A Prayer for Safe TravelsBy Heidi Vegh &;quot;Do not be anxious about anything‚ but in everything‚ 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 minds in Christ Jesus.&;quot; – Phil 4:6-7 God gave us a beautiful world full of stunning adventure. Whether we venture far from home or drive to the next town‚ something is always awaiting us. We travel for all sorts of reasons. To visit family‚ work‚ seek adventure‚ weddings‚ funerals‚ or to simply satisfy our curiosity. My family loves to fly‚ but squishing in the car for a long road trip brings a different type of joy and adventure‚ creating fun‚ silly memories. We live in Seattle‚ but most of our family is in Salt Lake City. When we can afford it‚ we hop on a flight; however‚ with six of us‚ we tend to make the 13-hour drive‚ towing along our pup. No matter how you are traveling‚ it can be anxiety-inducing. Leaving the comforts of home is exciting‚ but I tend to worry while I am away. Is our home ok&;#63; Is there a random leak&;#63; Did someone break in‚ and we forgot to set the alarm&;#63; Then‚ the nightmare images tend to creep in‚ involving car accidents or something tragic happening to us while we are away. We have all heard the nightmare stories‚ so I know I am not the only one caught up in the worst-case scenario mindset.  In this day and age‚ travel has not been more accessible; however‚ recent events and the fact that terrorists have become a part of our lives tend to bring on anxiety‚ especially plane travel. Leaving on a plane has a whole other set of fears that like to creep into my brain. I won’t go into them as I know most of us have the same thoughts. But for some reason...we continue to travel. Why&;#63; Because we don’t want fear to get the best of us and prevent us from experiencing life. We know the statistics are in our favor‚ so we boldly trust unknown pilots and mechanics to bring us safely to our destination. So what happens when fear does get the best of us and the anxiety and fear are so bad that we wonder if all the fuss of travel is even worth it&;#63; It may sound good to always and forever keep our feet on solid ground in the comfort of our home where no travel mishap can befall us. But is this living our best life for God&;#63; Is this where He wants us to sit when He has given us a million and one reason to seek adventure and get out of our comfort zones&;#63; God knows all things. He knows our fears. He knows our doubts and the mind-numbing reel of thoughts that continue on a loop as we stand in line at security. The Bible promises that with Jesus‚ we can fight against fear and put our trust in Him. Psalm 25:1-2 says‚ “In you‚ Lord my God‚ I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame‚ nor let my enemies triumph over me” (NIV). When we live a life for Jesus and saturate our minds with His promises and truths‚ we can win the battle over fear. It might be a constant fight‚ and our anxiety might fight hard to engage us‚ but we have the best weapon of all‚ the name of Jesus. When I get nervous on a flight‚ I repeat this verse: “Do not be anxious about anything‚ but in everything‚ 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 minds in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:6-7 Let’s pray: Lord‚ you know when I sit and when I arise. (Psalm 139:1) You know every hair on my head (Matthew 10:26) and all my anxious thoughts. (Psalm 139:23). You care about my whereabouts and where I desire to go. You want me to live an abundant life‚ taking hold of opportunities to see the people I love and explore the beauty of your world. However‚ leaving home makes me anxious. I fear the worst for my house or family traveling with me. When I leave my family behind alone‚ I fear something may happen‚ and I won’t be close. I fear the tight spaces of the plane and often allow my mind to be filled with worst-case scenarios. I rebuke this fear today‚ Lord. I refuse to let it get a hold of me and steal my joy. I long to enjoy travel‚ the airport’s busyness‚ the takeoff‚ and landing because I know what awaits me at my destination. Whether it is work or pleasure‚ I know that with you‚ you will bring good things to me. Stories‚ experiences‚ and sights that prove your beauty and give me reason to praise you. Help me relax during my travels; help me fill my heart with truths from your Word that can calm my fearful soul. Please give me a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7) and help me to rest in you. (Matthew 11:28). Thank you for the opportunity to travel.In your precious name‚ I pray amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/freemixer Heidi Vegh is a writer‚ speaker‚ and ministry leader living in Western Washington. She is a remarried mother of four‚ navigating the blended family life after the loss of her first husband to cancer in 2013. She longs to use her writing as a way to encourage others who have experienced loss and guide them on the road to healing. She contributes to her blog found at www.mrsheidivegh.com ‚ sharing stories and devotionals of faith stemming from her loss and healing‚ mothering‚ and her blended and complex family. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in Creative Writing and English and is working on her first book. Heidi is the Women's Ministry Director at her local church and has a deep heart for sharing Jesus with women and encouraging them in their faith walk. When she is not writing‚ she loves to travel‚ read‚ craft‚ and experiment in the kitchen. Visit her Facebook and Instagram (@mrsheidivegh) to learn more. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below&;#33; Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU&;#63; Click the button below&;#33; Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Safe Travels – Your Daily Prayer – April 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

April 17‚ 2024 The Hidden Gift of UncertaintyLAURA LACEY JOHNSON‚ COMPEL Training Member Lee en espa&;ntilde;ol &;quot;And now‚ Lord‚ look at their threats‚ and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence ...&;quot; Acts 4:29 (NASB) I looked like a crazed baker. The moment I started scraping our popcorn ceilings‚ white plaster covered me‚ and I knew I was in trouble. When I tackled this itsy-bitsy home renovation‚ I calculated it would take one weekend and a few hundred dollars. It took only five hours to realize my expectations were way out of line. Renovations often take longer or look different than we imagine. The same holds true for spiritual transformations. In today's Bible passage‚ Luke‚ the writer of Acts‚ unveiled a remarkable transformation in Jesus' disciples Peter and John. They were no longer hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19)‚ questioning what God was doing (Acts 1:6)‚ or staring into an empty sky as they had before (Acts 1:10). They were now bold evangelists - and their renovation had come through nail-biting adventures. Peter and John had every reason to believe they wouldn't live to see tomorrow. After God healed a paralyzed man through the disciples' ministry‚ the same religious leaders who had killed Jesus wanted to intimidate them into silence. Everything about the atmosphere echoed: Remember what we did to Jesus&;#33; Instead of retreating in fear‚ the disciples prayed one of the New Testament's most astonishing prayers: &;quot;And now‚ Lord‚ look at their threats‚ and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence‚ while You extend Your hand to heal‚ and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus&;quot; (Acts 4:29-30‚ NASB). Who prays that way&;#63; People who have grown through uncertain times. When we look at their full prayer‚ we learn the disciples believed in the sovereign power of God. They believed God‚ not their enemies‚ would control the outcome of their situation. Such transformational thinking doesn’t happen overnight; it happens in the uncertain places of life‚ where God remodels our hearts‚ demolishes our pride‚ adjusts our priorities‚ sands off our rough edges‚ and conforms us more to the image of Christ. Uncertainty invites growth. The transformation of our hearts and souls often happens when we don't know what's next‚ when we're not sure what to do‚ when we don't have all the answers. The thing that drove me to renovate my living room was a desire for control. Life hadn't turned out the way I'd hoped. Maybe fixing this one thing would fix everything else. I was wrong. But along the way‚ my desires began to change. Instead of asking God to change my circumstances‚ I prayed‚ Lord‚ make me useful in Your Kingdom today. Perhaps you᾿re asking‚ When can I get out of this situation&;#63; I've been there. Instead‚ I encourage you to ask‚ How can I grow through this situation&;#63; The hidden gift of uncertainty is this: On the other side of your perseverance is a beautiful transformation. Lord‚ so often‚ I long for my circumstances to get better. Yet I also desire for You to use my life in a mighty way in Your Kingdom. Help me cooperate with the transformation You are bringing to my life. Please grant me the courage to trust Your loving work. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Hot off the press ... Registration for COMPEL Writers Training is now open for a limited time&;#33; Our community is committed to helping you grow as a writer. Whether you are just starting to dream up words and getting ready to put them on paper or looking for guidance to get your work published‚ COMPEL Training has a place for you. We can't wait to help you take the next step in what God has called you to do. We don't want you to miss your chance‚ so click here to sign up now&;#33; ENGAGE Receive writing tips on your social media feeds when you follow COMPEL Training on Instagram‚ Facebook and Twitter&;#33; For countless free articles on the writing life‚ check out the COMPEL Training Blog&;#33; FOR DEEPER STUDY 2 Corinthians 4:17‚ &;quot;For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all&;quot; (NIV). Describe a time when you struggled with the question‚ When can I get out of this situation&;#63; What was renovated in your heart or soul through the situation&;#63; We'd love to hear your thoughts - share them in the comments&;#33; © 2024 by Laura Lacey Johnson. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post The Hidden Gift of Uncertainty – Encouragement for Today – April 17‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1711 - Charles VI becomes Holy Roman Emperor after the death of his brother Joseph I 1758 - Francis Williams‚ 1st US black college graduate‚ publishes poems 1797 - Sir Ralph Abercromby attacks San Juan‚ Puerto Rico‚ one of the largest invasions of Spanish territories in America 1860 - Champion of England Tom Sayers and American John Heenan fight out brutal 2 hour‚ 27 minute draw near Farnborough‚ England; police stop fight acknowledged as first world title bout 1865 - Mary Surratt is arrested as a conspirator in Abraham' Lincoln's assassination 1875 - Modern Snooker invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain‚ a bored British officer in Jabalpur‚ India 1969 - People's Democracy activist Bernadette Devlin becomes the youngest woman Member of Parliament ever elected to Westminster at 21 years old 1979 - Four Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are killed by a Provisional Irish Republican Army van bomb in Bessbrook‚ County Armagh; the bomb is believed to be the largest PIRA bomb used up to that point 1979 - Brian Clark's stage drama &;quot;Whose Life is it Anyway&;#63;&;quot; starring Tom Conti and Phillip Bosco‚ and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg‚ opens at the Trafalgar Theatre‚ NYC; runs for 223 performances‚ winning Conti a Tony Award 1983 - 1st National Coin Week begins More Historical Events »

Doctors within Canada’s socialized medical system have admitted that a Covid booster jab is responsible for paralyzing a 37-year-old mother from Ontario‚ who found herself paralyzed from the neck down within days of receiving a [...] The post Canadian Gov’t Admits Covid ‘Booster’ Paralyzed Young Mother‚ Offer To Euthanize Her To ‘Make Up For It’ appeared first on The People's Voice.

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