1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4

[The Resurrection of Christ]

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Romans 3:23-24

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

This goes to show you that no one is perfect. Everyone is guilty of sin, and everyone must be redeemed by Christ in order to get to Heaven.

Luke 9:23-24

"Then He said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'"

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Daily Prayer #6

Father God,

Thank You for loving me enough to engage me in this conversation over my anger. I give this process and, ultimately, my anger over to You. Help me be diligent in seeking answers and not revert back to old habits that are harmful to me, to others, and to our relationship. I rely on Your grace through this process and ask that  Your Holy Spirit speak to me and reveal truth. Help me not be afraid but to trust You as I learn and grow in this area.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

*From Every Woman's Guide to Managing Your Anger by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD.

1 Peter 2:24

“He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Romans 5:6-8

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Daily Prayer #5

Father,

You are always justified when You are angry. I ask forgiveness for the times I anger You. Help me to discern areas in my life where I am angry but shouldn't be; help me to experience peace. Help me to discern areas in my life where I am not angry but should be; reveal my complacency. I ask You to help me use the anger You have designed within me to accomplish Your will and purposes for my life. Prevent me from using anger in ways outside of Your will.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

*From Every Woman's Guide to Managing Your Anger by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD.

John 1:19-20

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

Hi. I'm Jennifer, and I suffer from too much anger. I have been dealing with this anger problem for many, many years now. I think after my depression in the 8th grade, I just became an angry little soul. I can't even tell you why I'm so angry all the time... I just am. It seems to me like every day, I find something new to be angry about. Whether it's getting angry with my boyfriend or being pissed off by my suite mates, I am just always angry. Being always angry is not a good thing. In fact, it's a troubling and terrible thing. My anger has taken over my life, and I have lost all control of it. But there is hope... I believe that with God on my side, I can overcome this anger of mine. I have the resources, the tools, and the desire. I know it's going to be tough, but if I work hard at it, I'll be able to conquer my worst trait and finally live a happy life.

I so, so wish to be happy...

Happiness just seems so unreachable to me. And if I do happen to reach it, I feel like it always slips away from my fingertips... What can I do to hold onto my happiness? What can I do to keep my anger from sinking in? What can I do? Help me, Lord.

Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com. 

I wish I truly understood how righteous and great the Lord our God is. I wish I truly understood how overwhelming His love is. I don't wish this only for myself though. I wish the whole world knew, too.

Romans 5:10

"For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!"

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Galations 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Everyday reminders...

1 John 3:16

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

When I saw this pop up in my inbox, I got excited. I thought it was John 3:16, but I misread and didn't see the 1, lol. Either way, this seems to be a wonderful verse. In light of it all, I will still post what John 3:16 says.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

That there, my friends, is the reason we should live for God.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Daily Prayer #4

God,

I have failed at my promise to not have sex. Does that mean that the Devil is heavily influencing my life and my actions? See, I am still so confused about the differences between love and lust. Why is it that I cannot have sex with my boyfriend whom I plan to marry? Why is it wrong for me to show him how much I love him? I only give myself to him, so why is that so bad?

On another note, thank You for getting us out of that party unharmed. I know it probably isn't the best environment for me to be in, but I just really want to experience things in life. I'm young, and you only live once... What's so wrong with me going to a party and having a couple of drinks? I know that every day is not promised and that I should be living each day trying to please You, but what about everything else? I don't want to die wondering what it would have been like if I had tried something. I want to be able to make mistakes and learn from them... That's the only way I'll be able to grow.

So forgive me, Father... I'm just trying to find my place in the world right now. I pray that You don't give up on me.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Ephesians 1:7

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Daily Prayer #3

Dear God,

I don't know what to do right now... I don't know what's going on in my head. I don't know whether I'm happy with my relationship or not. Am I bored with what I have? Do I want something different in my life? I'm so lost. The other day, I found old e-mails between Tyree and me. We seemed to be so happy together then... I wonder what was wrong with me then. I wonder what possessed me to cheat on him like that. We were doing so well... Maybe I'm still holding onto those memories in hope that something will respark. I keep trying to convince myself that he doesn't have feelings for me and that anything he felt for me was lost a long time ago, but I don't know. A part of me still wonders what he thinks about me... A part of me wants to ask him how he felt about the situation and how he feels about me now. A part of me wants to ask him if he had feelings for me a couple of summers ago... You know, when we used to hang out late at night, walk around neighborhoods and the park holding hands, just talking. I miss those days...

I definitely had feelings for him then. I just used to be happy being around him, and I still am... It's just a different kind of happiness, I guess. We're just friends now, but because I don't wanna make things awkward, I just behave as if I don't see him as more than a friend. I wish I could just get rid of these feelings that I have, because I am so confused. I am so, so, so confused. Why am I feeling this way? Why am I doubting my relationship? Is there something You're trying to tell me? I've been convincing myself over and over again for the past year now that Glen and I are going to get married, but what if my feelings change somewhere down the line? What if I really just lose feelings for him altogether? Then what? What do I do?

I just really need You to help me.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Hebrews 12:2

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Matthew 20:17-19

[Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time]

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

This just shows how awesome our Lord and Savior is... He endured all of the pain, the suffering, the tormenting, the ridicule, the punishment so that our sins would be forgiven. He endured all of these things that he never deserved so that our souls would be saved. Who are we to not thank Him for allowing us to have salvation and eternal life? Who are we to not appreciate Him for his unconditional love and selflessness?

How Great Is Our God?

"The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide
it trembles at his voice,
trembles at his voice

How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great
How great is our God

And age to age He stands
and time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
how great is our God
Name above all names
you are worthy of all praise
and my heart will sing
how great is our God

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God"

Psalm 14:1

"The fool says in his heart,
   'There is no God.'
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
   there is no one who does good.

 The LORD looks down from heaven
   on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.

 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

   They devour my people as though eating bread;
   they never call on the LORD.
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
   for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
   but the LORD is their refuge.

 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
   When the LORD restores his people,
   let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!"

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Isaiah 53:5-6

"But He was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,

and by His wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us have turned to our own way;

and the LORD has laid on Him

the iniquity of us all."

This was the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com.

Daily Prayer #2

Good afternoon, Father,

How are You today? I know You already know how I am doing, but I just thought I would tell You anyway. I feel wonderful right now! My heart is full of joy. Why? Because I have You in my life. Ever since I made the decision to recommit my life to You, I've just felt so much better about myself. I'm so proud of the decision that I have made, and I don't plan on backing down for anyone. All night and all day today (so far), I have just been singing Mighty to Save repeatedly... And if I wasn't singing it, I was humming it. Why is that Lord? Why can't I get that song out of my head? Is this a sign that I should be worshipping You? If it is, I will gladly do so.

Right now, I'm in the process of clearing my iPod of any song that will be of hindrance to me. Any song that I feel like will pull me backwards rather than carry me forward, I'm removing from my library... I don't need to be corrupted by evil. I need good, solid Christian music or just good, solid music in general. I need music that will move me, motivate me, and influence me in positive ways. Does that mean that I can't listen to R&B and stuff, Lord? Like, Trey Songz or Chris Brown? I know a lot of their songs are about love, relationships, and sex, but I don't care about that. I really enjoy their talent and their music. Am I able to listen to their songs without being influenced in the wrong way? What should I do?

On another note, thank You for helping me with my quiz in math today... I actually studied this time. I felt really great about it. Now, I just ask You to help me with these papers I have coming up... I have to edit my rough draft for Philosophy tomorrow, and I have a final draft I need to write for English that's due on Tuesday. I'm really gonna need Your help, Father... Help me tap into the back of my mind so that I'll be able to think abstractly. I want to get beneath the top layer of these things, these ideas... Can You help me do that? I know I shouldn't be asking You to constantly give, give, give without me giving anything to You, but I feel like me devoting my life to You is a great gift. Right?

Oh, and thank You for the delicious burrito. :] Without You, the employees who made it for me wouldn't be there, the food wouldn't be there, the building wouldn't be there, the university wouldn't be there... Nothing. Thank You for all of that. Thank You for this bed that I'm about to take a nap in... Thank You for my laptop, my iPod, and the Internet... Thank You for the fan that blows and keeps me cool. Just thank You.

Thank You, thank You, thank You!

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

He is mighty to save...

"Everybody needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now, I surrender (I surrender)

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of Salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Shine Your light and

Let the whole world see

We're singing

For the glory

Of the risen King

Jesus

You're the Savior

You can move the mountains

Lord You are mighty to save

You are mighty to save

Forever

Author of Salvation

You rose and conquered the grave

Yes, You conquered the grave"

Psalms 37:1-9 (NIV)

"DO NOT fret because of evil men

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in Him and He will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret — it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."

Daily Prayer #1

Dear God,

I come to You today as a daughter trying to find her way. I know that I have been inconsistent in the past with my walk with You, but I want You to know that I am fully committed to You now. I understand that being fully committed requires me to lay all of my burdens down at Your feet and start a new life with You. I am struggling, Lord, with so many things that ail me and strip me of my happiness. Show me, Lord, the key to my happiness — the key to a happier, more prosperous life.

I ask that You guide me down Your paved pathways and bring me into contact with Your people — people who will love me, support me, and who will not tear me down. I want You to remove all the negative influences from my life and set up a forcefield or a shield for my eyes and my flesh. I know that I have sinned against You by engaging in sex premaritally, but I ask You to forgive me now and to help me to NOT give into temptation.

I am trying my best to be as Holy as You are, but I cannot do it alone. I need You — You are my backbone, my support, and my structure. You are the foundation. You are the way. You are the light to all of my darkness. You are the hope to my despair. You are the truth to all of the worldly lies. You are the comfort to my pain. You are a healer, Lord... a cleanser. CLEANSE ME! Cleanse me of my worldly sins... Forgive me for what I have done in the past and for what I may do in the future.

Only You know my heart, God... So help me to not be affected by what others think of me. Help me channel my emotions in healthier, more Godly ways. Help me gain control of my life, for I feel as if my anger and frustration have grabbed hold of me. Please release me from my bonds and my chains... Free me from the things that keep me away from You.

Although I am putting all of my efforts into You now, please forgive me if I fall. Forgive me if I am not strong enough... Don't forget about me. I know of Your everlasting love, but I still do not fully understand. I still cannot grasp the severity of the love that You have and provide. TEACH ME! Show me in Your Word the things You want me to know. Teach me to be like You and like Your Son. Oh, God, I am weak... But You are so strong. You are so righteous... I know You can do many things in and throughout my life.

I want to take time out right now to thank You for all that You have done for me. I want to thank You for all that You have given me. I understand that I am blessed and highly favored and that I would be nothing without You. I would not have anything that I have had it not been for Your unconditional love. Often times, I have tried to take credit for all of my success, but I was WRONG. YOU are the creditor to all things positive that have happened in my life.

My intelligence? I owe to You. My wisdom? I owe to You. My understanding of different situations? I owe to You. My compassion? I owe to You. My sympathy? I owe to You. My desire to help people? My desire to be the best me? My reason for moving forward? I owe them all to You. I am forever grateful for all that You have done, are doing, and will continue to do for me and the people around me.

How could I ever repay You? How could I even begin to pay You back for all that You have done? I guess I could start out by confessing my love and desire for You. I could start out by studying Your Word. I could start out by praising You, worshipping You, engulfing myself in You, surrounding myself with others like You... Just doing my part.

Again, I cannot and will not be able to walk this path alone. Surely there will be shortcomings, trials, tribulations, and many, many obstacles You may have me face in order to test my faith... Lord, I will try my best to be strong for You. As long as You continue to guide me... I am not implying that I would ever give up on You; I am merely stating my dependence upon You. For so long I have thought of myself as an independent — doing things on my own without help from anyone. I know now that it was You all along. You masked Yourself in things that I would be able to understand, since I wasn't able to see You... You waited for me, and now, I am here.

Please guide Glen down the paths to You as well, God... I know that he is one of Your people, a strong man that You have placed in my life. Guide him. Help him to help me to not give in... Help him be a part of my walk, my journey. I want You to work in and throughout his life, too. Thank You for blessing me with his presence... Because he understands my wishes to be closer to You, I know that You are real. I know that he is someone that You want for me, because he does not wish to corrupt me. He wants for me what You want... Help him remember those things... Help him to continue to respect those things...

If he is the man You wish for me to spend the rest of my life with, please work with our relationship. Help us to become a better Christian couple, better followers of You. Help us fight our fleshly desires... Protect us from the Devil's bonds and holds... Cleanse us of our desires for sexual activities... Show us Christian ways to show our love and affection for one another. Help us respect our bodies. Cleanse us of our lustful thoughts. Remove us from harmful situations... Protect and shelter our hearts... that we may be blind to the world and be only aware of Your Will.

This is all I ask of You right now, Lord... I pray that You just show me the way.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Psalms 51 (NIV)

"HAVE MERCY on Me, O God,

according to Your unfailing love;

according to Your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in Your sight,

so that You are proved right when You speak

and justified when You judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Surely You desire truth in the inner parts;

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

and sinners will turn back to You.

Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will decare Your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, You will not despise.

In Your good pleasure make Zion prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then there will be righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings to delight You;

then bulls will be offered on Your altar."