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My eating is better, but the scale is not moving. I feel like I am working hard and have nothing to show for it. I search the internet for weight loss tips and want to try the latest quick fix. Sometimes, I want to “give up” and indulge in excess food. Luke 11:9-10 is, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door willRead More →

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Psalm 37:4 has always been one of my favorite verses. Often, I skipped ahead to the part that says, “He (God) will give you your heart’s desires.” Even though God grants some selfish requests, He wants more from me. As I have drawn closer to the Lord, He showed me the true meaning of this verse. Psalm 37:3-4 is, “Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart’s desires. Holy Bible, Holman Christian Bible, 2009 Instead of granting selfish wishes, the God of the universe desiresRead More →

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“One Word for the Year” involves selecting one word to meditate on throughout the year. I have tried this devotional tool before and forgot my word by mid February. My word for 2025 is “commit”. I know God desires me to commit to a deeper relationship with him. Proverbs 16:3 is, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation I asked a friend to help me help me follow through this time. She told me to display the word “commit” where I will see it daily. I added a note, “Commit in 2025” to the lock screenRead More →

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Every December, I put a lot of energy into planning my family Christmas festivities. I am busy with gift shopping, baking, and going to various holiday events. I try to include Jesus but concentrate on creating the perfect Christmas. Matthew 1:21 is, “She (Mary) will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save people from their sins.” Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 We celebrate Christmas because Jesus came down to save us from sin and give us the gift of salvation. My perfect Christmas is submission to all the Lord’s ways. All He desires is thatRead More →

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My eating was better, but the scale stayed the same. I blamed my aging hormones and thought I would never lose weight. I was eating too much and stubbornly did not want to admit it. I fell back into old habits like using food to soothe my feelings. I thought my food intake was fine, but I ate more food than my body needed. Proverbs 3:7-8 is, “Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 The Lord gently showed meRead More →

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God never promised me an easy life. My greatest spiritual gains have come through facing trials. When I feel overwhelmed and out of options, I seek Jesus. Even though I know to seek Him first, I turn to the Lord and go deeper in His ways during tough times. Jeremiah 29:13 is, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 I don’t have a clear picture of what life after retirement is for me. Instead of using the world’s path, I am searching for God’s plan. Jesus draws me closer andRead More →

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There are times I feel discouraged because I still need (and want) to work. I sometimes wonder why I worked in so many a different jobs. It doesn’t make sense that one person did everything I list on my resume. I feel nudged by the Lord to use my combined work knowledge to do freelance work. Psalm 37:23 is, “A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way.” Holy Bible, Christian Standard Version, 2017 Life is a journey that gets better when I follow the Lord. He has changed me and continues to prune my faults away. I believeRead More →

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I am going through a season of confusion. My path is unclear and I don’t know what to do next. I have tried to find a job outside of teaching. I feel like all the work I put into this new career search was wasted since I have nothing. I want to know how this will end before continuing this search. James 1:5 is, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God – who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly – and it will be given to him. Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 I need God’s strength to walk through thisRead More →

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I retired from teaching but still need to work. My plan was to find work in accounting even though I last worked in this area 25 years ago. After a month of looking, I wonder if I should have kept teaching a little longer. I hate uncertainty and tend to predict the worst possible outcome. I try to listen for God’s voice, but am overwhelmed. Proverbs 3:5 is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;” Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 When I lean on Christ, He guides me and shows me the path to take.Read More →

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Jesus suffered greatly to pay the price for my sins. I know I failed God in the past. There are times when I go through the motions of reading God’s Word just to check another thing off my list. My devotion to Christ is not always where I know it should be. Deuteronomy 4:29 is, “But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all of your heart and all of your soul.” Holy Bible, Christian Standard Bible, 2017 All Jesus desires is for me to seek Him. He waits patiently for meRead More →