Happy New Year

google image

NEW YEAR'S BLESSING

May God...

always provide for you

always show you mercy

always give you guidance

always direct your steps

always watch over you

always show you the truth

always give you strength

to trust Him in all things.

Light for Today: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

Love

www.graphicgarden.com


Love makes the heart light.

Love makes the day bright.

Today make the day bright for someone with lots of love.

Light for Today: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

Happy Thoughts

Thank You God, for sending

a happy thought my way

to blot out my depression

on a disappointing day.

Helen Steiner Rice

Light for Today: An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25

Daily Blessings

www.graphicgarden.com

If your first thought of the morning is to thank God for all the

blessings that He has given you with loving care,

then no day will be unmeetable.

Light for Today: Praise the Lord, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Answered Prayers

google image

We'll never win the game if we don't play it.

Our prayers will not be answered if we don't pray them!

Pray with a sincere heart.

Pray earnestly.

Pray constantly.

Light for Today: The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8

Jesus

google image

Without this child

there would be no hope.

Without this child

there would be no peace.

But thanks be to God

for sending His only Son

to save the lost,

to save US.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Light for Today: For to us a child is born, to us a child is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Christmas Is A Miracle

artist: Annie Lang

Christmas is a miracle

not just a celebration!

Light for Today: I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Open Hands

google image

Do you have troubles surrounding you and feel they are almost too heavy to bear? Place those cares into God's open hands. He will take care of them for you. It's as simple as that!

Light for Today: Into your hands I commit my spirit. Psalm 31:5

Open The Gift Of Gratitude

google image


Open The Gift Of Gratitude

We are grateful for eyes that can see and ponder, for taste buds that know the pleasures of eating and drinking, for hands that hold, and touch and feel, for ears that can delight in music and the voice of a friend, for a nose that can smell the aroma of newly mown grass or delicious food, and also can breathe the air that gives us life. We are grateful for the eyes of faith, for believing in the presence of God, giving us hope in our darkest day's, encouraging us to listen to our spirit's hunger, and reminding us to trust in the blessings of God in our most empty day's. Yes, we are grateful!


Light for Today: Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Psalm 103:1

Decorate Your Life

google image

Only five days until Christmas! Are you ready? Is your heart ready? Have you decorated your heart with glad tidings and cheer? Do you have an inner glow that develops through loving Jesus and living in a way that is pleasing to Him? That is more important than your decorated house.

Light for Today: Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85:10

Perfect Love

artist: Annie Lang


God's Perfect Love Gift Wrapped

Enjoy the Miracle!

Light for Today: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

The Good Life

artist: Trina Clark

I read a little something yesterday that impressed me greatly. This little writing said our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God and when we get to this point there is nothing easier than that. Our difficulties come when we try to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit. When I can completely rely on God and I know my Father cares, then I can watch and anticipate how He will unravel my problems.

Light for Today: Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you...Let not your heart be troubled. John 14:27

Christmas Gifts

google image

Do you give lots of gifts at Christmas? They have little or no purpose if God is not part of the giving. We also need to make Christmas a pattern to follow in everyday living.

Light for Today: A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16

The Way The Truth The Light

artist: Trina Clark

Isn't it wonderful that God sent His greatest gift ~ His son ~ so that we can know the way the truth and the light. Let's appreciate this magnificent and generous gift.

Light for Today: Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Psalm 43:3

The Cross Is Not Greater

google image

We sang an old hymn in church yesterday that we've sang thousands of times before but it spoke to my heart like never before. "The Cross Is Not Greater" written by Ballington Booth a very long time ago. Here are the words to the first verse and the chorus. If you know it sing it and be inspired.

The cross that He gave may be heavy,
But it ne're outweighs His grace.
The storm that I feared may surround me,
But it ne're excludes His face.

The cross is not greater than His grace,
The storm cannot hide His blessed face;
I am satisfied to know
That with Jesus here below,
I can conquer every foe.

I was especially inspired with the last phrase: That with Jesus here below, I can conquer EVERY foe. What a wonderful encouragement.


Light for Today: Come, take up our cross, and follow Me. Mark 10:21

My Favorite Thing

google image

One of my very favorite things is sharing a cup of coffee with a dear friend and having some heart~to~heart conversation. Sharing my life's joys, sorrows, disappointments and dreams with someone special is truly heart warming. Take time for a chat with someone dear to you during this busy Christmas season.


Light for Today: A word spoken in due season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23

Invite Jesus

google image

Is Jesus coming to visit you today? What will you discuss? Will you thank Him for all the many blessing you receive? Will you tell Him you love Him? Will you tell Him your sorrows and ask His advice? Jesus will help you with anything and everything. Jesus is the most wonderful friend you can have. He is MY best friend.

Light for Today: Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. Psalm 5:2

A Time Of Joy

No matter what is happening in your life right now do not be troubled. Don't let your soul be sad. Christmas is a time for joy. All hearts should be glad. Jesus, our Savior was born! The one that came to die for our sins. He is the only one that can rescue us from all our troubles. REJOICE.

Light for Today: We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. Psalm 20:5

SMILE!

google image

As you walk down the busy hallways of the mall, full of many Christmas shoppers, be sure to smile at the people. Christmas is a hard time for many. Smiling will make your shopping twice as sweet and you just might make the day brighter for someone. Smiling is cheap so why not!


Light for Today: The cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15

Don't Forget To Pray

google image

Christmas is a season of hustle and bustle but one thing we must never forget and that is to pray. Pray to God at dawn and again at the setting sun.

Light for Today: It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2

How are you wrapped for Jesus?

google image

If you were all wrapped up as a present for Jesus would He be pleased with what He received? Or do you concentrate too much on the wrapping and not enough on the present inside?


Light for Today: A man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19

Forbearance

Christmas time involves lots of hustle and bustle. We may as well admit it that it is easy to become stressed out in the midst of it all. We want to buy the right present for our loved ones and bake lots of delicious treats to give away. It takes lots of time. If we are not careful we can become uptight. This season let's make it our goal to stay unruffled when others around us are stressed and also to have forbearance towards those that are ruffled.


Light for Today: If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength. Proverbs 24:1

Is Praying Important To You?

google image

Is praying as important as life and death to you? It was to Daniel. Daniel was a great man of faith and prayer. He prayed three times a day even though it was against the King's decree. Daniel is a good example for us to follow.


Light for Today: But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with its windows open toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, just as he always had, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10 TLB

Be A Blessing

google image

Christmas is right around the corner. Have you started your gift shopping or are you finished already? This Christmas don't give to get a blessing. Give to BE A BLESSING.


Light for Today: Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart, then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deut. 15:10 NIV

Happy Thanksgiving

I thank God each and every day for all the many rich blessings He has bestowed upon me. Sometimes I wonder why things happen like they do, but I never blame God for them. Never. I can only praise Him for loving me and being MY FATHER.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Light for Today: Give thanks to him and bless his name. for the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation. Psalm 100: 2b-3

God's Love

google image


GOD'S LOVE

He prayeth well, who loveth well

Both man and bird and beast;

He prayeth best, who loveth best

All things, both great and small.

For the dear God, who loveth us,

He made and loveth well.

Samuel Coloridge

Light for Today: We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Give Thanks

google image


Give thanks

To the Lord our Savior

Who provides an abundance

Who fills us with His mercies

Who sustains us by His Spirit

He blesses us continually.


LET US PRAISE HIM

Light for Today: Shout for joy to the Lord. Psalm 100:1 NIV

Praise God

Kansas Sunrise
(google image)


Praise God, from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him, all creatures here below!

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!
Thomas Ken

Light for Today: Praise him from sunrise to sunset! Psalm 113:3 TLB

Are You In Prison?

Buckingham Palace

Are you in a prison?

Your prison can become your palace!

John Bunyan was in prison for his faith for twelve years. While there he wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress" which became his best writing. He could hardly wait to get up in the morning so he could write and write and write. His prison was also his place.


Light for Today: I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 NLT

Jesus, I Love You

Jesus I love you

Thank you for your care

Thank you for my family

And the wool I wear

Always be near me

Shepherd now I pray

And I'll try to follow you

Each and every day.

Light for Today: And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14 NIV

Abundant Love

Praying that this season is filled
with God's abundant love
and blessed with
all the good things
He takes joy in giving.

Light for Today: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine... Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Crashing Waves

Are the waves crashing over your head?

Do you feel like you are almost drowning?

Is the storm so severe?

Are you weary of having to keep your head above water?

Are you almost ready to let go and sink?

Please dear friend, do not let go of your lifeline.

There is help within your reach.

JESUS

Jesus is wanting to help you.

Jesus is throwing out the lifeline to keep you from sinking

Jesus is wanting to bring you to dry ground.

Grab that lifeline and cling to it with the little bit of strength you have left.

Light for Today: Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

National Kindness Day

NATIONAL KINDNESS DAY

Spread some today!

(and every day)

What Are You Thankful For

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

I'm thankful for:

I can see

I love to eat

my little dog

my computer

sunshine

chrysanthemums

family & friends

my new fridge & dishwasher

but, most of all I'm thankful that


JESUS HOLDS MY HAND EVERY DAY.

Light for Today: May the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as well as with human joys. Psalm 128:5 TLB

Trust Jesus

We have a choice ~ we can either worry or worship and we can either pray or panic. The more we pray the less we'll panic. God will take care of us. If our minds are filled with resentment, worry, fear, lust, guilt anger, bitterness or any other emotional disease, it's going to shorten our lives. If we really trust Jesus we will be less stressed.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV


(This writing was inspired by one of Rick Warren's essays.)

God's Kindness

Are you facing an unknown journey in your life right now? Are you wondering how things will turn out? Does the road ahead look dark? Do not despair. God's kindness is all around you. He will lend strength to your faltering spirit and cheer to your heart.


Light for Today: When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19

graphic can be purchased at:

http://www.gemscottage.com/

Pray With Praise

Are you praying selfishly? Wanting all sorts of things for yourself? That is not what prayers are meant for. God in His wisdom refuses things we wrongly desire. Infuse your prayers with praise and thanksgiving. When you pray with thanksgiving and praise you will find yourself praying less selfishly and more for others. Those kind of prayers God answers.



Light for Today: I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Sing Praises To The Lord

We can sing our cares away easier than we can reason them away. The birds sing early in the morning and they are without care more than anything else I know of.

Light for Today: Oh, that we might sing morning and evening, and let song touch song all the way through. (Unknown)

Blessings From My Home To Yours

May God bless your home
with the warmth of love

And your heart with
the warmth of contentment


Blessings to you this November!

Light for Today: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3 NASB

Special Friends

SPECIAL FRIENDS

You have a special place in my heart. We have shared together our hearts. As I thank God for all the blessings He gives, I'm thanking Him especially for all my special friends. I'm glad that each one of you are a part of my life.


Light for Today: It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart... Philippians 1:7 NIV

Think of Others

artist: Gem's Cottage

Today is a good day to pray for others and ask that God bless them abundantly.


Light for Today: The blessing of the Lord be upon you. Psalm 129:8

November ~ Thankful Month

I think of November as a month to especially remember all the many blessings we have received and to be more than ever thankful for them. God has been so good to each one of us.

So many blessings to thank the Lord for ~

Let's love Him

Let's praise Him

Let's thank Him

SOME MORE!

Light for Today: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting. Refer to Psalm 136:1

Fall Blessings

artist: Trina Clark

Be like a pumpkin! Let God pick you off the vine and wash all the dirt off. Let Him open you up and touch you deep inside. Gladly let Him scoop out all the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, envy etc. Then He can carve a bright new smiling face and put His light inside to shine for all the world to see.


Light for Today: The blessings of the Lord be upon you. Psalm 129:8

Serve Jesus with Gladness

volunteer at soup kitchen

Today serve the Lord.

Serve with GLADNESS!

Light for Today: Worship the LORD with gladness...Psalm 100:2

I Love You Jesus

DEAR JESUS,

I LOVE YOU.

I AM YOURS

AND

YOU ARE MINE.

Light for Today: 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. John 3:16 NIV

Enduring Love

We know all about love being kind, not jealous, does not brag and the rest of 1 Corinthians 13. We've read that chapter many times and heard many sermons preached on it. But what about "endures all things?" That means the good and the bad. Our mate might suffer an incurable illness but we endure with him. Our children might have a premature baby with a long hospital stay but we endure with them together. Love is wonderful but love also involves enduring hardships with tolerance. There is no hardship that love cannot endure.

Light for Today: Be kind and compassionate to one another...Ephesians 4:32