5.11.16
It is when we are full of God’s courage that we feel we are able to accomplish anything with His help. Today we will look at two words encouragement and discouragement. We know that the opposite of courage is discouragement, and both of these are powerful forces. Discouragement has the power to paralyze someone from moving forward. It has the power the keep you unmotivated, and tempt you to wallow in the past. Today we will look at how we must guard our hearts against discouragement.
Names of God Bible
If your heart is in a place of discouragement, I want to encourage you today to look up and know that He is well able to pull you out of that place and bring courage back to your heart. Release your care and hold fast to His loving hands and you will be made courageous!
5.10.16
Psalm 62:5 HCSB
God’s desire is for us to stay in a place of rest for it is there that we are able to live refreshed and drawing upon Him. It is there that our hearts, minds and bodies are kept in check. It is there that there is strength and peace beyond any comprehension exists. If we are honest with ourselves we need to admit there are times when we are pushing the boundaries of our bodies and minds beyond what they are created to endure. It is God’s plan and desire for us to live on this earth drawing upon His grace and strength and we purpose to do His will. We need to return to His rest that He desires for us.
I am totally sold out in believing that God wants us to live in a place of rest that ONLY He provides. How precious are the words that David wrote in Psalm 23…He makes me to lie down in green pastures and He restores our soul.
5.9.16
A little observation I made of my little recovering “feathered friend” was how she sat so quietly and was cautious not to move until she knew she could. She just kept still, observed quietly what was going on and waited till the right moment. She knew exactly the right time to try and fly again. It seemed that she just knew when she had her bearings back, and she opened her wings and took flight.
in the world’s way.
I’m trying to get your way,
your Word’s way.
I’m staying on your trail;
I’m putting one foot
In front of the other.
I’m not giving up.”
5.8.16
God is great and all His works are to be greatly praised. From the time that He created the Heavens and Earth to this very day, He continues to show Himself mighty and His wonders never cease. When I think of how great our God is, I realize that our understanding is limited because He is God, and everything about Him is beyond the bounds of human comprehension!! Today we look at our God that we serve, and how He is a God that is boundless! I just want to share a few scriptures with you to think upon relative to this word ~boundless~.
Psalm 147:5
“Great is our Lord and of great power;
His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless.”
~~~~~
Ephesians 6:10
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord
[be empowered through your union with Him];
draw your strength from Him [that strength
which His boundless might provides].“
~~~~~
“Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)!
By His boundless mercy we have been born
again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
Today I encourage to allow Him to show you His boundless mercy, His boundless might and His boundless understanding which is inexhaustible! How great is our God!
5. 7.16
Sometimes life can become so hectic that we do not realize that are souls are no longer quiet before Him. There may be times that we need to hear from Him, and our days just seem to fill up with “things” before we know it. These “things” really are important and needful to take care of but let us guard over the most important thing, and that is our fellowship with our loving Heavenly Father. Let us be watchful for this is the area in which we permit our days to rule us rather than God’s peace and quietness ruling our hearts. We don’t even notice that our peace is slipping away until everything seems to swirl around us, and our souls are no longer quiet. If we are not careful we could miss His gentle voice that so desires to fellowship with us, and give us the direction that we need. We serve a very big God but more times than not His voice is sweet, and His voice comes in a whisper.
” And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;
And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.”
Today let us purpose in knowing that our hearts are quieted before Him. I believe even in the midst of the loud voice of the demands in our lives that we can maintain our hearts, and keep them at peace that we can hear His voice no matter what is going on around us.
“Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.”
5.6.16
“No other god is like you.
We’re safer with you
than on a high mountain.”
As we look to Him as our Rock, we no longer stand in places that shake or can be moved but we can stand on that which brings us strength and security. I loved the one definition of rock that I found. It said to be lulled in security and hope. When one is lulled they are soothed and quieted. I could not help but to think of times when my sons were little and they would come and just be comforted as I held them tightly and prayed over them. We too can run to Him in those times that we are shaken and our soul will be quieted. As we sit at His feet we can be assured that He will calm us from our anxieties and strengthen the faith in our heart. Thank Him today that He is able to hold you and keep you, for He is the God that is seated in High Places that are secure and never moved!
Amplified Bible
“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him…”
5.5.16
“Abundant peace belongs to those
who love Your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.”
The second part of Psalm 119:165 says that “nothing makes them stumble.” When we are so full of God’s peace, we will be able to rise above things that would be trying to pull our hearts into being offended and stumbling. Offense can have power over our souls as it can cause us to be unforgiving and we could end up a bitter person.
This great peace that the psalmist is speaking of is not the peace that the world gives. This peace comes from the God of still waters that lives within you, and He promises to flood your soul with it. This peace is the peace that passes all human comprehension. It is above and beyond all we dare imagine. Today I encourage you to think about the God in Heaven that desires for His abundant peace to permeate your soul! As you love His instruction you will have abundant peace.
5.4.16
“Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word
The Lord lifts us up and faithfully ministers His strength to us. Day by day He pours forth an abundant supply of joy and strength for our day. Let us be ready to give it to those around us as He provides us opportunities. God wants us to be givers not hoarders of all the blessings He has imparted to us.
Proverbs 11:24
Living Bible
“It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.”
5.3.16
2 Peter 1:3 The Voice
“His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue.”
5.2.16
*an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay:
I remember a few years ago this conversation with my oldest Granddaughter and it still makes me chuckle when I think about it. We were hitting a lot of traffic and it seemed like forever till we were reaching the donut shop. I began to say, “Remember! we need to be patient!…and what does patience mean?” My granddaughter said, “I know, I know, it’s waiting with a happy heart but sometimes I don’t do patience!” I have to be honest with you that when she said that I almost cracked up laughing. I love how children are just so bluntly honest at times. I just had to chuckle and I replied, “You know what? Some days I don’t do patience either.”
Let’s all be honest with ourselves… we all have those days that we do not do patience real well, and it ends up causing us to be annoyed, upset, etc… In the book of James he wrote and exhorted us in the importance of allowing patience to have it’s perfect work. I used to wonder how James could write and tell us to “Count it all joy when you fall into various tests and trials…”
James 1:2-4 The Voice
This scripture reminds me to thank God that our faith can blossom even under the pressures that may seem unpleasant. He will be faithful to teach us true patience that we can cross the finish line! So today I encourage you to be patient in all things or may I say “Wait with a happy heart!”
This is a good way of teaching the kids to forgive each other(Matt. 5:7). I like the power of this gentle scripture and lesson… Thanks!!
thank you Lisa for sharing. I am blessed that this was a blessing to you!
Ralph &I are really enjoying your devotional together.
So glad this is blessing you both!
Oh, what a wonderful reminder! I want to break the magnifing glass of worry and trust God for each step I take.
It is interesting Selena how the more we worry the bigger and more magnified things get in our minds. Oh how important it is to trust our God for the smallest of things! Thank you for sharing!