Encouragement for Today

 

        Today's blog is a combination of encouraging finds that have lifted me up in some way over the past few weeks.  I hope that your heart is encouraged because we are all either in a storm that is testing us, or are about to be in a storm that we don't expect, or have just weathered a storm and can see God's faithfulness once again.

       From Louie Giglio.."I wait for the Lord to help me. I trust His word. — Psalm 130:5

The seahorse is a tiny fish that lives in the oceans.  It’s called a seahorse because its head looks like the head of — you guessed it — a tiny horse. This unusual creature often swims with another seahorse, and they link their tails to stay together. It also swims “standing up” and tries to blend in with nearby plants so it doesn’t get eaten. Because of its body shape, the seahorse isn’t a very good swimmer. So rather than go out hunting for food, seahorses use their tails like anchors, holding on to a piece of sea grass or coral. They then wait for food — plankton and tiny crustaceans — to drift by so they can suck it up with their long snouts.  With its poor swimming and its tendency to stay in one spot, the seahorse isn’t going to win any races. But God has given it everything it needs: a way to get food, someone to swim through life with, and something to hold on to. God promises the same to you. The Bible says, 

God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. — Philippians 4:19 

God provides you with food and shelter, Jesus to swim through life with, and the promises of His Word to hold on to. Like the seahorse, you may sometimes have to hold on and wait for God to deliver His promises — but He always will, and at just the perfect time.

Help me, Lord, to wait for Your perfect timing. And while I wait, teach me to live the way You want me to. I will follow You!

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Another from Louie Giglio..."If God is for us, who can be against us? — Romans 8:31

 

The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?” You could answer that one. Who is against you? Disease, inflation, corruption, exhaustion. Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul’s question, “Who can be against us?” we could list our foes much easier than we could fight them. But that is not the question. The question is, If GOD is for us, who can be against us?

 

Indulge me for a moment. Four words in this verse deserve your attention. Read slowly the phrase, “God is for us.” Please pause for a minute before you continue. Read it again, aloud. (My apologies to the person next to you.) God is for us. Repeat the phrase four times, this time emphasizing each word. (Come on, you’re not in that big of a hurry.)

 

God is for us.

 

God is for us.

 

God is for us.

 

God is for us.

 

God is for you. Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you, but within reach of your prayers is the Maker of the oceans. God!

 

God is for you. Not “may be,” not “has been,” not “was,” not “would be,” but “God is!” He is for you. Today. At this hour. At this minute. As you read this sentence. No need to wait in line or come back tomorrow. He is with you. He could not be closer than He is at this second. His loyalty won’t increase if you are better nor lessen if you are worse. He is for you.

 

God is for you. Turn to the sidelines; that’s God cheering your run. Look past the finish line; that’s God applauding your steps. Listen for Him in the bleachers, shouting your name. Too tired to continue? He’ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He’s picking you up. God is for you.

 

God is for you. Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If there’s a tree in heaven, he’s carved your name in the bark. We know He has a tattoo, and we know what it says.

 

‘I have engraved you on the palms of my hands,” He declares. — Isaiah 49:16

 

God is with you. Knowing that, who is against you? Can death harm you now? Can disease rob your life? Can your purpose be taken or your value diminished? No. Though hell itself may set itself against you, no one can defeat you. You are protected. God is with you.

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“Give ear to my words, O Lord.
Consider my meditation.
Harken unto the voice of my cry,
My King and my God.
For unto Thee will I pray
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.
O Lord, in the morning
Will I direct my prayer
Unto Thee and will look up.” Psalm 5:1-3

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From Lysa Terkeurst..."Bad things happen. Evil occurs. Tragedies crash in. At least for me and maybe for you, too, when suffering thrusts me to my knees, when the enemy causes me to be hemmed in on every side, when temptation comes, when false accusations arise, these questions start to percolate…

What’s going on in my heart?
What’s in my head?
What do I truly believe?
Where do I put my trust?
Where is my security?
What is coming out of my mouth?
What is coming out in my actions?
What is my steadfast determination?

I don’t want to stumble, or waver, or recede in my faith when storms rage and I bet you don’t either. We don’t want to wobble and get lured in temptation because it’ll just make things so very much worse.

Then, after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. — James 1:15

Jesus redirects the temptation of the enemy with the Word of God.  In those shaken, or grief-stricken, or confused, or tempted places, we need the Word of God. Jesus was our example for this. We need to read the Word, know the Word, speak the Word, and let it permeate our lives and our choices.  If we aren’t digging deep to seek the source of Living Water, to seek the Word of God for ourselves, we will not have the grounding necessary to stand strong when the world’s ways try to pull us down. 

We long for what we look at and linger on. We steer where we stare. Where is that? What’s the focus? Is it on the One who loves us the most?

Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. — Matthew 4:10

Doubts are normal, disappointment is expected, questions and worries are par for the course. But, in that crux of temptation, we must stay connected to the Word of God. Talk back to temptation using God’s own Words. Lean on God with all our strength. Use Scripture to speak to our thinking, doubt our doubts, and be renewed in our minds.

God knows best. He can be trusted. Seek Him. And, stay with Him.

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Notes that caught my attention...

"Fear is evidence of an eroded trust in God."  As for myself, I never want others to see me as not fully trusting God, but to only see my fears as my lack of patience.  I want to see my fears as room for growth and that God is still working on me.

2 Corinthians 4:15-17  "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

As for myself, I need to consider what's really on my heart.  Not if, but since God is working for my good, why am I not counting all of this joy?

Kingdom minded means there is a purpose for my pain on this side of eternity.

As for myself, I need to be as willing to suffer for God's purposes, as Jesus was for me.

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I hope and pray that you've been encouraged today for God's plan for you.