1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 1: Life Audio. You're listening to every Day Prayers with Million 2 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:11,640 Speaker 1: Praying Moms, where we're dedicated to helping moms pray God's 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:14,160 Speaker 1: word for their families in the areas they need it most. 4 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. Over the last decade, we've 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: helped thousands of moms make prayer a priority for their families. 6 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: Our mission is to help you do the same. Prayer 7 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: is not a last resort. It's our first and best 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: response to the challenges of parenting, a partnership for the 9 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:36,240 Speaker 1: hearts of our children that God invites us into. Today's 10 00:00:36,280 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: devotion is written and read by Rachel Adams, author of 11 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,920 Speaker 1: Everyday Prayers for Love, a part of our Million Praying 12 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: Moms Everyday Prayers devotional series. I recently reread this devotional 13 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: and it blessed me tremendously. Rachel provides beautiful reminders of 14 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: how God loves us just because we are His, not 15 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: because of anything we can do to earn it or 16 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 1: deserve it, and we are invited to love others from 17 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: a place of knowing that we are beloved. If you 18 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: don't have a copy of this book, you're going to 19 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: want to grab one for yourself and maybe even for 20 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 1: a friend. Every Day Prays for Love is available wherever 21 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: books are sold. This month, I've invited Rachel to share 22 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 1: excerpts from her book that help us break down the 23 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: famous love passage one Corinthians thirteen, specifically focusing on verses 24 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 1: four through eight that read, love is patient, Love is kind. 25 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: It does not envy, It does not boast. It is 26 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not 27 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no 28 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:40,479 Speaker 1: record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but 29 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, 30 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: always perseveres. Love never fails. We've heard this verse at weddings, 31 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: we've heard it in the church. But this is one 32 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:58,520 Speaker 1: of those passages that is beautiful and easy to read 33 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: but hard to put into practice, isn't it. I don't 34 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,240 Speaker 1: know about you, but I know that I need more 35 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: patience and kindness in my parenting. Rachel weaves in scripture 36 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: from throughout the Bible to help us truly understand the 37 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: type of love that Paul is describing here in his 38 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: letter to the Corinthians. Our prayer and hope is that 39 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: this month. As we pray this together, our understanding of 40 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 1: God's love would grow deeper. To learn more about Rachel, 41 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: or to learn more about how you can get involved 42 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: in the ministry of Million Praying Moms, visit today's show 43 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: Notes or Millionprayingmoms dot Com. After a quick word from 44 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: our sponsors, we'll pray together for our children. 45 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 2: A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy, 46 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 2: writes the bones, Proverbs, chapter fourteen, verse thirty. I had 47 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 2: never attended a writer's conference before. After obtaining my agenda 48 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 2: and name tag, that first morning of the convention, I 49 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 2: tried to navigate through a sea of over six hundred 50 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 2: women with a dream similar to mine to publish a book. 51 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 2: Unsure of my surroundings or who to talk to, I 52 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 2: found a seat alone to gather my thoughts. As I 53 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 2: looked around the room, my confidence waned. I saw women 54 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 2: talking easily, laughing, exchanging business cards, and hugging as if 55 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 2: they already knew each other. Adding to my discomfort, the 56 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,919 Speaker 2: women were absolutely stunning. While I should have celebrated the 57 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 2: beauty of God's creation before me, I judged my projected 58 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 2: imperfections against them, which only caused my insecurities to increase 59 00:03:28,320 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 2: as I continued to scan the room. The agent I 60 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 2: wanted to sign with caught my eye. Weeks before, I 61 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 2: had stalked the conference guide so I would recognize the 62 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 2: faces of the agents and editors in case I ran 63 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 2: into them. Throughout the weekend, the agent had a group 64 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 2: of women around her. They were likely her clients because 65 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 2: it was evident they all knew each other well. I 66 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: watched them interact, not knowing who they were, but wanting 67 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 2: what they had. God didn't grant me what they had 68 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 2: that weekend. The desired divine appointment with the agent did 69 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 2: not come into tuition, but I was able to meet 70 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 2: many incredible sisters in Christ, and God was preparing my 71 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: heart in a plethora of other ways. Clearly, there was 72 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 2: a lot of work to be done on my sanctification. 73 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 2: Fast forward a few years later, and when I returned 74 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 2: to the same conference, this time, I wasn't so green 75 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 2: in experience or envy. I was more comfortable in my 76 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: own skin and recognize some familiar faces. I was able 77 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 2: to laugh, talk and hug friends I'd kept in touch 78 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 2: with from the previous year. Fortunately, I was granted a 79 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,719 Speaker 2: meeting with the agent I desired, and the hoped for 80 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 2: connection was made. However, I could empathize with the woman 81 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 2: in the background, who liked me just one year prior, 82 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 2: sat watching alone from her seat. Although God saw fit 83 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 2: to grant me the desire of my heart, as evidenced 84 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 2: by the book You Hold in your Hands, if I'm 85 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 2: being gut level honest, I still struggle with comparison. Even 86 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 2: as a Christian author. I see women achieving what I 87 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 2: wish I could, and while I'm happy for them, a 88 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,960 Speaker 2: tinge of jealousy emerges. Why not me? The green eyed 89 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 2: monster still shows up more often than I care to admit. 90 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 2: What about you? Is there a person or group of 91 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 2: people you wish your life could mimic. When someone succeeds 92 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: or accomplishes something we wish we could, it is difficult 93 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:27,720 Speaker 2: not to be envious of them, isn't it. We may 94 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,720 Speaker 2: celebrate them to their faces, but we're often jealous beneath 95 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 2: our joyful facade. Knowing we would struggle in this area, 96 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 2: God added a clear directive in the Ten Commandments. He said, 97 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 2: you shall not cover your neighbor's house. You shall not 98 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 2: covet your neighbor's wife or his male or female servant, 99 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 2: his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. 100 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 2: In other words, we shouldn't resent others who have what 101 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 2: we may think we lack. To stop or prevent covetous behavior, 102 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 2: we must practice being content with what God has gat 103 00:06:00,320 --> 00:06:04,159 Speaker 2: us and celebrate what God has given to others. Another 104 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 2: person's success and calling do not threaten ours. God has 105 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 2: uniquely created each individual with certain talents and abilities. Instead 106 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 2: of in being what they have, we should cheer for 107 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 2: our brothers and sisters in Christ and be grateful for 108 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,919 Speaker 2: our own unique giftings. After all, don't we long for 109 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 2: people to rejoice with us when it is our turn 110 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: to succeed through this lens? We should see one another 111 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:35,279 Speaker 2: as co laborers and collaborators, as opposed to competitors. When 112 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:38,159 Speaker 2: we learn to be content with who we are, we 113 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 2: are no longer pining for someone else's life because we 114 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 2: trust in God's sovereignty for the assignments He's given us. 115 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 2: Love compels us to root for each other as we 116 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: strive toward our dreams. If not, our hearts will always 117 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 2: be aching for something missing, a longing only God can feel. 118 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 2: Look to Him for your contentment and you will find 119 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 2: there is nowhere else you'd rather be than in His presence. 120 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: With him, there is nothing else you need. Let's pray, Lord, 121 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,440 Speaker 2: thank you for how you've created me and for the 122 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 2: unique blessings and gifts you've given me. Forgive me for 123 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: being covetous of other people's personalities, appearance, possessions, and accomplishments. 124 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 2: When I start feeling envious of another person, remind me 125 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: to celebrate with them and genuinely desire their success. Help 126 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: me not to be complacent, but to be content with 127 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 2: myself in Jesus's name. 128 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: Amen, friend, we are so glad that you are a 129 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 1: part of our community here on the podcast. If you 130 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: love everyday prayers in the ministry of Million Praying Moms, 131 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: I invite you to join our Praying mom community on 132 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: Patreon for just ten dollars a month. You can connect 133 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: deeper through a monthly scripture inspired prayer calendar, each day's 134 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: devotion and written form and bonus content only available to 135 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: our Patreon family. Learn more in today's show notes or 136 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 1: at Million Prayingmoms dot com. Until next time, friends, the 137 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. Make his face shine 138 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,920 Speaker 1: upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord 139 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: look with favor on you and give you peace.