You are God’s Masterpiece

Posted on April 19, 2021April 10, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 7 (April 19 – April 25, 2021)

You are God’s Masterpiece

Verses for Meditation

¹³You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

– Psalm 139:13, 14 (NLT)

These two verses really stand out by themselves in this Psalm. Let’s take a moment to drink in what they say about you.

God made every delicate internal capillary, vein, artery, muscle, fiber, bone, organ, system, etc., in your precious body. Then, He carefully put all these vessels, tissues, nerves, systems, and so on together in the warm, secure environment of your mother’s womb. He further decided to leave you in there for nine months (or close to it) for you to properly complete your intricate growth process and then…, Voila! Out pops a beautiful baby boy or girl: a wonderfully complex little person with everything set out just perfect; God’s marvelous, amazing, incredible masterpiece!

If you did not know it yet, we’re here to let you know it now: You are special! You are a one-of-a-kind treasure! You are God’s work of genius, of which He is so very proud. And because God made you, He knows the whole enchilada about you, and He thinks that you are the cream of the crop – His Masterpiece!

Think About It

How do you really see yourself?
Are you more concerned about how others see you or about how God, your Maker, sees you?
What does “fearfully and wonderfully made” mean to you?
What do you have to change in your thinking to see yourself the way God sees you?

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

O Father, You made every delicate part of our wonderful young persons’ bodies. You formed them and attached them to their respective mothers’ wombs. Thank You for making them so wonderfully complex. You have done beyond marvelous with everything about them and in them. Thank You, Lord. Thanks for perfectly forming each priceless child. Thank you that each young person is a masterpiece. 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

Obey God’s Word

Posted on April 19, 2021April 10, 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 8 (April 19 – April 25, 2021)

Obey God’s Word

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

– Psalm 119:9, 11

Doing what is wrong is easy. If we are in a tight jam and telling a little white lie could get us out or clear our name, we tend to lie. No biggie! And if we want something bad enough, we may even choose to involve others if necessary, and not think about how our self-focused actions might adversely affect them. Yes, it is indeed fairly natural for us to be self-centered.

Nevertheless, if we desire to do things God’s way, we have to be intentional. Indeed, intentionality usually requires much forethought and hard work! This is the reason why we must develop the daily habit of studying His Word.

God’s Word orders our steps. It provides us with strategic blueprints, directives, and guidance. It is the key manual to living life His way. As long as we follow It closely, we will not stumble.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

Lord, thank You for giving me Your Word as a powerful tool to keep me on the right track. Push me every day – even when I’m lazy – to meditate on Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Take a few moments every day to hide God’s Word in your heart, and then, walk in obedience to it.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking
I should be able to figure this out on my own. (The Bible is old and irrelevant.)
My New Way of Thinking
Though it may not be easy to follow through, the Word will give me proven and wholesome guidance for anything that crosses my path. I can trust God’s Word to lead me to live life His way.

His Night Shines as Bright as Day

Posted on April 12, 2021April 10, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 6 (April 12 – April 18, 2021)

His Night Shines as Bright as Day

Verses for Meditation

¹¹I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
¹²but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

– Psalm 139:11, 12 (NLT)

Have you ever felt as if you wanted to hide from the world? Did you ever desire to find a place that no one knew about and just escape from all the “madness?” Have you ever thought that it would be a cool idea to be alone in the stillness of nature and simply think with no one to ask questions or tell you what to do?

Before Covid19, I’m sure that there were times when we all felt like this.

We would like to share with you that you are never alone. Even in your worst moments, you cannot hide from God. He has the ability to show you the light when everything around you seems so dark.

Young friends, we encourage you to look to the One who knows the whole enchilada and still has a never-ending love for you: a love that seeks to light up your deep darkness. God wants to shine a bright light into your murky night today. To Him, the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to Him. In other words, if you permit Him, God will make sense of your dark times and lead you to the light of day.

Let Him do that for you, won’t you?

Think About It

Do you feel anxious today? God wants to shine a light into your night.
Do you feel overwhelmed? God wants to shine a light into your night.
Is there something in your life that you just can’t figure out? God wants to shine a light into your night.
Will you choose to let Him shine a light into your night today?

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

Father, no matter where our young friends may go, they cannot hide from You. You can see them clearly, even in their bleakest places. When they are in such spots, O Lord, lead them into the glorious light we pray, Your bright light. 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

Select to Walk in The Spirit

Posted on April 12, 2021April 10, 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 7 (April 12 – April 18, 2021)

Select to Walk in The Spirit

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

⁹So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

– Galatians 6:8-9

It’s relatively easy to do what is right when we know our efforts will be sufficiently rewarded: where we get the warm pats on the back, plus all the edifying accolades that go along with that. We are quite motivated to do the smart thing when our praises are sung loudly, and many hands applaud in a mighty roar on our behalf.

But, it is undoubtedly hard to do good when all you get is pesky criticism and constant complaints in return, especially when all of your hard work goes completely unnoticed.

It is at this crucial crossroad where the decision to live by the Spirit is so very vital. Yes, it is at this difficult place where we are encouraged to go on doing what is right – knowing that our efforts are pleasing to God.

Remember: it is natural to be selfish. It is not in our innate nature to do the right thing (the hard thing). However, when we do what is so normal for us, that is, what is self-focused and selfish, we reap a poor harvest.

On the other hand, when we keep on walking in obedience to the Spirit, we garner an everlasting harvest of blessing.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

O God, I seriously call on You for help! Help me not to become worn out in doing what is good. May I always remember that when no one else sees me, You do. Thank You for the plentiful harvest only You can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Follow the Spirit and do what is right because it is the wise thing to do.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking
I’ll only do what I absolutely have to do as it doesn’t matter anyway: most of what I do either goes unnoticed or is criticized.
My New Way of Thinking
Although I know it will be hard, with God’s help, I will walk following the lead of the Holy Spirit.

His Hand Guides: His Strength Supports

Posted on April 5, 2021March 29, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 5 (April 5 – April 11, 2021)

His Hand Guides: His Strength Supports

Verses for Meditation

⁹If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
¹⁰even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

– Psalm 139:9, 10 (NLT)

What a promise for us! No matter where we are or what is going on in our lives, God’s mighty hand is able to guide us and His strength – support us.

Call on God today!

Question and Answer

What is going on in your life today that feels too big for you to handle?

Ask God’s hand to guide you and His strength to support you.

Are your assignments extremely challenging and your time mega limited?

Ask God’s hand to guide you and His strength to support you.

Are you disappointed, sad, lonely, or confused?

Ask God’s hand to guide you and His strength to support you.

Are you physically ill and weak in your body?

Ask God’s hand to guide you and His strength to support you.

Got it?

Wherever you are today, God wants to direct your steps and care for you. His hand longs to guide you and His strength to support you, and although He knows the whole enchilada, He continuously loves you.

Let Him be your guide and support today.

Think About It

What do you really have to be concerned about if God wants to guide and support you in every aspect of your life?
What is there in your life today that should you surrender to God?
Why is it so difficult to surrender your issues to God?

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

Lord, no matter where my young friends are today, may they know that You are there to lead and guide them. May they understand that Your strength is always available to support them. Strengthen each child where they are weak, and may they truly comprehend, if they ride the wings of the morning, if they dwell by the farthest oceans,even there, your hand will guide them, and your strength will support them. Thank You, Lord, for Your guidance and strength. 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

God Still Does Miraculous Things

Posted on April 5, 2021April 5, 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 6 (April 5 – April 11, 2021)

God Still Does Miraculous Things

By Hope McCardy & Rashad McCardy

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

– Romans 4:17

What is “dead” in your life? Do you feel defeated by the many storms and trials? Are you thinking, How long do I have to deal with this? Or, When will it all end? Will I ever…?

We’ve all been to this woe-begotten place at one time or another. Some of us are there right now! (Can I get an “amen?”)

But God.

Only He can take what is “dead” in our lives and revive it by breathing new life into it. Yes, and only He can open up brand new doors.

In other words: When we choose to turn to God, He makes a way where there is no way. He can bring back something that was long “dead” to much better than it was before.

My Prayer

(Pray for your husband and children as well)

Gracious Lord, help me to remember Your everyday faithfulness to me. Set off an alarm in my heart that reminds me that nothing is impossible with You – that You can do anything!

Stir in me an authentic comprehension of the truth of Your Word: that You still bring “dead” things back to life and create new things out of nothing as today’s verse teaches. Thank You for the tremendous privilege of being Your child. Thank You that, because I believe in You, You are doing miraculous things in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Memo to Self

Put a smile on your face. Remember the awe-inspiring faith heritage you have in Christ. Let Him do something miraculous in your life today.

Changing the Way you Think

My Old Way of Thinking
It’s already “dead.” I may as well give up. Things are too far gone.
My New Way of Thinking
God can bring “dead” things (God-honoring stuff) back to life. He is a miracle-working God.

Anywhere You Are, God Is

Posted on March 29, 2021March 29, 2021 by Empowering Your HOPE

God Knows the Whole Enchilada

Week 4 (March 29 – April 4, 2021)

Anywhere You Are, God Is

Verses for Meditation

⁷I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
⁸If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

– Psalm 139:7, 8 (NLT)

Isn’t it both kind of awesome and kind of scary to think that wherever we are, God is right there?

Awesome: from the point of view that He is with us when we are sick; when we are afraid; when we are uncertain; when we are lonely; when we are hurt; when we are…, etc.

Quite Scary: from the point of view that He is with us when we are blaming others for our own actions; when we are too critical of people; when we are not so nice; when we are doing things that we really should not be doing; when we are not doing the things that we should be doing; and so on.

Anywhere we are, God is! And though He knows the whole enchilada (good and bad), He always loves us. He is right there for us – encouraging us to do what’s right in His sight.

Think About It

How do you think your actions would change if you truly realized that anywhere you are, God is?
Do you think that it would make a significant difference? Why or why not?

Praying for You

(Please personalize)

O Lord, may our wonderful and talented young people sense Your divine presence with them today. May they know that You are with them wherever they go. May they appreciate that You are with them in the tough decisions they have to make. You are with them in the good times. You are always with them.

Help them know that You are delighted to assist them if they would only choose to ask You and seek after You. Open their eyes to see that they would not have to go far, for You are in their presence. Thank You, Lord. 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

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.

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.

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