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The words of Jesus pack a punch. His is a powerful and vibrant dialog that brings both tradition and the Law into a new and living light.
On a hillside, long ago, Jesus engaged individuals toward choosing God’s best on a heart level, not just a do-this-to-make-God-happy, knowledge and rules level. Recorded in the book of Matthew, Jesus gave the crowd, and us, some incredible insights to the way His followers should live. We call this the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7)
Remember that collection of Jesus teachings? Here’s a rapid review:
He taught the “beatitudes” (Matthew 5:2-12), and told His followers to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16).
He said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,” and warned the people that unless their righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, they/we would never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)
He taught on anger, lust, divorce, and oaths… very prickly subjects! And on retaliation, loving our enemies, and giving to the needy. (Check please!) (Matthew 5:27-6:4)
Jesus taught us how to pray (Matthew 6:5-15), gave instructions on fasting, and told us that we are to love and serve God above all earthly treasures. (Matthew 6:16-24)
He told us not to worry, (wait, what!?) and directed us to seek God and His righteousness first in everything because He KNOWS OUR NEEDS and takes care of His own. (Matthew 6:25-34)
He talked about judging others. About logs, and specks, and hypocrisy. (Easy stuff, right?) (Matthew 7:1-6)
Jesus said that we should ask, seek, and knock. That we should go to God when we have a need because He’s a good, good, loving Father. (It’s who He is!) (Matthew 7:7-11) Also that we should treat others as we want to be treated, beware of false prophets that can be recognized by their fruits, and that we must KNOW Jesus personally – not OF Him – to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 7:15-23)
And after He finished unpacking all of these behaviors and perspectives that counter-culturally represent the kingdom of God, He pressed in with a wise-person/foolish-person analogy by concluding with this:
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27)
Bam. Do the thing.
I read this and am freshly reminded: all this stuff Jesus told you and me about how to behave and how to believe? If we do it, if we will put these things into practice, then we build our lives on a wise foundation. If, however, we don’t do these things, then we are foolish.
Where are you in this? Rock or sand? Wise or foolish? Do you or don’t you?
It’s not hard to understand what Jesus meant here. It is hard to put it all into practice.
And can’t be done without His help.
If I don’t choose to live responsively to His teachings, then I am, by default, choosing to live as a fool.
- So when I know that Jesus says I shouldn’t point out the speck in someone else’s eye before taking the log out of mine – and I do it anyway – I live as a fool.
- And when I choose to let worry and anxiety take up huge lots of real estate in my heart instead of trusting God and allowing His peace to comfort me – I live as a fool.
Jesus talked straight about this. When His followers hear His words (this means we need to read the Bible and know what His words are!) and put them into practice we will not only live as wise people, but that wisdom becomes our firm foundation. A foundation that protects and provides for us when the winds of life blow hard and when the rains of life fall.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gracious way you instruct me toward life, wisdom, and a solid foundation. Please me far from foolishness, and help me to live out Your ways in my workplace, with my family, and in my community.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Read Matthew 5-7 and consider where you are with the teachings of Jesus. Take note of areas that He might be calling you to change. Ask Him to give you the grace, strength, and wisdom to live out those changes.
After you do this, click here to write a prayer of response as a comment on my blog, or tell me which verse(s) spoke most to you today and why. Then join the community conversation as you encourage and pray for other GiGs who post a response. {Can’t wait to hear from you and pray with you!}
PS. This LIMITED EDITION Study Collection was created to coordinate with the themes of the I WANT IT ALL book. Custom artisan bracelets and a necklace are available now and can be purchased here. A NEW BRACELET was introduced just last week!
(While Supplies Last!)
Comments 84
You cannot know how the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Going thru a test that I am not passing. In the middle of trying to find a games word list, this popped up. I’ve been struggling for over a year, pidgin myself away instead of closer to my God. Am closing now, will delete the game app that has taken too much area in my heart. Don’t know how you found me…..but thank God you did!!!!
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I’m so glad you found the post and that it blessed you, Judi!
I have had a wake up calk this week. I had a light stroke with no impairment. I am deeply convicted by this devotional. I know there are areas in which I need to improve. Prayers please.
I need prayer warrirs to help me pray for my son. He has hardened his heart toward God. I know he knows of God but I am afraid he does not have. God in his heart as he should. His marriage is in danger. His wife needs prayer also. They have 2 beautiful little girls. Thank you for your prayers. God is the great Healer.
Thank you, Gwen! This devotion was much needed and very timely.
Thanks for this: And when I choose to let worry and anxiety take up huge lots of real estate in my heart instead of trusting God and allowing His peace to comfort me. Somehow, I realized that I have turned “allowing His peace to comfort me” into “when He waves his magic wand to do my bidding, I will be comforted”. I ask God’s pardon for thinking I know best, and for not trusting in him…truly on shifting sand…..
I keep telling myself that I will read my Bible everyday and then not do it. I open my Bible in church on Sunday and Don’t open again until the next Sunday. I do read my devotions online from you and Dr Stanley. I am reading David Jeremiah’s books as well. I’ve read 2 already and this is the third. I want to have a close relationship with Jesus and also need to understand how to pray. Thank you for this website.
AMEN!!!!! Thank you Gwen for following the Holy Spirit’s prompting to write today’s devotional. I need prayer to help me when certain triggers of anxiety hit and to know God is with me – and to remember I am the temple of His Holy Spirit!!!!
What a blessing Spring break is that I had the time to dive into this. Reading the passages and researching all that I did not understand. My revelation was that I want to be one to Hear and Act, Not only outside my home to others, but even more so to those inside my home, to the ones I love most, they tend to get my leftovers, my judgements or harsh words.
Praise Jesus, for this reality check, opening my eyes to see!
Matthew 6: 25-34 Stands out to me because I am a worrier. Sometimes I get so worn out over trivial matters. But I am learning to trust God more each day knowing that he is a loving all knowing father who has my best interest at heart . I pray that he gives me the strength I need to rely on him more.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ,
Give me the grace, strength, courage, wisdom and love to live out my life the way you want me to and help me to build my foundation on you, so that I have built my life on your rock. I really need help in practicing my trust, faith in God…I want to do his will. Fear seems to grasp me. I don’t want to waste time on fear instead of God’s word. I so want His peace.
Father, thank You for being the Father You are to me. Please help me to read Your Word
daily, and DO it. Help me treat others the way I want to be treated. Also to remember that when I do Your Word, I’m building my life on You, the Rock so that when the tests and trials come, I’ll stand strong in You…In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Heather,
I also want to read His word daily and stand strong in Jesus. Thank you for your prayer.
Matthew’s teaching on taking a log out, and a spec always hit me hard…I need to be more self aware . I need to focus on Jesus first!! Thanks
The beautitudes, salt & light, teaching of revenge. Love for enemies, giving to needy, prayer, $ & possession, don’t judge other, effective prayer,& building a solid foundation all speak to me . For if yu don’t do or believe you’ll not get anywhere in life.
What to do when I know a divorce is wrong in the eyes of God? My husband asked for a divorce and so we are in the process of a settlement. I do not want this divorce at all. I have prayed and asked God to restore our marriage and to soften my husbands heart.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
These spoke to me the strongest because I have been blessed and Jesus has paid my ransom. I have been free from drugs and alcohol for 18 years and recently in 2013 accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I am truly blessed and I hunger for his love and love stories so much. Not a day goes by that I don’t open His love stories to me and you and all of us. Each day is a new beginning and fir that I am truly grateful
Father, I come to you in humbleness and adoration asking that the Holy Spirit who lives in us continue to use us to encourage one another and build each other up to do your work Father and help others by professing what you ave done for us and saved us from the bondage of self. It is in your Precious Son Jesus Christ name that I pray and ask. Amen
This devotional came at the perfect time in what has been going on in my life. Deeply depressed most recently but depression has lurked within for some years now. I’ve been dealing with possibilities of losing our home and my job as my numbers are not producing. I have actually been struggling and praying to rebuke the enemy from my mind and heart as I have just wanted to lay down and go to sleep and NEVER wake up! Reading today’s devotional has awakened me to that I cannot blame my husband or anyone else for my own weaknesses but rather know I am responsible for my personal relationship with God. I have been blaming my husband for our financial woes as he is the “leader” of the family! I have to accept my involvement as well. I have also been awakened to salvation and I WILL NOT ALLOW THE ENEMY to take me over! I thank God for you Girlfriends and your messages!! Not only do they help keep me grounded but it makes me take the time to read the bible. I need to learn to follow through with studying the Word and learn to be confident in what I do in my life, those that cross my path and be diligent in self-discipline in all aspects of my life. Thank you!
Glynda, it’s so easy to blame others, especially those closest to us, but the true challenge is accepting responsibility for ourselves. Good job, facing that, keep up the good forget. Jesus calls us to not allow the enemy to get us down, rise up, take courage in the truth, be a light for others , stop dwelling on yourself and soon you will see the darkness behind you. He can and will bring you into the light and restore your situation. Just follow His lead stay close to Him! In word and prayer! Look outward and upward!
Blessings!!!
I especially the vs Matt 7 15-23
Please pray for daughter Aimee she will see Jesus in a real personal way. Thank you
wow! I’ve read the sermon on the mount many times, and always just tried to get through it. It just didn’t really mean anything. I felt like it was speaking to those long ago. But you put a new perspective on it for me. Thank You! I’m going back and rereading it.
Father in heaven, I love you today and I thank you for your mercy and grace. I realize that all of my help comes from you and as you said in your word blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled thank you that I know you are the only one that can fill my needs. Today I pray for a greater hunger and thirst. I ask that you would send people in my life to help me seek you more and quench the thirst and hunger in me that only you can fulfill. Thank you for Jesus, thank your for my family and friends. Have your way in my life. In Jesus name. Amen.
I think it so sad that we women worry about so many things because we feel responsible for so much. This morning when I read the teaching I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude to our Lord for reminding all of us to not worry but take our needs and request to Him. My heart today is sad from a feeling of being used by my son’s family. This really is not my problem because it’s not about me but about who they are. The pain is the same.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the faithfulness of these women who sent out these devotions daily and they are usually just what I need to read for the day. Lord I do confess that I do struggle in my walk with you and want so much to be able to confidently stand in you always..
Love you,
Shell
Good morning! Thank you for all of your words of encouragement. I find myself worrying that I’m not good enough and not doing enough for Him and that is keeping me from knowing Him. Please pray that I DO know Him with all my heart.
Father as it says in Micah 6:8, may i act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Lord –
Boy, you know I am a worrier. I know that in the Bible you tell us to not worry time and time again. You know I am facing, with my family, a big decision about what job to take and where to live and it is a pressing decision. Within one week You will have us decide. Help me today, as I go to the classroom to teach my students, to be filled with the peace and assurance that You will take care of it. You will allow me to be at peace and let it go today and every day. I pray for others who have to fight hard to get go of worry and to let You and your sense of peace take over. I believe in You and your plan.
Matt 6:25-34 resonated with me about letting worry overtake me at times. He tells us not to worry and gives us an example as to why.
Dear heavenly Father forgive me for letting my worries control my faith and trust in you.
Matt 6:25-34
heavenly father, I pray for a correction in every area of my life. I pray for guidance
I will pray for you today, Joanna, on the way to work. Be well.
I picked Matthew 7:1-5. I pray that the Lord change my heart and help me not to judge others. To honestly look at myself and remove the distractions and sin from myself so I can see clearly to help my brother. Amen
Help me Jesus to be as a tree planted by Living waters. A healthy tree that bears much fruit, in Jesus name.
YOU FIRST MUST HAVE A RELATIONSHIP THAT GIVES YOU ADMISSION TO THE FATHER AND THAT IS ONLY FOUND THROUGH HIS SON – HE IS THE ONLY DOOR -NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME[JESUS] AND WE NEED THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER US TO OBEY GOD’S WILL THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN OUR REDEEMED HEARTS AND ALLOW THE WORD TO TRANSFORM OUT MINDS ACCORDING TO GOD’S DIVINE WORD.
I love all the scripture in Matthew 5-7, but i selected Matthew 6:19-21 about treasures in heaven, it really spoke to my spirit that if I have this focus right on Christ being my everything and realizing his great love for each one of us, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMYReIv1ax4 then things like worrying will be less
My favorite part is Matthew 6:27-34 because it’s all about trusting God for my needs to be met and not fretting or worrying about it. Worrying doesn’t help me in any way. It can only hurt my relationship with God because I’m not trusting Him. He knows what I need before I even ask.
Elise,
By nature I am a worrier too. Big time! Perhaps we can pray for each other today to say no to worry and to wait for God’s peace to fill us instead.
This comment spoke to me; ……And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24-27)
In the last few days I have been swaying to be faithful and doubtfully because of the issues of the last will given to 7 nieces and nephews. I loved my beloved aunt. I respect her will but what doesn’t sit very well with me because my aunt made it clear that my sister and my mother to work together if not then the next person is being chosen. Apparently my mother is the silent partner while my sister make all the decision. I am being forced to sign agreement that I agreed to this arrangement. I haven’t sign yet other wise WWE will be in court. That’s the last thing I want to do. It’s hard to decide and then I saw the article on miracle by Darlene sachant. It gives me a hope to believe and faith in God whether I like or not. God bless you all! 😊
Dear Jesus, help me to BE and not just to DO. Help me to DO while I am BEING in You. Without relationship I am nothing. Thank You for Your Word, it a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Amen
Please pray for my husband who suffers from alcohol addiction and PTSD. Pray for me please that I will be a support for him and that God would give me wisdom in our marriage. Thanks so much
Ive read the passage recently and I can truly say it made me check myself to be sure I am on the foundation of God and not my own. I am 40 years old and still have some spiritual growing to do.
I do too, Yukita. I wil pray for you today.
Please pray for me moving Monday 4/2 and son had flu over weekend and now I have it. Too much to do to be sick. 🙁 but going back to bed. Asking for this to be a one day thing and for finances to fall into place for move.
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Jesus said that we should ask, seek, and knock. That we should go to God when we have a need because He’s a good, good, loving Father. (It’s who He is!) (Matthew 7:7-11)
Thank you Lord that I am humble and wise enough to know that you carry me. I choose to let go and to let you be in control as you have written my days are numbered.
When I read the beatitudes I have to remember that Jesus is forgiving.
Its funny, I get anxious when I fall short on every one of these at one time in my life or another. Then I get to Matthew 6 and see HIS support and guidance.
As I grow as a Christian, I am thankful for the wisdom HE gives me each time I read His Word. EVERY time I learn something new. These days I am learning to trust HIM and not worry. He is here with me thru the storm. Today, your message reminds me to be a doer and not just be. if only for today…. is sufficient.
Inspired me to try and be a better positive person
Best devotion ever!
For me , this verse spoke to me the most , (Matthew 6:25-34)
I tend to stress and worry about so much ! I just returned home from another week in the hospital , this makes 3 long visits since Menorial Day week ! My hubby wasn’t able to work much and the bills are just piling up ! I have t M made it back to church yet but have started back reading my GIG devotionals so this was my today’s ! It really was a much needed reminder that God has got this and I need to give it ALL to him which at times I have a hard time doing !
Prayers are with you all struggling with this and other verses !
Thank you so much for helping me each day as I read and learn more and draw closer to God!
I struggle with the verses about divorce. I will have been divorced 3 years October 1. How do I move beyond the guilt and shame I feel being a divorced woman?
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Marilyn, I pray that you will be able to give God your heartbreak and guilt. Trust Him daily to love you and forgive you and to give you comfort.
The whole moved me. I do have a question. I need a good Bible study guide and book. I don’t know where to start sometimes and I could use direction
Matthew 5 pulls no punches. It shames me to no end. It leaves me thinking “why try?”.
I am going to focus on Matthew 7: 1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you.
I ask for grace, strength and wisdom to make the changes.
Hi Gwen- this hit me about living as a fool vs a wise person, and having my house crash down around me….
In the last year my husband of 18 years and I have separated, I’ve lost my oldest son to live with him, and my other three children, I see every other week.
I was forced to sell my beloved home & leave a wonderful community, give up my dogs, leave my church, and now I’m on welfare and trying to find a career after being a homemaker for 15 years. I am pursuing divorce but it feels wrong..
In many ways, I can see that these are consequences of my choices- struggled with anger, depression & anxiety, worry, and a wicked tongue to my kids & husband. I was trying to live as a Christian wife and mother – and yet failing…
Now I’m seeking to rebuild & getting stronger all the time..I don’t want .to return to a marriage that was miserable- please pray for me to walk in purity and peace & forgiveness, and to continue to trust God to provide for me and my children.
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Sarah, I’m praying that you’ll seek God through this trial and let him lead you. Praying that you’ll feel the Lord’s loving arms wrap around you. Gwen
I will pray for you as well. Anger, depression, anxiety, worry, wicked tongue are among my weaknesses. I’ve come a long way since divorcing 16 years ago after 18 years of marriage.
On my journey I learned my anxiety is metabolic due to an underlying l..blocker, have helped me become a so much better me. The anxiety or worry drove the depression and the anger drone the wicked tongue. I never saw examples of healthy coping skills as a child but saw sufficient judgment and blame. Im not casting aspersions just stating facts.
There’s far more to this story than what is germane to a public blog but let me assure you there is a good life in store for you. Maybe not the life you dreamed of, or thought you had, or others thought you had but there is something really really good inside you and worth enjoying every day.
Your challenge is to find the good life and to know you do not walk alone! There will be doors to open, lessons to learn, skills to rebuild and skills to unlearn. It won’t be easy but neither was life you had. God will be there with you to find peace and then one day you will wake up and know you don’t want to expend the energy it takes to be angry because you want to spend your energy on joy.
I liked these passages because right now I needed the reminder of God’s presence in all things. I have been feeling weary and tired lately as my daughter who is an adult has been going through a lot of health issues. She seemed to have been getting better and Monday she had set back and ended back in the hospital. She is better but I’m tired and weary. You and your friends have help me a lot with your devotions daily and I praise the Lord for this and look forward to spending time reading them daily. Also the idea of the journal is great I don’t write every day but when I am troubled it helps me to write my feelings and also when I feel like praising the Lord and want to make note of that. One day I read from the day I began writing until the end and saw answers to pray and praises to My wonderful Lord. I am a pastor’s wife and many times feel by myself in being able to talk to someone and you three are on outlet. So praise the Lord for you three wonderful Christian women.
5:15 ” Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl…”
I never thought of it like that!-so obviously true! This is wonderful visual that reminds me to not hide the light that is within us from the Holy Spirit.
He told us not to worry, (wait, what!?) and directed us to seek God and His righteousness first in everything because He KNOWS OUR NEEDS and takes care of His own. (Matthew 6:25-34)
This is the verse that truly spoke to me today. My days are consumed with worry, even though I try not to let them be. I worry about my daughter in law who is a fighting for her life in a battle against cancer and my 2 sons who have made questionable choices in their lives and seem to have lost the faith that they had as young boys/men.
I saw somewhere that worry is assuming a responsibility that God never intended you to have.
I try each day to remember this.
Thank you for the encouragement and strength I find each day from the words of the “Girlfriends”. It was a blessed day when I found your website.
I’ve read these verses many times and the one that always sticks in my brain and in my heart is Matthew 6:33-35. It has helped me when I worry abut how to take care of the basics of life. There was time where I had no money for milk and bread for my daughter and myself. I trusted that God would provide and He did. My daughter forgets this and I constantly remind her about that time. I pray she learns to trust God for all things.
Simply like a child, living out or doing what God’s Word tells me. When I go through the day to day stuff that so easily get under my skin. Stuff that take me by surprise in a bad or hurtful way. Dealing with anger, worry, fear, stress, health issues. This is where rubber meets road. I will be a listener and a doer of what God says as I go through my day, whatever that may look like, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other.” (Matthew 7:15, The Message)
It seems I tend to think others know better what I need than what I know for myself. This is a weakness carried over from childhood which makes me vulnerable to being easily taken advantage of. I have matured in age to recognize blatant abuse of soothing words but to grow in understanding when it’s a slippery slope. And once when recognizable for possible abuse of authority I am growing in having a more immediate proper response. Thank you for today’s lesson in beatitudes.
Sigh………where do I begin…
*Anger…when things don’t go my way
*Love my enemies/Forgiveness…especially for those who have hurt me and my love ones
*Don’t worry…about the what ifs
*DON’T JUDGE OTHERS…show compassion and don’t jump to conclusions
Thankful HE’s not done with me yet!
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Girl. You and me both! Praying for you now. Thanks for joining the conversation! 🙂
Blessings,
Gwen
I just wanted to say thank you to Gwen for writing a devotional about Jesus and using so many scripture references. As much as I appreciate all the wonderful personal stories you all use to tie into your daily devotion, it was a much needed (for me personally) change.
As I was reading the chapters in Matthew, I kept hearing/reading it as the “be – attitudes”. I took a sheet of paper a wrote them out in 2 columns: Be and Why. The first 5 went smoothly. The last 3… Not so much. Pure, peacemaker and persecuted all pointed to a common theme: Be different, stand out. Ouch. Life lessons have taught me it is safer to “fly under the radar” so to speak. I don’t “hide my light under a baket”, but I don’t exactly wave it around either. I definitely need to “choose to truly live (action word!) responsively” (action word!) and not default foolishly. Thank you for speaking truth into my life, Gwen. You are a blessing!!
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Wow, Mary. THAT is wisdom, girlfriend. Thank you for sharing this! Go light it up!
Gwen
Matt 6 tells me not to boast about giving to the needy. Our church has a food/clothes giveaway twice monthly and people want to know how many showed up. Also sometimes I wanna share some of the wonderful changes I’ve seen in some of our guests lives. Is this boasting?
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Hi, Janice. I’m not sure that it is. When boasting is to the glory of GOD, then it is Biblically correct. God is doing a beautiful thing clothing those in need and in changing hearts. The workers who minister are HIS and the glory is HIS. All good!
Blessings,
Gwen
I often feel that I do not pray long enough but I feel better after reading this passage and that we do not have to babble because he knows what we need. I also have been consumed with worry and anxiety for a few weeks due to some health concerns but as Jesus said “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” I’m really going to try to remember this…
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Good. Good. Good!
I think when people see me do they see the Jesus in me. I do try to do everything according to his will, but I know I fall short all the time. Yeah, this has always been an issue with me. My Pastor tells us all the you may be the only Jesus some people get.
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We are surely called to be light in the darkness. Our light is a grace-filled reflection of the Light of the World who is alive and active within us through the Holy Spirit as believers. 🙂 We all fall short, but we worship One who does not. Keep asking those questions and seeking to be a person of impact, friend.
Gwen
Lord, I thank you for your insight into my failings today. I know you help me see these things because you love me so very much. I stand in awe of this love – you are such a Good, Good Father. . . a better parent than I can ever hope to be.
I have not been doing so well at these things. I’m not pure in heart, letting my light shine brightly, I am lustful and sometimes angry at people that hurt me. I try to resist evil and run away, not stand against it.
I ask you to extend the grace and wisdom to me today to help me work towards the changes that we know I need to continually make. I love you, Lord and you remind me today that its never about me, it’s all for You.
Dear Lord, You always provide exactly what we need, when and how we need it. I have been a fool trying to take care of everything without fully giving it to you. You are bigger than anything I can ever try and handle. Forgive me for worrying and stressing over all that is weighing me down instead of having complete faith that you are in it all. I pray God, You will give me the strength and wisdom to go through today and every day prioritizing what You want and doing It all to bring you all the glory. I pray that you will surround and protect the Bible study I’m a part of kicking off today. May Your presence be strong and Your will be done. Thank you for loving me and never giving up on me even though I fall time and time again. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
I am so thankful for the GiG devotional and who relevant and timely the lessons are. Thank you Gwen (and Sharon and Mary) for opening your hearts and lives to us so we may grow in faith along side of you and all be stronger for it. Blessings!
I have fear if I will ever find my own mate at 39, please help me pray to focus on God and be wise in the choices I make in life and pray for me to focus on God’s word and not on the wisdom of those around me, thank u Gwen for this, God bless u
I love GIG, it is like a daily check list of my faith.
My daughter shared it with me and I ha e shared it with several friends.
Thank you for your words and God Bless..
Lord I tend to hold onto the things of this world and not store up treasures in heaven, help me to change this in my life and to be more concerned with the things of God then the things of this world. I can be so foolish sometimes, when I don’t listen to God and walk in obedience to Him. Right now I am working on taking care of my body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When I am following the Holy Spirit’s leading and follow the food plan He has given me for the day I do better, but when I don’t follow it I can really mess up. I know this not only includes eating right and exercising, but it also includes my spiritual life where reading scripture, bible memoriziation come in and just taking the time to meditate on what God is saying to me in His word. Lord help me to follow You today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thanks for letting me share.
What a wonderful response! I am there with you and will be praying for you.
Thank you Lord for loving me enough to share your wisdom through your sermon on the mount. I pray that you help me to be the person you’ve intended me to be and that I can follow you even in the midst of this crazy world.
Thank you Lord for Gwen (& all the GiG devotionals) who start my day off right even when I’m traveling for work (which is when I truly need these devotions to get me through my days.)
Thank you Lord for your guidance. You’re always there
To let me know in your gentle nudging way not to worry
About my children. I know they’ll all return to you & be
All you created them to be.
Amen
Thank you so much for all your devotions. They are such an encouragement and seem to come just as I need them. God Bless you.
Author
I’m so glad you’re encouraged!
Thank you Lord for these words spoken that cut to the core. Forgive me for my foolish ways, help me to grow into the woman of faith you began.
Thank you for the gentle ways of directing my path by Gwen’s writings.In Jesus name!
Amen
Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for your word. And praise you for who you are. Thank you for Gwen. The words you give her always speak to me. She continually encourages me to stay in your word. Today, reading the sermon on the mount, she puts it bluntly, “If I don’t choose to live responsively to His teachings, then I am, by default, choosing to live as a fool”. Thank you Lord for Gwen and so many like her who use your words to teach and encourage others. Amen.
I need brutal honesty sometimes. Thanks again Gwen.
For me it is fear and anxiety about oone if my adult children’s lifestyle. I have been consumed with it. I bring it to God every morning and throughout my day but I have been a foolish woman not leaving it with Jesus. God is so faithful he brings words just when we arrest to hear them.