Praying the Bible Over Your Family: Genesis 18:19

Praying the Bible Over Your Family:  Genesis 18:19

On May 13, I wrote a post about praying the Bible over your family.  The Bible verse we prayed on that day was Genesis 12:2-3.  Today, we will pray Genesis 18:19 over our families.

For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.  Genesis 18:19

Like our May 13th prayer, Genesis 12:2-3, our prayer over our family for today is based upon God's covenant with Abraham. God chose Abraham so that Abraham would command his children to keep the way of the Lord. The Believer's Bible Commentary tells us that verse 19 is a "tribute God paid to Abraham as an outstanding family man." William McDonald (2016). The Believers Bible Commentary, Thomas Nelson.

Praying the Bible Over Your Family:  

Genesis 18:19

Pray Genesis 18:19 Over Your Family

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today, lifting up our family in prayer. Just as you spoke of Abraham in Genesis 18:19, we ask that you guide us to walk in your ways, to keep your commands, and to do what is right and just in your sight.

Father, you spoke well of Abraham as a father over his family. Just as you trusted Abraham to teach his children your ways and do righteousness and justice, you have trusted us to teach our children the same.

Lord, guide us as we guide those you've entrusted to us. Help us to remember that they are yours before they are ours, that you love them even more than we do, and that you have them when we don't.

Father God, help us remain strong and steadfast as we raise our families to worship you in total surrender, especially in an increasingly dark world. We trust in your protection over them each day.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Go live life abundantly,

Tina

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Praying the Bible Over Your Family:  Genesis 18:19

Praying the Bible Over Your Family:  Genesis 12:2-3

I love to pray the scriptures. There is something incredibly powerful about reading a verse in the Bible, especially out loud, and then praying that verse over my family.

 Praying the Bible Over Your Family:  Genesis 12:2-3

Hebrews 4:12 tells us:

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)

Isn't that verse amazing? When we read the Word of God aloud, we hear a living and active word straight from God's throne. Recently, I thought it would be cool to pray the Bible over my family from Genesis to Revelation. I'll be praying a few verses from each book over my family while I write a year-long devotional to guide others to do the same. Today, I'm offering you the first verse from Genesis 12:2-3.

Day One:  Genesis 12:2-3

And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.  Genesis 12:2-3 (NASB) 

When Abraham was in the land of Ur, God called him to leave his country and his family, but God made a covenant with him. God promised Abraham the land of Canaan. God promised to make a great nation from Abraham's descendants—the Jewish people. God promised Abraham both material and spiritual prosperity and that Abraham's family would bless others. Abraham was obedient to God, and God always kept His promises.

Pray Genesis 12:2-3 Over Your Family

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today with humble hearts, seeking your blessings upon our family. As you promised Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3, we pray you will bless our family. May you guide us in all that we do, and may we be a blessing to others.

Lord, help us walk in obedience to your Word and trust your promises. Guide us on the path that you have set before us, and grant us the strength and courage to follow where you lead.

May our family be a shining light of your love and grace to those around us. Help us to be a blessing to others and to bring glory to your name in all that we do.

We thank you for your faithfulness and goodness towards us and we trust in your unfailing love. May your blessings pour out upon our family abundantly, now and always.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

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7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times, A One Week Devotional

7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times

Let's talk about the difference between happiness and joy.  They might seem like the same thing, but they are actually very different.  Happiness depends on our circumstances.  When things are going well, we're happy.  When things are not going well, we are not happy.  Joy is not dependent on our circumstances.  We can still live in joy even when things are not going well.  We can live in joy even when we are not happy.  Sometimes, it can be challenging to find joy in unjoyful times.  My new devotional, 7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times, will help you find joy even when you are going through hard times.  

7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times

Joy does not depend on our circumstances, our families, our friends, our health, or our finances.  All of those things can make us happy or unhapppy.  When our family relationships are good, we're happy about that.  When our relationships with our friends are good, we're happy about that.  When our health is good, we're happy about that.  When there is enough money in our bank accounts, we are happy about that.  What happens when the circumstances around all of those things change?  What happens when our relationship with a family member becomes strained?  What happens when a friend betrays us?  What happens when we get a diagnosis that will change our quality of life?  What happens when our bank account is drained due to unexpected hardships?  All of those changes can make us very unhappy people.  However, none of those changes have to steal our joy.

Joy is not dependent on our circumstances.  Joy is something we find in our relationship with Jesus.  Through Jesus, we can have a relationship with God who never changes.  He is always faithful, no matter our circumstances.  For this reason, we can live in joy because we know that God is our source for joy.  The joy that God offers is never changing and never ending.  We can depend on it no matter what.

Several years ago, I wrote a 10 day devotional, When Chronic Illness Steals Your Joy.  That devotional is about finding joy even when diagnosed with a chronic illness.  Just today, I finished a 7 day devotional, 7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times (thus the topic of this post😀).  I hope my little devotional will help you find joy even when your journey through life has taken a turn toward hard times.  

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7 Days of Finding Joy in Unjoyful Times

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Delight Yourself In The Lord And He Will Give You The Desires Of Your Heart. Psalm 37:4 - What Does This Verse Really Mean?

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4 - What Does this verse REALLY mean?

Psalm 37:4 is probably one of the most misquoted verses in Scripture.  "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."  It sounds good, doesn't it?  If we take delight in God, He will give us whatever we want?  I love the Lord.  I love studying the Bible.  I love growing in my faith, so if I delight in all these things, I can ask God for whatever my heart desires and He will give it to me?  Well, that would be nice, but that is not how this works.  What does Psalm 37:4 really mean?

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4 

What does this verse REALLY mean?

What does Psalm 37:4 really mean?  Let's start with what it does not mean.  This beloved verse does not mean that God is going to hand us whatever we want just because we ask for it.  If that were true, we would all be healthy, wealthy, and up to our eyeballs in materialistic bliss.  We would also all be spoiled rotten and probably acting like spoiled rotten children act.  I think we all know what that looks like.  You know something else?  We would still be dissatisfied.  I know there are exceptions to the rule, but most people who have it all - health, wealth, and all the things - still want more.  If we are being honest with ourselves, no matter where we sit financially, we all want more, more of this, more of that.  

The reason we all want more is that material things can never fully satisfy the human heart or cure any human condition.  True satisfaction can only be found in Jesus Christ.  We will never be satisfied doing our own will, but the more we know the Lord, the closer we are to Him, the closer our will lines up with His.  When our will lines up with God's will, then the desires of our hearts are fully met.  

When we delight in the Lord, God's will becomes our will.  God's desires become our desires.  The things that break God's heart will also break ours.  The things that bring God joy will also bring us joy.  

You see how that works?  Now that we understand what Psalm 37:4 really means, we have to ask ourselves if we are truly delighting in the Lord.  If we are, then the desires or our hearts that are in line with God's desires are given to us freely.  If we are not delighting in the Lord, then we have work to do.  We need to search our hearts to identify the areas keeping us from growing in our faith.  We can do that by spending time in the Scriptures, reading and meditating on God's Word, praying, and listening to God as He whispers sweet conviction over areas where we need to grow.

Maybe you are reading this post and you have no idea what we are talking about because you don't know much about this Jesus we speak of.  If this is you, then I invite you to go here to learn more about who Jesus is and how you can begin a relationship with Him today.

May you live abundantly in Him,

Tina

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Psalm 37:4 - What does this verse REALLY mean?

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

Hey, did you know there's a profound lesson in the Bible in the book of Romans, specifically Romans 12:2? It says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Not Conforming to This World

So, let's face it, the world we live in is full of endless distractions and temptations. It's easy to get swayed and be conformed to its ways. However, Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be.  This verse doesn't tell us to isolate ourselves from the world, but it calls for discernment in distinguishing worldly desires from what is truly Godly. It encourages us to not let worldly standards dictate how we live and who we should be.  Instead, we should live by God's standards.

Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Now, this transformation the Bible speaks of starts from within – from the renewing of our minds. It means to change our mindset, our perspective, our attitudes, and our values according to God's will. This transformation isn't a one-off deal, it's a constant process. It calls for daily surrendering of ourselves to God, letting Him change us from the inside out.

Proving What the Will of God Is

As we go through this transformation, we start to understand and prove what the will of God is. We begin to discern what is "good and acceptable and perfect" in His sight. This doesn't mean we become perfect, but we strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. We start to make decisions not based on our own desires but based on His will.

That Which Is Good, Acceptable, and Perfect

What does it mean by "that which is good and acceptable and perfect"? It means living a life that is in line with God's standards – a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control according to another scripture found in Galatians 5:22-23.  It's about living a life not for ourselves, but for others and for God's glory. It's about seeking God's will in everything we do and striving to fulfill it.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Understanding and living out Romans 12:2 is a journey. It may be challenging at times, but it's definitely rewarding. It's a journey that leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose – a life that is good, acceptable, and pleasing to God.  

May you live abundantly in Him,

Tina

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He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge, Psalm 91:4

Finding Refuge Under God's Wings:  Psalm 91:4

The Bible is a source of comfort, wisdom, and guidance to many. Among the many powerful verses in the Bible, Psalm 91:4 provides comforting assurance. It reads, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge." God's protection, security, and love is both powerful and comforting. Let's take a closer look at Psalm 91:4.

The Protection of God's Feathers and His Wings

The terms 'feathers' and 'wings' in Psalm 91:4 signify God's protection. Just as a bird covers its young with its wings to protect them from harm, the verse tells us that God protects His children in the same way. This reference to feathers and wings also conveys a sense of warmth, intimacy, and the nurturing love that God has for His children.

Finding Refuge in God

God's wings, the second phrase of Psalm 91:4, represent a place of refuge and security. A refuge is a place of safety or shelter from danger or distress. By stating that under God's wings, we will find refuge, the verse assures us that God is our ultimate protector from all harm and danger. No matter what challenges or difficulties life throws our way, we can always find shelter and comfort in God's presence.

Applying Psalm 91:4 to Our Lives

Psalm 91:4 is not just a verse to be read and forgotten. It's a verse to be lived out and applied in our daily lives. Whenever we find ourselves lost, fearful, or overwhelmed, we can recall this verse and be reassured that we are not alone. God is with us, extending His protection and comfort to us. By seeking refuge under His wings, we can discover peace amidst turmoil, find strength in our weaknesses, and hope amidst despair.

Psalm 91:4 is a verse that reassures us of God's unwavering protection and love. No matter the circumstances, we can always seek refuge in God's wings. This verse prompts us to recall that we never walk alone in our struggles, and that we can always depend on God's protection and guidance. So, whether you're navigating a rough patch or seeking a reminder of His love and protection, recall Psalm 91:4. May it comfort you and guide you in your journey of faith.

Living Abundantly in Him, 

Tina

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