Overcoming a Critical Spirit

I found the best article on Crosswalk that fits in with our current study very well. One of my favorite parts reads: "Believe that you are valuable and loved. When we fully grasp that God’s love isn’t dependent on our ability to earn his favor, we can stop measuring ourselves against everyone around us and find our value and self-worth in Christ. Acknowledging that we are all works in process gives us room to extend grace to ourselves and to others when we fall short of some imagined standard."
 It's a short piece and I encourage you to read it. http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/5-ways-to-overcome-a-critical-spirit.html?utm_content=bufferab73b&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=cwpg&utm_campaign=cwupdate

Our Thought Closets

 

As we began our new study, Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothchild this week, I found this image on Pinterest. Talk about a "God Thing," a hanger is the illustration all over the book as we discussed our 'thought closets' this week. The introductory lesson was about how we talk to ourselves and how to make our thoughts more positive and centered on God. A couple days ago this came from a friend, and it fits right in with the whole concept of self talk. The author, Kelly O'Dell Stanley, reminds us that prayer is our primary means of communication with God. She says, "Pray always, let these short, simple prayers run through your mind as you go about your everday tasks - your conversation with God will become a soundtrack underscoring your ordinary days."  That just fits so well with our "thought closet" study doesn't it?


http://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/20-prayers-to-pray-throughout-a-busy-day.html


Wanna know a cool thing about Kelly O'Dell Stanley? She is from Crawfordsville, Indiana - which is just down the road from Sheridan and Indianapolis where I grew up! Well, then I had to check out Kelly's websute She has a free prayer prompt calendar available when you sign up for her email list, which I did of course! I highly recommend her website for wonderful Godly content. http://kellyostanley.com/

I love the slideshow Kelly did on Crosswalk, it's beautifully illustrated and so worth the time to see. However, for just a quick read that does not involve clicking through, here are her prayers:

1.     Thank you for this day.

        This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

2.     Be with me.

        The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid Psalm 118:6

3.     You are so good.

        Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

4.     Give me strength for this day.

        Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

5.     Protect me.

        I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19

6.     Thank you for the work that keeps me busy.

        May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

7.     Lord, give me rest.

        Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

8.     Help me to love.

        Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10

9.     Let me see you.

        You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all y our heart. I will be found by you, “declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:12-14

10.   Fill me with joy.

        I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

11.   Show me how to glorify you.

        There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Psalm 86:8-10

12.   Give me a generous heart.

        A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

13.   Erase my worries.

        Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

14.   Help Me.

        The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

15.   Let my words be uplifting.                    

        Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

16.   Forgive me and help me forgive others.

        If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

17.   Thank you for being in control.

        ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’. Jeremiah 29:11

18.   Teach me. Guide me. Show me what to do.

        Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me. Psalm 25:4-5

19.   Purify my mind.

        Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

20.   Thank you. Again. Always.

        Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18