O God, listen to me! Hear my prayer! For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of safety. For you are my refuge, a high tower where my enemies can never reach me. I shall live forever in your tabernacle; oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings! For you have heard my vows, O God, to praise you every day, and you have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name.

Psalm 61:1-5
The Living Bible

Nothing in this world can compare to our true home.

Be strong and brave [courageous; resolute]. Be sure [careful] to obey all the teachings [law] my servant Moses gave [commanded] you. If you follow them exactly [do not turn from it to the right or to the left], you will be successful in everything you do. Always remember [Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the Teachings [Law]. Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise [prudent; successful] and successful [prosperous] in everything [or along life’s path; along the way].

Joshua 1:7-8
Expanded Bible

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

James 5:19-20
The Message

Growing up as a teen, I wanted to be involved in school activities but I was always too shy and never had the courage to actually put myself out there. I wanted to play sports but would play timidly. I wanted to act and sing in a school play but was too anxious to audition. I was always afraid of being criticized if I did something wrong or didn't meet expectations, and I was scared of the embarassment I was certain would follow if I made a mistake or did something awkwardly. It lowered my confidence and self-esteem, and overall stopped me from stepping forward and experiencing things I wanted to be part of, all because I feared being judged.

Over the years I'd been working on that, and until now it's still a work in progress. I've learned not to fixate so much on what other people may think of me, but instead focus more on my own personal growth. So today, although a voice in the back of my mind told me I'm going to embarrass myself, I decided to shake it off as I started learning a new hobby. It's a small win, but I had fun and built my self-confidence in the process.

#SmallVictories #AWinIsAWin #PersonalGrowth

A beautiful reminder 💌

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. ... The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I am not guilty of turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

Psalm 18:6 & 20-24
New International Version

We don’t get forever, so make every moment count 💛

Then, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won’t become bored with being a Christian nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive all that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience.

Hebrews 6:12
The Living Bible

The best conversation we can have is with God, through prayer.

There they strengthened the understanding and will of the followers, urgently encouraging them to continue in the faith. “Because,” they said, “in order to enter the Kingdom of God, we must be willing to go thru severe testings and sufferings.”

Acts 14:22
Last Days Bible