Sometimes stepping out into the blessings of God requires sheer bravery. I think on Peter, who walked on the water. Upon seeing Jesus in the ocean, he cried out to his Lord and said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus called out to him in the middle of violent waves – and said, “Come.”

And though the water was raging around him, Peter stepped out in beautiful faith – barefoot and alone.  He did not focus on the circumstances around him. He fixed his eyes on Jesus. And, when he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he was a walking miracle, defying the impossible. He was the depiction of brave. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Let it be our aim to display this type of bravery! When we are barefoot and alone, let’s look to Jesus, as Peter did, and walk out in faith. Our Father will always be there to catch us and carry us.

– PRAYER –

Jesus,

I want to be brave and look to you. When I am afraid, I will trust you always because you have my best interest at heart. You will never abandon me or leave me alone. You are the light in the violent storm. Thank you for your love, protection and hand of direction.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

It’s hard to think that a little baby – born in a manger, in a lowly stable –is sitting at the right hand of the Father as a King. However, Jesus, in all His glory and splendor, is seated on high. It humbles me to think that our everlasting King bled, suffered and died on earth just for me.

And, now, he allows us to approach his throne boldly!  As Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in time of need.” Wow. A King – in all His riches and honor would tell me, a servant vagabond, to approach his throne? I tremble to think of that thought.

Can you imagine it? You walk, hands calloused from working and feet muddy from walking, into a jewel incrusted throne room.  And, the King calls out your name – and with a compassionate voice says walk forward so that I can grant you my mercies everlasting! This is the love of Christ for us. He accepts us just as we are – in rags of this world – and gives us new clothes and new name. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your cares on him – because he cares for you.” Let’s sit at the feet of the King of Kings and give him all glory, honor and praise today!

– PRAYER –

Lord,

I am humbled that you would call me your child and invite me into your throne room of grace. I want to seek out your mercies – that are new every morning and receive the goodness from your right hand. Please grant me the courage to step out in you and speak the truth to a darkened world. I need your strength to go about my days. Thank you for your promises that bless my life.  May I reflect you in my actions, words and deeds always! I cling to you, Father. You are my vine.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m guilty of it – so often, I think we forget to cry out to God. We get busy in day-to-day life and praying is not the first thing on our agenda. We make to-do lists in our heads, brace ourselves for the trying day ahead and forget to call on the Maker of All Good Things. 

This is a tragedy; because, He is the one that sets our life in motion. He is the one that blesses his children beyond compare. We get too busy scheduling all our blessings that we forget the Blesser! 

We need to challenge ourselves every morning to praise our Father in Heaven for His hand of provision – for without his  protection we stand undefended. Thank you Lord for your mercies every morning and at night. You make the sun rise and set. We will praise you for your abundant goodness!

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Glitter –it’s an essential in a little girl’s life. We like things that sparkle and shine. The idea of fairy dust and glistening crowns of jewels light up our eyes. What is it about this sparkle that sets our hearts afire? Things that sparkle are generally beautiful. Glitter is an embellishment to something plain or ordinary in the eyes of others. Therefore, we are attracted to beauty!

However, it is amazing when we realize that as – daughters of the true King – God had made us with glitter in our veins! The source of our life-flow comes from Christ – and this flow is radiant. This sparkle is internal. We are not painted faces or thick sparkly nail polish. The glow on our outward appearance comes from within.

Let’s go forward today – thinking of the glitter veins God has given us. We don’t have to fake royalty. God has chosen us – his daughters – to let our inward light shine forth. Now, that’s beautiful!

Our society is obsessed with covering up the natural. We sell make up to hide blemishes. We sell creams to conceal wrinkles. Every grocery store has an entire aisle dedicated to beauty products. Finger nail polish, eye shadow, bronzers and mascara – all of these products are made to “enhance” the natural.

However, with God, he does not want to see the stuff that we use to cover up our “everyday” appearance. He looks at us with loving eyes. He sees through the cover-up products to the freckles on our face!  And, the wonderful thing is – he thinks we are the prettiest in this state.

God did not make us to obscure our originality. He is actually celebrated more in our uniqueness because his power and wonder can be magnified! Let’s look in the mirror and celebrate who God formed us to be – a precious gem, gorgeous and utterly original!

I ran across a quote today by Henry Ward Beecher. I absolutely love the quote – because it is very true.

“I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.”

Gorgeous.

I think a lot of us use the term “LOVE” to describe our affection for MANY things. However, it’s important to realize that we can never truly “LOVE” in a Christ-like fashion without knowing the supreme love poet, God.

Let us take today – Valentine’s Day – to reflect on the true LOVE of Jesus. For, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! What a marvelous and a spectacular love that is!