VERSE OF THE DAY!

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
—Proverbs 21:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"We're number one!" is the cry today. However, the scripture above tells us that it is the wicked who light their own way with their haughty eyes and proud heart. In contrast, God lights the way for his people with his word (Scripture) and with his Word (Jesus), the wicked light their own way with their haughty eyes and proud heart. But arrogance, pride, "uppity-ness" — or whatever name you want to call it — is called sin by God. God is number one and all the other numbers are important only because of him. It's just that simple.

My Prayer...
Holy and righteous Father, help me place you and your character in the place of most importance in my heart, my life decisions, and in my influence. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

How To Train The Mind To Attract What You Desire! (Law Of Attraction)

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
—Ephesians 6:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What do you have that lasts forever? Not much unless it is connected to the Lord Jesus Christ. So many things we love and pursue are hollow, fleeting, shallow, and vain. But grace comes; grace stays; and grace lives with those whose love is the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither time nor the grave can strip away our grace in him when he is our Lord and he is our love.

My Prayer...
Holy God, I acknowledge that you loved me long before I knew anything about you. I confess that despite your overwhelming love for me, I have strayed from your will. But Father, deep within my heart I love you and thank you for sending your Son Jesus. His sacrifice and your mercy have not only given me hope, but they have given me confidence to face whatever lies ahead today. Please fill my heart with love for you and your Son by the power of your Holy Spirit. Dear Father, may my allegiance to you be as unwavering and undying as your love is for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
—Psalm 53:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Are you a "God-seeker"? Through much of history, especially when things are going well or in times of great wickedness, God has not found many who seek after him. But he's looking! He's searching! It matters to him! Just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day before sin destroyed their relationship, God longs to walk with us. But he's looking for those whose hearts are yearning for his presence in their lives. So let's yearn!

My Prayer...
Searching Father, Almighty King, my heart yearns to know you and to be known by you. I look forward to the day that I see you face to face. Until that day, please show your presence in my life and do your will in my character. May others see my life and know that I am your child and that I live to exalt your holy name. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

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

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
He doesn't waver! Isn't that comforting? God is consistent and in his consistency, he gives good gifts. He created the world in all its majesty and gave it to us to use. When sin strangled life, God gave us the promise and executed it through Abraham and the Israelites. When death claimed us, he gave us Jesus, crucified and resurrected, to give us the assurance of our victory over sin and death. There is no shadow in that brilliant light and we are assured that light will keep on shining!

My Prayer...
Gracious and generous God Almighty, thank you for consistently giving me your grace, your gifts, your love, and your promises. I have no one; I have nothing, that compares to you. Thank you for all your many gifts in Jesus name! Amen.

 IT'S SUPERBOWL SUNDAY !!!

SEAHAWKS VS PATRIOTS

I'M ROUTING FOR MY FAVE TEAM....

THE PATRIOTS!!

HAVE FUN TONIGHT EVERYONE!!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.
—Nehemiah 1:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God takes great delight when we pray asking for his guidance and help! This is especially true when the focus of our efforts is on building up his people and his Kingdom. Nehemiah comes as God's servant. He's not giving God a "go do" list using prayer to make God his servant. Instead, Nehemiah's heart burns with the needs of God's people. The rest of the book of Nehemiah is proof that God loves his children to pray when the desires of their heart are on his people and his will.

My Prayer...
Precious and righteous Father, please use me today as your servant. Take my words and use them to bless, encourage, and comfort. Take my influence and use it to mend and inspire. Take my time and fill it up with your concerns. May the glory and honor of all I do ultimately bring glory to you. Your grace has saved me, please now use me to share that grace with others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.
—Joshua 4:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
God brought the Israelites miraculously through the Jordan River during the flood season because of his love and grace and to fulfill his promises to them. But he was also making an important statement about himself and his people. He always wanted Israel to "reverence" him. In addition, he wanted Israel's enemies to quake with fear. They did. And God won a great victory for himself and his people because of his faith.

My Prayer...
Holy and majestic God, you are clothed in righteousness and bathed in glory. I want to always treat you with the respect and reverence you deserve. Please forgive me for the times when I was not as reverent or respectful of you as you deserve. Forgive me when I didn't hold your name up as holy when others were using it in vain. You are worthy of my life, my love, and my all. I want to bring praise to you now and forever. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Healthy Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients:

50g/a couple of squares Fairtrade dark chocolate (grated if not using a Vitamix)
1 avocado – super-ripe, stone removed, scooped out
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds – or you can use flax seeds
1 teaspoon honey, we used local honey
2 tablespoons raw oats or up to one Weetabix biscuit
500ml/2 cups warm milk – we used whole milk

NOTE: You could also use a banana in place of the avocado.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
—2 Corinthians 12:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting. I want God to keep things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!

My Prayer...
Patient and loving Shepherd, guard my heart from discouragement in tough times and guard it from arrogance in good times. I know that without you I have nothing that is permanent. Thanks for giving me a permanent, steadfast hope of heaven with you, because of your grace and strength shared with me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA OATMEAL SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS
¼ cup peanut butter
½ cup vanilla yogurt
½ cup milk
⅓ cup oatmeal
½ tsp cinnamon
1 banana (frozen or fresh)
2 Tbsp honey (optional)
¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine all ingredients in the blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Enjoy!

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
—Ephesians 3:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Sometimes there is nothing left for us to do except praise God! While we may sometimes dream of doing great things for God and his Kingdom, the dreams aren't as big as God's plans. While we may be richly talented, influential, powerful, or rich, these are merely tools in God's hands, not symbols of our sufficiency. "God is able" has to be one of the best and most accurate phrases in the Bible. But this time, it's said about his work in you in me. He is able much more than we imagine to work through and in us. What can we say to that? Hallelujah!

My Prayer...
Loving Father, please help me better know and live your will. I want to be your vessel of ministry, healing, blessing, and hope to those around me at work and play. Please use me to your glory today, and always. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

GREEN SMOOOOOOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups baby spinach
3 oranges, peeled
1 dried pitted date
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut milk

DIRECTIONS
Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until desired consistency. Enjoy immediately.

EASY PEACH SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS
5 ounces vanilla yogurt
1½ cup fresh or frozen peaches
½ cup crushed ice
¾ cup coconut milk* (if needed, substitute milk of choice)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon sugar (adjust type of sugar and sweetness to preference)

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

NOTES
Makes 16 ounces.
* The Coconut Milk referred to here in this recipe is the refrigerated coconut milk. NOT canned coconut milk that separates into fat and liquid.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
—Ephesians 3:16

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
What is one of the most important things we can do for those we love in the Lord? We can pray for them. But more than that, we can pray that God will strengthen them with power through his indwelling Spirit. This same Holy Spirit raised Jesus from death (Eph. 1:19). This same Holy Spirit is God's great gift for those who ask (Luke 11:13). This same Holy Spirit reanimated a valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37). And this same Holy Spirit will strengthen those we love in the Lord if we ask for him to!

My Prayer...
Mighty and awesome God, I have several brothers and sisters in Christ who need your grace, mercy, and power poured into their lives by your Spirit. Some need to be convicted of their sinfulness. Some need strength and courage for their difficult road ahead. Some need power to overcome besetting sin in their lives. Please strengthen them with your power in their inner being through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I think you’re going to love this smoothie. It’s:

Creamy
Refreshing
Perfectly sweet
Subtly spiced
Ginger-y
Nutrient-rich
And seriously delicious

This smoothie is perfect for days when you want something healthy, filling and a little sweet. Plus, it’s simple with less than 10 ingredients. That’s my kind of breakfast.

A simple sweet potato smoothie packed with nutrients and naturally creamy and sweet. Healthy, easy and so nutritious.
Author: Minimalist Baker
Recipe type: Beverage
Cuisine: Breakfast, Vegan
Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS
1 cup loosely packed sweet potato puree (~1 large potato), skin removed (or sub pumpkin puree + extra banana or maple syrup for sweetness)
1 medium ripe banana, previously sliced and frozen
1 Tbsp almond butter (optional)
1/4 tsp each ground turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger (if using fresh ginger, use 1 tsp chopped)
1/2 Tbsp flaxseed meal or chia seeds
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup orange juice (optional)
Large handful ice

INSTRUCTIONS
1. To bake your sweet potato, preheat oven to 400 degrees F and split in half lengthwise. Lightly oil and place face down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until soft - 25-30 minutes.
Or, to steam, place in a steamer basket over 2 inches of simmering water and cover to steam for roughly 5-10 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool slightly before adding to blender.

2. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
Taste and adjust seasonings/sweetness as needed. Add more banana or orange for added sweetness, and more ice to thicken.

3. Split between two small glasses and serve. Garnish with extra cinnamon.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
—2 Corinthians 4:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
While there are many talented and successful Christians in the world today, they are merely vessels for God's message of grace, hope, and power. Our focus should never be on the container for the message. Instead, what is most important is the integrity of the messenger no matter the situation, so that the message can be seen without distraction. God's power is what sustains us, not our own, we are simply a vessel, a tool, in the hands of the Lord.

My Prayer...
Almighty and all-powerful God, thank you for using me to minister to others as your partner in the work of grace. May my service help them more perfectly see the glory of your truth and grace you gave us in your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Celebrities talk, "The Law Of Attraction" (So Inspiring!)