Thursday, November 6, 2014
VERSE OF THE DAY!
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
—Ephesians 1:9-10
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Jesus IS Lord! God's plan was purposed in Christ. God's plan centered on Christ coming at the right time. God's plan was to bring unity in Christ by making him Lord of all! What's more, this plan that brings our salvation brings God great pleasure. God is the only saving God. Jesus is both our Savior and Lord. So the real issue we face today is this: What area of our lives, our hearts, our secrets, our sin, our rebellion, have we not submitted to his lordship?
My Prayer...
O Precious Father, I know my heart can be deceitful. At times I can even fool myself. But when I kneel in your presence and am convicted by your Word, I find myself reminded of those areas I have not yet fully submitted to your control and Jesus' lordship. Please, dear Father, use the Holy Spirit to gently show and convict of my self-deception so that I may be wholly lost in your will. In the name of Jesus, Lord of lords, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
VERSE OF THE DAY!
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
—Romans 13:6
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Ouch! I hate taxes. But I have to admit, I enjoy many of the privileges and blessings that those taxes afford. Paul reminds us in Romans 13, that civil authorities are God's tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. As a Christian, I'm immune to most laws because my faith in Jesus is going to regulate my behavior far more strictly than a legal code. But I do have a responsibility (I "owe" it, Paul says) to be a good citizen, a good financial manager, a nice respectful neighbor, and a person who willingly honors those who have merited it.
My Prayer...
Almighty God, I pledge my allegiance to you. You alone are Sovereign, Ruler, and King. But because you call me to honor my government, because you have so richly blessed me to be in a land such as this, because you have lavished your grace on me so richly, I commit to live today in a way that honors my allegiance to you, my citizenship in my country, and my respect toward those whom I meet this day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
VERSE OF THE DAY!
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
—2 Corinthians 3:6
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
A new covenant — God willingly entered into a new agreement with us, his creatures, sealed it with the blood of his Son Jesus, and sent the Spirit to give us the power to live the life of this new covenant. God has made a covenant of love and grace with us. The Almighty has then turned around and made us worthy and competent to share that covenant with others. No wonder it is life giving: it brings life to us and through us!
My Prayer...
O holy and majestic God, thank you for your grace that has saved me from sin and has redeemed me from the law of sin and death. Thank you for sending the gift of your Son and the gift of your Spirit so that I can live with you in a covenant of life, grace, and love. While I confess my weaknesses, I also commit to you that I will live to honor your sacrifice, love and covenant, trusting that you will ultimately empower me to be what you are calling me to be. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Teyana Taylor's New Album - VII
2. “Just Different”
3. “Request”
4. “Do Not Disturb” (Feat. Chris Brown)
5. “Broken Hearted Girl” (Feat. Fabolous)
6. “It Could Just Be Love Interlude”
7. “Put Your Love On”
8. “Maybe” (Feat. Pusha T & Yo Gotti)
9. “Dreams”
10. “Sorry”
11. “Business”
12. “In the Air”
Deluxe Edition:
13. “Outta My League”
14. “It Could Just Be Love”
Monday, November 3, 2014
Ariana Grande - Right There ft. Big Sean
(If you wanna party, if you, if you wanna party)
Then put your hands up (put your hands up)
(oh oh ooh oh)
(If you wanna party, if you, if you wanna party)
Then put your hands up (put your hands up)
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
[Big Sean:]
Sean Don!
Okay, this, this, this one
For my number one girl
Who got the top spot title
Spent an hour in the bathroom
Walked out looking like a model,
God! Doing what you do,
Got me right there with Apollo,
On the moon (moon)
Who needs genies in a bottle girl
If they already got you
(Got you, I got you)
[Ariana:]
Boy you make me feel so lucky
Finally the stars align
Never has it been so easy
To be in love and to give you
This heart of mine
You know what I need (aye)
I know what you like, (aye)
Put it all together baby
We could be alright (hey)
How can this be wrong
When it feels so right?
Yeah, I really love you
I really love you (oh)
And I'll never let you go...
You should know
I'm never gonna change
I'm always gonna stay
When you call for me
I'm right there (right there)
Right there (right there)
'Cause you listen and you care
You're so different
No one compares
And if you never change
I'm gonna stay right there
I'll always be right there
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
I get butterflies, just thinking
About you boy you're on my mind
Sometimes I catch myself daydreaming
Lost in your eyes and I lose all track of time
You know what I need (aye)
I know what you like, (aye)
Put it all together baby
We could be alright (hey)
How can this be wrong
When it feels so right?
Yeah I really need you
I really love you (oh)
And I'll never let you go...
You should know
I'm never gonna change
I'm always gonna stay
When you call for me
I'm right there (right there)
Right there (right there)
'Cause you listen and you care
It's so different
No one compares
And if you never change
I'm gonna stay right there
I'll always be right there
[Big Sean:]
(What, okay, what)
Now if it all fell through
Would you catch me before the pavement (what)
If my Benz turned back to public transportation
Would you still be at home for me with the candles waiting (what)
And get my mind back adjacent to the place of a young visionary
A player too
You know I have some girls missionary (oh)
My black book of numbers thicker than the dictionary
And Bible I got it recycled
I love and I like you
Five course meals even though you don't mind a drive-through
That's why I got you
[Ariana:]
And I'll never let you go... (I got you)
You should know
I'm never gonna change (I'm never gonna change)
I'm always gonna stay (I'm always gonna stay)
When you call for me
I'm right there (I'm right there)
Right there
'Cause you listen and you care
You're so different
No one compares
And if you never change
I'm gonna stay right there
I'll always be right there
(If you wanna party, if you, if you wanna party)
You got it, I'll always be right there
(If you wanna party, if you, if you wanna party)
I'll always be right there
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
You got it, you got it babe
Got it babe.
VERSE OF THE DAY!
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
—Romans 13:1
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Yes, there are things we don't like about our government. But God has truly blessed most of us so we can enjoy the protection of the authorities where we live. But we also live in the time of some of the greatest persecution ever known in the Christian era. So as we pray for our leaders and thank God for our freedoms, let's not forget the persecuted church all over the world.
My Prayer...
O Great Deliverer, God of the Exodus, as you have shown your power and deliverance in the past, we ask that you act today and bless every believer who is persecuted for your sake. Please bless them with tenderness, healing, and protection on this day. In the powerful name of Jesus we ask it. Amen.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
VERSE OF THE DAY!
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
—1 Peter 2:9
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Excluded. Rejected. Discarded. Abandoned. Forgotten. Pushed aside. Not picked. Each of these describes an aspect of feeling like you are a nobody. Satan gives our sinful flesh the tools and the opportunities to speak these words of self-condemnation to ourselves. But God — two of the greatest words in the Bible — loved us in Christ and brought us into his family and gave us a purpose. We are now part of the people of God! We have been chosen for the victorious team of teams. We have received mercy! Grace has washed over us and the love of God has adopted us in his family. Peter is giving maligned and persecuted people the reminder that they can choose to see themselves as "nobodies" or they can choose to see themselves by their new identity. Thankfully, Peter's words speak to our hearts, too. You, dear friend in Jesus, are God's child. You are part of his eternal and conquering people — like Moses, Esther, Paul, and Mary Magdalene. Mercy has reversed the power of sin and failure and put grace in place empowered by the Holy Spirit's presence in you. So don't live today as you once "were": live today as you are in Jesus!
My Prayer...
O Father of Mercy and God of all grace, thank you for making me new — your child, part of your people, and a purpose put in the world around me on purpose. Please help me hear your description of me and not Satan's. Please help me define my identity by your words and not my own words of self-condemnation. I thank you for who I am and that I a no longer bound by what I once was. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today I've taken the liberty of rounding up some of the best vitamins I think young women should be taking. These are simply suggestions, and you might only need to add one or two to your diet depending on what foods you already eat. Food is your best source of nutrition, but when you have those off days, this list will help boost your body’s nutritional intake. Without further ado, here is my smart girl’s guide to vitamins…
- A Good Women’s Multi.If you’re going to choose one vitamin from this list, it should be a multi-vitamin that is made for women. Make sure it has folate or folic acid, which is very important for women ages 18 to 40, who someday want to have a family. A good multi-vitamin will give you a daily dose of all the things you should be eating in your diet…and more!
- Biotin.Biotin is one of my personal favorite vitamins because it has worked miracles on my hair, skin and nails. I take 500 micrograms a day, and ever since I started I have noticed that my hair is longer and shinier, my skin is clearer, and my nails are stronger. Many multi-vitamins have biotin in them already, so be sure you’re reading your labels.
- Iron.Iron is a great supplement to take for women who are menstruating because your body loses iron every month. You only need about 10-20 milligrams, but it work wonders by delivering oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. If you eat a lot of red meat (say, a serving every day) you might be getting enough iron to skip this supplement. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are also great sources of iron.
- Zinc.
Zinc is an important mineral that boosts our immune systems and helps to fight off disease. And it is an especially important vitamin for vegetarians or pregnant women. If you’re a veggie lover, you probably eat a lot of legumes, which prevent zinc from properly absorbing in your body. If you’re expecting, you should also up your zinc intake because your little one will be using up most of the amount that’s in your body. Make sure you’re getting between 8 milligrams and 11 milligrams of zinc daily. - Fish Oil.This omega-3 right supplement is fabulous for healthy hair, skin and nails, and will support your heart and blood systems. The long list of fish oil benefits also includes helping with depression, preventing painful periods, and lowering cholesterol. Take about 1-2 grams per day.
- Vitamin D.The main job of vitamin D is to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in your bones and keep your cells happy and healthy. The great thing about this vitamin is that our bodies can actually manufacture it naturally…that is, when we’re exposed to sunlight. If you live somewhere with constant cloudy weather or long winters, you might not be getting enough vitamin D. Taking 3000 IUs should help to get you back on track.
- Resveratrol.Resveratrol is the powerful antioxidant that is found in grapes and red wine. Therefore, just like red wine, it has amazing anti-aging properties and is long believed to help fight cancer and heart disease. Take one capsule per day and soak up those antioxidants.
- Green Vibrance & Superfoods.One vitamin is called Green Vibrance by Vibrant Health. Each capsule is filled with organic greens, freeze-dried grass juices, and concentrated super foods. I love it because when I’m having a day where I’m constantly on the go (a.k.a. living off of coffee and snacks I can easily bring in my car), this supplement has a lot of the nutrients and vitamins I would get if I had the time to sit down and eat a big leafy green salad. It certainly does not replace real fruit and veggies, which should be a staple in your daily diet. But it’s packed with a lot of good stuff. You can also buy it in powder form to add to your smoothies.
- Calcium-Magnesium.Calcium is one of the most important supplements young women can take to strengthen their muscles, bones and teeth. And, studies show that when it’s taken as a combined calcium-magnesium supplement, it allows both vitamins to absorb better into your system. Just remember to take this supplement separate from your other vitamins and on an empty stomach—otherwise it can interfere with the absorption of your other nutrients. The recommended dosage is 1000 milligrams of calcium and 400-600 milligrams of magnesium
- Probiotic.Taking a great probiotic supplement is an amazing way to maintain intestinal functions and keep your gut and stomach healthy. Probiotics are live organisms that are considered “good” bacteria, or bacteria that strengthen the immune system and help us to digest food. Just like calcium-magnesium, make sure to take this supplement on an empty stomach as well.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
VERSE OF THE DAY!
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
—Ephesians 1:18
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Heaven is something we see with our heart. When we are discouraged, doubtful, and depressed, we need to have the eyes of our hearts "enlightened." The dawn needs to rise in our darkness and we see the dawn of hope and the riches of our inheritance. But when things look bad, sometimes the only way to remember these things is to sing them, pray them, and read God's promises of them.
My Prayer...
O God, you are my Hope. I trust in you and your promises. But I admit that at times, like even right now, I sometimes struggle with my confidence that you will act in response to my prayers and do what I've trusted you with my life to do. Please fill me with your Spirit and comfort my doubts and kindle my passion that I may serve you with boldness and share with others your grace. Through my Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.
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