God Wants to Bless You

Posted on March 22, 2021March 13, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 3 (March 22 – March 28, 2021)

God Wants to Bless You

Verses for Meditation

⁵You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

– Psalm 139:5, 6 (NLT)

How can someone go before you and follow you? Is that even possible? Imagine for a moment your parents walking in front of you and behind you at the same time…, and I don’t mean one parent in front and one in the back. But God is able to do just that. He knows your past, so He can walk behind you. He knows your present, so He can walk beside you. He knows your future, so He can walk in front of you – all at the same time!

In other words, God knows everything about you. He recalls every secret from your yesterdays, the varied current events in your life today (like Covid19), and He knows all your tomorrows. And yes, He still wants to bless you. He longs to shower you with His goodness even though He knows the whole enchilada of your life.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can always trust God’s advice since He completely knows us and loves us anyway?

God agape loves you, and He wants to bless you. Abundantly!

Think About It

Why would God want to bless you? How is it that He always loves you, even when you may do your own thing without His consent? Do you think you make God sad or happy with some of your actions?

[You’re not alone; we know we have a few disagreeable behaviors that make Him sad sometimes. (Jesus, help!)]

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

Lord, go before each young person this week. Place Your mighty hand of blessing on his/ her head. Guide and direct, we pray, since it is You who knows everything about each person. Meet their deepest needs today – those needs that they may not even know that they have. Let our cherished students truly know that you want to bless them.

Bless them indeed, father! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great week, young friend!

Blessings!

Sister Hope & Kristi

Something to Remember this year: God Knows the Whole Enchilada!

Believing God (by Beth Moore)

God is who he says he is

I am who he says i am

he can do what he says he can do

i can do all things through christ

God’s word is alive and active in me

You are God’s Child

Posted on March 22, 2021March 13, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Change the Way you Think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

WEEK 4 (March 22 – March 28, 2021)

You are God’s Child

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

– Romans 8:16

None of us come from perfect homes. Some households may be better than others, but all have their own peculiar quirks and their own characteristic set of dysfunctions. Hence, we all have various issues that we have to deal with, and many of us know what it is like to feel invisible and unloved. A few of us may have even been told that we were unwanted.

But God steps in….

It is so reassuring to know that, though our human parents may not have had all the answers to our many questions, God does. And He is willing to supply our every need. Plus, it doesn’t really matter how we feel. Yes, our feelings are important, but feelings can be fickle – so unpredictable at times. However, His love for us is eternal. It does not change. It is endless. We didn’t earn it, nor do we deserve it. Our heavenly Father has chosen to give His agape love to us freely.

Why? Because we are His beloved children.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

Lord, thank You that I can call you Abba Father; I can look to You for my every need and desire. I love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Remind yourself frequently that you are God’s child. Your spirit is a part of His.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking: I am not enough. I am unloved.
My New Way of Thinking: I am a child of God. I was chosen by the King of kings. My Abba Father eternally loves me.

God Knows What You Do

Posted on March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 2 (March 15 – March 21, 2021)

God Knows What You Do

Verses for Meditation

³You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
⁴You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

– Psalm 139:3, 4 (NLT)

Have you ever had a younger sibling follow you around? You go to your room, they follow you. You are with your friends, and they want to be right there. What you eat, they want to eat. What you say, they want to say. Do younger siblings (or older ones in certain cases) annoy you at times?

Well, God is not like that. He is very respectful. He silently goes around with you – everywhere you go! Where you pause, He pauses. Where you stop, He stops. Most times, you don’t even realize that He is even there, but He is. He knows everything that you do – The Whole Enchilada! And yet, He always loves you – no matter what!

The Power of Words

Words can compassionately build a person up. Words can utterly destroy a person.

How do you feel when you remember some really harsh words that were spoken to you or about you?

How do you feel when you remember some genuinely encouraging words that were spoken over you?

What kind of words will you choose to say today?

Think About It

If you truly understood that God was always with you, how would that increase your peace? And since God knows what you are going to say before you even say it, what do you think would happen if you allowed Him to censor your words?

[We don’t know about you, but we constantly need God’s help in this “word” area (sad face).]

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

Father, You see each young person when they go out or when they are relaxing at home. O Lord, You know everything that they do. Also, You know what they are going to say even before they say it. Since You know the whole enchilada, please direct their steps when they go out and when they are at home. Help our cherished young people to say only those words that are agreeable to You.

Teach each dear student how to build others up, not knock them down, and edify others rather than constantly condemn them. Teach our precious young adults how to control the words they say, and may they know that You are always willing to offer assistance. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great week, young friend!

Blessings!

Sister Hope & Kristi

Something to Remember this year: God Knows the Whole Enchilada!

Believing God (by Beth Moore)

God is who he says he is

I am who he says i am

he can do what he says he can do

i can do all things through christ

God’s word is alive and active in me

Diligently Study the Word

Posted on March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Change the Way you Think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

WEEK 3 (March 15 – March 21, 2021)

Diligently Study the Word

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12

When something is alive, we think of it as having a heartbeat or perhaps consistent growth and maturity. As such, how can the Word be alive? Does it have a beating heart and the other characteristics of living things?

Indeed, it does, and so much more.

As we consume the Word, it becomes the life and breath of our soul – our very heart-beat. It infuses our innermost being reproducing God’s values, morals, wisdom, and guidance into our cells, tissues, organs, and systems. It releases new power, gives us keen discernment, and reveals to us things that have been hidden from us for a long time.

We can read the Bible one thousand (1000) times and still on the one thousandth and one (1001) time find something new that penetrates our hearts and minds. This reality certainly inspires us to make the living Word a part of our daily walk and growth.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

Father God, please give me an even greater thirst for the knowledge and understanding of Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Elect to study the Word. Meditate on at least one (1) verse daily.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking: The Bible is outdated.
My New Way of Thinking: The Word is living and powerful. It is most relevant for my life today.

Give Control to The Spirit

Posted on March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Change the Way you Think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

WEEK 2 (March 8 – March 14, 2021)

Give Control to The Spirit

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6

To be endlessly critical, self-focused, deceitful, arrogant, prideful, and so on: it is easy, so natural, requiring little to no effort. Comparing ourselves to others and wanting what they have is simply the order of the day many times. There seems to be an invisible force that automatically propels us to react negatively and push back. And yet, we are constantly living on the edge of uncertainty as to the true position of who we really are.

On the other hand, if we desire to be persons who want to be controlled by the Spirit, our decisions take much effort and must be very intentional. We have to spend time with God daily: in prayer, worship, and in the study of His Word. We must call out to Him: seeking His wisdom and profound revelation. This intentionality takes giving God priority in our lives. We have to keep our minds Word-focused – learning how to hear His voice – as it is this same voice that covers us in His comfort, peace, and gently shows us who we are in Him – genuinely loved and cherished.

We are truly adored and treasured by God.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

Holy Spirit, I give you permission to teach me. Please show me how to starve and kill my carnal mind. Instruct me as to how I can be spiritually minded at all times. Help me, Lord! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Look for a living promise in His Word to grasp onto for my every issue. And allow the Spirit to have His way.

Changing the way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking: I let my sinful nature control my mind.
My New Way of Thinking: I intentionally keep my mind tuned in to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

God Knows You

Posted on March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 1 (March 8 – March 14, 2021)

God Knows You

Verses for Meditation

¹O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
²You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

– Psalm 139:1, 2 (NLT)

Who would you say knows you better than anyone else? Who knows all your deep secrets, fears, joys, concerns – especially in such a time as this when we are living with the uncertainties of COVID19? Who knows how to make you laugh, or is there when you need a listening ear? Is it your parents, special friend(s), a teacher, a sibling?

We would like you to know that even the person who you think knows you the absolute best, even this precious gem, does not know you better than God does.

God knows you much better than you know yourself. Well, yes, He would. He gets everything about you because He created you. He knows the little things regarding you, like when you are going to sit down or stand up. He knows the deep issues that concern you, like your innermost feelings and opinions even when you are very far away: when no one else knows what you are thinking.

It sounds like since it is God who has examined you and knows you inside-out, that He should be the first person you run to when you have a question or a concern. And we certainly understand that perhaps you have many fears and doubts right now.

What do you think?

Think About It

How much do you really believe that God knows you? Do you think you see yourself in the awesome way that God sees you? Why or why not?

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

Precious Father, You have examined each student’s, tender heart. You know everything about them – the whole enchilada. You know when they are seated or when they might choose to stand. You are quite aware and know every thought that they think at all times. O Lord, since You know their individual and perplex thoughts, please help each treasured child to think the thoughts You would want them to. Especially help them to realize how much you love them and care about everything that happens in their lives. Thank You, Lord, for caring. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great week, young friend!

Blessings!

Sister Hope & Kristi

Something to Remember this year: God Knows the Whole Enchilada!

Believing God (by Beth Moore)

God is who he says he is

I am who he says i am

God’s word is alive and active in me

he can do what he says he can do

i can do all things through christ

Welcome Back College Students!

Posted on March 7, 2021March 7, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Welcome back to our College Student Outreach!

Welcome back, young Brothers and Sisters!

It has been quite a long break since we last connected, and so much has changed – hasn’t it?

We pray that you all are safe and sound, and with God’s help, recovering from the tough 2020 of COVID-19 and all that it brought with it. We do realize that we are still in unrelenting pandemic times, so just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

It is always our privilege to share a short thought or devotional with you each week to remind you of how special you are in God’s sight.

With the thought that You are Special, this year, we will be taking a fresh new look at Psalm 139. This chapter reminds us that God knows all about us and that we are His Masterpiece!

…God knows all about us and that we are His Masterpiece!

New Devotional Series

There are 24 verses in this chapter, and each week, we will focus on two verses. You will be receiving your first devotional in this series, God Know the Whole Enchilada, tomorrow.

Welcome once again!

Blessings,

Hope & Kristi

Be a Living Sacrifice to God

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Change the Way you Think

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

WEEK 1 (March 1 – March 7, 2021)

Be a Living Sacrifice to God

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

Just imagine Father God sitting down one day, pondering and contemplating as to:

How can I save my beautiful creation that has chosen a life of sin and has ventured astray? I love them so much that I must find a way to bring them back into fellowship with Me.

Alas, there is but one way. A perfect sacrifice. But where can I find such a God-fearing, sinless candidate?

He sighs as He hangs His head down in the heartbreaking realization that only His Son – His One and only Son – is the only One qualified for the job.

So, with a heavy heart, He succumbs. His great love for mankind pushes Him to consent to the perfect sacrifice.

Thus, armed with genuine agape love for you and me, He permits His precious Son to be crucified to save needy sinners like us.

May God’s tender heart towards us motivate us to make the wise decision to accept His will for our lives.

My Prayer

Lord, with the apt assistance of Jesus, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit, my guide, I choose to seek to move towards walking in Your perfect will daily. Help me, I pray, to select, even today, what is good, pleasing, and perfect in Your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Purposefully stop and consider a few times a day:

Is what I’m thinking about aligning with God’s will?
Are my actions acceptable to Him?

And then intentionally choose to be a living sacrifice to God.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking: It’s all about me.
My New Way of Thinking: It’s all about God’s will for my life.

May God’s tender heart towards us motivate us to make the wise decision to accept His will for our lives.

Welcome Back Praying Wives!

Posted on March 1, 2021March 7, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

Welcome back to Praying Wives, Ladies!

It has been quite a break since we last connected, and so much has changed – hasn’t it?

We pray that everyone is safe and sound, and with God’s help, recovering from the arduous 2020 of COVID-19, Job loss, unstable economy, loss of loved ones, sicknesses, loneliness, isolation, and everything else…. We realize that we are still in unrelenting pandemic times and continue to go through so much….

May God truly trade our abundant ashes in for His amazing beauty. And in this time of deep uncertainty, may we truly see His hand of guidance, direction, and favor – even in ways we haven’t seen before!

May God truly trade our abundant ashes in for His amazing beauty.

New Devotional Series

We begin this season of Praying Wives with a timely series of, Change the Way you Think. We believe that we can’t always solve a new problem with our old ways of thinking.

May God bless us as we seek to bring Him honor and glory by the way we live our daily lives.

Your sisters,

Hope and Kristi

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