My Daily Prayers: Help Me to Believe...

Publisher's Note: Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce E. Adejumo, author of My Daily Prayers: Spiritual Words of Wisdom, Volume I, owner of Mitchie's Gallery in Austin, Texas and Executive Director of the Mitchie Mitchell Foundation.  

Please support Ms. Adejumo and all the work she has been doing over the years to help survivors of drunk driving accidents and prevent DWI. Buy her book, or purchase something from her store, or send a donation to her Foundation. 

Mitchie's Art Gallery, Austin, TX

Her story is a compelling one.  Her son, "Mitchie" Mitchell, was paralyzed from the waist  down at the age of 3 as a result of an automobile accident. His biological father was driving - drunk! "Mitchie" passed away at the age of 21 in January 2008.

Starting today, February 7, and for the first Tuesday of the month for the remainder of 2012, New Life Today Blog publishes a prayer for Ms. Adejumo's book.  

I am certain that all who read 

Ms. Adejumo's prayers will be blessed:

Father in Heaven, 
thank You for being the positive force in my life that gives me strength and faith to keep moving forward. 

Graphic Credit: 

Help me to believe and receive the blessings You have in store for me.

Graphic Credit

I trust Your plans for me and ask that You continue to give me the strength to overcome any obstacle that may obstruct my path.  
In Jesus' Name. 
Amen.

Life's Changes by Roger Horsch

Graphic Credit

When our hopes and dreams are shattered
And they seem to be out of range
It’s the ability to know what we need
In our lives to make a change.

We must find out what’s important
Not what we want, but what we need
Our lives should be filled with love and joy
Not anger, lust or greed.

So fill your life with things that are new
And get rid of the bad and the old
‘cause it’s always hard to take criticism
Or to do what we are told.


But the change is deep within us
If we look we just might find
The key that unlocks the door to change
So we won’t be left behind.

So when you let God change your life
Your life will start to change you
And when it is all said and done
Your life’s changes will be new.

Graphic Credit

My Daily Prayers: Spritual Words of Wisdom by Joyce E. Adejumo

Publisher's Note: Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Joyce E. Adejumo, author of My Daily Prayers: Spiritual Words of Wisdom, Volume I, owner of Mitchie's Gallery in Austin, Texas and Executive Director of the Mitchie Mitchell Foundation.  

Please support Ms. Adejumo and all the work she has been doing over the years to help survivors of drunk driving accidents and prevent DWI. Buy her book, or purchase something from her store, or send a donation to her Foundation. 

Mitchie's Art Gallery, Austin, TX

Her story is a compelling one.  Her son, "Mitchie" Mitchell, was paralyzed from the waist  down at the age of 3 as a result of an automobile accident. His biological father was driving - drunk! "Mitchie" passed away at the age of 21 in January 2008.

Since February 7, and for the first Tuesday of the month for the remainder of 2012, New Life Today Blog will publish a prayer for Ms. Adejumo's book.  

I am certain that all who read 

Ms. Adejumo's prayers will be blessed:

Father in Heaven, 
thank You for always opening up new routes in my life and directing my path, 
so that I travel on the correct roads. 
You have planned for me. 
Help me to have a perfect heart for You, Father and to walk in ways that are pleasing to You. 

Thank You, for knowing the solutions before I have the problems and allowing your divine plan for my life to supersede my mistakes. 
I stand ready to receive Your mercy. 
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Overcoming Addiction through God's Strength! by Michelle Goodwine

In 2009, Whitney Houston's comeback from a bad marriage and drug addiction was underway. With the release of her CD and the single "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", it was hoped that Whitney had once again returned to her thrown as the Queen of Pop.  Unfortunately, in the meantime, her road to recovery, like many others with addiction problems, was paved with many potholes.  And on Saturday, February 11, Whitney came to the end of her road.

What is truly sad about Whitney's fall from grace is that she was a believer who lost her way. While it is too late for Whitney to start a New Life Today, perhaps her life can serve as a lesson to us all.  

Below are some Bible verses that will hopefully help other Christians who are trying to Start a New Life free from drugs and alcohol:

Lesson #1: Our Strength Comes from God

Isaiah 40:28-30 (NIV)

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,  the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,   and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD    will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Lesson #2: Your Body is a Temple

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Lesson #3: Don't Get Drunk

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  
¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lesson #4: We are Not of this World

Romans 12:1-3 (NIV)

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  
² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For those Christians struggling to overcome a drug and/or alcohol addiction, remember Philippians 4:13 (KJV):   ^"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."   With the Lord's help, we accomplish anything.  Unfortunately, it appears that Whitney forgot this.  It appears that instead of looking up, should looked inward.  And I am certain that she, like other addicts who have lost their way have found, overcoming addiction requires more than self-control. To overcome addiction, one must rely on God's strength.

(Photo: Reuters/Ygal Levi)

Whitney Houston emerges from the waters of the River Jordan during a Holy Land pilgrimage, May 29, 2003.

A Prayer in a Time of Difficulty by C.L. Glover

Lord, today we come to You seeking refuge in Your Word because incidences are happening to us that we do not understand. We know in our hearts that You only want what is best for us and You will exalt us in due time.

However, our minds are confused because we are struggling to solve our own problems. So Lord, we ask You to give us the peace that surpasses all understanding as we cast our burdens on You.

In Your Word You said You would never leave us nor forsake us. Your presence means everything to us. So help us to focus on You while we are going through our challenges.

Despite the consequences, we give You the praise, the glory, and the honor You so rightly deserve. We praise You because You know all things and nothing is hidden from Your sight. Since we are praying according to Your will, we know You hear us and You will grant us what we asked for.

So now we have all confidence in You and believe You will do just what You said. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

Joy During Times of Tribulation by Michelle Goodwine

 When we are going through trials and tribulations, often times it is difficult to have joy in our hearts.  Even as believers, when we are going through those "valley moments",  many of us find it difficult to be happy.  But, unlike those in the world, Christians have a reason to rejoice while we are going through tough times.  We have God on our side.  We have the Lord to count on.  And we can depend on the promises of God to never leave us or forsake us to give us strength.  

James 1:2-3 says:

Consider it pure joy, 

my brothers and sisters, 

whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

I am so grateful to God for showing me that no matter what my current circumstances, I have no reason to be sad.  God is always in control.  God is always on the throne.  So, even when we feel out of control, we can feel assured that God is concerned about our well-being. As the song goes, "Trouble don't last always." No matter what struggles we are experiencing, joy does come in the morning.  

In order to feel joy during hard times, we just need to remember that God will work everything out for His good in the end.  If we pray for His will to be done (and not ours), have faith in God, and patiently wait for His response, God will answer our prayers.  Now He may not give us want we want, but He will give us what we need if we trust Him.

As someone who prayed for a particular outcome, and was blessed with God granting me what I wanted, I have learned to pray for God's will.  When I received what I wanted, I soon learned that what I wanted, was not what God would have wanted for me.  Over the years, because of this prayer, I have experienced a great deal of hurt and pain.  So for those of you who have a desire in their heart, whether it is for a certain job, love interest, or material good, ask and you shall receive, says                    .

So for those Christians who are going through trials, let us remember that a New Life Today is possible.  Having the confidence that God will answer your prayers is the reason why you can praise God in advance, and why we can be filled with joy and peace on the inside, even when the wold around us may seem chaotic and out of control.

Below are a few Bible verses that will inspire you 

during times of trials and tribulations:

 

1 Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 34:17-18 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Living in Her Car - Finding a New Home with God (Source: CBN.com)

Living in Her Car - Finding a New Home with God (Source: CBN.com)

10 Inspirational Quotes about Faith

10 Inspirational Quotes about Faith

Source:  http://inspirationalblogs.com/quotes/faith/inspirational-quotes-faith.html

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
-Hebrews 11:1



Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.
-Pope John Paul II


Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. 
-Mother Teresa

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul. 
-Dwight Lyman Moody


Faith moves mountains, but you have to keep pushing while you are praying. 
-Mason Cooley


Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God
-John R. Stott


The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness. 
-Henry David Thoreau

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith. 
-Franklin D. Roosevelt


Miracles happen to those who believe in them.
-Bernhard Berenson