Browsing Tag

God

How to Beat the Mid-Winter Blues

It’s January. Christmas is over. New Year’s Eve has passed. And the holiday celebrating has come to an end.

You may be feeling tired, or sad, or a bit gloomy these days.

Maybe it’s because the holiday season wasn’t what you thought it would be—for whatever reason. You’re still reeling from a hurtful comment from a friend or recovering from a sugar hangover from eating way too many sweets.

Or, maybe you were blessed to spend happy times with family and friends over Christmas and now you’re sad to see them go.

Then there’s the fact that, in most parts of the country, January is cold, gray, and dark most of the time. And that doesn’t help your mood.

Now what?

Here are three essential things I’ve found helpful to beat the mid-winter blues and start the New Year on a solid footing.

1. Get a new vision for your life. One of the best things about a new year is that you get to start over.

On New Year’s Eve, I love watching the gigantic glittering ball drop in New York’s Times Square on TV. Goodbye old year, hello new one!

To me, December 31 is like a period at the end of a very long sentence; it’s closure on the year gone by.

And, in a single instance, a new year begins. Boom! I have a fresh start. A new beginning.

With hope and joy, I anticipate all that God may have for me in the 365 days ahead. I think about what I want to change in my life and how I want things to be different—and better—one year from now.

Instead of resolutions, I make intentional prayers and ask God to bless my health and finances, my career and my community (family, friends and others). I ask him for the awesome man of God he has for me to marry and do life with together. I ask God for wisdom in how I can serve and bless others, and have courage and joy no matter what may come. I give Him praise and thank God for all He has done and for who He is—loving, wise, powerful and good. And so much more.

What about you?

What do you want to change in your life in the next year? How do you want this year to be different? Ask God to show you what He has for you so you can look forward with greater hope. and take actions steps to get closer to your goals. 

2. Ask for God’s help. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions and then bail on them a few weeks, or days, later.

I don’t make resolutions any more. Why? Because in my own human strength (or should I say in my own human weakness), I can’t always keep the promises I make to change.

Instead, I pray. I ask the Lord, the ultimate source of power, love and wisdom—the One who created us and loves us most—to help me do what I cannot do on my own: change. Have self control. Set limits. Get up and go.

Real and lasting change is truly possible with God’s power at work in us.

So whether your goals for the year ahead include shedding pounds, getting out of debt, or finally doing that thing you just never get around to doing, ask God to empower you.

And then remember: Life doesn’t change one day at a time, but one choice at a time. Choice by choice, moment by moment—with God’s power at work in you—transformation happens. 

3. Get inspired. Lastly, but most importantly, let God’s Word be the fuel for your faith.

Here are eight great Bible verses for the year ahead. May they give you courage, hope, and joy despite your circumstances.

The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long
Psalm 25: 4-5

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8

For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

“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

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will
do the works I have been doing, and they will do
even greater things than these, because
I am going to the Father.
Jesus, in John 14:12

Prayer for the New Year
Lord, I stand at the start of a fresh new year and I ask for Your blessing on the days ahead. Give me wisdom to make right choices. Help me to walk by faith, not my feelings. Give me strength in challenging times, and hope for better days ahead. Teach me to trust You more. And live a live filled with love and joy. I can receive all you have for me and believe for your best. For your Glory! I ask in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

What is Christmas Really About?

Christmas is where it all began,
An infant child who became a man.
Eternity came down so we could understand,
The child of Creator, the true Son of Man.

He was not unexpected, for the prophets foretold
The events that had happened would surely unfold.
Four hundred years later the miracle came,
The star over Bethlehem shone where He lay.

They came to attend Him from near and from far,
The shepherds and wise men who followed the star.
All were rejoicing that first Christmas night,
At the child of a virgin, a humbling sight.

So, what is the meaning of that first Christmas night?
Simply, He came to make everything right.
For the Child had a purpose in coming to Earth.
He came as a light and to give us new birth.

He gave us forgiveness and paid with His life.
What kind of love would pay such a price?
For death could not hold Him; He rose from that grave.
And freedom and life were the gifts that He gave.

No longer divided, no longer alone,
Because of His love the wall had come down.
Live free forever! O, what a gift!
Both now here on earth and forever with Him.

Wise men and angels followed Him then.
Wise men still seek Him, again and again.

— Jackie M. Johnson

 

Photo; A. Vonlanthen, unsplash

More Powerful Prayers for Money and Finances

Money is always a hot topic—especially when there never seems to be enough. 

But here’s hope, with more powerful prayers for your finances.

I recently wrote a related post on Powerful Prayers: Money and Finances. 

Why pray for your finances?

You can take comfort in knowing our all-powerful and loving God is always there to listen. You can pour out your heart to Him. Your words don’t have to be perfect, just honest and from the heart.

Prayer changes things. And prayer is powerful because God is powerful. He can do anything! Even make a positive difference in your finances. 

When we are humble and surrendered, when we ask and trust…things begin to change.

Here are eight short prayers for money and finances to help you get started.

HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

Trust me in your times of trouble,
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

Psalm 50:15 (NLT)

Lord, my finances are a mess. You know the situation; you know how hard it has been for me. So here I am trusting You to make a way where there seems to be no way out. I surrender my agenda, my budget, and how I think things should happen. I let go and give You my financial burden. I ask for healing and favor to not just “get by,” but to find victory in my finances—to have more than enough and to get ahead! In hard times or good times, I choose to trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

GIVING FROM THE HEART

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.      

2 Corinthians 9:7

Lord, thank You for your provision, and for all that You’ve given me. I am truly blessed. I ask for wisdom for how much to give and to which ministries or individuals who have needs. You know my heart, and I pray that I will be a cheerful giver, openhanded and joyful for all You have done for me. I ask that You would continue to supply my needs so I can keep helping others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR ME  

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Lord, what a blessing it is to know that You provide for all of my needs. Even when my savings account seems to be washing away like a summer storm, it helps to know that You are in control. Whether it’s cash, or an item or help that I need around the house, everything You give is a generous gift. Thank you for all You do! My circumstances may change, but You, Lord, never change. Steady and certain, You are totally reliable. Thank you. I praise You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

GENEROUS GIVING 

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Lord, I want to be a generous giver. Would you please help me to give generously in my tithe and gifts to others so the resources You provide will get to the hands of those in need? Like missionaries, those in poverty, friends and family members who need help, and others who receive help through the charities and organizations to which I give. Help me to sow finances and reap generously, but more so to sow seeds of great love so I can also reap generously love back. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

GET OUT OF DEBT 

The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7

Lord, I need help getting out of debt. The bills are piling up. I feel like I am in quicksand and I keep sinking deeper. Sometimes I feel so embarrassed, like I should be able to provide for myself. I am realizing that being in debt is like being in bondage to the person or company to whom you owe money. I want to be free! I know that nothing is too hard for You; You are God Almighty. So I ask for wisdom and self control, to get out of debt and to get ahead. I am trusting You and totally relying on You. Please help me. I ask in Jesus’ mighty and powerful name. Amen.

 

HELP US TO STOP ARGUING ABOUT MONEY

Let us therefore make every effort
to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19

Lord, I am tired of arguing with my spouse over money. We are so different! Somehow savers and spenders connect, and disagree on how our finances should work. Will you please help us to communicate clearly and adjust our expectations? Give us each respect for the other person despite our differences. We are a team, a partnership, and I want to get back to that—and learn to trust each other again. Please give us a better attitude about money and the willingness to compromise and be flexible. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

LORD, BLESS MY FINANCES

Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Lord, I ask and pray in the name of Jesus that You would bless my finances. Would you show me how to honor You in this area? Teach me to manage my resources rightly so I save, spend, and give wisely. You own it all; show me how to steward what is Yours for good purposes. I choose to believe that Your promises are true for me, not just everyone else, and that You will provide for me. Thank you for Your provision and wisdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

THANK YOU, LORD!

Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.

Psalm 50:15 (NLT)

Lord, I am so grateful that You are totally trustworthy. When my life is a mess, when my finances are out of balance or the stock market is plunging like a roller coaster, You are always with me. When I am in a jam, you save me and help me through. Even in my greatest desperation You come through, and I give You all the glory. Thank you. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen

 

For more hope and encouragement from Jackie, see Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough.

Powerful Prayers: Money and Finances

Are you—or someone you know—struggling financially? 

It’s pretty common these days, considering our recent runaway inflation. Everything from gas to groceries to housing costs more, and most salaries are not keeping up.

You may feel like you’re in a financial desert—a dry and barren place. Living with lack is stressful. 

And, unless, you have a firm grasp about what God’s Word (the Bible) has to say about money and finances, you will have less peace and joy.

If you’re in a financial desert right now, perhaps it’s time to explore what God has to say about money—and choose to trust God like never before. 

What does the Bible say about money?

God owns everything (Psalm 24:1), including what we feel is “our” money. He gave us the job we have and the ability to earn an income.

God gives us the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). 

Yet even though God owns everything, he calls us to be wise stewards or managers with our personal finances.

Money can be an emotionally-charged subject. And we all need wisdom on how to save, spend and give wisely. That’s why powerful prayer is essential. 

Praying about how to handle finances is important no matter what your financial status.

When you pray something incredible happens.

Things change. Our hearts change. Our perspective changes. And so much more. 

If you are feeling defeated in your finances, turn to God. Ask Him to help you release anything that is holding you back or gripping your heart in this area.

God loves to surprise and delight his children. Here’s an example. 

When I was in the desert of financial hard times some years ago, I was amazed at how God provided. Like the joy of getting an unexpected check in the mail from a generous friend. Or a bag of groceries when I needed it most. 

Have courage. Have faith. When all seems hopeless, Jesus Christ is your wild hope—and He will provide. 

Trust. Believe. And watch what God does next.

And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19

POWERFUL PRAYER FOR FINANCES

Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Psalm 86:1

Lord, I need help. I feel like I’m always just barely scraping by, and I am tired. I need help with my finance. I need hope. I ask, humbly and boldly, that You would meet my needs with Your amazing resources. I come to you believing, by faith, that You will come through—in Your way and in Your timing. I am grateful that you hear me and will answer me. I ask in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

When Life is Hard–Pray On!

Pray On

By Jackie M. Johnson

When the bills are due, when the pain lingers on,
or the adoption agency is taking too long.

When you’re trying to balance family and work,
or your boss is annoying or simply berserk.

When a prodigal child simply will not come home,
or the debt collectors won’t leave you alone.

When the car wreck leaves you with metal to mend,
or the man that you loved left you for your best friend.

When you feel overwhelmed—always busy and stressed—
or you can’t seem to focus and your house is a mess.

When you’re lonely, depressed, or stuck in your life,
and you wonder if you’re a good person or wife.

When there’s trauma or pain, or just day-to-day living,
or you find that you always do most of the giving.

When you’re pondering daily the life you’ve been dealt,
with finances, job, relationships, health.

When you’re searching for wisdom, or purpose, or faith
some heart healing, joy, simplicity, space.

When there’s less in your wallet and more on your thighs,
and your mind reels with questions, like “What? How? or Why?”

When you don’t understand and you can’t see the way,
You need four simple words: “Lord, teach me to pray.”

Don’t give up, don’t give in, even though strength seems gone,
Just hold on to hope and pray on, friend.

Pray on.

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