Daily Devotional- My Head Lifted Up

Psalm 3:3 "But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." What a statement. He is our shield, and thankfully the lifter of our head as well. That he would bestow glory on us is amazing to me.

If you are having a difficult time in this economy and the daily struggles of life, be encouraged that God will lift your head up as a loving Father to His children, He will help you keep your focus on Him and look up to hope, salvation, glory and love... to name a few. God shields us even when we may not feel like He is.

Reflection: When we step out in faith and give a sacrifice of praise even amidst our struggles or feelings, He meets us there and lifts us up. Have you felt as if you were in need of a face lift these days, a lifting of the heart, a change of feeling or just in need of hope and encouragement? Let our Lord be the lifter of your head for your situation, trusting that He is a shield around you. Proclaim His covering over you and rejoice no matter how you feel. As you step out in faith and praise Him through every situation, He will bring that glory and peace, joy and hope. Let's rejoice in His wonderful and almighty covering. When we feel as if it is done; there is no hope and that we cannot seem to lift our heads, He will be there to lift our head if we just seek Him and ask Him trusting in His ways for us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are the giver of life and a precious shield around me. Thank you for your glory and for lifting up my head in all times as I seek you and look to you. Please help my focus to be on you and help me to give you a sacrifice of praise even if I may not feel like it sometimes. Be glorified.

Side Note: I love carrying my daughters in their baby slings. As we often share those precious moments where their little heads are lifted up and staring at me, I think to myself, they're so precious. They are just adorable little bundles of joy and I just love to keep them close and share those special times together; whether we are snuggling in ablanket together or just playing...

Crockpot Recipe: Chicken Mexican Layer Dish

Crockpot Recipe

This one is another favorite: Stacked chicken corn tortilla and bean toss-up.

Need: Corn tortillas for layering, black and refried beans, corn, salsa, shredded cheese, chicken breast or tenders.

First: add chicken to crock pot and then layer with other ingredients, making sure to top the layer with corn tortillas to fit the space (usually 3-4 tortillas depending on size of crock pot). I add chicken/salsa/corn/refried beans and then the corn tortillas and cheese, then the next layer I alternate with the black beans. You can add taco seasoning to your beans first, cumin or chili powder depending on how spicy you enjoy your food and how much seasoning you prefer. Sometimes I go without adding them and still love the recipe. Other times I want more kick.

Sides: sour cream, olives, salsa, lime wedges, chips, guacamole, salad and rice-Spanish style. Hope you enjoy it like we do. Let me know what you think. Happy Cooking and time saving!

Daily Devotional- Please God

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Now taking a look at the word earnestly here means to take action, that a person is "showing sincerity or seriousness" and is "in a serious manner" pursuing God. Rather than the opposite frivolous attitude towards seeking God, we are told that when we are fervent, impassioned and zealous in other words, we will be rewarded.

Have we noticed the impassioned and fervent determination upon our kids face as they are trying to tackle or conquer a new set of obstacles, toys or food? Whether their obstacles are climbing stairs, using the potty, learning to stand and walk, or just drawing shapes... our kids can be very determined and focused on their task at hand, not wanting to stop at anything until they accomplish what they set out to do. How much can we learn again from their hearts to master these things and not give up?

What greater task do we have than to earnestly and wholeheartedly seek God and love Him? It is so wonderful that we are rewarded as we "earnestly seek him." We may not see those rewards but can trust that they are ours. We can know that when we have faith and just believe along with passionately seeking God, that we are pleasing Him. There are many times that I pray God's will over my kid's lives, my own, friends and family too. It is refreshing to know that as I step out in faith; believe and seek him in all seriousness, that He will be pleased with me. Oh, how my heart desires to please my God. How great that this is a reminder that we can be on the right track as we trust and seek Him.

Reflection: Sometimes those moments of seeking amidst the "unsure" events of life can call us to distrust. But, those of us who remain faithful in belief and also call upon the Lord while seeking him diligently ("constant in effort"), will please Him and have His reward. God is truly the best gift giver ever. I see this daily in my salvation and my children. He is mighty to save and amazing to reward us just for believing and seeking him "earnestly."

Prayer: Thank you God for your love and reward. Thank you for who you are, not what you do for me. I desire to please you and honor you in all things and ask that you would put a deeper desire for me to earnestly seek you in every area of my life, so that I may please you and have an increase of faith... Be blessed by my heart to know you more, to love you in a deeper way and to serve you for my life.

Daily Devotion: Offenses Swept Away!

Isaiah 44:22- "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Okay, so the Jewish people were denying God and Isaiah was warning them of consequences to come. Even-still there is an underlying idea of redemption in each chapter of Isaiah for those who turned away from God and worshipped other things... Best of all, in the closing chapter there is the prophecy of a Messiah sent by God, providing the Jewish people with redemption and salvation, despite their wandering ways. It is true for us also, as the Messiah will provide the gift of salvation for all. As stated in Isaiah 52:10- "The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God."

Reflection: This is great news since we as people tend to get caught up in our own ways or on our own terms with things, life and God. Many a Scripture shows us just how far God's people tend to go and then turn to Him usually when things have gone bad or hit rock bottom. He shows His dismay with this disobedience but also draws near as He is called upon. In those desperate times when we finally acknowledge Him and call out for help, He is there as a loving father, picking up the pieces and redeeming us yet again. Let's not hit rock bottom before turning to God. He loves us all and doesn't want any to perish, but have eternal life. That is why He has given us each an opportunity for salvation, a chance at a glorious redemption-by simply believing in Him and surrendering to Him. If we want to be restored to fellowship with God and redeemed then we must choose to repent, acknowledging our errors and confessing them to God, believing in His salvation. Do you believe?

Prayer: Awesome God, my redeemer, salvation and hope... please help me to obey you and not turn from you but run to you in life; no matter what I am facing. Help me to hear your voice and focus on you so that I will not grow weary and stray, but grow stronger in intimacy with you and love you even more. Thank you for redeeming me and allowing me sweet fellowship with you.

Side note: Are you looking for some baby shower gifts, or cute baby clothes, diaper bags, personalized baby gifts and other fun things for a new baby, baby shower or baby's first birthday? It seems as if many friends are ready to have their baby showers or baby's first birthday soon, so I have been having fun with new baby gifts too. I especially love making my new handmade cuddler blankets.

Daily Devotions: God Is My Strength

Isaiah 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

So, who gives us our strength? Is it the Lord or ourselves? He is plenty able to be all we need and has sacrificed Himself for our salvation. When we truly embrace that concept and hold it as truth, I believe we can live with joy, security and peace despite our current surroundings, situation or circumstance.

Last week we focused on the power of God as our help, strength, protector and guide... In the same way, this week we will be focusing on God's strength for us and His covering; that He is our redeemer, reward, shield, lifter of our head, and refiner.

In order to live in such delight though, there is that constant surrender to the Father, to pick up our cross and follow Him. Meaning that when the battle with our flesh is on, we fight even harder to stand firm in His word and to pray that He would be victorious in us and our lives. I just wanted to encourage us ladies that when the times are tough, as so often they can seem to be, there is that faith and trust in God for His strength, song and His salvation if we just believe.

Reflection: Now, think about the song or songs God has blessed you with and put upon your heart. Think about your first encounter with Jesus as your savior and giver of strength and salvation. Choose to believe in love for your life and victory in Christ. You are precious to the Father, our God. He is with you always and says in Hebrews 13:5: I will never fail you, I will never forsake you. Psalm 124:8 says too that, "our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." If this is true then, let's call out His name; let's cry out to Him in our times of need believing His grace, mercy and protection for those moments and beyond.

Prayer: Thank you God for your salvation, strength and song. Help me to trust and not be afraid, no matter what I may face here on earth. Help me to look to you always and seek your will for my life and my kid's lives. Give me a deeper desire for your word, worship and time to enjoy you and pray often; giving thanks for all things.

Outings with the kids: Wow, summer has been a blast and the times shared with my kids have been treasured. Toting them around on our many adventures has been fun, except when I forget mydiaper bag . Don't we just pack them so full sometimes and then just forget them at the door realizing later that we are in for a long day if we don't get the babies diapers, formula, pumped milk, diaper ointment,baby sling and baby clothes?

Daily Devotions-Good and Faithful Servant

When we simply trust our God with everything, He promises us eternal rewards: affirmation, promotion and celebration. Isn't that awesome? Let's strive to hear these words from Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."

Prayer: God you are awesome and I thank you for your promises. Let me be a faithful servant that would bring you glory and that would be pleasing to you. Help me to honor you with the small and big things in life, knowing that you have a plan for all things.

Shopping: If you want to be faithful to bring your kids snacks, drinks and extra baby clothes with you wherever you go... you will need to remember to bring their diaper bag along.

Mommy & Baby Daily Devotions: Our Counselor

John 14:16-17 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." Now, I think that is powerful and boy is it.

Reflection: Do your kids ask you for help? Help me mommy; my shoes, diaper, potty-training, scrapes and bruises... What happens when we may not hear them or are in another room? They come running don't they? They are sure to find us; seeking and asking persistently until their needs are met. I think there is a need for us to seek and cry out to God and follow the example of our kids here and their diligence. They don't just give up and they aren't ashamed to beg, ask for help and call on our name. They even seem to surrender proudly. Do we continue to call upon the Lord in prayer and urgency knowing that "eventually He will answer"? If we trusted our God as much as our kids trust and call upon us, we would have a hard time not seeking His help.

Prayer: Thank you Father for your wisdom, Spirit and help. You are our very provider and I am so thankful for you and all you are and do. Please help me to be persistent in my prayer life, chasing after you always while also being able to rest in you too. Give me a heart to desire you even more daily, to honor you and cherish your Word, prayer and faithfulness.

Side Note: I feel as if I need a counselor when I am out shopping or somewhere with the kids and I forget my baby sling and/or diaper bag. Lord help is all I can say in those times. Wet diapers, tired babies and no diaper bag orbaby sling... uh oh, it's going to be a long trip.