Cultivating a Godly Heart

I picked this photo today since it reminds me of growing into beauty. I've been thinking of how the Lord is at work in my life, all the time. Like the beauty I see in this flower, the Lord is working in my heart to create in me beauty that is a reflection of Him. Lately, I've been encouraged in my faith. I can see how the Lord is ministering to me, especially in my marriage relationship. Recently, I found A Surrendered Marriage Challenge on a blog called Intentional by Grace. After praying about the opportunity, I joined this challenge which started April 16th. I have been inspired to action through the daily verses and marriage prayers we get every day through email. I can see how the Lord is building within me a desire to put my faith into action in new areas. A particular conviction has been about my inward murmurings - grumbling about things like people in traffic, things that aren't going the way I want, and many times grumbling against my husband. I am finding the Lord open both our hearts as I confess these things to my husband, and he is opening his heart in return. We then take time to pray together about it. It is a reminder that the spiritual growth in my life and in my marriage is so very much worth the work and effort that it takes.

I have also found encouragement from Julie at Mooberry Farm Homesteading Journal. God has been using her in my life to come alongside me in my walk with him. One of her posts I read today about cultivating a joyful atmosphere in our homes. It spoke volumes to me! The paragraph that follows is copied with her permission directly from her blog. I desire to keep these verses before me each day as I too seek to create a joyful home, a respite from the world.

I pray you would be encouraged as I am through these verses and thoughtful words!

From Mooberry Farm Homestead Journal (Cultivating a Joyful Atmosphere in the Home):

I have a list of Bible verses that encourage me, and help me to cultivate the joyful atmosphere in our home that I desire!

I desire to keep a smile on my face and focus on my blessings throughout the day....

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. ~ Proverbs 17:22

I desire to go about my tasks cheerfully, serving the Lord by serving my family....

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. ~ Ephesians 6:7

I desire to seek to be kind and loving to my family at all times. I enjoy treating my family well....

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:32  

I desire to keep our home according to my own dear husband's wishes, not anyone else's....

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  ~ Ephesians 5:22

I desire to take one day at a time, and I keep an eternal perspective....

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  ~ Galatians 6:9

I desire to trust the Lord completely, even when I don't understand every circumstance....

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

I desire to focus on the joy of the Lord, which permeates everything in my life....

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ~ Philippians 4:4

If I ever feel overwhelmed, I desire to remember that I am never alone; and I do not need to rely on my own strength....

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13

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