A Touch of Spirituality

I have been using the same picture for this Sunday post for a while now - the hands of a family praying together. It deeply touched me and I believe it touched many of you as well. It got so much attention that I decided to use it every Sunday. However, I think I've decided to post a new picture I've taken each Sunday.  I have many shots that kinda fall to the wayside and I think I'd like to use them for this weekly post.  Some may be edited, some SOOC.  Either way, hope you enjoy & hope it brings you a little inspiration.  

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.  John 4:24

A Touch of Spirituality

A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

A Touch of Spirituality

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

A Touch of Spirituality

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  John 8:32

A Touch of Spirituality

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

A Touch of Spirituality

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Hope all the dads have a TERRIFIC Father's Day today!

A Touch of Spirituality

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

A Touch of Spirituality

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

A Touch of Spirituality

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Romans 15:5-6

A Touch of Spirituality - Mother's Day

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.  John 16:21

A Touch of Spirituality

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

A Touch of Spirituality

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.  Romans 5:12

A Touch of Spirituality

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

A Touch of Spirituality

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”- Galatians 2:20

John 11:25-26 

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Romans 1:4-5 

And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Romans 6:8-11 

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:10-12 

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

1 Peter 1:3 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

Matthew 27:50-53 

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Matthew 28:1-10 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

A Touch of Spirituality

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."  Titus 3:5

A Touch of Spirituality

If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

A Touch of Spirituality

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

Update

Last week, I blogged about my struggles as a wife, a mother and just trying to fit it all in and find some sort of balance in my life. I told you I was going to pray and hand it over to God. Having done just that, I have learned some amazing things! God is teaching me daily. It's been a very short time but I have realized so much about myself and what truly matters. See what happens when you dust off your bible and get back into His word?

A couple of years ago, I purchased a book of devotions, "Devotions for Women on the Go" by Stephen Arterburn and Pam Farrel. I thought it would help me stay on track and motivate me to read my bible. Each daily devotion is one page along with a few verses from the bible. Simple, right? So I was diligent about my devotions and feeling really good. Then I skipped one day. Then another. And soon another. The book of devotions and my bible ended up in the drawer next to my bed for quite some time. Last week the book of devotions resurfaced with my bible. And wouldn't you know, the devotions seemed to be written just for me over the last week. Coincidence?

One devotion spoke of keeping focus, identify distractions, ask for help. Sometimes, we as women pride ourselves in being able to do so much ourselves that we forget that it's okay to ask for help sometimes. I read something once that said something like pride is tasteless, odorless and colorless; yet, it is the hardest thing to swallow. How true. Women don't like asking for help. But sometimes we need to do just that. Also, learn what can wait. You are to ask yourself, Do I really need to do this now? This is probably my biggest hurdle to jump because I start thinking of all the chores that need to be done, exercise, the kids' needs, etc. and I start to feel overwhelmed. I want it all done right now. Having a clean house might be somewhat important, but it's not the MOST important thing. The Superwoman persona will have to be put to rest.

I learned that God will provide what I need when I need it and not a minute sooner. A good suggested prayer, "Lord, help me not feel the need, until it is a need." Refer to Matthew 6:25-34.

2 Peter 1:3 says, "As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life." God created each of us with tools to overcome anything. So I can overcome each of my struggles, if I just rely on Him. The book asks us to consider His gifts:

• A brain to learn new tools
• A heart to feel pain - but also peace, joy, and hope
• An ability to give and receive affection and affirmation
• Power stronger than your own through your relationship with Him

It goes on to say that the choice is ours: let the gifts sit unwrapped and unused - or use His gifts to go on and go forward. Pray: "God, show me what you have already given me that will help me move forward."

Finally, Matthew 9:29 - "Because of your faith, it will happen."

Need I say more?