August 31

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
An accomplished iron-man triathlete told me the secret of his success.
He said, "You last the long run by running short ones." Don't swim
2.4 miles, just swim to the next buoy. Never tackle more than the
challenge ahead.
When asked how he managed to write so many books the author
explained that he'd never written a book. He just wrote a page each day.
Face challenges in stages. You can't control your anger forever, but you
can control it for an hour. (Max Lucado)

SCRIPTURE:
Don't worry about tomorrow, after all tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

So, whether you're like me, trying to drop a few pounds or maybe you need
to quit smoking or start an exercise routine or get rid of some bad language,
or control your temper, or read the Bible daily... Let's do it in small steps!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 30,

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
No matter what your circumstances might be, you too can leap for
joy, remind yourself that God has given you many blessings, the
unfailing miracle of His love, His peace and His promise that He
will always be with you. (Moments of Peace in the Presence of God)

SCRIPTURE:
Let me go to the altar of God, to God my highest joy, and I will give
thanks to you O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

If you're feeling rather like your circumstances out-weigh your blessings,
just get pen and paper and in one minute jot down how many blessings
you can think of. It will help you put things into perspective!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 29

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There's a popular video making the rounds on Youtube (with over 14 million
hits) "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." There is much I like about the
video and some that I don't like. Religion is not the problem; false religion
(hypocrisy) is. Many people fail to realize that Jesus was a religious man Him-
self.  But true religion (in and of itself) cannot save us. Jesus can. Religion
cannot change our hearts. Jesus can. Religion cannot empower us to live holy
lives. Jesus can! (Allen Smith-Helen Street Church of Christ-Christian Voices)

SCRIPTURE:
Come and meet Jesus for yourself. John 4:29

And that invitation is open to everyone!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 28

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Let's face it-anxiety and worry have no advantages! They ruin our health,
rob us of joy, and change nothing. Our day stands no chance against the
terrorist of the land of anxiety! (Max Lucado)

SCRIPTURE:
Delight yourselves in the Lord, yes find joy in Him at all times.
Philippians 4:4

The next time you find yourself locked in the prison of anxiety, use the key to
set yourself free... read His word-meditate on it-pray to God for understanding!


Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 27

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Experts say, "Emotional upheaval-whether in the form of stress-worry,
depression or anger, increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack and
stroke. Dr. John Stewart said praying, quiet times and meditation are
stress preventers. Jesus knew this and He gave His disciples the healthiest
strategy. "Stop stressing and believe in ME! (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:1

If you can't find an answer to your question in His Word... Trust Him,
there's no one else!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 26

Greetings: God bless you this Lord's Day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Set your alarm for half an hour earlier than you normally do get up.
Make a commitment to do this every day for a week. And give that
half hour to the Lord. Ask him to wake you up to His Words and to
give you peace that will carry you through the day. When you make
this change in your daily habits, God will bless you.
(Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my
request before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

If you're not a morning person, pick a time out of your day to reserve
thirty minutes to the Lord. Make it the same time each day, as this makes
it easier to establish a habit!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 25

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
WWJD (What would Jesus do?) This is a popular question that comes from
a best-selling book "In His Steps," Written by Charles Monroe Sheldon, 1897
Today's verse says that you die with Christ, yet you live with Him. What does
that look like? (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:8

What would Jesus do? We only have to read God's Word to find out!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 24

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Our mouths are
speaking right from our hearts. The difficulty with having a "gentle
answer" is that the character trait of self-control has to be developed
first. If we look at the fruits of the Spirit, the last is self-control. It starts
with love and ends with self-control. We all have the ability to speak
gentle and kind words to each other. However we do not want gentle
or kind words when we've been mistreated or criticized. These situations
require self-control, so we can watch and answer with gentle and kind
words. (Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

To be honest, self-control is what I'm still working on. When I've been
mistreated or criticized gentle and kind words are the furtherest thing
from my mind!

Know I prayed for you Today. Blessings-Freda

August 23

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There is nothing outside the scope of God's power. Perhaps
He is restraining Himself to give you a chance to experience
the joy of asking Him and Him answering you.
(Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
May you know the hope of the immeasurable greatness of his power
toward us who believe according to his great might. Ephesians 1 18-19

I have a small magnate on my refrigerator that says: "More things are
wrought by prayer than this world knows of." We need to be reminded
every once in a while of the power in prayer and the power behind each
prayer!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 22

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A choice is such a powerful thing. It can touch a heart, change a
life. It can bring us closer to God and make heaven smile. Each
day we have a thousand choices. May you make yours kindness.
May you make your whole life a choice for love, joy and God.
(Joseph J. Mazella-Christian Voices)

SCRIPTURE:
Choose you this day whom you may serve. Joshua 24:15

Today, you have a choice. You can enjoy the day or you can be
miserable... choose JOY!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 21

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Today, give to God whatever situation that is making you
weak, fearful and helpless. Ask Him to fill your life with
His power and wisdom. Ask God to change the situation
or change you. (Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
I was with you in weakness, in fear and much trembling.
1 Corinthians 2:3

And He will be with us as well!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 20

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
How many of us need to return to His nest? Do you need to find a
place of rest and warmth by the counsel of His Spirit? The Lord's
biggest difficulty with us is that His little eggs have feet and get up
and leave the nest! I suddenly realized that He honors our willingness
to stay in the nest under the shelter of His wings or to leave the nest.
We have a choice. (Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
He shall cover you with his feathers and under his wings you shall
find refuge. Psalm 91:4

Have you crawled out of the nest? Remember: His wings are outstretched,
waiting for you to take refuge again!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 19

Greetings: God bless you this Lord's Day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
When you place your hope in God, you are clinging to Him in the same
way ivy clings to mortar. (Moments of Peace in the Presence of God)

SCRIPTURE:
I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Psalm 71:14

Place your hope in the only One who gives endless hope!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 18

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
You're never outnumbered when the Lord is on your side.
While others may tremble, be confident that God will see
you through and He will. (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
O Lord the God of Israel is enthroned above the cherubim.
2 Kings 19:15

I'm sometimes like Peter, walking on the water, I take my eyes off Jesus
and sink in doubt and fear!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 17

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
As Christians, we know that we are supposed to love those
who sin against us, but truly doing that in our hearts does not
come easy for any of us. Love is not something to take for-granted.
Love is something we must pursue. Pursue love today and consciously
make it a part of your prayers. Ask the Lord to give you a love for Jesus
and His people that surpasses understanding. For Jesus love us so much
that He is still asking the Father to forgive us . (Author Unknown)

SCRIPTURE:
Love covers a multitude of sin. James 5:20

As the thought reminds us, it is not easy to forgive a hurt, but with God's
help, all things are possible!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 16

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Jabez's direct request changed his life, not because it was a
selfish appeal, but because it asked only what the Lord was
waiting to give. Blessings... not the vague, watered down
kind, but the Biblical connotation for receiving supernatural
favor. Just as Jebez, the Lord is willing to give you wonderful
blessings. (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
(Jebez speaking) Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my border.
1 Chronicles 4:10

And blessings await you today too... you only have to ask!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 15

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
You can't live your life looking in the rear-view mirror. If you want
to enjoy the beautiful moments of today then you have to see them as
they happen. God doesn't want us to live in the past. He wants us to
embrace the joy that each day brings. Keep your eyes on the road ahead
and trust God to lead you home. (Joseph J. Mozzella-Christian Voices)

SCRIPTURE:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal.  Philippians 3:13-14

Memories are a very special gift from God and the past is what makes us who
we are today... it is a very special place to visit, but we need not settle down
and live there!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 14

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Jesus has been waiting for you your whole life. He know exactly
where you are and how you feel. He knows what it's like to suffer.
Hebrews 4:15 says that we have a great High Priest who understands
our suffering and pain because He Himself endured so much more.
Our only hope is Jesus. He is the only one who can heal you. He will
help you, that's why He died. (Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
Here I am. I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20

Jesus wants to be part of your life, but He waits at the door
for an invitation!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 13

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Take comfort today knowing that you have a Good Shepherd
watching over you. He watches you come in and go out. He
knows your every move because He cares for your safety. He
treasures us so much that He lay down His life for us. He will
do anything to save us from harm. And that is exactly what He did.
He gave His life for us. (Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the
sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep. John 10:13-14

Some paint God, sitting on His throne, waiting for us to make a mistake,
so He can zap us, but that's not the picture in today's thought. God watches
over us, because He loves us!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 12

Greetings: God bless you this Lord's Day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
I have noticed that in my own experience that I need to be reminded
repeatedly that God does the work. I just need to be faithful to do
what He has asked of me today, depending on Him for everything.
I can forget what depending feels like and try to make sense of ministry
in my own flesh instead of relying on God and His Spirit. A good saying
is: "Where God's finger points, there His hand will make a way."
(Daily Disciple Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we  do no lose
heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1

Today, step out in faith and do something out of your comfort zone. God will
increase your faith, if you do!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 11

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
What do you feel ill-equipped to do? Recall the time that God has
answered your prayers for others and with renewed faith and hope
continually ask Him to handle  seemingly impossible situations. The
everlasting-Lord has performed miracles before and He will perform
them again. (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
May the God of peace, who though the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead, our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the
sheep, equip you with everything for doing his will. Hebrews 13:21

No matter how ill-equipped you feel, God is equipped to do all things!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 10

Greetings:God bless you this day!

THOUGH FOR TODAY:
Hope has a thick skin and will endure many a blow; it will put
on patience as a vestment; it will wade through a sea of blood;
it will endure if it be the right kind. For the joy that is set before
it. (The Pocket Devotional)

SCRIPTURE
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete not lacking anything. James 1:4

When we lose hope, we lose everything and with hope, we can endure
most anything!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 9

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Wisdom and self-control are not natural traits. They have to
be developed by and in a person. Wisdom is given by God
and self-control is the last attribute listed in the fruits of the
Spirit. It is through life experiences that we gain wisdom and
it is through intense trials that we gain self-control. However,
experiences and trials do not necessarily mean people become
wise and self-controlled (Daily Disciples Devotional).

SCRIPTURE:
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 25:28

I've heard it said that wisdom is gained through the "school of hard knocks,"
but that is not always true. Walking with God each day will gain us wisdom
and self-control!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 8

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Try this: For one day, notice every word you speak,
at the end of the day, you'll know how much of your
daily speech is negative. The next day ask God to help
you increase your positive speech. (The Pocket Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight,
and what you whisper in the ear in the inner room will be
proclaimed from the rooftop. Luke 12:3

Gossip or bad news travel on wings and good news travels
on a very slow track!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 7

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The more we serve Christ, the less we serve self.
(Our Daily Bread)

SCRIPTURE:
Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men,
to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your
Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Another Scripture says, "let your light shine," so it must be our motive
the the above Scripture warns us about... make your motive...LOVE

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 5

Greetings: God bless you this Lord's Day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Money can and does help you do worthwhile and necessary things.
Yet paradoxically, when money is revered as your financial savior
and provider of all your needs, then it can betray you. The Good news
is when you place your trust in the One who promises never to forsake
you, you're then free to develop a love relationship with Him. His constant
presence helps you accept reality, make wise choices and learn to be content.
(Vantage Point Devotional)

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

The above verse is one of my favorites. I took early retirement on the promise
of that verse and I've never been sorry!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 4

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
My husband bought me a watch for my birthday. When I received it
I cherished it and admired its beauty. As time went on, I noticed that
I was becoming careless with it. One morning I couldn't find it and I
begin to panic. Where did I leave it? It's amazing how valuable it
 became  again.
As Christians we sometimes treat our salvation the same way as I treat
my watch. At first, we cherish our salvation knowing it's a gift too
precious to earn Then s time passes we take our Christianity for granted,
mostly because we get used to being a Christian.
(Daily Disciples Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you've
fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2: 4-5

We sing a song at church, which gives pause for thought. I've forgotten the
title, but some of the lines are: "Please soften this old heart of mine. Soften it
with the love of your oil and your wine."

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 3

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
God's love sprouts around us like lilacs, but we go on a weed hunt !
How many flowers do we miss in the process? You look long enough
and you'll find something to bellyache about. So quit looking. Lift your
eyes off the weeds. Collect your blessings. Catalog His kindness. Assemble
your reasons for gratitude. (Max Lucado)

SCRIPTURE:
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, look for flowers instead of weeds!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 2

Greetings: God bless you this day!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Dear one, walk in faithfulness. Let your hope be in the One
God who hold cures for all ills... the source of healing for
people or a nation. (Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
O Lord, remember how I walked before you in faithfulness.
Isaiah 38:3

As you read through the Bible, you discover that faithfulness
is important to God. In a day when faithfulness to God, country,
family and spouse is not so popular anymore, let us remain
faithful! (Vantage Point Devotional)

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda

August 1

Greetings God bless you this day!
Welcome to August, the last month of summer.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Are you paying attention to God's directions? Or have you decided
to strike out on your own, convinced that you know the way. God
hasn't promised us a trouble free trip, but He has promised to see us
through. And you can be sure of this! His is the only way to succeed,
because human instruments always fail sooner or later.
(Vantage Point Devotional)

SCRIPTURE:
We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding.
1 John 5:20

If God guaranteed us trouble free trip, wouldn't people be lined up to be part
of this? The churches across the country would be filled, but how many of those
people would truly love Him?  Trials, troubles sorrow and pain strengthen us
and separate the true love and the fake love!

Know I prayed for you today. Blessings-Freda