4.20.16
![tree planted by living waters](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tree-planted-by-living-waters-300x225.jpg)
“…but they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely.
They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.”
There is great reward for being diligent in embracing the Word of God. As you daily follow Him and purpose to put His teachings first and foremost in your life, He has promised that your life would be prospered. As we stand as trees along God’s riverbank we will begin to see things grow and develop within us. Let us always be mindful that our fruit is not for us alone to survive in this life but rather to be a blessing to those around us. Let us purpose to be used by Him and to be willing to bless those He puts in our path as we live and abide in Him. As we proclaim His Word many will be blessed and nourished from the fruit that our lives bear.
Proverbs 10:21 (NIV)
“The lips of the righteous nourish many…”
I’m feeling blessed today knowing that I am standing strong in His promises. I love that He has promised that my life would bear fruit all the seasons of my life and all that I put my hand to shall prosper! I praise God that as we stand strong in Him we are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious and strong fruit each season without fail!
4.19.16
![asssurance](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/asssurance-300x225.jpg)
My heart is just stuck on this story because it just touches my heart and stirs me to realize how often we too struggle with doubt and unbelief. The scripture that immediately follows this story is:
John 20:30-31
“Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.”
4.18.16
![doubt](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/doubt-300x225.jpg)
John 20:25-30
Easy-to-Read Version
“They told him, “We saw the Lord.” Thomas said, “That’s hard to believe. I will have to see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe it.”
A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!”
4.17.16
![be thou my vision](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/be-thou-my-vision-300x225.jpg)
“Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light”
(A portion of lyrics from “Be Thou My Vision”)
This is just a few verses from the beautiful hymn “Be Thou My Vision.” I believe the more we purpose to keep our eyes steadfast on Him, the more we will see clearly and see as He sees. As we take hold of His commands we can begin to walk with more courage and confidence. Many times if things seem foggy and unclear to us we can fear making one step in front of the other. Yet the more we have clear understanding we know by His Word that He will broaden our path and we can run the race with joy and purpose in our hearts! When we wake and when we lie down to sleep, let His precious presence be our light! As we walk in His commands, stay humble, and walk by faith, we can be assured that our hearts will be given insights from above.
” I run the same path as your commandments
because you give my heart insight.”
Psalm 119:32 (CEB)
4.16.16
![plans and purposes](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/plans-and-purposes-300x225.jpg)
Proverbs 19:21 (AMP)
“Many plans are in a man’s mind,
but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.”
What does the Lord desire for me to do with my life? Am I in His will?
As we begin our day let us seek Him and know that our heart is toward Him and our ears are as well. He desires to speak to our heart while we are at work, home or whatever we may be doing. Maintain a readiness of heart at all times to be used by Him. I must share something I overheard once while I was shopping. It made me giggle to myself for my Mother used to say this to me a lot. I was in a store and a mother was struggling trying to carry something and she looked at her child and said, “Don’t just stand there, make yourself useful!” How true this is for us as spiritual children! Let us make a conscious effort to have our “hands full” of doing the will of God and accomplishing His purposes for He has a great work He desires to accomplish through us. As we stay aware of how He desires to use us, we will not stand empty handed, we will allow Him to make us useful as we do His will and give Him glory!
4.15.16
![conquer through love](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/conquer-through-love-300x225.jpg)
to be real,
must cost –
it must hurt –
it must empty us of self.”
God is calling us to the His high places of love. A wonderful place to meditate is 1 Corinthians 13 because this simply spells out what God’s love is and what it is not.
Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious,
doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about.
There’s no arrogance in love;
it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—
it’s not self-absorbed.
Love isn’t easily upset.
Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice;
but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight!
Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along;
it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.
Let us desire today that God’s true and real love flows through us in every way possible. Lord, help us to desire to pay the cost of displaying and living giving Your perfect love even when it hurts. Cause us to see that which hinders us from loving like You and empty us of those things! We are believing that you are well able to do above and beyond all we dare ask or think regarding Your love operating through us!
4.14.16
![do not worry](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/do-not-worry-1-300x225.jpg)
but a ·kind [good] word cheers you up.”
4.13.16
![anger and words](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anger-and-words-300x169.jpg)
a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong.
Today I encourage you to meditate upon the truth that soft, simple, and thoughtful words will create an answer from your heart and mouth that will bring peace to a situation rather than strife, anger, and harsh words. This is a Proverb that all of us can put into practice, for we will never escape the fact that people can be mean, lacking thoughtfulness, and speaking words that can hurt the heart. If we do not handle such things in God’s way, we will ultimately be tempted to react in anger.
Let us look to the Lord for He has girded us with everything we need that we can react properly to any temptation that we may encounter. May we walk in that place of guarding our peace and guarding our hearts with all diligence for all things truly do proceed from the depths of our hearts.
4.12.16
“Patience and Encouragement”
![that hope comes from](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/that-hope-comes-from-300x225.jpg)
“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. All patience and encouragement come from God.”
4.11.16
![I will have everything I need](https://www.abundantlifectr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/I-will-have-everything-I-need-300x225.jpg)
Psalm 23:1
I want to encourage you today to see the Lord as the Lord who takes care of us and as we place our trust in Him as the Great Shepherd, He gives us the provision in our time of need.This young coach was given the Lord’s provision in the moment in which his life was at stake. This coach had in his presence a young man that dared to be courageous and pursue to save his life.
This is a good way of teaching the kids to forgive each other(Matt. 5:7). I like the power of this gentle scripture and lesson… Thanks!!
thank you Lisa for sharing. I am blessed that this was a blessing to you!
Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.
So glad this is blessing you both!
Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.
It is interesting Selena how the more we worry the bigger and more magnified things get in our minds. Oh how important it is to trust our God for the smallest of things! Thank you for sharing!