Tag Archives: Encouragement

Jan9

A Fresh Start

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fireplace in snow

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

With the fresh start of a New Year, it’s a great feeling to visualize the year ahead as a “clean slate” ~  a brand new period of time in which we can aspire to achieve certain goals, a renewed time of enthusiasm and expectations.  We look forward to the coming months with eager anticipation about what the next 365 days will bring.

The beginning of a New Year is also a good time to ask God to “clean house” in our hearts.  As we seek God’s desire in our lives for the coming year, we should also ask Him to clean our hearts and renew our spirits.  Perhaps there’s a build-up of sin in our lives that could hinder our efforts for Him.  There could be bitterness lodged in the cracks and crevices.  A thick coating of an unforgiving nature might be smothering our spirit.  There might be harmful habits or relationships that should be purged.    Or perhaps we are constantly replaying negative thoughts or lies in our minds that need to be erased.  Regardless of what type of cleansing is necessary, God is well-equipped to handle it.

The same God who created the heavens and earth can create a clean heart in you.  No matter how deep the “dirt” and “grime” might be in your life, your heavenly Father is capable of wiping it clean.  So call on God for some “housekeeping services” as we begin the new year.  Ask Him to create a clean heart in you.  After the thorough heart cleansing, your spirit will be renewed, refreshed, revived and ready for action in the year ahead.

Dec30

God of Hope

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May the God of Hope

Fill you with all

Joy and Peace

As you trust in Him,

So that you may overflow with Hope

By the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Cardinals Cold Toes

Do you need encouragement today?  The words of today’s verse offer Joy and Peace to those who place their trust in the living “God of Hope.”

Another passage refers to this living hope:

 [Praise to God for a Living Hope] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3
 

So no matter what sort of trial you may be facing in your life, if you are a child of God, you have a living hope inside of you through your faith in Jesus Christ.  With Christ, you have the power to “overflow with Hope.”

Today, instead of focusing on whatever problems you may see in your path, turn your thoughts to our God of Hope and ask Him to fill you with Joy and Peace to the point that you are bubbling over and overflowing with Hope.  Your problems will fade in comparison to the peace and joy you feel in God’s presence.

Peace, Joy and Overflowing Hope be to you!

Nov22

Happy Thanksgiving

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“Enter His gates with Thanksgiving
    and His courts with praise;
    give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;
    His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:  4 – 5 NIV

God is Good.  His love for you will never end.  He is faithful and dependable, and His promises never fail.

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.”  

Psalm 107:8 NIV

Nov21

Giving Thanks

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“I will praise God’s name in song

and glorify Him with Thanksgiving.”

Psalm 69:30 NIV

 

At this time of giving Thanks, remember to thank the One from Whom all our blessings flow.

 

 

 

Nov17

The Big Picture

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God made my life complete

when I placed all the pieces before Him.

2 Samuel 22:21 (MSG)

My sons and I recently worked on a 1000 piece puzzle together.  We spent many hours over a period of several weeks slowly piecing the puzzle together.  First we began with the border of the huge puzzle, then worked our way inward.  The closer we got to completing our project, the more excited we were about seeing the end result.   We each wanted to be the one who fitted the very last piece in its place.  It was amazing to watch how the picture took shape from fitting together hundreds of tiny pieces.  In the end, we were all disappointed to realize that we were missing a few of our pieces.  We had worked so diligently, for so many hours,  only to find out that we couldn’t complete the picture without those pieces.

The verse above tells us that God wants to make our lives complete, but He can only accomplish this if we give Him ALL the pieces.  Our Heavenly Father sees the grand picture of our lives, and He knows exactly which pieces fit together perfectly.  If we withhold any part of our lives from Him, we will never know the beauty of the complete picture  as designed by our Creator.   Trust Him to know what is best for you.  Place all your “pieces” before Him today, and allow Him to make your life complete.

Jul9

Unfamiliar Paths

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I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth. 
These are the things I will do;
    I will not abandon them.

Isaiah 42:16

 

This passage brings hope to those who may be walking an unfamiliar path in life, blindly forging ahead on uncharted territory.  This dark path could be the result of unemployment, illness, divorce, disability, mounting debt, addiction, or the loss of a loved one.  You may have found yourself in a position as a caregiver, patient, single parent, or widow, and you feel as though you are blindly groping through each day, with no direction or guidance. 

 

But for those who trust in God, He promises to light the steps ahead.  He will take you by the hand and guide you through this journey.  With Him by your side, you will not stumble.  Your Heavenly Father will carry you when you are too weak to move ahead on your own strength.  He will make the rough places smooth, and He will never abandon you.  Simply trust in Him; His promises are true, and He will help you.

 

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed 
    and gives food to the hungry. 
The Lord sets prisoners free, 
8     the Lord gives sight to the blind, 
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, 
    the Lord loves the righteous. 
9 The Lord watches over the alien 
    and sustains the fatherless and the widow…

Psalm 146: 5-9 

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


 

Jul1

Peace for Today

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Peace I leave with you;

My peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV1984)

 

Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles;

It takes away today’s peace.

(Author unknown)

 

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV1984)

 


 

Jun5

Heavenly Help

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God is within her,

She will not fall;

God will help her

At the break of day.

Psalm 46:5

 

As the sun rises today, do you find yourself desperately in need of God’s help? Perhaps you are in turmoil over financial worries, or possibly you are navigating though a tumultuous period with a rebellious teen. Your struggle could be due to the heartache of marital distress, or you might be exhausted from battling a ravaging disease or illness. Maybe you are at a crossroad in your life, and you are struggling over a major decision. No matter what type of battle you are facing, if you are a child of God, He is ready and willing to help you. In Isaiah 41: 13 He reminds us, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.'” Take hold of your Heavenly Father’s outstretched hand. Accept the help He wants to provide.

 

Let go of your cares and worries and relax in the arms of your Savior. Receive His peace. Stop trying to fight life’s battles on your own. Allow Him to take the lead. Rest in the assurance that He will help you, and His promises are true. “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 46:9), and
He is BIG enough to handle your personal “war.”

 

In the midst of your turmoil He says to you, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) At this moment, be still before your Heavenly Father. Accept His peace…and His help. Feel His divine presence within you. Right now, take hold of His hand…He will not let you fall.

Feb21

My Lips are Concealed

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My Lips are Concealed


Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

But only what is helpful for building others up

According to their needs,

That it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV, ©2010)

 

I rummaged through my purse in the seat next to me as I sat waiting for the traffic light to turn green. My lips were dry and cracking from the bitterly cold conditions, and I was trying to find my chap stick for quick relief. The light turned green, and traffic began to move. With my eyes now on the road, I kept blindly feeling for the tiny tube as I accelerated with the flow of cars.

Instead of the Chap Stick, I came upon what I thought was my lip gloss. Thankful for anything that could provide relief to my irritated lips, I grabbed the tube from the bottom of my purse. Still watching the road ahead, I unscrewed the cap and used the sponge applicator to rub the moist balm on my mouth.

At the next traffic light, I looked in the rear view mirror to check my application of lip gloss. Something did not feel quite right, and I wondered what was wrong. To my surprise, when I looked in the mirror I realized that I had applied ivory toned concealer instead of lip gloss. My lips were now the same color as the skin surrounding them!

As I looked for a tissue to wipe away my mistake, I thought about the fact that sometimes it would be best if my lips really were concealed, or better yet – sealed! I recalled many times when being silent would have been a much better choice than speaking my mind. The reflection in my mirror reminded me that I frequently speak harshly to my husband or children and say things to them that I would never say to others outside my home. When stressed or frustrated, I submit to the urge to “say the last word” during an argument. More often than not the “last word” should be eliminated from my vocabulary. There are other times when the problem might be the tone I use to speak to my loved ones; in other words, it’s not what I say, but rather how I say it.

The Bible has many lessons on how we should talk to others and the types of conversations we should be having with them. Here are a few verses to meditate upon concerning our speech:

 

  • Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning… Proverbs 10:13

  • When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

  • The lips of the righteous nourish many…Proverbs 10:21

  • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

  • He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

  • A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

  • But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36

If we all hit the pause button on our lips and think about these instructions, we can live more harmoniously with our families, friends, co-workers, acquaintances…even strangers who cross our paths. More importantly, our testimony will not be tarnished by the use of careless words. Stop and think about the visual of “concealed lips” before you snap back with a quick response to someone in your “line of fire.” Use words that build up, rather than tear down.  You never know when your kind words may be life-changing for someone.  Choose to sow peace with your words, rather than anger.

…my lips are concealed. J