Updated on September 1, 2017
A Very Thankful Prayer, By Bonnie Rickner Jensen: A Review and a Giveaway
Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Every day I wake up with a happy, thankful heart.
From watching the leaves fall to picking pumpkins from the patch, from sharing a Thanksgiving meal with loved ones to learning how to give—there’s so much to be thankful for! Join these adorable animals as they say a prayer of thanks to God, who gives us every good thing.
I’m so thrilled to tell you about a giveaway for this wonderful book! This makes a perfect gift, for yourself or others! If you’re interested in winning a free book, go here to enter!
To purchase this little gem, use this link.
** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on September 2, 2017
Seek First Project: The Tempter Final (Day 82)
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. – Matthew 4:11
Does it feel like this season of temptation will never end?
It will. The Lord longs to rush in and care for us, not only when this is over, but also during this season.
Are you afraid? Worried? Anxious? Tempted?
Angels are coming. Angels are here.
Today, I drew angel wings all over my journal page. I know not many of the angels likely have wings, but it’s still a good visual reminder for me. A reminder that this will actually not last forever. A reminder that He takes care of me.
God Who Sees, thank You for Your hope and Your care. We could never get through a moment of this without You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on September 1, 2017
Seek First Project: The Tempter Again (Day 81)
(Matthew 4: 8-10)
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
It’s hard when the past gleams shiny… and you’d give quite a bit to be back there, when things were easier. It’s tempting when the fears loom large and everyone else you know seems to have the good life.
“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
This really takes the shine out of those temptations, doesn’t it?
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him.
You can say this, too, when he uses your worries to tempt you to what he presents as “more.”
“For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”
Today, I’m journaling about those gleamy images of “more” that the enemy shows me from the heights. Then I’m following that with a slew of scriptures about how and why our God is better… not just a little better, but higher above than we can even imagine. Because I need to remember that that old devil’s promises come with the caveat, “if you worship me.”
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Precious Lord, thank You for reminding us that we can tell the devil to go. Thank You for giving us so much better. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on September 1, 2017
No Easy Jesus: A Review and a Giveaway!
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
No Easy Jesus holds the key to moving forward when you’re bored, disillusioned, and beaten down by faith-as-usual. It’s a clarion challenge to wake up each day and choose Jesus all over again; to make the tough, gritty choices that align your way with His and lead to true fullness of life. Because when you decided to follow Jesus, you didn’t sign up for what was easiest—you signed up for what was best.
This book was very inspiring to me! One of my favorite things he talked about was that grace was opposed to earning, not effort. I have never heard it put so perfectly before, but Wow!
The author gives practical and transparent examples from his own life to bring this concept to life. It’s easy to get tired, discouraged, worn down… it’s easy to want to take the easy path. But that way leads to destruction.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. – Matthew 7:13-14
I’m so happy to host a giveaway for this book right here on my blog. Enter below, and a winner be chosen at random in a week!
If you’d like to purchase this book, please follow the links to Amazon or Tyndale.
** I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on September 1, 2017
Crossflix Internet Television Network: A Review and a Giveaway!
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8
Crossflix delivers the best in Faith Oriented Entertainment, Education and Inspiration by licensing and producing the best faith Content see New Featured Movies every week like “Like a Country Song” Starring Billy Ray Cyrus, Revive Us with Kirk Cameron, Gallows Road starring Kevin Sorbo and Ernie Hudson, Savannah Starring Jim Caviezel and Chiwetel Ejiofor, plus hundreds of award winning documentaries, Kids animation and the Crossflix Living Bible Series consisting of 50 Half hour Episodes.
If you’re like me, you really get frustrated that it’s dangerous to watch television these days! Shows are crossing every line there is to cross, even in the middle of the day. Movies are even worse. And if you can find something safe to watch, the commercials will get you every time!
Netflix and other subscription sites carry shows and movies I don’t want my kids exposed to, as well. Even more so, now that they’re teens! Isn’t there enough temptation out there without pumping it into our homes?
Crossflix is a subscription site that presents only faith-based television and movies! It’s the perfect solution for our family! We have been absolutely loving the shows that we find there, and I never have to worry when my kids watch online, that they’re going to be surprised by some scene that is straight from the devil into their growing minds.
My daughter, in particular, will find a movie she loves and watch it over and over and over again. I love that she’s receiving Godly messages and watching Godly examples. We couldn’t be more pleased with our subscription to Crossflix!
That’s why I’m so excited to tell you about a GIVEAWAY for a FULL YEAR subscription of Crossflix for your home! Just follow the link and it’s easy to enter! I hope you win!
You can also get a 14-day trial subscription when you visit Crossflix online. You won’t be sorry!
** I received a 3 month subscription to Crossflix, in exchange for my honest review.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 31, 2017
Seek First Project: The Tempter Continued (Day 81)
(Matthew 4:5-7)
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple
Sometimes he takes me places, too. Sometimes, I allow myself to be taken. He knows my fears as well as I do, so he knows just where to take me to put me at my most vulnerable.
and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
The devil learns. He adapts. He saw that Jesus was knowledgeable of the scriptures, so he thought to turn the scriptures to help his own evil cause. Does he ever do that with you?
In fact, the enemy used not one, but two bible passages for this trick!
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
The Bible never contradicts itself. Period.
Today, I’m writing in my journal about the so-called “promises of God” that some in the religious culture want us to “claim”. These passages were almost always used for a specific person or group of people, and have nothing whatsoever do do with us. Another twist on some of these that people use is that people take them as a physical meaning, when in fact they refer to a spiritual thing.
These “promises” can give us false hope. They can also cause us to lose our faith and turn from God, when the thing we’re praying for and “claiming” doesn’t come to be. In this way, the devil uses his knowledge of the scriptures to discourage us.
These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Here’s one example I’m putting in my journal today:
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. – 1 Peter 2:24
This passage is so often quoted by those who believe we can claim a physical healing and bingo-bango, we’re healthy and whole. They only use the end of the verse, though, and leave out the first, which explains it. Peter is referring to our souls, not our bodies, in this passage.
Gracious God, please help us to use discernment and study when we hear and see scriptures quoted as fact. We know that all must be taken in context, and that the devil is clever in his tactics. Give us wisdom to fight the discouragement he wants to cause. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on August 30, 2017
Seek First Project: Climb Right Behind Me (Day 80)
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the Lord will help us defeat them!” – 1 Samuel 14:12
Today is an action day. Choose something you’ve been putting off. Something that’s hard or scary or has you worried about an outcome.
Pray about it first, this step you’re going to take.
Then come on, climb right behind me.
The Lord will help us defeat this.
God in Heaven, Thank You for Your sure and strong arm in times of trouble. Give us courage and wisdom as we face this task today. Lead us in the way You would have us to handle it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 29, 2017
Seek First Project: The Tempter (Day 79)
(Matthew 4:1-4)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
Are you hungry? For food? For love? For peace?
And the tempter came
He never misses an opportunity, does he? He waits til we’re hungry.
and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Are we living on the right bread? The enemy can’t provide that, no matter how much tempting he does.
I took out my journal again today. I prayed about the hungers I feel. My hungers stem from worries and fears. My hungers stem from too much energy expended trying to be in control, or change others, or rewrite a situation. I examined the temptations that have come into my life because of those. I wrote about it all.
Then I wrote what God has to say about resisting those temptations. I’m dwelling on these the rest of this week. These, and what is to come in the next few days, as we examine Matthew chapter 4. Will you go with me?
Dear God, I am laying bare my fears this week, yet again, not because I want to dwell on them, but because I want to replace them with Your Living Bread. Lead me to the scriptures You would have me put on my heart this week. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 28, 2017
Seek First Project: A Song of Plea and Praise (Day 78)
O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me and rescue me,
for you do what is right.
Turn your ear to listen to me,
and set me free.
Be my rock of safety
where I can always hide.
Give the order to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked,
from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.
And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
For my enemies are whispering against me.
They are plotting together to kill me.
They say, “God has abandoned him.
Let’s go and get him,
for no one will help him now.”
O God, don’t stay away.
My God, please hurry to help me.
Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.
Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
But I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you more and more.
I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.
I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.
I will tell everyone that you alone are just.
O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.
Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
for you have ransomed me.
I will tell about your righteous deeds
all day long,
for everyone who tried to hurt me
has been shamed and humiliated.
– Psalm 71
Today, I copied this psalm into my journal. It wowed me because it was so apropos. I hope you’ll pray it with me. He’s listening.
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Posted on August 27, 2017
Seek First Project: Honor Him (Day 77)
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalm 46:10
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
