Category Archives: Encouragement

Dec31

New Year’s Eve

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I remember the days of long ago;
   I meditate on all your works
   and consider what your hands have done.

Psalm 143:5 (NIV)

On New Year’s Eve, most of us are focused on the new beginning that we will face tomorrow with the birth of a New Year. But for every “new beginning” there has to be an “ending.” Today is a good time to reflect back upon the events of the past year and recall God’s presence in your life through each month, week, day and moment.

For some, the past year brought abundant blessings. It’s easy to thank God for good fortune that might have come your way, yet it is also easy to forget that all our blessings come from God’s hand. For others, the past year was filled with painful memories or difficult trials. During our darkest moments, we can lose sight of the fact that God is always by our side, helping us through any situation we face

Often we do not notice and appreciate all of the ways that God provides, protects, loves and cares for us along our journey in life. The fact that our daily needs are met is usually taken for granted. We have food to eat, clothes to wear, a warm bed to give us rest, and a roof to shelter us. How often do we stop and give thanks…genuine thanks…to God for these basic needs which are being met by His hand? Worse yet, we mistakenly take the credit ourselves for being good providers instead of recognizing God’s hand in the process.

As the past year comes to an end, I pray that God would engulf me with His spirit so that I may see my world through His holy eyes to envision His hand of blessing upon my life…even during the painful trials and darkest days of the past year. I pray that He would give me a spiritual mind so that I might understand His plan for each of my days ahead as His purpose for my life unfolds. I pray that He would give me spiritual ears to hear His voice as He speaks to me and that He would give me a spiritual heart so that I may love those around me the way He would want me to love them…unconditionally. I pray that I remain constantly mindful of the miracles He has performed in my own life and that I never take for granted that His favor and His hand of blessing is upon me and my family and that His presence never leaves my side…even in the deepest valleys. Amen.

 


I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11


 

Nov24

Giving Thanks

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“Let them give thanks to the LORD

for his unfailing love
   and his wonderful deeds for men.”

Psalm 107:15 (NIV1984)

 

Today we gather with family and friends and pause as a nation to “give thanks.” Take time today to truly focus on all the blessings in your life and remember to thank the One from whom all your blessings flow.

Jul4

One Nation Under God

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Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…  

Psalm 33:12a (NIV1984)

 

 

As we celebrate America’s Independence Day, let’s take a moment to think about on whom are we depending as a nation? Our Founding Fathers believed in creating “one nation under God.” Is God the LORD of our nation, or have we refocused our dependence upon our own strength and might?

 

“‘This is what the great king, the king … says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?
You say you have strategy and military strength—but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me?” Isaiah 36:4-5 (NIV 1984)

 

On each note of our currency, you’ll see the words printed, “In God We Trust.” Have those become “empty words?” One of the biggest problems we are facing as a nation today is the stability of our economy. Perhaps if we each took a moment to embrace those four simple words in our own lives, we could begin to reverse the national trend of trusting in something other than God. Likewise, if each one of us whispered a prayer for our country every time we open our wallets and pull out a dollar bill to spend, we could make a difference for the future of our beloved homeland. Let the words “In God We Trust,” be a reminder to place your own trust in God and also to pray for our nation. God can heal our nation’s problems. He will hear our prayers.

 

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV1984)

 

“May God Bless the U.S.A.!”

 


Jun29

Rest Secure

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“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him

for He shields him all day long,

and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.”

Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV

 

We live in a fast paced, action oriented world. There are days when I feel like I am so busy that I can’t even take a moment to “come up for air.” It seems as though there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on my plate of responsibilities. Yet God demonstrated for us the importance of rest. When He had finished all the work He had been doing of creating the universe and everything in it, He rested.

 

“For six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them,

But He Rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.”

Exodus 20:11

 

If the Creator of the Universe rested from His work, then it should not surprise us to know that we also need to rest. In fact, rest is so important to God that He commanded His children to set aside one day each week for pure, restorative rest. Not only did God know that we need a day like this each week to revive and rejuvenate our bodies, but He also wanted His children to use it as a day of worship and remembrance. “Above all, keep my Sabbaths, the sign between me and you, generation after generation, to keep the knowledge alive that I am the God who makes you holy…There are six days for work but the seventh day is Sabbath, pure rest, holy to God…Yes, because in six days God made the heavens and the Earth and on the seventh day He stopped and took a long, deep breath.” Exodus 31:12-17 MSG

 

“Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

After a period of exertion or labor, rest is a blessing. It is refreshing and rejuvenating, and it is a relief from any type of weariness. As we take time to quiet our bodies and spirits, God desires for us to spend time remembering and focusing on all the amazing things He has done for us.

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

 

God can also use this time of repose to speak to us. It is difficult for Him to gain our attention during the hectic activity of your daily life. When you sit still in His presence, you will hear the calming whisper of His voice.

 

“My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

 

When your time of purposeful quiescence is over, you will be revived and renewed, ready to face new challenges and strengthened for your responsibilities. By taking time to periodically observe a day of rest, you will be physically stronger and mentally sharper. You will be better equipped to accomplish your goals and purposes than if you did not take the time to rest.

 

Listen to your Creator in regards to the importance of rest. Your Heavenly Fathers knows what is best for His children.

 


 

Jun26

Your Family History

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I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

What we have heard and known,

What our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children,

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

His power, the wonders he has done…

Which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children…

So the next generations would know them,

Even the children yet to be born,

And they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their trust in God

And would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78: 2b-7 (NIV)

 

Every family has a story. The threads of your family’s story are woven together like a richly adorned tapestry, from one generation to the next. It is important to pass down your family history so that your children, grandchildren…and even the children yet to be…will know the roots from which they are born and the foundation upon which their lives are built.

More importantly, children need to hear their parents and grandparents discuss the evidence of God’s hand upon their lives. They need to hear the stories of the wondrous ways in which God has intervened for their family and the miracles that He has performed in their behalf. Hearing your discussion about God’s provision, protection, healing, guidance and love is a verbal affirmation of His significance in your life. Your testimony is vital to helping your children place their trust in God.

How will your children ever know this information

about their heritage if you don’t share it with them personally?

In the Old Testament there are many accounts concerning the “family history” of the Children of Israel, the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and their story is recorded for us to read.  God knew the importance of this type of storytelling, and He gave the Children of Israel specific instructions concerning this, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.”  (Deuteronomy 11: 18 – 21)

As children of God, we are also part of this family, and we too can learn from these accounts. Not only do the stories include examples where God blessed those who followed His commands, but likewise there are many narratives explaining the consequences His people suffered when they failed to obey God’s commands. We learn from both examples. God gave clear instructions about how His people should live, and He told them,  “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Not only will your children benefit from hearing about the times God has blessed you for your obedience, but they can also learn from your mistakes.  There may be examples in your life where you chose a path which led you away from God.  Perhaps you suffered consequences as a result of those choices.  Sharing these types of stories with your children will help prevent them from making the same types of mistakes in their own lives.  It will also help them remember the importance of following God’s plan for their lives, so that they can avoid the pitfalls which come from following a different path.  It’s possible that your story might even provide a roadmap back to God if your child has veered from His path.

The example you set for your children will be the one they follow in passing this legacy down to their children…and all the children of your family yet to be born.  Remember the grand purpose of these types of discussions:  to help your children place their trust in God, to understand His vital role in their lives, and to remember the wondrous ways He has intervened in their lives.  The results will go down in eternal history!

Jun15

Wonderfully Made

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For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
   were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

You are an original masterpiece of God. No one else on earth is just like you. Your Heavenly Father knit you together in your mother’s womb per His special design for you. You are hand crafted by Him, and He considers you to be His wonderful work. Your life is a miracle of God.

God knows every detail about you ~ inside and out ~ how many hairs are on your head, how many eyelashes are on your eyelids, the rhythm of your heart, even how many tears you have shed in your lifetime. He knows your thoughts and your dreams, your strengths and weaknesses. Nothing about your life is ever hidden from Him.

He wrote the story of your life…from once upon a time to happily ever after… and every moment in between. He is your author and creator, and He wants you to trust Him with all the intricate details of your life.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Jun12

He Calls the Stars by Name

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Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens;

Who created all these things?

He who brings out the starry host one by one

And calls them each by name;

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

Not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 40:26

God is almighty and all-powerful. No one can even begin to understand or comprehend the breadth of his infinite knowledge, and no person or thing can be compared to Him. We are limited to our understanding of God by what we experience of Him on earth. There aren’t enough words on our planet to allow us to adequately describe His boundless capabilities.

The same God who created the stars and calls them each by name is the same God who created you.  He knows you by name and fashioned you with a unique and special purpose. No one else on the planet is just like you, and no one else can carry out the plan He has in mind for your life. He cares for you personally.

He loved you before the beginning of time…before He placed the stars in the sky.

All around the earth are reminders to you of God’s character and capabilities. Ask Him to open your eyes to His marvelous wonders, and invite Him to show you the unending depth and breadth of His love for you. Just like the stars…He calls you by name, and you are never missing from His sight.

He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.

Psalm 147: 4 – 5

Jun11

Unsearchable Knowledge

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‘Call to me and I will answer you

And tell you great and

Unsearchable

Things you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3(NIV1984)

 

With the internet at our fingertips, we can quickly and easily search for the answers to most any question that crosses our mind. Internet searches can be used in place of dictionaries, encyclopedias, phone books, recipe books, newspapers, maps, magazines, or most any type of reference material you can imagine.

A quick inquiry for a listing of “search engines” reveals that there are hundreds of options available to assist you in your quest for knowledge from the internet. There are search engines to help you with general information, medicine, law, accounting, books, movies, news, finance, business, school, jobs, real estate, and shopping to name a few. In fact, the Google search engine has become so popular that the term “Google” has found its place in our dictionaries as a verb: “to search the Internet for (information on a person, organization, etc.)” In our home, you will often hear us say, “Let’s Google that” to mean that we should look something up on the internet.

While the vast internet seems to have an endless supply of information available at the click of a mouse, there is a type of knowledge that can’t be “Googled.” This type of information is unsearchable
in human terms. This class of unsearchable knowledge is the divine wisdom from our Heavenly Father, which can only be revealed by God’s supernatural inspiration. Our questions about making the right decisions, doing the right thing, taking the right path in our life’s journey, choosing the right occupation, or finding our purpose in life, are all in the competent realm of God’s holy “search engine.”

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are my ways higher than your ways

And my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9

Understanding how to tap into this heavenly help is important. By spending time reading God’s Word and talking with Him in prayer, you will begin to discern His holy guidance in your life. Sometimes He will reveal His answers to your questions through scripture, and other times He will use people around you to speak His answers into your life. The Bible instructs us about how to gain His knowledge:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

Who gives generously to all without finding fault,

And it will be given to him.”

James 1:5

 

God’s wisdom is available for anyone…you simply have to ask for it. In the same way that you must type in your query to search the internet, you must tap into the Heavenly Father in order to search for His knowledge. His simple, “user-friendly” instructions are as follows: 1.) Ask, 2.) Seek, 3.) Knock

 

“Ask and it will be given to you;

Seek and you will find;

Knock and the door will be opened to you. “

Matthew 7:7

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: “Here am I…”
Isaiah 58:9

 

Jun10

My Heart Will Not Fear

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The Lord is the light of my salvation-

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life-

Of whom shall I be afraid?

Though an army besiege me,

My heart will not fear,

Though war break out against me,

Even then will I be confident.

Psalm 27: 1, 3

 

God does not lack the power to bring order to a chaotic world…or a chaotic life. You may not be engaged in a physical war, but you may feel besieged by a battle you are facing in your personal life. Your struggle could be a medical crisis, a relational rift, a financial stress or an internal trial. Regardless of which type of war is breaking out against you, you can find the strength to endure by placing your trust in the One who is the light of your salvation and the stronghold of your life. With God by your side, you can face any situation with courage and confidence…and without fear.

Jun9

A Forever Love

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He who builds his lofty palace in the heavens
   and sets its foundation on the earth,
Who calls for the waters of the sea
   and pours them out over the face of the land—
   the LORD is his name.

Amos 9:6

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (Ephesians 1: 3 – 6 MSG)

You are God’s beloved child. He knew you ~ and loved you ~ before He created the world. Despite any mistakes you might have made, He still considers you to be His treasured possession. Take time today to thank Him for His unchangeable, unending and unfathomable love for you.