He loves us by revealing Himself to us in His Word. God knows what we need, and when we need it. He gives us what is good- gifts that lead to purpose, meaning, and fruitfulness (James 1: 16-18). And God asks only that we love Him and our neighbor in the same way.

In 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, we have a wonderful description of love. Verse 8 is the good news that "love never fails". Isn't that exciting?

Please take time to meditate today on experiences in your life that let you know that God loves you. And pray for our grandchildren and each other:

• To know Jesus Christ as Savior and to desire an intimate relationship with Him (Mark 10: 13-16)
  
• To look for spiritual lessons in everyday situations (Matthew 25:35-40).


• To see other people with love and kindness, just as God does (Romans 12: 9-10).

I love you and your praying hearts!

Bobbye