Category: bible verses

Have you tried gratitude journaling?

Thanksgiving is coming soon and it is important to take time every day to be thankful for things in your life. Today on The Morning Thing, we talked about journaling to build a life of thankfulness. We shared some prompts from Crosswalk to start the conversation in person and on paper.

Click HERE to read the full article – 15 Journal Prompts to Build a Life of Thankfulness

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Take a moment to sit quietly before the Lord, and then, through your journaling, explore what it means to serve a God who allows us to have a personal relationship with him. How does this stir up gratitude in your heart?

2. Reflect on Lamentations 3:22-23 and how God’s mercies are new every morning. Write about what this means for you in your life and why you’re thankful for this good news.

3. Think about the people who are closest to you. Write about why you’re thankful for each of them. Thank God for bringing them into your life.

4. If you’re able, get outside for a moment or look out a window. Journal about God’s creation. What about the outdoors reminds you most of God’s creativity? Thank him for allowing us to enjoy his handiwork.

5. Think of a time when someone did something unexpected for you that you deeply appreciated. Thank God for that person and the unexpected joy they brought to your life.

8. Reflect on a time when the Lord answered a specific prayer. Thank him for caring about your life’s details and hearing you when you cry out.

13. Reflect on a book you’ve recently read, a song you enjoy, or an artist you appreciate. Thank God for gifting us with creativity and for allowing the gifts of others to enrich our lives.

14. What is your favorite food? Write about how it looks, smells, and tastes. Thank God for the enjoyment of our food. For giving us variety and allowing our food to nourish our bodies.

15. Consider your life here on earth, the good and the bad. Write about your gratitude to God for preparing you a new home with him. Thank him for the promise of eternal life.

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Will you join us in prayer on this Election Day?

Today is an important day for our country as millions of Americans head to the polls to cast their votes. The Morning Thing shared prayers throughout the morning.
Will you join us in praying for our country and each other today?

Click HERE to see 6 ways to pray for our country from World Vision.

Click HERE to see a list of Election Day Prayers from Crosswalk.com

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Pray for candidates to seek God’s guidance.

Dear Lord, thank You that we have government representatives who believe Your truth. Remind them to seek Your guidance as they make decisions that affect our country and world. Send them godly wisdom and good counselors. And give election candidates the strength to choose integrity in both their campaigns and their terms in office.

2. Pray that candidates (and all of us!) would have listening ears and soft hearts.

Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we’ve entered a conversation without really listening. Show us how to listen with open and humble hearts, especially to people different from us. Help our leaders to do the same. Teach us as a nation to focus less on getting our way and more on loving our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable among us. Lord, give our leaders and prospective leaders the strength to be humble, soft-hearted, and willing to listen to every voice.

3. Pray for candidates to address poverty and justice issues.

Father God, we are grateful that You love each of us no matter our status or abilities. Thank You that You walk with children and families struggling against poverty and injustice, calling us to do the same. We ask that candidates running for election would speak out about poverty and listen to the voices of the vulnerable. Give our leaders wisdom to create solutions that empower people living in poverty to survive and thrive. Help us to answer Your call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You.

4. Pray for strength and encouragement for our leaders and election candidates.

Holy Father, thank You for creating each of us with unique gifts, and for gifting some with leadership abilities to help guide our country. For everyone running for office, whether they win or lose, refresh their spirits and encourage them. Give them the strength to make good decisions both in and out of the public eye. Help them readily give grace — and receive it. Protect their families from sickness, bitterness, and discouragement. May every leader be encouraged by the truth that Your love is always stronger than hate.

5. Pray that our leaders would commit to working together (and that we would too).

Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself to walk alongside us as a man. Help our leaders be willing to walk alongside each other, their constituents, and especially the marginalized. Our leaders have different opinions and priorities; give them the wisdom to navigate differences and work together to strengthen our country. Remind us in this election year that You have called Christians to be one body.

6. Pray that we would see each other through Jesus’ eyes.

God, forgive us for the times we’ve failed to treat each other as Your creation. Forgive us for celebrating unloving behavior in our candidates and our leaders. Call our leaders and political candidates to a new level of respect and civility. Remind them that You are sovereign and that the wisest choice we can make is to serve You and serve others. May there be a new movement of collaboration and respect in our nation’s capital and throughout the country. Give Your people the strength to lead by example with radical, world-changing love.

May these prayers encourage you today.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Election Day Prayer Points from Crosswalk.com

It’s natural to feel a mix of anticipation, concern, and hope for our nation’s future. With so much at stake, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the weight of the decisions ahead. But as believers, we know that God invites us to bring all our anxieties and desires to Him in prayer. When you don’t know what to pray, prayer points can be helpful in guiding your thoughts toward heaven. Below are some prayer points to help you say a prayer to seek God’s sovereign hand on this Election Day.

  • For Peace: Pray for calm hearts and peaceful interactions as people head to the polls, and for unity among communities regardless of election outcomes.
  • For Wisdom for Voters: Ask God to guide voters to make informed and thoughtful decisions, seeking His wisdom in every choice.
  • For Integrity in Leaders: Pray that all candidates and leaders act with honesty and integrity, avoiding deception and placing the nation’s well-being above personal ambition.
  • For Protection: Pray for safety at polling locations, especially in places where tensions may run high, and ask God to protect everyone involved in the election process.
  • For Healing and Unity: Pray that God would use this election to foster understanding and healing, bridging divides and bringing people together.
  • For God’s Will to Be Done: Ask God to guide the election results according to His perfect plan and to give people trust in His sovereignty, no matter the outcome.

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Hey, Empty Nest Parents, here are 5 things that your adult children still need from you.

Parenting is tough at any stage, but navigating through the path of having an adult child can be challenging.

Crosswalk.com shared an article listing 5 things that your adult children still need from you. Author Stephanie Thompson shares practical insight on how to approach this time in your parenting journey.

Click HERE to read the full article.

  1. Empathy
  2. Empowerment
  3. Encouragement
  4. Refuge
  5. Mercy

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Hey Mom, we found some powerful prayers for your kids in school

Prayer is powerful! It should be our first response to any situation.
Moms, we know that your life is hard. You are trying to balance crazy schedules while you work hard to raise your children.
We want to help!
imom.com shares 7 Powerful Prayers for Moms to pray during this school year. We hope that these prayers can encourage and strengthen you.
Keep up the good work Mom!

Click HERE to read the full article from author Lisa Rowell.

1. A Prayer for Friendship and Kindness

Father, I ask that You surround my child with other kids who see the best and bring out the best in him. Peer influence plays such a big part in my child’s character development. Since I can’t pick my child’s friends during the school day, I ask that You steer him toward friends who practice kindness and show love and respect toward everyone. And, God, help my child be a positive influence over his friends and classmates. Amen.

2. A Prayer for Safety and Security

Hey, God. I admit I’m more than a little nervous sometimes sending my child to school. I feel scared that something will happen when I’m not there to protect her. It just seems like every time I scroll through the news, I see one more reason why I should feel scared. Father, please calm my worries. I don’t want to carry them around. Keep my child safe today. I’m asking not just for physical protection but to please guard her heart and mind from harm, too. Keep her safe from hurtful words or actions of others. I know You love my child even more than I do and are always with her, even when I am not. Amen.

3. A Prayer for Purpose

God, I know You have a purpose and a plan for my child’s life. During this school year, I ask that you give him opportunities to begin to discover his unique purpose and the courage to hone his talents with passion and perseverance. Guide my child’s steps this year so he can confidently walk through the doors you open.  And, Father, I want to parent with purpose. Help me parent my child from the perspective that Your purpose and plan for Him is not just about what he does today but also about who he is becoming. Amen.

4. A Prayer for the Love of Learning

Father, I want my child never to lose her love of learning. Give her the confidence to remain curious, not just this school year but throughout her life. Equip her with resilience so she doesn’t see failing as a reason to stop but only as a place to pause, assess, and try a new way. Of course, You already know that prayers for children’s success in school often include requests for good grades. And, yes, I want those good marks for my child; however, I want her to find joy in the process of learning, too. Amen.

5. A Prayer for Respect and Responsibility

Hey, God. I need your help. Please instill in my child a deep understanding of respect for himself and others. Give him opportunities to practice honoring the feelings, thoughts, and boundaries of kids in his class and on the bus. And, Father, show me ways I can step back a little so my child can step up in responsibility by taking the lead in places where he is ready, whether it’s in managing his homework or asking for help from the teacher when he needs it. Amen.

6. A Prayer for Peace for the Momma Heart

Father, I need some peace this school year. Not the peace and quiet of naptime, but peace for my heart. Sometimes I find myself caught up in the “what if” cycle of thinking. What if my child gets bullied? What if my child doesn’t make any friends? What if my child can’t do the work? What if something bad happens at school? I don’t want to think this way, so please guide my thoughts with Your gentle hand. Lead me away from fear and anxiety toward a place of trust and confidence in your unfailing love. I know in that space with You, I will experience peace and rest this school year. Amen.

7. A Prayer for Wisdom for the Momma Mind

God, You can read my mind, so you already know all the thoughts swirling around in there. It’s a lot—I know. Being a mom is heavy and light all at once. I’m winging it more than half the time, especially during these school years. My child is exposed to so much more than I encountered at that age. I need your help to make the right choices. Give me the wisdom to make the right choices for my family, even if they go against what everyone else seems to be doing. Amen.

What prayers for children’s success do you find yourself praying?

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Sight & Sound Theatres presents Daniel LIVE in theaters!

Alyssa Sidle of The Morning Thing had a chance to chat with actor Jacob Cummings. He is playing the part of Daniel in Sight and Sound Theatres production of Daniel Live.
He shares about his history on the stage. He also talks about what it has been like walking the shoes of such an outstanding figure from the Bible.

Click HERE to hear the entire conversation.

You can see Daniel Live in theaters across the country 8/20 – 9/2.
Find out more at https://www.danielevent.com/

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The Morning Thing kicks off Mom’s Week!

This will be a special week on The Morning Thing. Today, we kicked off Mom’s Week – a week to honor and encourage Moms at all stages of life.

Today, we shared 5 ways to be a mentally strong Mom. Click HERE to see the full article from imom.com

1. Empower yourself.
To be a better mom and mentally strong in trying times, revise your default phrases. When you’re stressed or challenged, try these instead: I’ll rise above this. I won’t let this bother me. I’m human. I’m gonna do the best I can.

2. Be content with who you are.
Comparing ourselves to others in person or on Instagram steals our joy. Self-worth is built on contentment with who you are. If you want to be a better mom, start with identifying your own wonderful qualities instead of comparing yourself to others. Are you a good listener? Are you crafty and creative? Are you the best at making your kids laugh.

3. Let your mind wander.
Instead of scrolling your phone when you have downtime, try turning inward. Think about your experiences and look for solutions to your problems. Building mental strength takes effort. Sometimes that means facing the hard or challenging thoughts we’d rather choose to avoid. But the payoff comes with being a more thoughtful mom.

4. Be on the lookout for progress.
In this moment in your life, you may feel frustrated with your child. But instead of holding her to standards you’ve read about or seen in your friend’s child, shift your focus to small, measurable goals. You’ll not only be a better mom, but you’ll build mental strength because you’re feeling hopeful rather than defeated.

5. Lay your head down more.
Getting more sleep will help you be mentally strong on those days when your kid refuses to get dressed or your teenager blames you for not waking him up for school. When you’re sleep deprived, you’re much more likely to lose your cool. Stixrud and Johnson say, “[S]leep deprivation decreases your flexibility, weakens your ability to see things in context, and impairs your judgment.” Getting a good night’s sleep can help deliver the patience we need in a heated moment.

imom.com also has 7 quick prayers of encouragement for moms. Print this one off! 🙂

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MVNU Women’s Auxiliary welcomes Sheila Walsh to the 2024 Conference

Shelia Walsh will be the speaker featured at the MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference.
She is an accomplished author, Bible Teacher, and Television host.

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle had the chance to chat with Sheila Walsh.
She shared an update of what she’s been up to in 2024. She also shares about her new book, ‘Holding On When You Want To Let Go’.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Shelia speaks about finding balance in the midst of everything she’s a part of, including speaking, writing and hosting numerous TV shows for TBN. She says that it’s important to remember that being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive, and that you have to focus on taking sabbath.

Shelia gives a small preview of what to expect at the conference this weekend.

Shelia talks about how we can pray for her and her husband Barry and their ministry.

Tickets are still available for this weekend’s conference.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for this event.
Two day tickets are $45 and one day tickets are $25.

Conference Schedule:
Friday, March 15
5:30-7:00 p.m.   Registration
7:00-9:00 p.m.   Friday Session

Saturday, March 16
8:00-9:00 a.m.    Registration
9:00 a.m.-noon   Saturday Sessions

Click HERE for more information on MVNU Women’s Auxiliary. You can become a member this weekend!

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Have you noticed how God is blessing your life?

Look closely at your life. Do you see the unnoticed ways that God is blessing you?

Cindi McMenamin is a speaker, Bible teacher and award-winning author of 17 books! She has compiled a list of 8 Unnoticed Ways that God is blessing our lives. Click HERE to see the full article on Crosswalk.com

1. He’s Allowing a Health Uncertainty

2. He’s Withholding Something You Want

3. A Wound from a Friend

4. Financial Need

5. The Air Pumping Through Your Lungs

6. A Smile or Kind Word from a Stranger

7. A Closed Door

8. The Difficulty You Can’t Understand Right Now  

Cindi McMenamin headshotCindi McMenamin is a national speaker, Bible teacher, and award-winning writer who helps women and couples strengthen their relationship with God and others. She is also a mother, pastor’s wife, and author of 17 books, including When Women Walk Alone (more than 150,000 copies sold), When God Sees Your Tears, When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, and When Couples Walk Together:31 Days to a Closer Connection, which she co-authored with her husband of 35 years. For more on her speaking ministry, coaching services for writers, and books to strengthen your soul, marriage, and parenting, see her website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com. 

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Are you stressed? These bible verses will help!

Today on The Morning Thing, we shared 5 bible verses to reflect on when you are stressed.

Stress impacts all areas of our lives – mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. God wants us to come to Him when we find ourselves in stressful situations. He is there, ready to take the burden.

Please take a few minutes to read this full article from author, Vivian Bricker. Click HERE to read her insight and the full article shared on Christianity.com

1. Matthew 6:34

 “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

2. Matthew 11:28

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

3. John 14:27

In this Bible verse, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

4. 1 Peter 5:7

 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 

5. Exodus 14:14

This passage from the Old Testament says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.

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