Things You Will Never Regret

A smile does not cost anything!

Recently, while scrolling down my news feed on FB, I came across a friend’s post who shared “Things You’ll Never Regret” by Peaceful Moments for Women. As I read through the list, I decided to look up scripture verses that would give us better insight into the things on this list.

Praying: I Thessalonians 5:16-18–“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Regardless of what is going on in our lives and the circumstances of our surroundings, we are told to “continually pray.” God hears and answers.

Putting Your Phone On Down: Psalm 19:14–“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Phones keep our minds on earthly things and keep us from talking with one another. Keep the communication open with friends and family by listening. Put your phone on mute so you can enjoy a wonderful conversation face to face.

Listening Over Talking: Proverbs 19:200–“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” It is so important to listen to one another. We can learn so much.

Visiting Grandma: Leviticus 19:32–“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” We should show respect for the elderly by being there for them.

Reading the Bible: Joshua 1:8–“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” The Word of God clearly teaches us how to live and guides us on our journey.

Kindness on Social Media: Galatians:5:22-26–“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.” A lesson to show kindness to everyone we come in contact with.

Investing in Memories Over Things: Matthew 6:19:21–“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Invest in your family, friends, and neighbors; not in the things of this world.

Not Gossiping: Proverbs 20:19–“A gossip betrays a confidence; if you wage war, obtain guidance.” Gossiping leads to hurtful feelings and loss of trust.

Thankfulness Over Comparison: I Thessalonians5:18–“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In all things, we need to be thankful.

Buying Lemonade at the Stand: Although I wasn’t able to find a scripture verse, I believe this implies that if we buy from a child’s lemonade stand, it will encourage them to succeed. Positive attitude.

Taking the Higher Road: Romans 12:21–“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Let us take the high road to avoid any evil thoughts and replace them with good.

Catching Fireflies with Your Kids: Proverbs 22:6–“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Be a good role model for your children; show them God’s love by just being available when they need you and teaching them valuable lessons along the way.

Forgiving Others: Mark 11:25–“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.” It is so important that we learn the importance of forgiveness; not only to forgive others, but to forgive ourselves. If we don’t forgive, then how can God forgive us.

Forgiving Yourself: Mark 11:25 (above). If we don’t forgive ourselves, we can harbor anger, resentment, and we can actually become sick.

Doing that Scary Thing: Isaiah 41:10–“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” If the Lord is with us, there is no fear.

Giving the Compliment: John 3:16–“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son; that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Selflessness. We give a compliment as an act of love without wanting anything in return. Love.

Drinking More Water: John 4:14–“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We know the importance of drinking more water so that we do not hydrate; however, Jesus talks about a “spring of water” which is the Spirit operating in our lives.

Saying I Love You: John 13:34-35–“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When we love one another, it is easy to tell them that we love them. God commands that we do so.

Trusting God: Proverbs 3:5-6–“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” If we trust God, he will provide for our every need and protect us along the way.

There are a number of scriptures that I could have chosen. My prayer is that you take each one on the list and begin searching for scriptures that would apply to your own life/situation and to your relationship with God.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Coffee Quotes: Jump Start Your Day Inspirations

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Who doesn’t like a fresh cup of coffee in the morning after a long-night’s sleep? I can answer a resounding “yes” to that. Every morning like clockwork, I begin my day by making a cup of hot, brewed black coffee to wake up my mind and my soul. A time to be spent looking over the day’s list of things to do, but better yet, a time to reflect upon God’s direction and inspiration for the day.

“The Best Time of Day for Coffee Is…
…breakfast for a jump start
…mid-morning for inspiration
…lunch for good measure
…mid-afternoon for a restart
…dinner for a conversation starter
…evening for a happy ending.” Quote from: “Thank Heaven For Coffee and Other Little Pleasures.” Published by Barbour Publishing Inc.

God can speak to our hearts in a still small voice even in the midst of drinking coffee and/or tea. We just need to be aware of His presence in what we are doing at the moment.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

May you feel “plugged in” to His voice today.

Blessings,
Yvonne

A Meaningful Life

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, NIV)

I have always loved this verse and what Jesus taught us about not worrying. But who doesn’t worry. We get in a financial bind and our first instinct is to “worry” where we will find the money to pay for the things that we bought (but didn’t really need). We stress over our jobs, our children, life in general and begin asking ourselves “what is our purpose in life” and “where am I going” or “am I headed in the right direction”?

We might ponder over the answers and what our options are in certain situations, but something within us keeps us from “taking a risk” and from “keeping the faith” when we are at a low point in our life’s journey.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 that we should “seek his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What he then asks of us is to “not worry about tomorrow and what it holds” because He wants us to know that He holds our future and the difficulties and circumstances in our life are just “pit stops” along the way. Our faith is hopefully strengthened even more deeply during these times of adversity.

I recently purchased a book called “The Magnolia Story” by Chip and Joanna Gaines (available at www.magnoliahome.com, www.amazon.com, www.christianbook.com and other bookstores). A wonderful memoir of how this couple met, eventually married, and had four wonderful children. In a poignant manner, they share all the ups and downs about how they developed their business endeavors and how they eventually ended up doing their current TV show, the Fixer Upper on HGTV. They shared their faith in God as He directed every aspect of their lives. Their show took off and became quite successful along with their other projects as well.

What I enjoyed most about the book was how they shared their faith with family, friends, and even strangers along the way and how they expressed that their lives are definitely full of meaning (purpose).

When I recount numerous experiences where I have had to rely on God’s direction and exercise faith even under trying circumstances, I can truly say that my life has been filled with a great deal of meaning and that I am where God wants me at this season of my life. After all, I get to watch my grandson every day and play. (I think I have regressed to childlike behavior but I won’t say that out loud.)

If we are seeking a meaningful life, then we need to be open to the many possibilities and opportunities that God gives us along the way. Being aware of His presence in our lives and listening to His still small voice to direct us and to help us keep the faith no matter what is happening around us.

Life is full of meaning. We just have to trust God to show us His purpose. Do not worry. Let tomorrow take care of itself.

Let me leave you with yet another wonderful quote regarding not worrying:

“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” –Walt Disney

Blessings,
Yvonne

Scriptures to Live by: Praise and Worship

Praise: “To say or write good things about (someone or something); to express approval of (someone or something); and to express thanks to or love and respect for (God).” Merriam-Webster

Worship: “The act of showing respect and love for a god, especially praying with other people who believe in the same god; the act of worshipping God or a god.” Merriam-Webster

Praise and worship go hand-in-hand and these terms have been used down through the ages and are still being used in our churches today. There are many ways to worship, such as:

On our knees or in our prayer closets;
With raised hands as we sing his praises, and/or
Sitting quietly before God listening for His still, small voice.

There is no right or wrong way to worship, but we are called to worship and praise God as shown in His Holy Word.

Exodus 23:25-26: “Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.”

Isaiah 25:1: “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”

John 4:24: “God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Psalm 68:4: “Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds–his name is the Lord–and rejoice before him.”

Psalm 71:8: “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”

Psalm 150:1-6: “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise him with the harp and lire; praise him with tambourine and dancing; praise him with the strings and flute; praise him with the clash of cymbals; praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

Psalm 63:1: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Psalm 103:1-5: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion; who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Romans 14:11: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'”

Psalm 42:11: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

Let His praise continually be on our lips as we worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Scriptures to Live By: Protection

Protection: the art of protecting; the state of being protected; one that protects. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

How many of you can recall a situation where you definitely felt God’s hand of protection on your life and/or on the lives of your loved ones? There have been times that I can recall how God protected me and/or my husband, and I would like to share one of them with you.

One incident that stands out to me was when my husband and I were on our way to church for the youth group meeting, and our car slid on the ice and spun out of control. We almost landed in the ditch; but thankfully our car only got turned around in the opposite direction, and there was no other car around at the time. Even though we were visibly shaken, we both breathed a word of thanksgiving and headed off to church. There have been many times throughout our lives where God’s hand of protection intervened on our behalf, and we definitely felt safe and “under His wings.”

Some of the scriptures that relate to God’s hand of protection and keeping us safe are found in the Book of Psalms. I have recorded just a few as a reminder that God does keep us in His care and watches out for us.

Psalm 4:8: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 32:7: “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Psalm 27:4-6: “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle, and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me, at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord.”

Psalm 91:4; 11; 14-16: “He will cover you with his feathers; and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (vs. 11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (vs.14-16) Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 18:1-3: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. he is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 145:20: “The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”

May the God of protection keep you from all harm and keep you safe in His care throughout your days.

Blessings,
Yvonne