Invite God into Your Life

I Only Meant to Wet My Feet…
When we are enticed by sin, often we delude ourselves into believing that we can control the outcome of our sinful behavior-like Stanice's drug use. Read Galatians 5:7-9. Reflect on Stanice's spiral into drug abuse and associated behaviors. Then write down the steps that led to a personal downfall you have experienced. What could you have done to avoid falling into sin?

In the Lion's Den…
Have you ever experienced a clear sign of warning from the Lord? How did the Lord reveal the impending danger to you? Read Psalm 140:4; Matthew 2:12. Say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for His protection from dangers seen and unseen.

God Has the Last Word…
Stanice was spared an untimely death when a coworker found her after her drug overdose. How can divine deliverance from a dangerous situation confirm for us that the Lord has a purpose for us? How has divine deliverance from troubling circumstances convicted you regarding His will for your life? Read Exodus 14:30 and Psalm 34:6-8.

New Beginnings…
Stanice believed that she had to clean herself up before God would hear her prayers. What reassurance do believers have that God will always hear our prayers? Read Judges 16:28-30 and Psalm 51:1-17.

I AM Who I AM…
Many people have struggled with the concept of a heavenly Father because of unloving experiences with their earthly fathers. What feelings does the word "father" evoke in you? How can we remain assured that our heavenly Father is not subject to the same failings as earthly fathers? Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and 1 John 3:1-2.

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Faith

Start Packing…
As she began to clean up her life, God met each step of her faith with a firm foundation on which to stand. Recall a time when the Lord made a way for you each and every step of the way. Read Genesis 22:14 and Philippians 4:19. Sing a hymn that reminds you of God's goodness.

Press Your Way…
It is important that believers not give up in the face of obstacles. How does rising above our obstacles help to strengthen our faith in God? Read Mark 11:23-24; Romans 16:17-20. Say an intercessory prayer for someone you know who is currently facing adversity.

With a Child's Heart…
How do we as believers hinder our spiritual progress when we continue to judge ourselves for transgressions for which God has already forgiven us? Read Luke 15:1-24. How can we grow in our confidence of God's forgiveness and move on with life?

Precious Moments…
With God's guidance, we must be willing to keep moving in the direction of our heart's desires. What are the unrealized goals in your life? Read Psalm 37:4-5.

Walk by Faith…
Stanice's trip to Los Angeles came about through a series of blessings. It is not unusual for our help to come from the most unpredictable sources. When this happens, how are we able to recognize the hand of God at work? Read 1 Kings 17:9-14.

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Trusting in God's Perfect Plan

God Alone Knows the Plan…
Stanice had already formulated her plan for employment, but a friend helped her understand that God could bless her through other channels. Read Isaiah 55:8-11. Reflecting on your present circumstances, consider ways that you may be boxing God in. Say a prayer of release, letting God know that you trust Him for all things.

Our Steps Are Ordered…
During her trip to New York, Stanice learned that God's agenda is not always our agenda. Read Genesis 45:4-8; Isaiah 42:16. How can you learn to open yourself to God's leading, even if it seems that where you're going will not lead you to where you want to be?

What You Give to God Is Never Lost…
Sometimes when we think all is lost, God brings circumstances full circle in our lives, like Stanice's poetry. Read Psalm 126:4-6 and Joel 2:25. Why do you think that God sometimes waits before restoring certain situations in our lives? Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for being a God of restoration. Thank the Lord for something He has restored in your life, whether it was a treasured friendship or a treasured possession.

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Compassion

One Day at a Time…Forever…
Mary Jane made Stanice feel special. Who is the person God has placed in your life to make you feel special in some way? How does that person make you feel special? Read Luke 1:41-45. Who has God placed in your life so that you can make her or him feel special? By what means can you accomplish this?

Bittersweet Surrender…
After a dose of humility, Stanice found a way to turn an adversarial work relationship into a loving one. How can our own attitude affect tense situations? Think of a tense relationship in your life-whether at home, at work, or in an organization to which you belong. Read Proverbs 6:1-3. How can you help to mend the relationship through humility?

If It's Broke, God Can Fix it…
Stanice learned to accept her mother, no longer wanting her to be someone she was not. How can we gain peace by not expecting the people in our lives to be different from who they really are? Read Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:31-32.

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Surrender to God's Will

Make Your Bed Hard-You Gotta Lay in It…
Through her son, Stanice learned a painful lesson about the importance of trust in relationships. How can we learn from hard and painful life lessons? Read Proverbs 24:32 and Matthew 11:28-30. Thank God for what you have learned from the hard experiences in your life.

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Let Go and Let God

Letting Go…
Over her years of experience with recovery, Stanice learned how to let go of some old perspectives and attitudes. Are you holding on to unhealthy behaviors? Do old resentments and issues hinder you? What old behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets have you refused to release to the care of God? Read Ezekiel 18:30-32 and Ephesians 4:22-24.

Confession Is Good for the Soul…
As long as she was in bondage to her past, Stanice continued on a destructive spiral. Read 2 Samuel 22:29 -31; Job 12:22; John 8:36; Ephesians 5:8. Write a letter of confession to God. Release all of your secrets to Him. Pray that you will be honest with Him and thank Him for release.

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Forgiveness

Glimpse of an Angel…
When forced to confront the truth, Stanice learned the power of grace extended by ordinary human beings. Consider whether you are avoiding dealing with a situation created by you. Make a list of the pros and cons of avoiding the situation. Read Genesis 33:1-4; Proverbs 14:9. Pray for the strength to face up to your deeds and take the necessary steps to make amends.

Amazed by Grace…
Stanice had carried the guilt of her terminated pregnancy for over 20 years. Finally, she found release in asking for God's forgiveness. How can we be assured that we are really and truly forgiven for our sins? Read Psalm 25:7; 103:8-14.

The Storm Is Passing Over…
After Stanice had done all that she could do regarding her ex-husband, she received a prophetic word to keep her past out of her present. How are we hindered by our refusal to let go of the past? Genesis 19:15-17, 24-26; Isaiah 43:18-19.

God Bless the Child…
Stanice recognized the futility of holding resentments. Look inside yourself to determine whether you are holding any resentments. Then ask yourself if you are genuinely ready to let go of those resentments. Read Genesis 50:17; Job 5:2; Matthew 6:14; 18:21-33.

Mortal Man…
Stanice finally was able to accept her father for who he was, not for who she wished him to be. Have you ever sought from another person what can only be gotten from God? What caused you to rely on another human being rather than on God? Read Job 4:17; Psalm 62:1; 146:3.

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Prayer

Somebody Prayed for Me…
A friend helped Stanice to recognize the power of intercessory prayer. Have you developed a relationship with a good prayer partner? What are the benefits of praying for others and asking others to pray for you? Read: Matthew 5:44; Colossians 1:3; 4:3; James 5:16.

The Rough Side of the Mountain…
An experience with getting lost taught Stanice a lesson about God's power to guide us to the right places. Read Exodus 15:13; Psalm 23; 31:3. Write God a thank you note for guiding you through a fearful period in your life.

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Hope

Resurrected Dreams…
Stanice became willing to use all of her gifts to the glory of God. How are you using your giftedness to glorify God? Take a piece of paper and write down at least one gift that God has given you. Lift the paper in the air and thank God for your gift(s). Ask Him to show you ways that His glory may be revealed through you. Read 2 Chronicles 5:3-14; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Always Check the Fruit…
Stanice foolishly resumed a destructive relationship to satisfy selfish desires. How can we live patiently, waiting for the Lord to give us what we truly need and desire rather than trying to fix things ourselves? Psalm 5:3; 27:14; 33:20; 130:5-6; Lamentations 3:24-26.

Never Too Late to Dream…
Stanice recognized that the fulfillment of our dreams often lies in our willingness to leave our comfort zone and launch into deep waters. Have you lost your ability to dream? Are you afraid to go out in deep waters? How can we know that the ability to dream is from the Lord? Genesis 28:12-16; 41:32; Judges 7:15; Joel 2:28.

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Lovingkindness

A Friend in Need…
Stanice was able to share the Good News of God's provision with someone as it had been shared with her in so many ways. How are believers blessed when we share Christ's message of hope with others? Read 1 Corinthians 9:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 3:14; Jude 3.

Compelled to Fly…
Just as Stanice broke from her own cocoon and watched others do the same, all of us have the potential to break out of our self-imposed cocoons. Pray and ask God to deliver you from self-imposed limits so that you may shine in His glory. Read Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 29:11.