~Word to live by~

We can all use a little encouragement sometimes. Friends are great, but sometimes we just need a good reminder from God's word that all is well. God wants us to lay our burdens at His feet, and give Him the glory for everything in our lives. Troubling times, times of praise, it's all there in His word. We just have to be dedicated, and set aside the time God deserves. If we do, we're bound to receive His many blessings! These are just a few of the words I try my best to live by. May they bring you strength, peace, or encouragement!

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Jesus said, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean...But things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'" (Matthew 15:11,18 NIV)

How often do we let our thoughts, and our tongue make us unclean? As Christians we are to act like God, love like God. What is in our heart, will come out of our mouth. May we strive harder each and every day to be more like God with a pure, clean, loving heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Proverbs 12:25 "An anxious heart weights a man down, but a kind word cheers him up."

Proverbs 27:18 "As the water reflects a face, so one's life reflects the heart."

What does your heart say about you?

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"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:2-3 NIV)

Have you ever found yourself so confused, and lost that you didn't even feel you could turn to God? He is there, always. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. When we are broken and need to be restored, He will do just that!!! What a blessing to know we have a friend that is ALWAYS there!!!! We do have to be patient sometimes, but God's timing is always perfect!

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Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you"

How amazing to know that before we were ever conceived... God knew us! When I became pregnant for the first time, this verse really spoke to me. Although I had just become pregnant, God had already knew the exact date I would find out, what the sex of my child would be, and the date and time he would arrive. Our God is so amazing. No child is a mistake, God has a plan for everything. He knows our next breath, He knows everything about us. Even the things we wish we could hide from him!

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"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV).

God wants us to have a dedicated time with him. Not just five minutes when we are already rushed. For us to really seek God, we have to be patient and allow time for God to speak to us through reading our Bible, and reading His word. May His word be a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. May we hide it's words in our hearts that we may not sin against God. Sometimes it's hard for us to hear God because we are too busy, but if we will be still we're sure to hear what He's telling us.

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Ephesians 4:26 "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (NIV).

All to often it's so easy for us to just stay angry and pout. Anger is something we all have to learn to control. As a mother, and a wife I know how difficult it can be to control your anger sometimes. Some days you've worked all day cleaning, taking care of the kids, and you feel like no one notices all the work you've done and it makes us angry. Or someone wrongs us, cuts us off in traffic, miscommunication within your marriage. It's okay to get angry but do not sin when you do become angry. Communication is key, be sure to talk things out. Don't let it carry over into the next day, it'll start that day out just as stinky!

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