The second verse stood out to me because we can be so good at praying...but do we wait and watch for answers?  A good habit to get into is journaling- especially your requests and praises to God.  This way, you can go back and see how God has answered, and you can be reminded to pray persistently through other things. 

    "Let your speech always be gracious..." My speech is seldom gracious.  This shouldn't be filter- like, oooh, my pastor is over, let's be more gentle in word and more godly in action.  This is a heart change.  What comes out of your mouth is a reflection of what's in your heart.  I guess that means that I lack grace.  I am pretty sure people that know me well could agree with that.    Lord , I ask you to do a big work in me.  I didn't realize I lacked grace until I read this chapter and wrote this blog.  But when I sit and ponder, I agree that I do.  Lord I want to be gracious.  Show me ways to have grace, and transform my heart, O God, that I might reflect Jesus' grace toward others' like He showed toward me. Thank you. Amen.


~Leanne~

For so many years, I sought anything and everything on this earth.  It varied from makeup, furniture, fame, success, dream house, dream car, vacations, new technology, clothes, beauty, social life, etc.  As you can see, I have sought much.  But you know what?  Even after seeking these things, I looked for the next. Hours upon hours of seeking these things, still didn't bring happiness.  What is the earthly thing you seek?  It's crazy because many people have a similar list. Who on this earth have many things on our lists?  People of Hollywood. They have makeup artists, furniture that costs more than my house, the fame, the money, the success, the house, the cars, the vacations, the technology, the clothes, the beauty, the social life- as it seems, everything.  Yet, they are the ones on the front covers of magazines because their lives are a mess- with divorce, drug overdoses, criminal acts, affairs, etc.  Is that the life we are aspiring to?  Why do we still chase these dreams, if we have perfect examples of what these dreams accomplish? 

    JESUS is the only thing that satifies, and while I still have fleshly desires to have my dream home built and a nice wardrobe, I don't let it rule my life. Jesus does.  With Him in my life, the list of earthly accomplishments seems arbitrary.  They are endless dreams that have a dead end.  They don't bring life, but death.  They lead us down a path of idolatry and destruction. 

    Instead, I should seek my eyes on things above- things with eternal rewards: my relationship with Jesus, family, friends, ministry, sharing Jesus, etc.  

    In seeking Jesus, we will have satisfaction.  His peace will rule our hearts- not the earthly things we chase after.  Will you let His peace rule your heart?  

~Leanne~

How do I root myself and build myself up in Jesus?  I am very intentional about spending quality time with Him.  It's not something I squeeze into my day, or even leave till the last minute.  I purposefully sit down, and spend time with Jesus.  When you meet someone special, you want to get to know them- right?  Often times, we get so excited about it, we spend every waking hour with that person.  Jesus is our King.  He is our Savior.  He is God.  How much more should you want to spend with Him?  It is so rewarding to spend time with Jesus.  I learn so much about Him through His Word.  I sit vulnerably as I read His Word, allowing it's Truth to penetrate every part of me.  I allow it to teach me, change me, renew me.  I satisfy myself with it.  I find that if I don't satisfy myself with it, I find myself distracted with other "satisfying things"- at least temporary ones.  Let me name a few:  card making supplies, makeup, skincare, jewelry, clothes, etc.  When I spend daily time with Jesus, He fills me- and it's enough.  To be rooted in Him, means to be filled by Him.  Let it not be a surface relationship, but a deep, genuine, intimate relationship.  You're roots go as far as you make them.  If you squeeze Jesus in your week, every week, and you quickly read your five minute devotional, and you don't confide in Him as your Father and Friend, your roots may be shallow.  His truth builds your character, renews your mind, changes your heart, benefits your life.  I challenge you to analyze how deep your roots go.  Do you want more?  How can you change your priorities so that Jesus becomes more of a priority?  Remember:  HE cancelled the record of debt that stood against you with its legal demands, by nailing it to the cross. Don't you want to know Him better?

~Leanne~

How am I to be filled with knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding?  By seeking Jesus!  We can't gain this knowledge and understanding without pursuing Him.  The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, gives us understanding and wisdom. How amazing is that?  Through Him the Word of God becomes alive and more understandable.  Through Him we are teachable and can receive His wisdom.  Through him we gain His strength and are able to endure.  "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."  Amen.


~Leanne~