Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Week 2: Surrender


Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done...
Matthew 6:9-10
                                                                                                                                               
I have been crucified with Christ 
and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 
The life I now live in the body, 
I live by faith in the Son of God, 
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2



Prayer focus...
Pray for a spirit of repentance, asking God to make you "faithful and true". 

Spend time in quiet prayer  examining your heart/mind for areas of  disobedience, disbelief, anxiety, rebellion, idolatry, unforgiveness...

Ask God to show you, to teach you, to empower you to "surrender" all to Him.

Ask for FAITH to believe.


Thoughts to ponder...
Have I surrendered my life to God and received eternal salvation?

Do I TRUST God? 

Am I following the ways of the world? Or am I following the way of God?

Am I faithful with my money, my time, my resources, my family....?

What do I need to surrender  today, right now?

Action Step...
One day or every day this week - physically “open your hands”, kneel, or lay down in position of surrender to the LORD asking Him to help you to trust Him fully.
Listen to praise and worship music and meditate on what it means to "surrender"

Share "your story" of surrendering to CHRIST with your family & with a friend this week.  

Pray with someone this week concerning these things. Be real & be specific as you pray.

Memorize: Galatians 2:20

Week 2 of "7 Weeks to a Healthier Heart" series

Monday, June 17, 2013

Week 1: Praise & Thanksgiving


Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens!  Ps 150:1


Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are His*;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

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    
 *Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves




Prayer focus...

Think on the words of this Psalm and Worship Him.

Spend extra time this week focusing on praising His name privately and publicly.

Pray for a joyful and thankful heart despite circumstances.


Thoughts to ponder...

What are 10 things off the top of your head you are thankful for?  

What trial or challenge are you presently or recently thankful for? 

How can you “enter His gates with thanksgiving & His courts with praise” this week?


Action Step...
Keep a praise/gratitude journal for self and/or family.
Make a praise jar for the summer and decide together a way to celebrate when the jar is filled.
Commit to waking up each morning with praise on your lips! Let the first words out of your mouth be a word of thanks or praise. "Thank You God for this day" Phil 4:4-13
Share your list of things you are thankful for with someone.
Memorize: Psalm 100  


Week one of "7 Weeks to a Healthier Heart"