“Sure Foundation”

May 25, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

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“Sure Foundation”
Insecurity is probably the worst feeling in the world. It robs you of confidence, rest, and freedom. Just talking about the word floods my mind with so many memories. Being a little girl, afraid of the dark, peeking my eyes just above the covers to see if there really was a monster in my room. As a new kid at school, not knowing a soul, wondering if I would ever find a friend. Auditioning for a musical, nervous and afraid I would forget song lyrics. Picking an outfit for a date, hoping to impress and hold his interest. The day we purchased our first home, wondering if we were grown up enough to handle the responsibility. The way I felt the day we brought home our first baby and the overwhelming reality that we were responsible for his very life. Each of those moments all caused me to feel unsure, and creating a deep desire for something solid to stand on and keep me steady no matter what.

So often, I set my feet upon my circumstances. It’s easy to do because we naturally make agreements with what we can touch and see. For example: If our child has behavior problems in school, it would be easy to then label him a problem child or yourself a bad mom. If a dream falls apart, it would be natural to feel lost and lose sight of your identity. But we’re not called to live by human nature. We are called to walk by the Spirit, and in order to do that, we have to stand on a sure foundation. One that’s been tested and approved. One we know won’t ever be shaken by the quaking and shifting of life. If we stand on what we can see with human eyes, we will constantly shift with an ever changing world. That’s not a life anchored in Jesus. In fact, the bible calls that childish. We are called to grow up into Christ in all things. He is the security we are called to build our lives upon.

What are you standing on today? What are you building your life upon? When the world is afraid of the dark, hiding under the covers, you can be unshakable; shining like a beacon in the night. You can walk through uncertain days because He is your sure foundation.

So this is what the Sovereign Lordsays: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16

Source A 6-day devotion

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Not a performance

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #16

Not a performance

Many people are concerned that they don’t know the right words to say when they pray. But Jesus assures us that prayer is not a performance that will be graded, but instead a moment to be shared. ” Go into a hiding place and pray,” Jesus says. No one needs to watch your prayers and give their seal of approval.

In a healthy family, children don’t recite a script when addressing their parents; they just open their mouths and the words tumble out. In a happy marriage, spouses often speak to each other in cryptic, incomplete sentences. Their words would make little sense to someone on the outside, but, between the two of them, there’s a world of meaning.

The best prayers are not necessarily the most eloquent, but rather the most heartfelt. The syntax and grammar of prayer are honestly and humility. Anyone, anytime can let go of pride and bow his or her heart before God. That posture of the heart gives all of us equal footing with God.

Heavenly Father, it’s easiest for me to talk to You when…

The easiest time and place is the comfort of my home. Just this morning as I was getting ready for church I was in a big argument with my closet because half of my clothes didn’t fit and the other half is too big. So I stopped to look at the time and noticed I was getting late, and thought to myself. What’s more important? Me getting or even going to church? or looking good? Dressing all up? I believe it’s what I’m going there for, and what my heart is feeling, my humility, not my pride, and certainly not my looks. The outside shouldn’t matter. If going to a place to talk to God, I need to look better than someone than I don’t want to go there. I shouldn’t feel like that. I need to look and feel my best but not for others. So the comfort of my home is my best place.

A 365 Days Challenge Day #17

Our Father in Heaven

Prayers flows out of relationship. It is your connection with God that creates your conversation with God. As you come into relationship with Him, you experience Him not as some remote deity, but as your loving Father who deeply cares about you.

Earthly fathers can be awesome, aloof, abusive, or absent altogether. Your relationship with your biological or adoptive father may have been less than perfect. But things are different with Father God.He is always there for you. He understands. He always has time for you. He never forgets, never fails to keep a promise. He will encourage you and never put you down. In this relationship you can be yourself because He is here to coach you into fulfilling your true potential. When it comes time for correction, your heavenly Father always acts with kindness, never with the heavy hand of condemnation.

Knowing God’s great care for you as your Father frees you to bring anything that is on your heart to him. He will care for you.

Lord God, when I think of You as my Father, I…

When I think of you I remember you always have time for me.
You never forget me, You never fail me, You always keep a promise, you encourage me.
You will Never put me down. You will forever LOVE ME for who I AM.

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Don’t pretend something didn’t happen.

January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #14

Praying for Persecutors

The first mention of prayer in the New Testament is an injunction to pray for those who persecute you. Praying for those who have hurt you takes your relationship with God to an entirely different level. It affords you an opportunity to look honestly at the hurt and anger you feel, and to be realistic with God about the offenses that were committed against you. God never expected you to pretend that something bad didn’t happen.

Praying for those who persecute you also allows you to examine the reasons that you might hesitate to hand that hurt and anger over to God. This is a place of honesty and truth. As you are honest with God, He can help you comprehend the freeing truth about your situation. Free from bitterness, you begin to see your persecutor through God’s eyes. You can pray that he or she will come to that same place of freedom that you have found, so that everything that was wrong can finally be set right.

Lord God, when I think about those who have hurt me, I…

This came to me on a day I needed it the most. I was feeling so bitter, upset and hurt. I’m not the type of person to get attached, but I have a lot of feelings and when I get hurt, I hold on to it like it’s my best friend. That feeling that never wants to let go of me. It’s horrible. I hate it. Instead of me handling it over to God and letting it go. I hold on. By doing what this lesson teaches me to do, I can start to comprehend the true freeing of the truth. If I get realistic with the truth, praying for those that has hurt me, it will take my relationship with God to an entirely different level. A superior level where I’ve never been before.

A 365 Days Challenge Day #15

Making a Difference

Your prayers for cities and nations are never wasted. You never know whose life you will change forever through prayer. The first example of intercession in the Bible is Abraham negotiating with God on behalf of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “If you find ten righteous people in Sodom,” Abraham asks, ” will you save the city from destruction?” What was Abraham thinking? Rather than focus on everything that was wrong, he looked for that sliver of hope, that opportunity for God to intervene.

In the same way, as you look around you, find opportunities for God to show up. Pray for His intervention in schools, governments, media, entertainment, families, churches, and businesses. The chaos in our world has a solution: the God who listens to and answers our prayers. The change that’s needed might come through your prayers. You may never run for president or own a business or make a movie, but your influence can be felt everywhere if you are willing to intercede.

God, when I hear bad news, my first response is to…

To be honest, I no longer watch the news. I don’t watch television. It’s not a part of my life anymore. Although I read about it on the media. It still doesn’t make me want to watch it. I still pray for our Nation, Schools, President, Hospitals, prisons, and families around the world. I have rested all the caused and chaos of this world in God’s hands.

“”” Sorry about the double post but I’m behind. I wasn’t feeling too good and didn’t have time to post “””

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Life often throws things at us

January 17, 2016January 17, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #13

The presence of God

A small child was walking through a busy supermarket with her mother. All around her were bright colors and interesting shapes, sounds and smells, a whole world to explore. As her other pondered a purchase, this child was attracted by a balloon display in the next aisle. Slipping quietly away, she went to investigate. Then something else caught her attention, and she took a few steps in that direction. This went on for a minute or two, until she looked up and realized that her mother was nowhere in sight and she had no idea how to find her. She had left her mother’s comforting presence. She was lost.

The habit of prayer keeps God’s comforting presence close. Life often throws things at us that we are not prepared to handle on our own.

When trouble strikes, as it usually does, without warning, you are in a much stronger place with God at your side than you would be with Him far away. Staying “prayed up” keeps you in a place of safety.

Lord, when trouble strikes, the first thing I do is…

When trouble strikes the first thing I do is fall onto my knees. I’ve never seen so much of God in my life like I’ve faced the most devastated problems you can’t imagine. When I face Any problems I bow down in prayer. I pray and I believe in miracles. I believe with all my heart in the God I serve.

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I know You will never leave me nor forsake me.

January 13, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #12

Affirm The Truth

One powerful way to pray is to speak out those things you know to be true. ” God, I know You are here. I know You are smarter than I am, stronger than I am, wiser than I am. My problems don’t stump You at all. You’re not wringing Your hands; instead, You’re rolling up Your sleeves.”

This is a particularly effective when you put it next to the problems you are experiencing. “I feel all alone, but I know You will never leave me nor forsake me.” ” I don’t know what to do, but I know that you instruct me and teach me in the way I should go, that You counsel me and watch over me.” ” Everything is dark on my path right now, but You are the God who stood over the darkness and said, ” Let there be light.”

These affirmations of faith strengthen your own spirit and help you keep things in perspective. Even big problems will seem small in the presence of God’s great power.

Holy God, some of the things I believe to be true about You are…

That you’re always there. You are the one that when I’m in need you carry me in your arms.

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There is a time and a place

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #11

Pray Aloud

There is a time and a place for silent prayer ___ in a library, on a bus, in school, and in many other settings where talking out loud to God might not be appropriate. But praying aloud should be part of your daily routine if at all possible. Speech helps to clarify and solidify your thoughts. A great time and place to pray aloud is when you’re home, in your own room alone. But, since cell phones with Bluetooth devices have become popular, it’s common to see people walking down the sidewalk in an animated conversation with someone that isn’t physically present with them. You can pray aloud in public, and most people will assume you’re on the phone.

Praying aloud is a great way to experience God more completely. Vocalizing your prayers also gives you practice for those situations where you might be called upon to pray for someone else. If you’ve never prayed with your voice before, the hardest part is getting started. Go ahead, give it a try! You’ll do just fine.

Heavenly Father, when I pray aloud I pray aloud to You, I feel…

I feel like I can be heard I feel like our relationship is real.

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Taste and see…

January 11, 2016January 12, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #10

Blind faith has never been a requirement for following God. The so-called leap of faith is really only a small hop, like stepping across a little mud puddle, not a suicide jump across a canyon of impossibility. God allows us to verify his existence by looking into the heavens and seeing their scope and wonder, by exploring the intricate design of life and marveling at the Creator. The Bible invites us to taste and see that God is good. God wants to be experienced by you.

In a way, this journey is like courtship. As you place into God’s hands more and more of the pieces of your life, you discover who God really is and how He really feels about you. You learn what He means when He says, ” I love you.” In you prayers, share your doubts and fears with God. Ask Him how you can discover who He really is in those areas. Let Him reveal Himself to you in a way that you can experience.

Lord God, my idea of experiencing You is…

My idea of experiencing you is by sharing with you what I can’t share with anyone else, or nowhere else.

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Walk Away With me

January 11, 2016January 12, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #9

Good and Great

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Psalm 111:2 NRSV

Little children sometimes learn the dinner prayer, ” God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food.” This simple prayer contains profound truth. God is good. He brings only good into our lives. He is never the author of any evil thing that happens to you or anyone else. But God is also great. His redemptive fingerprints are all over everything that happens to His children, so that we may emerge from tragedy and loss as victors instead of victims.

All of this becomes very personal when it comes time to trust God with the people and things you value most. As you place in God’s hands what is most precious to you, you demonstrate your belief that God is good and He is great. He is good enough to want the best for you and yours, and great enough to turn every difficulty into triumph. By transferring ownership to God, you give Him an opportunity to demonstrate His faithfulness to you. You become free to be His child, resting under His care.

Heavenly Father, I have seen Your goodness when…

I have seen your goodness in so many ways, in so many different occasions. The times when I couldn’t fight for myself and you fought for me. I put all my trust in you then, and those times when I had given up on myself you still held on to me, and the times I thought my life was over because I had no more hope to keep going, nothing else had no meaning. You still saw your goodness in me and held me up. Thank you for all you have done.

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Celebrating

January 9, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #8

Celebrating God’s Presence

Suppose you had the opportunity to sit down with Jesus Christ in the flesh and talk with Him about anything you wanted to talk about. You could ask Him any questions, discuss any topic, share any stories, consider any plans, laugh at any jokes for as long as you wanted. What kind of time limit would you want to have imposed on that meeting?

Being free to take time to celebrate God’s presence is a wonderful privilege. Some people can afford to spend an hour or longer in prayer each day. Some cannot. But praying a longer rather than short time doesn’t make God love you anymore. God is more interested in you than He is in the clock.

He likes being with you, going to work or school with you, and joining you as you carry out your daily activities__ whether that is mopping floors, planning budgets, or reading stories to children. In the sense that God is always present, we can always be praying, whether our lips are moving or not.

Lord God, this is how I feel about spending time with you…

For the past 8 days, I’ve been doing this challenge ” Come away with me.” I’ve been feeling like I’m so close to God. When I wake up in the morning I wake with the urge to start my devoting, and I can hardly wait for night time to come so I can get started, because that’s the time when I set aside for my daily devotion. So How do I feel? Exited, great. Although physically I feel like crap emotionally and spiritually I feel great.

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I just gotta say this…

January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 EllyFilhoLeave a comment

A 365 Days Challenge Day #6

A Place for Prayer

The great thing about meeting with God is that you can meet Him anywhere. He can be found on the factory floor just as readily as He can be experienced in a cathedral. If you could find a way to travel to the most distant galaxy, you would find that God is already there.

But just as a couple much in love will seek out a quiet place to be alone together, so you may also wish to find a place all your own to meet with God. You might find a place in your home where you can be free to focus on God. Or you might enjoy connecting with God outdoors along a nature trail or in a park.

Maybe you would prefer to meet privately with God in a church building or mix it up so you don’t get bogged down by too much routine.

As you move forward in your journey, you’ll identify the atmosphere that works best for you. A place for prayer helps you grow in your friendship with God.

God, the place that works best for me to communicate with You is…

The Best place for me to communicate with God is where ever I communicate period. I think the important thing is to separate the time and communicate, and by doing it is what really matters. Of course we all have our little secret special place like our closet, for me, it’s the laundry room or the shower hahaha.
I always have long dialogs at those special times. 🙂

He said, ” My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 NASB

Dear Lord,
You have the power to do more than I ask, more than I can imagine!
When I come to you in prayer then, let me do so knowing what great power You hold over any situation in my life.
I cannot measure Your power or truly even conceive of it in its fullness, but I know that the One who designed the universe by simply speaking it into being has the power to design my life.
I believe You can remold and reshape me and any circumstance in which I may find myself.
God, I praise and thank You for my life and all that You are doing even now to help me.
Lord, I thank You for Your powerful and loving Spirit and for shaping me in ways that only serve to make me stronger.

Amen.

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“Sure Foundation”

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Pray Aloud

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Celebrating God’s Presence

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