Light On My Path

[bluidkiti]

Light On My Path Part 28 - Hope for the Harried

by Gail Rodgers
We talked over a pot of tea. Together we read these stark words from the Bible…

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down” (Proverbs 14:1)

The frenzied pace she kept was taking a toll on her home. Life just seemed to be fraying around the edges.
When we live at a pace that continually drains us we end up taking it out on those closest to us. Complaining, frustration and lack of patience can surface all too often. As women we can actually be tearing down relationships by our own hand and not even be aware we are doing so. A wise woman will take note of her reactions and make a choice to be a builder.
If your quiet time with God has slipped to the wayside of your life it won’t be long before you notice the tell-tale reactions of complaining, negativity and frustration in your life and relationships.
Ask God to come in a fresh way into your life to help you make time with Him a priority. Choose to make some changes in your schedule so God can make some changes in your heart. Invite His Holy Spirit to be the change agent in your life today. Ask for what the Bible calls the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) It’s “The Great Exchange.” He will help you build your relationships. You can depend on God to be your source for all your needs.

• Exchange your weakness for His strength.
• Your unhappy heart for His joy.
• Your annoyance with His love.
• Your anxiety with His peace.
• Your impatience for His patience.
• Your complaining for His contentment.
• Your harsh attitude for His gentleness.

prayer & reflection

Father in Heaven,
Today I ask that You would forgive me for foolishly reacting in ways that can tear my relationships down. Fill me afresh today with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. May I be a wise woman filled with the wisdom and revelation that Your Spirit offers me.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

[bluidkiti]

Light On My Path Part 29 - Have you heard?

by Gail Rodgers
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 28-31
prayer & reflection

LORD, I thank You that You are my everlasting God. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. You are changeless and I praise You.
Thank you that You are the Creator of all things to the very ends of the Earth. I trust in Your creative power to be at work in my life. Help me to expect it and to look for it.
Thank you that You never grow weary or tired. You are always there waiting for me to lean on You. I can’t even fathom Your great understanding. Increase my faith in the areas of my life where things don’t seem to make any sense to me.
You give me strength when I am weary. You increase my power when I am weak. I praise You for Your constant presence in my life. Thank you Lord!
Today I feel so weak in ___________. I look to You to strengthen me. Thank you that I can expect to receive power from Your Holy Spirit. I praise You for Your constant care.
Give me determination to connect with You in prayer and in reading Your Word. I praise You for the constant hope You give me.
Replace my weariness with Your amazing strength. Flow through me this day to influence the world around me with Your power. I praise You for Your constant love!
Lift me up above the shadows today OLord.
In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

[bluidkiti]

Light On My Path Part 30 - Time to Move

by Gail Rodgers
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

Surely he will save you from (hidden snares) the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and (your defensive fortification) rampart.” Psalm 91:1-4 NIV (italics mine)
prayer & reflection

Father God,
Thank you for the wonderful invitation to make Your presence my dwelling place. I often visit Your presence but I see today that You call me to live there.
Help me to recognize when I begin feeling too familiar in the dwelling places of self pity, discouragement and even self condemnation. Help me to pay attention to when my moods move me to places I do not wish to live.
Thank you that when I am aware of where I allow myself to live then I can make the choice to move. Your presence is so inviting. Sheltered and resting in Your shadow is where I want to be.
Moving to Your presence means choosing to open the door of where I am now and inviting You in.
Today I take the key You offer me… the key to Your presence is the declaration of where I will put my focus today… “And I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”.
You are my stability and my anchor. You are my refuge and my safe place. Your faithfulness is the shield that I need around me today.
Yes Lord, I choose today to declare my trust in You. I choose today to acknowledge where I have been living. By Your grace and with Your help I will move today. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and may I sense the shift within my spirit as I lean into Your amazing place of safety and refuge. Guide my thoughts and my steps this day.
In the powerful name of Jesus I pray with thanksgiving in my heart, amen.