Dont rush, my little dove

My precious Alaina wants to grow up so fast. I have to be so careful about not pushing her nor holding her back. I seriously need the Lord to direct me each day because with children what may have worked yesterday will probably not work the same way in the days to come.

She is holding baby peaches we found this fall. She was so excited that they matched her dress.

She recently will go to the kitchen and say mommy "I am getting something" so I will wait in my room in wonder of what those little hands are getting into and in she will come with 2 drinks and a huge bowl with torn lettuce, tomato chunks that she has bitten off and placed in the bowl, feta and sharp cheddar, baby carrots and Italian dressing.

At first, my initial mental reaction was "Alaina, you know you're not supposed to go in the fridge" but seeing the genuineness of wanting to serve me is beyond humbling. I could say nothing but receive her gifts with the utmost gratefulness. Inside the bowl were the 2 forks that had tumbled inside and were covered with dressing and together we grabbed hold and began enjoying a lunch that was fit for a King.

I have been very humbled lately while watching my daughters heart blossom more and more into a servant. She being so young has been understanding more and more everything she does God sees and to everyone she treats with Love, He tastes of it and to everyone she hurts He tastes as well. It has caused her to consider how all her actions immediately touch the Lords heart.

I see how fast she wants to be big so I purposefully create bigger chores and responsibilities. She says to me "Mommy, thats to much" and I encourage her "thats why sweetie, its great to be big but with being big means you have a lot bigger responsibilities and God wants us to just enjoy and be faithful in the measure He has given us". She wants to constantly prove she is able. She is my mirror. I want her to be independent in certain areas but I most of all want her full trust to be in mommy and daddy so in her later years as she is being tested in this difficult life and learning to lean and fully trust in her Maker she can look back and see the pattern that was set before her with us. In these younger years if she develops believing she can do it all and does not need mommy and daddy it will be a more difficult road in her trials to come when she needs to depend on God. 

Matthew has told me so many times that he is determined to stand as the loving, reliable, and faithful, father figure that so many are never able to grow up seeing. Our hearts go out to the countless broken lives in this youthful generation who grew up with abuse, neglect, abandonment, harshness, and above all no Love. No wonder it is so difficult for so many to believe in God's Healing Love when the head of the household (who in the home represents God to the children) displayed the opposite. Not to blame any fathers, sadly its usually what they experienced in their own homes as well and the curse just trickles down. God gave us ordinances and commands not to make us robots but to SAVE OUR HOMES from brokenness. To raise our children in faithfulness, security and above all HIS LOVE. Every good and perfect thing begins with Him everything else will fade. This world is a vapor. A temporary visit until eternity. I dont want to waste anymore time. Time is the one gift you cannot get back. We must make the most of it. I must cherish every second for I am not promised tomorrow.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6


“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, ² and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. ³ Listen closely and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

 ⁴ “Listen, The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Gentle Hands

Click on the pictures to view them in more detail.

My two precious children, Alaina Grace 4 and Levi 2, take craft time very seriously. When the paints come out they're entering into our little world of colors, responsibility, and creativity. 


They're not the smearing type but they handle their painting time so delicately. They stroke with patience and paint with vision. They know what they're creating and watching is one of the many delights they fill in my soul.

Although Levi's paints got dirt on them he was unfazed and knew he could perfect his little cat even with the dirt. 

For a 2 year old. He quite astounds me and loves to paint with wooden sticks (like his mommy). 

My Alaina always puts her whole heart into her pieces. Some could look at her work and say "good job, Alaina" but when I look at her pieces I see her whole heart all over. I see her deep focus and her 200% and it makes me treasure each piece all the more. 

Alaina has been probably my most influential teacher in painting. She has taught me abstract and color palates I would have never put together but most of all she has taught me about gentle hands. She can work on one piece for hours until its just right. She has no rush, no distractions, just focus and a pure heart. 

Through her I can see Gods gentle hands. His unsurpassing patience. He does not push us and rush us and force us. He gently molds and fashions and shapes us more into the image of His Beloved Son. 


He is always working as Jesus shares in the gospel of John. His main ingredient is Love and my favorite part of painting with my little peas is that is our main ingredient as well. 

My Father is always at work to this very day - John 5:17

Honesty with myself

Today I have been looking deep within myself.  No sugar-coating, no excuses, no justifications!      Just Honesty. 

Here are some for now........

I have been in my lifetime the unfaithful friend who shared the secrets that were entrusted.

I have been competitive and strived for first place and remained in last. 

I have yelled and dealt with my children in anger.

I have thought I was something when I am nothing.

I have been rude, disrespectful, unsubmissive, and disobedient to my husband.

I have entertained more pity parties than holidays.

I have been brutal and dealt so harshly with myself and others.

I have been violently drug by the chains of condemnation. 

I have been tormented by fear.

I have been afflicted by ailments, disorders, and conditions.

I have doubted the power of God and His abilities.

I have lied and exaggerated to make myself look better.

I have been a prisoner to the lusts of my heart.

I have struggled with deep loneliness.

I have had a murderous heart of unforgiveness. 

I have compared and measured my life to others.

I have not Trusted in God.
I have believed God was a harsh, drill sergeant and was waiting for me to fail so He could cast me away.

I have dealt with severe rejection.

Most all of these pieces fashioned in me quite a devasted and deafeated woman.

But through the years and the repeated cycle of sufferings that God had/has placed in my life, they have been used to draw me further from myself and closer to Him. To see His Love and Patience and Compassion and above all  His FORGIVNESS through His Son Jesus. 

I dont have to beat myself up anymore nor dwell in hopelessness. Through Christ I can Do ALL things. He is my Hope and Glory.

I have been forgiven for ALL my failures, defeats, wounds, rebellions, hypocrisies and sins. He has given me a New Heart. The scarlet letter has come crashing down and in its place the shape of Christ Jesus!!!!

I do not have to be dragged any longer by the violent chains of condemnation for He has washed my heart with Christs' Blood. He has made my sins as far as the east if from the west. He remembers my sins no more for they have been casts into the depths of the sea. He has made my sins as scarlet white as snow.

He knew me before I was formed and created me to fellowship with Him in this vast and temporary life and in my eternal home to come.

I am still learning and but a babe in Christ but I know that apart from Him I am nothing!!!!!

 I have lived with myself for a long time, I know what lingers in my mind, what rotten opinions have formed over the years, what fake-ness has existed, the countless shames I could never escape. How could I defend and fight to save that life so long. What a lie! And He has taken all my ashes and exchanged them for beauty. He has filled my empty, self-centered,  meaningless heart with Life and Purpose. I am here to serve Him, trust Him,  worship Him, adore Him, love Him, and I PROVE this by my Love for my neighbor which is all mankind.

 Jesus said "People will KNOW you're MY disciples by your LOVE for one another"

Here are some of the prescriptions I offer to anyone who has struggled with the same sickness of heart. For His Word was sent forth to HEAL us.

*I have been in my lifetime the unfaithful friend who shared the secrets that were entrusted.

PreScriptures:

Proverbs 17: 9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. 

Proverbs 10:19  Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

James 3:2  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 

James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. ⁶ And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

*I have been competitive and strived for first place and remained in last. 

PreScriptures:

Ecclesiastes 2:22-26 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

*I have yelled and dealt with my children in anger and frustration.

Pre-Scriptures:

James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

1 Corinthians 16:4 Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (amplified) Love endures long and is patient and kind. Love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy,Love is not boastful or vainglorious; Love does not display itself haughtily. 

Love is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); Love is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s Love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, 

for Love is not self-seeking. Love is not touchy, fretful, or resentful. Love takes no account of the evil done to it (Love pays no attention to a suffered wrong.) Love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, 

but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes. 

Love is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and Love endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end).

James 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

*I have thought I was something when I am nothing.

Pre-Scriptures:

Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 11:12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

Proverbs 30:12 There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

*I have been rude, disrespectful, unsubmissive, and disobedient to my husband.

Pre-Scriptures:

1 Peter 3:1-2 In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

    ²When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

1 Peter 3:4-6 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]

It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). 6 And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let NOTHING terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. 

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, AS TO THE LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 

Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Proverbs 12:4  A woman is either a crown to her husband or rottenness in his bones.

Titus 2:5 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

*I have entertained more pity parties than holidays. 

Pre-scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

James 1:27 When you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.'

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

*I have been brutal and dealt so harshly with myself and others.

Pre-Scriptures:

Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy".

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 18:25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.

Ecclesiastes 12:14  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Luke 6:38 For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

*I have been violently dragged by the chains of condemnation. 

Pre-Scription:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 3:32 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

*I have been a controlling person and tormented by fear.

Pre-Scriptures:

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 35:3-6 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

1 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

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.

1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

*I have been afflicted by ailments, disorders, and conditions. 

God healed me of being lactose intolerate, ADD, breast cysts, nervous system disorder along with other sufferings. Then some He allowed me to walk through because of sin and others were to fill my heart with compassion for those who suffer and hurt with no comforter.

 Pre-Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Romans 5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.

Mark 16:18 They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Psalm 103: 2-4 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

*I have doubted the power of God and His abilities. 

Doubt: English word derived from Latin "dubitare" or "dubius" which means to simply REJECT. Remember that the next time doubt tries to convince you God is not able to do mighty and abundant things. 

Pre-Scriptures:

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 21:21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Jude 1:22 And have mercy on those who doubt.

2 Timothy 3:7 Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

*I have lied and exaggerated to make myself look better. 

Pre-Scriptures:

Proverbs 6:19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Psalm 107:7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.

*I have been a prisoner to the lusts of my heart.

Pre-Scriptures:

Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

*I have struggled with deep loneliness.

Pre-Scriptures:

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 

Isaiah 53:3-4 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

*I have had a murderous heart of unforgiveness.

Pre-Scriptures:

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Proverbs 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

2 Corinthians 2:10  And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, ¹¹ so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 

*I have coveted.

Pre-Scriptures: 

Luke 12:16 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Matthew 6: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Romans 13: 8-10 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:20 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:11-13 for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

*I have compared and measured my life to others.

Pre-Scriptures:

2 Corinthians 10:12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Galatians 6:4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

*I have not Trusted in God.

Pre-Scriptures:

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalm 31:14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

*I have believed God was a harsh, drill sergeant and was waiting for me to fail so He could cast me away. 

Ezekial 18:23 Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Romans 8:39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Psalm 139: 13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

2 Timothy 4:16 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

2 Peter 1:4 By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

*I have dealt with severe rejection.

Pre-Scriptures:

Psalm 27:10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Matthew 28:20 I AM with you ALWAYS!

Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Ephesians 1:6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

His Blood has cleansed my heart. His Spirit leads me into all truth and His Word confirms that He Who is in me is greater then he who is in the world.