Discouragement Robs Promises

Romans 4:20-21 “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

If we choose to only look at our circumstances we will be filled with discouragement. If we look at our circumstances and see God in the middle of it all, we have hope. So, when you are feeling hopeless go to God’s word and read his promises. His promises are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” No matter how lonely, forgotten, and lost you feel remember that you are never too far gone as long as you have faith in the ONE who created you.

Abba Father, thank you for always being right were I need you. You are the reason for my hope, peace, and joy. Thank you for your promises that bring hope to my weary soul. I know that no matter what I face You are there and will continue to draw me near to you. Thank you for loving me through the hard times in life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Praise Your Rescuer

Psalm 35:10 “With every bone in my body I will praise him: ‘LORD, who can compare with your? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?'”

The entire time we live on Earth we are learning how to praise God. Through all our trials we find our footing in Jesus Christ. When we put our trust in ourselves or our loved ones we are relying on earthly things that will disappear, but when we praise and rely on God nothing can compare. God is love, so rely on Him when you are hurting, lost, and alone. He rescues us and gives us the strength we need to face and overcome the hard things in life. He is our protector who brings peace when we feel as if we cannot go on.

Abba Father, thank you for being my everything. Thank you for being my strength when times are tough and for being a place of rest for my weary soul. Father, continue to help me find peace in the storms, love in the challenges, grace to forgive, and a grateful heart through it all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Are You Blind?

Acts 9:8 “Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.”

So often in life we get so focused on what we want, or what we think we deserve, that we become blind to what God wants for us. We become blind to the things that we are doing that cause harm to another. Our wants and desires become a priority, but at what cost? Take an honest look at yourself, what you are doing, and how you treat the people in your life. Ask God for the wisdom to see areas where selfish desires are clouding your words and actions. Are you showing the ones you love that they matter or are you blind?

Abba Father, open my eyes and allow me to see areas in my life where my mouth says one thing and my words and actions say another. These have become blind spots in my life. Remove the scales from my eyes and bring others into my life to lead me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sister, when troubles come our way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

So often in life we are quick to blame the evil one for that hard things. We need to remember that although God does not cause the hard things He does allow them. This is hard to wrap our heads around because somethings we face is life are horrible and I don’t want to minimize that pain. God does take these hard things and uses them to grow us. When the hard things are over and we are on the other side we are stronger and wiser. Through these tough times we learn perseverance, patience, and steadfastness. All of these qualities are considered Christ like. When we turn our hardships into learning our character changes and we are better because of them. So, when we face hard times, not if but when, we can consider it pure joy trusting that in the end we will be made whole and new.

Gracious and Loving Father, I am sorry for the times I have not trusted you and I have doubted your love for me. Help me remember that I cannot have joy if I do not have sorrow. I cannot have peace if I do not know unrest. As I walk through the trials of life walk beside me and strengthen me helping me remember that You are always good and You will use all of my trials for Your glory. Give me the tools to walk the path you have laid before me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Run Don’t Walk

Acts 8:29-30 “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage.’ Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?'”

Philip didn’t walk over when the Holy Spirit spoke, he ran. Oh how I want to be like Philip. When the Holy Spirit speaks I want to run yet, in reality I am reluctant to respond. I often let the voice of fear, worry, and doubt keep me from running in the direction God is prompting me to go. Following God’s plan can feel lonely and frightening but, when we totally trust Him we can walk in freedom. Sometimes Go’s plan takes us down a path that can seem to be a demotion yet, in the end God will be glorified.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have ignored your prompting. Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to move. I want to go where you want me to be and once I am there give m eat wisdom to speak truth into the hearts and lives of those in my path. Give me the courage to speak truth in love and to run not walk when you call. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Connected

Philippians 4:8-9 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Our hearts and our minds rule everything about us, how we feel and think. When our heart is off we feel lonely and depressed. When our thinking is off we feel worthless and unloved. When we accepted Christ as our savior we became a new creation. A creation that is loved beyond our imagination. We need to get our hearts and minds right so that we can live the life Christ died for us to have. We are to guard our hearts and minds by staying connected to Christ and to Christ followers. We cannot live this life without other Christian breathing into us. God tells us to stay connected with Him and other believers. Allow God to give you peace by staying connected.

Father, thank you for all you do everyday. Help me to see areas of my life that are not aligned with Your plan and give me the strength to change. Bring faith filled people into my life to breathe encouragement and honesty into my life. Forgive me for the times when I question Your love and open my heart to received what you have for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Actions and Words

Proverbs 3:3 “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”

Meditating on God’s word changes lives. God’s word has the power to change you life and in doing so the lives of those around you. When we allow God’s kindness to leave us people know and feel His presence. We need to continually be connected to God so, we put God’s word in our hearts and are reminded of His great love that we are to pass to those in our lives. When we pass this love we need to start with the ones closest to us because sometimes they can be the hardest to love.

Father, thank you for teaching me what love is. Thank you for your never failing grace, love, and mercy. You are my rock and my reason for living. Father, help me to live a life worthy of Your death. Help my actions and my attitude measure up and show loving, kindness to all those in my life and whose path I cross. Help me to not grow weary. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Hidden Treasure

Proverbs 2:3-4 “Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.”

When you feel lost, seek understanding through God’s word. Often times we look to the world and try to understand what is going on when what we really need is to cry out to God. When we turn to God, He is faithful and just. He wants nothing more than a relationship with you. Seek Him and you will find all kinds of hidden treasures. These treasures come filled with promise and hope.

Father in Heaven, Thank you for Your Word which is filled with treasures and gives me hope. Through Your treasures I gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Thank you for listening when I cry out to you. Help me cry to You in everything I do. Forgive me for the times when I get in the way. Help me trust and surrender all to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Grace and Honor

Proverbs 1:8-9 “My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.”

Remember the lessons you learn from your elders. These lessons are meant to make you wise. When we listen and learn from others we are gaining wisdom. Knowledge is plentiful where wisdom is scarce. We gain knowledge through reading books and looking thing up on the World Wide Web yet, wisdom is learned through experience. So, listen to those who have gone before you, made mistakes, and learned the lesson; this is wisdom.

Abba Father, thank you for your words of wisdom that teach morals, values, love, and kindness. Father, I want the crown of grace that comes only from You. Help me to listen to correction and instruction. Help me to share the lessons I have learned and been taught. Thank you for Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Foundation

Psalm 127:1-2 “Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Useless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do not good. It is useless for you to wrk so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

Where are your feet planted? Do you lean and rely on God for strength? All we do needs to be rooted on a firm foundation. That foundation is Jesus Christ. When we rely on Him and turn to Him we are assured to be on stable ground. When we are on the stable ground of Jesus we can rest in His presence knowing everything will work according to His beautiful plan.

Abba Father, thank you for being a rock on which I can stand. Thank you for being my strength. I know that without you as my firm foundation I will fall. Father, thank you for the gift of family and friends that support me, encourage me, and hold me accountable, showing love, grace, and forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen