Take Control of What I Say, O Lord

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 4 - Day 6

Daniel 6; Psalm 141

Psalm 141:3-4

Take control of what I say, O Lord,

and guard my lips.

Don't let me drift toward evil 

or take part in acts of wickedness.

Don't let me share in the delicacies

of those who do wrong.

This graphic is borrowed from Empowered Bible Study Ministries.

Oh, Lord, I so need you to do this for me too! My tongue is always getting me into trouble. I need you to put a guard over my lips. But what I say comes from what I think. It all starts in the mind. So what I really need is for you to change me on the inside. Change the way I think. Please make your desires my desires.

Lord, it is so easy for me to drift toward evil when I'm not paddling toward you. I want to stay as close to you as I can get and as far from wickedness and evil as possible.

Psalm 141:5

Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it.

Lord, I pray that you will allow the godly people in my life to keep me accountable. Have them confront me if they see anything in my life that is dishonoring to you. Have them correct me when I need it and don't let me refuse it. Let me recognize that you are using them to speak to me. In Jesus' name, amen. 

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you!

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Psalm 81:13-14

But OH that my people would listen to me. Oh that they would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes.

Psalm 81:13-14

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8

He Hears Me

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 4 - Day 5

1 Peter 5; Psalm 116

Psalm 116:1-2

I love the Lord because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!

Oh, thank you, Lord, for hearing my voice and my prayer for mercy. Thank you for bending down to listen to someone as insignificant as me. But in your eyes I am not insignificant. I am your dearly beloved.

Lord, help me to not doubt or waver in knowing that you hear me when I talk to you.

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But whey you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.

Thank you, Lord, for reassuring me that you do hear me!

Psalm 116:5-6

How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith.

Praise your holy name! In Jesus' name, amen.

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you!

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Psalm 81:13-14

But OH that my people would listen to me. Oh that they would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes.

Psalm 81:13-14

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8

Be Earnest and Disciplined in Your Prayers

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 4 - Day 4

1 Peter 4; Psalm 98

1 Peter 4:7

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

Lord, I know the end of the world is coming soon. We can see the signs all around us. Please teach me to be earnest and disciplined in my prayers. I'm not sure I even know what that looks like.

Lord, I feel so undisciplined, especially when it comes to prayer. The only way I will ever be able to discipline this unruly mind is with your help. For me to try to do it myself is like trying to hold Jello in my hands and shape it. My thoughts just keep slipping out of my grasp.

Lord, I confess that I am attached to the things of this world. Is it wrong for me to want to enjoy my new game which my kids and hubby got me for my birthday? I think I can enjoy it, but I need to watch that it never comes between me and you. NO thing on this earth is worth that much!

I love you, Lord. Thank you for giving me another year to live. Help me to use it to live in a way that pleases and honors you. In Jesus' name, amen.

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you!

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Psalm 81:13-14

But OH that my people would listen to me. Oh that they would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes.

Psalm 81:13-14

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8

Help Me Defeat My Sinful Nature!

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

I feel that I owe some explanation for why I haven't posted in a few days. It has been a very rough few days for me. I had a migraine for nearly 3 days and needed to avoid being on the computer. Still not feeling great. 

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 4 - Day 3

1 Peter 3; Psalm 85

Psalm 85:11

Teach me your ways, O LORD,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so that I may honor you.

Lord, I want to live according to your truth. You know that I have that old sinful nature constantly yapping in my ear. Lord, please help me to tune that voice out so that I can listen to your voice instead. It's a constant battle, but Jesus, I know you fought the same battle while here on earth. You are the only human who has ever managed to never engage that other voice, ever. Because of that, but mostly because of what you did on the cross, I know that you can help me to be victorious over my sinful nature.

She must decrease so that you can increase! I want to see her melting like the wicket witch that she is. It isn't a bucket of water that will defeat her. It will take diligent attention to your voice instead of hers. Each time that I manage to avoid engaging with her and listen to your voice instead lets you increase and she must decrease. I know that she will never completely go away, but the more I have of you in my life, the easier it will be to ignore her voice. In Jesus' name, amen.

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you!

Romans 8:5-7 & 11

Psalm 81:13-14

But OH that my people would listen to me. Oh that they would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes.

Psalm 81:13-14

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:5-8

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8

Pour Your Heart Out to Him

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 3 - Day 6

Colossians 3; Psalm 62

Psalm 62:5-8

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,

for my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.

He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge.

Oh, Lord, please teach me how to do this. Please show me what it looks like to wait quietly before you. My hope is in you! You alone are my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Oh, Lord God, help me to trust in you at all times. Teach me to pour my heart out to you, for you are my refuge. I love you, Lord! In Jesus' name, amen.

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

Romans 12:2

Lamentations 3:37

Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?

Lamentations 3:37

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:1-4

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes" - Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it and opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:1-4

Hold Tight to the Pure and Simple Message of the Cross

If you are a regular follower of this blog, then you will notice a bit of a change for the next 8 weeks. I am serving as a table leader for an 8 week Freedom Workshop. If you'd like to follow along, you can find the resources at the link directly above. Also, I will post here, the daily Bible reading assignment (heartwork) so you can read along. This workshop has been a life changer for me so I'm eager to share it with others. May you be blessed!

BIBLE READING HEARTWORK
Week 3 - Day 5

Colossians 2; Psalm 61

Colossians 2:20-23

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!" Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-control, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires.

Lord, the Colossians were battling "Gnosticism" which combined bits of Judaism, Greek philosophies, and paganism with Christian truth. Your word teaches that we can't combine the truth with ANYTHING. Anytime we attempt to do that the result is a lie. 

Lord, there are many false teachings floating around in our time too, including legalism which is the one that I am most prone to.

Only in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). The only way to combat these false teachings and conquer our own evil desires is by living out Colossians 2:6-7: And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Dear Lord, help me to hold tight to the pure and simple message of the cross! That is the only path to salvation!

John 14:6

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

FREEDOM WORKSHOP VERSES

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

Romans 12:2

Lamentations 3:37

Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?

Lamentations 3:37

MEMORY VERSES

James 1:1-4

This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes" - Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it and opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:1-4