Verse of the Day to Ponder and Pray: Matthew 12:34-37

Verse of the Day to Ponder and Pray: Matthew 12:34-37

Matthew 12:34-37 / The Message (MSG)

34-37 “You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” 

(Image credit: Microsoft Images Online 2008-2014.)

Morning Prayer 14 January 2014

Morning Prayer 14 January 2014

Good morning, Lord. 

Thank You for the opportunity of this day. It gives me the chance to live another day of loving You, worshiping You, living the purpose You have for my life, and to bring You glory. 

This is the day You have made, Lord. You created it, and have allowed me to wake up this morning for a purpose. Lord, help me to live that purpose and bring You glory. Help me to know the purpose and to live it today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this quarter, this year, over the next decade, and for the rest of my life. 

This is Your day, not mine. Help me to remember this and grasp it. 

I love You, Father and Daddy. 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2011-2014.)

Day 3 of 40 Daily Bible Reading

04 January 2014, Saturday

Genesis 8

This is the chapter about Noah and the Ark with all the animals, where God stops the rain in Genesis 8:1-5.

When does God stop the torrential downpour of the rain? After 150 days, verse 3.

Where? The boat stops on the mountains of Ararat in Genesis 8:4. (For more information about the Mountains of Ararat, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains_of_Ararat.) It’s in what we call Turkey today, according to some sources. Others say Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Mount Ararat today is located in Turkey.

It took 150 days for the boat to come to a stop on the Mountains of Ararat, verses 3-4.

Why? Why did it take 2.5 months + 40 days before Noah released the raven to see if they could leave the ark? (See Genesis 8:6-9.) Answer: Think about it. Think of all of the people, animals, and plants that were swept away and killed from this storm. Think about the stench of the decay. That’s why it took so long. The smell needed to die down.

How long did it really take before Noah and family and animals could leave the ark? See Genesis 8:3-14.

Verses 21-22 are God’s never again list. RE-read them. They are interesting.

Other resources:

1 The Noah’s Ark Searches: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searches_for_Noah%27s_Ark

2 Mount Ararat in Turkey: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ararat

How does Genesis 8 apply to my life?

God took special care of Noah, the family, and the animals. Hence, He does the same for me. He does not change, so that’s how I can be confident He cares about me and even the smallest of details.

Matthew 8

Key verses in my opinion today: 2, 8, 13, 18, 24-27,

Jesus calmed the storm and rebuked it in Matthew 8:23-27.

How does Matthew 8 apply to my life?

Trust Jesus in the days of calm and in the days of storm. Don’t doubt or question. Just trust.

Ezra 8

Key verses in my opinion: 21-23, 34, 36.

How does Ezra 8 apply to my life?

Pray for all of life’s journeys, whether traveling or walking the path of the life in general.

Acts 8

Key verses are: 1, 3, 4

How does Acts 8 apply to my life today?

Verse 4 made me stop in my tracks. This is one of those verses I could spend days to weeks to months to even years on—where I think on it all day and night.

So, I am going to stop and allow this verse to sink in for a while and what it means to me and my life. I think it’s critical for us to stop and rest, Selah, in a verse whenever it gets our attention—and allow God to help us glean everything we can from it. Acts 8:4 is one of those verses for me.

If this pause means I take longer than 365 days to read the Bible, or more than 30 days to get through Psalms and Proverbs, so be it. I think it’s far more important for me to get the most out of Acts 8:4 as possible. 

Day 2 of 40:

02 January 2014, Thursday, 1140 a.m.

An Opening Prayer

Lord, guide me. Today is your day. You have a purpose for me this day. After all, today is Your day, not mine. Help me to live it as such. I want to live Your will and not mine. God Almighty, help me not to get too far ahead of You or too far behind. Guide my steps and help me stay on Your path alone.

Also, help me not to get distracted and focus on You and on You alone.

Psalm 90:12 NOG

Today’s http://BibleGateway.com Verse of the Day is: Psalm 90:12 NOG

12 Teach us to number each of our days

so that we may grow in wisdom.

-- NOG: Scripture is taken from NAMES OF GOD BIBLE (WITHOUT NOTES) ®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Wow. What a wonderful verse for the start of a new year, a new prayer journal, and a new Devotional Bible Study series.

Lord, teach me to number my days and each of my moments. Show me how to do this. I do not want to take one moment for granted. I know I do, but I really do not want to do so. I want to live for You and Your will alone, so I can bring You glory. Help me to think of this often and throughout the day and night.

My M’Cheyne One Year Reading Plan for the Day:

Genesis 7, Matthew 7, Ezra 7, Acts 7

Genesis 7:

Verse 1 talks about how when everything was prepared and ready, then God spoke. Verse 1 in some versions starts with the word, “THEN.”

When does God speak? When we do everything He says, and when everything is ready. Then, He speaks. He speaks when the time is right and best. He does not speak until then.

How many times do I expect God to speak to me now—and not wait? How many times do I want my timing, after all, I know the best timing, right? Hah! Wrong. But, I catch myself trying to get God to move along to my pace. Then, it hits me what I am doing, eventually, and I realize, how wrong I am. God’s timing is always best. Always. Without fail.

More on Genesis 7:1: God tells Noah how He has observed how only Noah is righteous on earth and in this generation. Noah was in right standing with God. He was upright.

Lord, how many times have I said to my husband, “Is there one, besides the very few we know, who are Christ-followers?” I wondered this regarding Christians and unbelievers both. Too many times. The presidential elections of 2012 really hit me in the stomach like a fist. I’m still reeling from it and it’s been over a year. It let me know how few of Christians are truly informed and are in the Bible. I firmly believe this nation would be radically different if we did (I’m looking in the mirror).

How many Christ-followers are really here on earth?

And, then, I remember… WHO AM I to judge? It’s, frankly, none of my business. Their spiritual lives are their choice, not mine.

But, then, I remember how not everyone has had the same advantages as me. Not everyone realizes they have the time to be in the Word and in prayer all day long, for they weren’t taught how to do so. Moreover, not everyone has read the Bible all the way through as many times as I have. Nor has everyone studied the Word like I have. So, what does this mean?

God’s given me the spiritual gift to teach. Hence, that’s what I will do, rather than judge or question. I will love people instead. I will walk with them instead as well.

Moreover, most importantly, I will look in the mirror first and foremost. Period. I have a lot to learn. A lot, a lot, a lot.

Lord, am I acting like Noah in Genesis 7:1? Am I following the Bible? Am I living in the middle of Your will God, and not mine? And, am I doing so 24/7/365?

Answer: Hardly.

How many times do I get distracted and sidetracked and jump, not just step, off Your path, Lord? This is truly my thorn.

Break

My hubby came home early, so we went out to eat and then ran to Target. Now, I’m back home and will continue with my Bible reading of Genesis 7.

Genesis 7, Part 2

How many each of the animals did Noah take on the ark? Hah. That’s a trick question. Most people answer this one incorrectly., after all. The answer is found in Genesis 7:2-3. Seven pairs of every clean animal.

Verse 5 is another verse I want to live by:

Genesis 7:5 NLT

5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Lord, I want to do everything You command me to do—without hesitation and without questioning. Teach me how to do so and help me to be mindful thereof.

Matthew 7

The entire chapter is a good one. I could stop and spend several days contemplating and focusing on those verses. All of it is applicable to life.

Ezra 7

Ezra 7:6 talks about how Ezra knew the Law of Moses well. He was well-versed, skilled, and an expert in it. For a Christian, the Law of Moses refers to the entire Bible, as well as Genesis through Deuteronomy.

Lord, may that be said of me one day. I hope to be well-verses, skilled, and an expert in Your Word—and will spend my lifetime trying to achieve this goal. Verse 10 is another one I want to apply as well and goes right along with Ezra 7:6, along with Ezra 7:11.

Acts 7

Acts 7:1-50 is a nice summary of the Old Testament.

In Acts 7:51-60, Stephen is stoned for speaking truth.

Reading Through Psalms and Proverbs in a Month

Psalm 7, 37, 67, 127. Proverbs 7. 

Good Morning, Lord: A Prayer

Good Morning, Lord: A Prayer

Good morning, Lord.

How sweet it is to wake up knowing You are in my life and are working in my life, around my life, and through my life. You are always with me and forever present. You never leave me and certainly never forsake me (1 Kings 6:13; 1 Kings 8:57; Isaiah 42:16; Hebrews 13:5).

I also start this day knowing I have two choices:

1 Make today all about me or partially about me.

2 Make this day all about You.

I woke today because You wanted me to do so. That means You have a purpose for me this day. Am I going to live it? This is my choice.

Lord, guide me. Help me every second, minute, and hour, to make today all about You and not about me.

For, today is Your day. There is no better day.

Psalm 118:24 * Expanded Bible (EXB)

24 This is the day that the Lord has made.

   Let us rejoice and be glad ·today [in it]!

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

PRAYER JOURNALING AND CONTEMPLATION

How can I make today more about You, Lord?

How can I make each day ALL about You, Lord? 
What is Your purpose (or purposes) for me today? This week? This month? This quarter? This year? This decade? 

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease: The sunrise. 2011.)

Day 1: A New Year or a New Beginning: A Parable of the Life of a Tree and Its Leaves

Isaiah 43:18 * Expanded Bible (EXB)

18 The Lord says, “Forget what happened before,

   and do not ·think about [consider; dwell on] the past.

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


A PARABLE ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND A NEW BEGINNING
Every person is a tree.
Every tree, every life has leaves, roots, and fruit.
God grows and fertilizes the tree and its fruit. That is His responsibility, not ours. He is the one who helps us to bear much fruit. He even helps grow leaves and roots.
But, where do we come into the picture, besides as a tree?
Every year, trees lose their leaves in the Fall and regrow them in the Spring, if they are of that variety of tree. These are the tree only trees, by the way.
But, then there are the person trees whose lives are symbolized by the trees. They have leaves year round and are given additional leaves at the beginning of each new year. The question is what we are going to do with each leaf, which each represents a new day. Are we going to made different shapes with that leaf and color it in bright, new ways? Or, are we going to neglect it and not do much with it? Or, worse yet, are we going to live this day, this leaf, as if it's our own and completely ignore the Gardener, God?
In 2014, let us take each new leaf of a new day and make it God's day, not our own. Let us live smack-dab in the middle of His will and His path, not in the one we choose. May we be in the Word, in thanksgiving, and in prayer as we help teach others about the New Life in Him.
So, how will you choose this day to color your leaf?
At the end of the year, will you have a bright, bold, colorful tree? Or will it be full of dark brown or black leaves? And, how much fruit will you allow God to bear through you and your life?

MORAL OF THE STORY
Every New Year is a New Beginning.
And, every new beginning is a new year.
At any moment, we can stop and say, "Let's try again" or "Let's start a new page." That's the beauty about life and what Jesus Christ did for us. He came so that our sins could be forgiven, so we are constantly allowed a new beginning. When we slip, we can start again and try again.
What relief.
What joy.
What a blessing.
If we have strayed from His path and gone our way, we can start all over again.
Let's not abuse it, but take advantage of the new beginning we are about to have. For, each day is His, not ours. Let's make each day bold, beautiful, and colorful in Him, in his Word, in thanksgiving, and in prayer.

Letter to the Lord #1: My Personal Journaling

Good morning, Lord. What a beautiful day it is. Thank you.  

Lord, I’ve decided to do a 40-day prayer challenge of praying without ceasing about something or someone for 40 days. 

I have no idea who or what I should pray for between now and 02 March 2013. Lord, guide me.
I am just feeling the need to pray--and I am hearing the call to talk with you, seek your face, and draw closer to you.

Guide me. Instruct me. Help me hear your voice. What should my prayer focus be?

I, also, thank you--for the answered prayer on Friday, along with everything that will come because of the answered prayer. 

Prepare my husband and I for what is to come, Lord.

Thank you for the ability and opportunity to journal and to teach journaling. What an awesome privilege. 

I will set my heart and mind on you today and listen--and will remain open to your prompting as to what my prayer focus should be.

You are an awesome God.

~ Stacy Duplease

Confession and Running To: My Personal Journaling

I have a confession. I need to run to today (not runaway from). I need to run as fast as I can to my Lord who can bring me comfort and tell me that everything is going to be okay. I need to rejuvenate in him and seek some healing.

I have a million things that need to come first. My to do list is long as can be. But, it will wait.

However, there are times when we have to deal with something head on--or it will deal with us. I think the time is now for me. I need to acknowledge some feelings and thoughts that I try to push down. You know... Act strong. 

I trust God and his timing. He knows best. He sees things through divine eyes and I only see through my small, scarred, limited, sinful, and human eyes. 

But, that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't feel beaten. That doesn't mean I don't feel low and yucky. That doesn't mean I have a lack of faith. It's just that after four+ years, it can be difficult to wait... To be patient... To not know when my prayers will be answered.

And, have you noticed that when other people's same prayers are answered, and yours hasn't been... It can hurt? And, you feel guilty for feeling that way? That's where I am at today.

The truth is in four years, I haven't cried once about this. I've remained strong. I've held to my faith. I've trusted. I have tried to do everything I can to push through, to keep moving forward, to not feel sorry for myself, and to know that God has bigger, better, perfect plans. 

He promised me this prayer will be a yes answer. But, it's in his timing, not mine. I know he is preparing me and my husband for this. I know he is preparing everyone else for it, too. 

But, sometimes, it's hard to remain forever strong and faithful.

Sometimes, I just want a hug by God. A reminder he hasn't forgotten. A reminder that it just isn't time yet--that it will happen--and he is proud of the race I've run so far. 

It hurts.

So, today, I am going to take some time and not be so strong and sort through everything I've dealt with for over four years. It's time. 

I am running to--deal with it. Not runaway from and avoid having to do so. 

I am running to God and want to see if he has anything to say. I sure could use a word from him. That is for sure. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper 

Prayers

My prayers are with everyone involved with Sandy Hook Elementary School (because of the shootings)--along with their families and friends.

I will go silent on my blog today so we can pray and journal for them.

Stacy Duplease

Praying about Isaac

Will you join me in prayer for Hurricane Isaac (as it takes a eerie course similar to Katrina's in 2005--and will be just one day off from that anniversary)?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Online Images.)

Stacy Duplease

Praying for the Empire Building Shooting Victims

The victims and witnesses of the shootings near the Empire State Building are in my thoughts and prayers, along with their friends and family.

 

You are not alone and are not forgotten.

(Photo credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer of:

Inspirational American Historical Ancestry Romance Fiction

  

Aurora Movie Shootings (Or Massacre)

The victims, families, and friends of everyone in the Aurora Movie Shootings are in my thoughts and prayers.May the Lord be with you and bless you at this time (and always).

Denver, Colorado is my home. I might live in the birthplace of the United States, but Colorado is home. It is where I will return when my husband retires in the years to come. My husband and I were there earlier this month--visiting family and friends. We went by that specific movie theatre numerous times...

Also, my husband and I were there for Columbine. (Hence, it means a great deal that the same man who made the crosses for Columbine made them again for this tragedy. Wow.)

This is something very near and dear to our hearts...

A senseless act of violence by a premeditated madman. He did not snap. It was thoroughly planned and thought out.

May justice be seen and done. May the families and friends get answers. Lord, bless Colorado. Again. Amen.

We are--Colorado!
Please pause for a moment of silence and prayer. We will never forget.
(Photo is from Microsoft Images Online.)
--

Stacy Duplease

As you prepare for the Messiah and Savior...

As you prepare for celebrating the birth of the Messiah and Savior, what is on your heart?

Spend time in prayer about it. Have some special time with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He would love nothing more.

(Photo is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

James 5:16 and a Model of Prayer

James 5:16 is a model of/for prayer. May we learn to apply it to all of our prayers.

What can we learn and model from James 5:16 regarding prayer in general and in particular for the USAGC 2026 Prayer? We can learn the following:
a Confess your sins.
b Don't just confess them. Confess your sins to another.
c Pray for each other and for healing.
d The prayers of a righteous person work well. They are powerful. So, pray.

Now, think of the USAGC 2026 prayer. If we took this into consideration, I bet the praying for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the United States of America on or by 31 December 2026 would be far more likely.


(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 22 December 2011.)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Amen

In case you might wonder... I do not end my prayers, unless they are orally and in front a crowd, with "Amen." There is a reason. I never want to think of prayer as beginning or ending. Rather, I want to think prayer is continuing even though I am not giving it words at the moment. Does that make sense?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Presidential Elections Prayer

This is a touchy subject.... Politics and all... And what I am about to say could step on some toes. But, this is a wake-up call for all of us (me included).

What is it about the shower? I do not know about you, but that's when God seems to really speak to me. Today, he spoke to me quite sternly in an effort to get my attention and get me to think with my head and not with my heart. Once he caught my attention, he told me to share the message with you.

It does not matter who any of us likes or wants to be elected. Read that repeatedly until it sinks in. It does NOT matter. It does not MATTER.

So, what does matter? I am glad you asked, because I asked the Lord that same question.

What matters is who GOD wants to be the next President of the United States. 

We tend to elect people, and vote for people, because of all the WRONG reasons. ALL of the wrong reasons. 

Who we vote for does not matter.

It is WHAT we vote for that matters. We need to vote for who God wants and the individual who does NOT do anything in office for their own agenda--or anyone else's. So, we need to pray for a selfless person for the office. 

The individual MUST obey God and obey God's Word. Period. End of story. Again, re-read that repeatedly until it sinks in.

It does NOT matter if we like the person or not. What matters is that they are president--based on biblical principles alone. They are a servant of God then and that is who should, and must, be president. If we vote for anyone else, then WE ARE LIVING IN SIN. If we do not vote for a man or woman of God, who will live the Word regardless of what anyone (or any group) wants or prefers, then we are actively and intentionally disobeying the Lord and the Bible. Period.

If we do not vote, we are not right. We are in the wrong. We are to vote the person who will stand on biblical principles and not stand by as someone is elected who fails to do so. 

Forget the people who are campaigning. What they stand for is what matters. It does not matter how they look. It does not matter how they speak. It does not matter if we like them. It does not matter if they say catchy phrases. It does not matter. What matters is what they stand on. Do they stand on self and/or agendas? Or do they stand on the Word of God? 

Look at these elections in a way you NEVER have before. Look at them ONLY through the lens of the Bible. Forget everything else. Who stands the most with biblical principles? Who does God want? Nothing else matters.

This is the wake-up, foot to my pants insight I needed. How about you? 

I think it's critical we spend EXTENDED time in prayer as the primary season is starting--and until the elections. May this be our focal prayer of determination. Pray without ceasing. This is critical. There is too much at stake.

What is wrong with the USA? We are. We have forgotten it's not about us or what we would prefer. It's about God.

(Clipart is from Microsoft Clipart)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Prayer

Lord, you are Immanuel. You are God with us. You are our Father, our Abba.

Help us to get to know you more each and every day. We want more of you and your Word in our life by the day--and much less of us and self. 

Teach us how to pray. Show us how to pray for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the USA on or by 31 December 2026. That's the USAGC 2026 Prayer. Also, help us to take it much more seriously than what we do. Souls are at stake. We tend to forget this. Hence, teach us how to pray continually the USAGC Prayer.

Help us to understand what you want us to do regarding the prayer of USAGC 2026. How do you want us to pray? When? How long? Who specifically do you want us to pray for, Lord? 

Help our unbelief.

Lord, we want to bring you maximum glory in our lives. This includes through the USAGC 2026 prayer campaign. 

May the Great Commission be fulfilled in the United States of America on or by 31 December 2026. 

Use us, Lord. 

We love you. 

Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do because each of our prayers. To you be the glory!

(Photo by Stacy Duplease. Copyright 2011.)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Bold Enough?

Are your prayers bold enough?

Or do you limit what God can do?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

A Watered Down Faith

Do you water down your faith? Do you hold back? Are you afraid of being viewed as a wacky Christian? (You know... One of 'those.')

Why?

How can you be more bold in your faith?

How can you be more bold in your prayers?

A Watered Down Faith

Do you water down your faith? Do you hold back? Are you afraid of being viewed as a wacky Christian? (You know... One of 'those.')

Why?

How can you be more bold in your faith?

How can you be more bold in your prayers?

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction