God can turn a mess into a miracle.  Spend time with God every day and watch Him work in your life.
Blessings,
Athena

This is a good message I received from Joel Osteen... Stay Above Strife TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Too often, people fall into the trap of strife. Someone says something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, there is tension, quarreling and division. The Bible tells us that strife opens the door to “every evil work.” It’s the enemy’s greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. But you don’t have to fall into the trap of strife, you can rise above it. Like today’s verse says, you can simply drop the matter before it turns into something bigger than it needs to be. You don’t have to sink down to somebody’s level and argue with them and try to prove that you’re right. You weren’t put on this earth to correct everybody around you. If you are going to be all that God’s called you to be, you have to learn to stay above strife. Instead of letting disagreements pull your relationships apart, look for common ground to draw you closer to the people in your life. Look for peace. Look for ways to be a blessing. Stay above strife so you can enjoy your relationships and experience the blessing He has for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Heavenly Father, I choose to stay above strife. I choose to honor You by seeking peace in my relationships. Empower me to walk in love and be an example of Your light everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

I Said a Prayer for You Today

By Frank J. Zamboni

I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word!

I didn't ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn't mind).
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind!

I asked that He be near you
At the start of each new day;
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!

I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small.
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all!

Blessings, Athena

Proverbs 31  - A Virtuous Woman

1. Faith - A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

3. Mothering - A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. Service - A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7. Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. Time - A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

www.AVirtuousWoman.org

Blessings,

Athena

Where are you at?

Have you continued your stretching?  Remember, you only need to stretch once a day if you are not exercising.  Next month, you start exercises so make sure you are allocating time each day to stretch.  It can even be after work during your downtime.  Just like exercise, God asks that you take time each day to pray (actually you should be praying continuously) so your stretching routine is to help in the discipline of our body.  If you feel like you are not getting anywhere, remember blessings accompany obedience.  Seek the company of God to gain inner peach and learn God’s target.  Prayer reveals purpose.  A undisciplined life has health issues; a disciplined lifestyle involves change in behavior, healthy food choices, exercise and enjoyment.

“I accuse myself of sloth and unprofitableness day by day but when these waves of God flow into me, I no longer reckon lost time.”  –Ralph Waldo Emerson

God wants to do something…for you, in you, to you and through you.

Athena

Prayer Warrior

Do others go to you to ask for prayers or to pray for them?  Do you designate time and attention to pray daily and often throughout the day?  Do you get excited to pray and have conversation with God?  Is pray an “active” event in your life?  Then, you are a prayer warrior.  Prayer is important.  The prayers of a righteous man or woman are effective. 

Do you schedule time to pray?  Just a like any part of your life, let your schedule reflect you commitment to following God by starting with prayer.  How else will you know His plan?  There is a quote by Sarah Leah Grafstein that goes, “How can God direct your steps if we are not taking any?”  You sometimes go in circles until you learn to trust God.

When you are in trouble or have a decision, do you pray?  No matter how small or insignificant, you illustrate your trust in God by asking for His direction.  Sometimes, you know that there are reasons why He withholds your requests: you are not ready or circumstances are not ready.  If it is wrong for you, you have the right to ask, but even if you keep asking, you cannot override the will of God or change His mind.  If you do not wait, you will make a big mistake.  He may have something better for you and it may not be on your schedule.  Wait.

What are you doing to get in a deeper relationship with God?  Pray. 

God hears all,

Athena

Life without God is a wasted life.  Love is something you do, not feel.  Prayer is an activity.

Just Ask

Wow, life does get busy but I never stop stretching every morning and praying and making good decisions regarding your health.  Although and sometimes contrary to others beliefs, God is with you always and you can continue praying always.  Actually, the busier you are the more you tend to pray and actually schedule it in your day so you can have a break (and sometimes an excuse if you need).

Where are you now?  Are you at peace?  What is troubling you?  Stop and pray for these things and hand them over to God.  What is God working on in you? 

Choose what you need and ask:

Patience

Hope

Peace

Laughter

Understanding

Courage

Strength

Healing

Faith

Love

Blessings,

Athena