#first 5 app

Book Review: Sick Of Me by Whitney Capps

“Amidst its darkness, if a story of the kinds and Israel teaches us anything, it’s when our hearts turn from God, they always turn toward self.”

Sick of me by Whitney Capps

Thoroughly impressed by Whitney Capps’ writing for the First 5 app, I jumped at the opportunity to enjoy an entire book! In my eagerness, I didn’t read the back cover description for Sick of Me. Had I read it, I would have…

What’s Your Story?

So often we face circumstances that we don’t understand and see no way out of.👀 But God in His unfailing love always provides a way and has a plan and purpose for everything.👌 Yet we turn around and keep our mouths shut about the things that God has done, is doing and continues to do. As though we’re entitled to His blessings. Let’s not forget. ALL have sinned and fallen short of His glory. My…

I saw this pic last week on the inter webs.  it's an outlandish display of wealth (the gold ponytail holders are Cartier rings, about $1650 a piece).  I am not bothered by it.  I hope you aren’t either.  I smirked.   I wasn’t surprised.  This IS Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.  I figure it may not be a big deal to him/them.  **Don’t we all have a bag, a pair of shoes, a car, SOMETHING that SOMEONE might think is ‘too expensive’?  

I’ve been a long time fan of Proverbs 31 ministries.  I do their Online Bible Studies and I also use their First 5 app.  The app encourages you to give your first 5 minutes to God.   I adore it.  It helps me get my mind in a good place to start my day.  Each weekend there’s a wrap-up video/overview about the previous week’s study.  Last week I listened to a comment about being one of God's children.  I am lavishly blessed by His love, mercy and grace.  I am abundantly blessed with friends and family whose worth is invaluable.  When I look at others and see the way THEY are blessed...shouldn’t I have the same reaction as I did to Jaden’s hair ties?  “Well they ARE God’s children.....”   

What is your reaction to other people’s blessings?  Are you jealous?  Do you question whether they deserve it or not?  What do ANY of us REALLY deserve anyways?  I have to constantly examine my attitude.  What other people possess (whether it’s skills or objects) should have NO bearing on me. 

This is part of a devotional from the First 5 App. Which is amazing by the way!!! It allows you to start your day with God as soon as you wake up, before you dip into social media and texting. This devotion hit home for me!!! I’m very bad for this! …………….……………

Matthew 6:8b, (NIV) “… your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

God doesn’t need our suggestions. But boy am I eager to make suggestions to Him! I’ve been guilty of making my prayer life all about figuring out what’s the best in every situation and then asking God to bless my plans. “Lord, bless this. Don’t mess with it. Just bless all that I’ve arranged. And give me all I’ve suggested.”

But can I admit to you what I had to admit to God lately? My plans are never, ever the best plans.

Like today’s verse states, God already knows what we need before we ask Him. Not what we think we need. He knows what we really need according to His perfect plans.

So, why pray then?

We pray, because we don’t truly know what we need. We pray because He sees everything while we see only a sliver of the bigger picture. We pray because we have limited perspectives, limited thoughts, limited views. We pray because we need so much more than quick fixes and help for our troubles. We pray because we need Him.

In Quiet Trust I Find Strength

I’ve been using the First 5 app for a few weeks and I’m really enjoying the time spent in God’s Word. Today’s devotional continued the story of Jacob and Esau. I am constantly amazed by God’s power and reminded to trust Him as the source of my strength and the strength of my life.

   Below is a brief excerpt from today’s reading that I felt was worth sharing as an affirmation for every day.

My…