INSPIRATION & ENCOURAGEMENT
~"When the Bible says God is compassionate, it means he feels our hurting hearts. He knows our suffering." (Jennifer Rothschild). He understands your struggle, and he promises to walk with you through it all.
~You wonder why you’re stuck in traffic, why you lost 10 minutes looking for your phone, or why the door isn’t opening on that new job. Think of it this way. Maybe your delay was God’s protection, His plan, His perfect timing.
~If you’re sitting there wondering how God could love you, how He could forgive you after what you’ve done, remember that He loved the thief on the cross. The thief believed that Jesus was the Son of God and he joined Christ in Heaven that day, just as He promised. [Man on the Middle Cross, Rhett Walker]
~We have the power through Christ take captive every lie that the enemy throws at us. You are worthy because of mercy!
~Maybe you hate confrontation or standing out in the crowd. Maybe you’re thinking, “It is so much easier to just go with the flow and do what everybody else is doing.” Well, as Christian we have to go in a different direction. We have to follow the narrow path and swim upstream like the salmon. To do that we have to let God lead and tap into the power that is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Greg Laurie
~If you’ve been blindsided by life, remember that God is with you in this unwelcome season. He still has great plans for you. Don’t stay stuck looking back. Put one foot in front of the other because your best days are ahead of you with God’s healing.
~It is humbling to hear the stories of how God transforms people’s lives. My story may not be like your story, but our hearts are identical when we’re changed by his grace! Let’s celebrate that! [Changed, Jordan Feliz]
~God’s timing is perfect! The Bible says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for everything under heaven." He has already made a way for you. In the right time and at the right place, He will cause it to all come together. Share your perfect timing story with us.
~Never estimate what God can do. Never underestimate what you can do through his strength. That’s faith and trust in his promises.
~Is there a barrier between you and Jesus? Remember that he can cross any of them. Jesus walked on the sea to reach his disciples in a boat. He can find his way to you! (Matthew 14:25)
~You have a friend who will never give up on you and will always be by your side. His name is Jesus…
~"A thousand moments I had taken for granted, mostly because I assumed there would be a thousand more." (Morgan Matson) Treasure each moment as the gift from God that they are.
~I love this reminder! Don't pray with words like: "I wish." "I hope." "I think." Pray with words like: "I know." "I trust." "I believe." And, no matter the answer say Hallelujah anyway! [Hallelujah Anyway – Rend Collective]
~The closeness we experience with God is unlike any other thing in this world. It’s the kind of closeness that comforts us with wisdom and truth, when we can’t see past what is in front of us. --LysaTerKeurst
~Maybe you’re watching your child struggle with a chronic condition and you're praying for healing. Bart Millard encourages you that “even if He went silent and never said another word, He's still worthy to be praised and that He's our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.” [Even If, MercyMe]
~It’s amazing how we don’t realize that we’re living in a prison of our own making until the light of Christ shines through the bars and the chains break. Be the one holding the flashlight.
~When you look back over your life, you can see the glimpses of God, those intersections along the journey where he paved over the potholes, carried you over the canyons, or just held you in the dark. He was always there, leading you, drawing you to His Son, Jesus, showing you his glory.
~How many times do you find yourself at the end of the day and you haven’t spent any time with God? I didn’t open my Bible, listen to a devotional, a message, or even pray out loud in the car? We are God’s children, and the key to family is relationship! We are to worship Him and we can’t do that when our focus is on the kids, the job, all the daily stuff. Let’s take a breath and just worship Him!
~I have so much respect for first responders. They put their lives on the line for complete strangers. Jesus is the ultimate first responder. The Bible says, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”
~When good things happen to us, we see them as blessings, but maybe the hard things we face are also blessings. I can tell you it eases the grief when you think of how God is using those trips through the valley. [Blessings – Laura Story]
~Battling discouragement doesn't mean we're failing. It means we're fighting. Holly Gerth shares, "I used to think success meant never growing weary, but I’ve come to understand it means not giving up. It doesn’t mean feeling strong all the time; it’s seeking God in our weakness. It’s not looking as though we have it all together; it’s knowing God alone holds us together."
~On the days when life feels small, Holly Gerth reminds us that Jesus didn't say, "Well done, good and famous servant." He said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Holly Gerth
~God loves you! You might say that to a lot of people you encounter, but they might doubt you. In fact, Chip Ingram says, “Without doing a thing, we are ALREADY deeply and completely loved by God.” Romans 5:8 tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
~Some encouragement from Chrystal Evans Hurst. She says, “With every breath we take, we inhale another possibility, another moment to honor Him with attitudes and actions that bring Him glory.”
~When you put Jesus first, your life changes, and you’ll change the world around you! [Love God, Love People, Danny Gokey]
~Maybe you're feeling down tonight because the void your person left is vast, and the emptiness washes over you in waves. Well, I want to encourage you with this truth: In every season, even when it’s hard, God is good. Keep your eyes focused on him and he will bring you through this.
~Sometimes we can get caught in the endless scrolling or distractions all around you, but just to take a minute to pause and reflect on the blessings God has given you. [Counting My Blessings, Seth Schlueter]
~The world throws so many things at us that draw us and our kids kids away from God and his truth. – Social media, TV, movies, music. That’s why the Bible warns us, above all else, to “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." [Proverbs 4:23]
~Lord, may we never forget that on our best days, we need you as desperately as we do on our worst days.
~You are God's handiwork, my friend! The Bible says, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! [Philippians 1:6]
~Are you in the middle of the chaos, confusion and deception of the enemy right now? I have been there, and I want to encourage you to hold fast to your faith, pray, and remember that there is power in the name of Jesus.
~God’s light shines in the darkest places and gives us hope, Lord, Jesus, help us to keep our eyes focused on you, and let your light shine through us! We want that light to be so bright on the path we walk that it draws people to you!
~Are you wondering how you got to where you are? Well, take a breath! Lysa TerKeurst reminds us that “we can run our emotions ragged trying to make sense of things that aren’t ever going to make sense in our situation, or we can ask Jesus to show us how to move forward.” One foot in front of the other!
~Two of Satan’s most effective strategies are imitation and infiltration. He will try to stop a work [of God] altogether, but if that isn’t successful, then he will imitate. Greg Laurie says, “In this way, he’s looking to minimize the power and glory of God and neutralize the impact of someone’s life and testimony. That’s why we put on the Armor of God and go into battle daily! No fear!
~Today, let's hold on to hope. Let's profess God's promises over our problems. And let's remember that God carries the weight of making sure His promises are fulfilled. Not us. He is the faithful One. He is the sure One. What a powerful truth to help us keep going. - Lysa TerKeurst
~Powerful stuff here for parents from Shane Pruitt. What do you do when your kids aren’t walking with Jesus? You pray without ceasing. You remember that God loves them even more than you do. You don’t compromise your faith, but you don’t argue. You don’t burn a bridge, so they have a pathway back. Above all, you point to Jesus whenever possible.
~Even as we walk through the valley, we can hold onto the promise of Revelation 21:4. He will wipe away all our tears.
~Do you have that Hallelujah Feeling? That’s the joy and peace that comes from believing. Praying Romans 15:13 over you! “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.”
~Have you been putting off that dream? Letting that gift God gave you wilt on the vine? It’s time to act, to move toward his voice.
~Fear is an entirely natural response to dangerous and confusing situations. But if we’re not careful, it can become a default lens that colors how we see the world. The Lord wants us to trust in Him, and as we do so, fear has less influence over our lives. Lord, even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, because I know you are close beside me. [Psalm 23]
~God pursues us with a love that is immeasurable. If you're running away from Him, stop, and fall into His embrace!
~Imagine how much God delights in raining down blessings on his children. The Bible says, “Give praise to God. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.” Which blessings come to your mind?
~We can’t imagine facing a tragedy until we do. And, we're amazed at the strength God gives us to get to survive it. Pete Greig [Grayg] says, "We pray for miracles, and we want God to airlift us out of our problems, but more often he parachutes in and joins us in the midst of the problem." That's the key. It's the presence of God in the dark times - in the cancer ward, in the breakup of the relationship, in the financial struggle - that becomes our lifeline. Hold on!
~If you’ve ever lost someone, you understand just how precious life is. Every day is a gift. God gives and He takes away, and we won't know why this side of Heaven, but be assured that there is a purpose in the pain. He molds us, stretches us, and walks alongside us as he fulfills His perfect plan. Look up, follow His light, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
~Maybe you feel like God has forgotten about the desires of your heart. You’re thinking, “God, I see you working in other people's lives, but what about me?” Tasha Layton reminds us that “you are never forgotten, never forsaken, never abandoned." God is close to you in this very moment, and he will never let you down.” [Never]
~Did you know you are loved and cherished by the Creator of the universe? What an amazing truth. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap your mind around the enormity of that. Remember that you are cherished and loved by God.
~What keeps your focus off Christ? For me, it’s all the screens. I really want to unplug from technology completely, don’t you? Jesus said he is preparing a place for us in His Father’s House. Our ultimate dream home – better than anything I could imagine binge-watching those home remodeling shows I love. When our thoughts are on Heaven, we can begin to loosen our grip on the trappings of this world and dream bigger!
~We can’t get past our anxiety without knowing that God, who is in control, also loves us and knows what is best for us—always. “Father, help us to let go of our worry and stop being anxious about tomorrow. Teach us to trust in you, knowing you will work all things for good, in line with your purpose and for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.
~There are so many things that I simply forget to take to God, like God doesn’t want to be bothered by small requests. Well, Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” The key word here is ASK.
~Listen to God’s voice. It reminds us that we are loved. It leads us without driving us. It makes us more like Jesus. | Ruth Schwenk, Proverbs 31 Ministries
~When we pause to pray we step from the doorway of discouragement to the pathway of peace. Lysa TerKeurst says, “We trade worry for worship. We magnify God and become less intimidated by our problems. Yes, I want less of my brain power and more of His prayer power in my life.”
~Are you walking in the valley right now? Maybe it feels like the journey will never end. Well, I promise you’ll get to the other side. Keep holding on to God’s promise of a future and a hope!
~God is so good. Lysa TerKeurst reminds us that He is near to us in our heartbreak, and He cares about our despair. Past, present and future, God is still here.
~The pain of grief washes over you in waves. It comes out of the blue in the middle of the day. It’s like a dark cloud that hides the sun for a time. But, remember the light is still there. It shines again when you imagine what it's like for them to be in the presence of God.
~You don’t have to go off the rails to be a prodigal. Sometimes, we just let the space between us and God grow larger and larger until we can’t feel his presence in our lives, we don’t hear his voice nudging us to come home. He never left your side. You turned toward the world, ignoring his love. Are you ready to turn around and run home to his arms?
~Have you been holding back on stepping out on that dream you’ve had? The plan that God has laid out for you? He wants you to fulfill his plan, he called you for a reason, he gave you a purpose. Step out in faith.
~Hey, girls. Do you remember that awkward season growing up, comparing yourself to others and feeling like you weren't good enough? Maybe you're still in that season. Well, I want to encourage you that you are precious in the eyes of God. You don't have to strive for perfection or work hard to get God's love and attention. You are enough just as He made you.
~God is so good to us. He is near to us in our heartbreak, and He cares about our despair. Past, present and future, God is still here.
~Even the little things, the things you never noticed have meaning. Rest in knowing that because of Jesus, everything has purpose in your life. Blessing or hardship, he says he will use it for good.
~Are you walking in the valley right now? Maybe it feels like the journey will never end. Well, I promise you’ll get to the other side. Keep holding on to God’s promise of a future and a hope.
~Jesus, the True Vine
I’m a terrible gardener, so this verse really struck me. Jesus is the true grapevine and God is the gardener. Jesus said he cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit. He prunes the branches that do produce fruit so they produce even more. He says, Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine.
~Thank you Lord for another day. Thank you for your perfect love.
~No matter what your situation is, God sees your tears. He hears your cry. He is mindful of what scares you, stresses you, and saddens you. Jennifer Rothschild reminds us tonight that He not only notices your tears, He knows why they’re falling—and He always responds with concern and care.
~Even in the ashes of grief and tragedy, we can be grateful to God for his blessings.
~Remember the get out of jail free card in the Monopoly board game? My brothers were always sending me to jail and it was great getting that card and getting your life back! That card in real life is God’s love and, his mercy and his grace!
~Remember the get out of jail free card in the Monopoly board game? My brothers were always sending me to jail and it was great getting that card and getting your life back! That card in real life is God’s love and, his mercy and his grace!
~Most of us have regrets from our past. I regret things I have a done and said, but I know God forgives me. He forgives you too. So today, let go of that regret and let God in.
~Most of us have regrets from our past. I regret things I have a done and said, but I know God forgives me. He forgives you too. So today, let go of that regret and let God in.
~Some encouragement from Patsy Clairmont: She says. "We need world-wide miracles. God never said life would be an easy curriculum. But, He did promise to be with us in times of trouble. The resources of heaven cannot be depleted or defeated." So, call on his mercy, walk wise, live brave, and show unwavering love.
~When confusion surrounds you, and the whys consume you, trust God and Praise him even when you don’t understand what He's doing.
~When your heart is heavy, turn to the pages of the Bible. It says, God is the God of all comfort. Lord, thank you! When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.
~When you’re in the depths of pain, grief, or fear, we turn inward. We’re so focused on trying to take the next step forward that we forget to look around and savor the blessings, the moments that God give us. Like a lifeline. Lord, keep me in this moment. [Keep Me in the Moment-Jeremy Camp]
~Hey, regret…guess what? I am a child of the one true king! And His mercies are new every day!
~Are you on fire for Christ??? Billy Graham said, "Don’t forget: Without fuel, a fire grows cold—and without the ‘fuel’ of the Bible, prayer and Christian fellowship, our faith grows cold."
~The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. - John 1:5
~If you need an attitude adjustment, read Proverbs. You’ll find all kinds of wisdom on how we should act – not just as believers – but as humans. This one hit home for me: “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13)
~I see you. You’re in the car listening to the last of the song, thinking about all your worries, trying to making sense of the pain. Well, remember these words from Billy Graham: "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's going to turn out all right."
~Lord, we don’t want to carry our worries into the fresh start of this week. So, we offer them all to You. We give you All of our attempts to figure things out. All of the anxiety of the unknown. we lay it all down - trusting that we have complete access to Your peace today. Amen. (Lysa Teurkerst)
~When you’re in the fight of your life and people wonder how you can get through the day, it’s because we have this faith of a future better than anything we can imagine.
~Reading a commentary from Matthew this morning and it really hit home. Am I serving Christ the way I should? Am I being fruitful? Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same question. The Bible says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Lord, forgive us and burden our hearts to go where you lead, to share our faith and to serve others to glorify you.
~When confusion surrounds you, and the whys consume you, trust God and Praise him even when you don’t understand what He's doing.
~Do you feel like what you’re doing and sharing in God’s name is falling on deaf ears? A prayer from the Psalms: “And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.”
~Are you checking off another box on your to-do list? Consider this from Nancy DeMoss: “People matter more than any task you might accomplish.” Don’t waste a moment.
~Anxiety and fear whisper in your ear: ‘What if?'” But, Jennie Allen says “Freedom begins when we interrupt that voice with the truth."
~God is real, he’s personal and he’s present. He says, For I hold you by your right hand. I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. - Isaiah 41:13
~If you’re faltering this week thinking about how this year will be different…Maybe a chair will be empty at your table. Maybe everything is off because of the virus. Well, here’s a great reminder from Greg Laurie: “Possessions come and go. Friends come and go. So does time. Yet God doesn’t come and go. He stays.” God promises, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you'” (13:5 NLT). [Matthew West-God Who Stays]
~Most of us can think of times when we felt happy. But what happened when the moment passed? The "happiness" probably faded as well. Explore God says, “The ultimate goal is not for us to find our happiness in our circumstances. God wants us to find deep satisfaction, contentment, and joy in the love and grace he offers us every minute of every day. The more we recognize this—and are grateful for it—the more joyful we will be.”
~Psalm 118:5 – “In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.” God comfort the widow fighting loneliness tonight wrap your arms around her, let her know that you are walking beside her and that you will provide for all of her needs…. [All My Hope-Crowder]
~It’s a trap to think, “If I am feeling good, then God is good” or “If I’m not feeling good, then God is not good!” James 1:3 tells us that trials are “the testing of your faith” which means it’s an opportunity to experience the faithfulness of God as we go through them. It helps us to move from just “knowing” of God to “experiencing” God and His faithfulness. [King of My Heart-Kutless]
Greg Denham
Life’s full of choices, isn’t it? The funny thing is, even when we don’t intentionally choose a response, we have still made a choice. Today, choose to bless the Lord at all times. [Yes I Will-Vertical Worship]
Michelle Nezat
~God gives us spiritual gifts and talents to glorify him. Moms who Pray encouraging us to be fearless in pursuing what sets your soul on fire! [Soul on Fire-Third Day]
~We all have a past before we knew Christ. We have tragedies and sorrows since. Don’t let them haunt you. God can take bad experiences and make you better for having gone through it.
~There's a lyric in this song by Tenth Avenue North that really strikes a chord. "Don’t fight these hands that are holding you." We do that don’t we? Sometimes we just want to wallow in our sorrow and our pain even when we know God is reaching out his hands. Stop fighting and let him hold you. No matter what he’ll be by your side! [By Your Side-Tenth Avenue North]
~Love this truth nugget from T.C. Stallings: "Whether the road is bumpy or smooth, I follow Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of God helps me enjoy the ride—no matter what."
Twitter/T.C. Stallings
~Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” I dare you to take him up on his offer…
~You know, with God you are not walking through life alone. You are not stuck in the mistakes of your past. There is hope in Christ. You are never too far gone. Take his hand and let him lead you into a brand new future. [Never too Far Gone-Jordan Feliz]
~Some awesome insight on the Christian life from Pastor Mark Driscoll: Step 1 preach the Word. Step 2 if that don’t work preach it again. Step 3 repeat steps 1-2.
~Are you celebrating a success tonight? Maybe patting yourself on the back with all your awesomeness? We’ve all been there. But, we have to remember to take it down a notch, deflate your head a bit and give God ALL the credit. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s all about Him. Let him steal the show. [Steal My Show-TobyMac]
~Matty Mullins says the inspiration behind his new song is to not believe the lies of the enemy and give into your fears. Isn’t it encouraging that God says in his word: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” He will give you strength. He will help you. He says he will hold you up with his victorious right hand! (Isaiah 41:10) [No Hold on Me-Matty Mullins]
~Stop the lies and doubt bombarding your mind right now, the “What if I fail? What if I’m not enough?" Listen to God’s voice telling you, "What if you’re right where I want you?" [What If-Blanca]
~What a beautiful sound! No matter what you’re facing…what we’re facing in this struggle with the virus and division in our world, we can shout out, “He reigns!” We can drown out all the noise from the enemy with a Hallelujah. God is in control! [He Reigns-Newsboys]
~Lord help me to see the purpose in this pain. If it brings me closer to you, I will embrace it, trust your plan and keep pointing people to you! [Nobody-Casting Crowns] [Even Then-Micah Tyler]
~You don’t have to walk through this alone. God can give you the strength to move forward. Give him your heart and trust his plan. [Strong Enough-Matthew West]
~You are valuable! You matter! And you are loved! No one loves you like God does! [Who Can-Cochran & Co.]
~Now more than ever, we need to look out for each other! Light the way for your brother, Be the shelter for your sister. [Brother-Needtobreathe]
~Fall in love with the man who died for you. The only one who gives eternal life. The one who walks beside you through it all. His name is Jesus. [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~We have to get back up. No matter what. Through tragedy. Through heartache. Through grief. Losing everything. God is there…[Hard Love-Needtobreathe/See The Light-TobyMac]
~Favorite tweet of the day! A quote from Snoopy…”Keep looking up. That’s the secret of life." I’m looking up to my God. How about you? [Look Up Child-Lauren Daigle]
~“Thy will be done” may be the scariest and the most freeing words ever said. [Thy Word-Hillary Scott]
~Don't beat yourself up for messing up...AGAIN. It's a brand new day. And I love this truth from Patsy Clairmont: “How generous of God to offer new mercies each day. He’s not a once upon a time, faraway god. He’s an always God. He’s as current as our next breath.” [Day One-Matthew West/Redeemed-Big Daddy Weave]
~God has a wonderful way of turning negatives into positives. Sometimes those negatives are devastating tragedies. Sometimes you can’t see the light through the darkness that is enveloping your heart. That’s when you raise your voice in a Hallelujah.[Hallelujah Even Here-Lydia Laird]
~Take the weight off your shoulders…The Bible says those who believe in the name of the Son of God, will have eternal life. Nothing can take that away.
~Don't settle for less than God's best for you. That includes kicking fear out the door! [Even Then-Micah Tyler/The Breakup Song-Francesca Battistelli
~Praying that God will strengthen and encourage you every single day; that you will never ever give up, but always remember that God is for you. I pray the joy of the Lord will always be your strength, and that you know nobody loves you like he does. [Nobody Loves Me Like You-Chris Tomlin]
~Father, I pray for strength and courage as we face this day. We know that you will never give up on us, that you are fighting for us. Help us to remember that you are for us and let our hearts be filled with joy as we walk with you today.
~The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” You’re strapping on your armor right now aren’t you? Go face your giants! [Warrior-Hannah Kerr, Confidence-Sanctus Real, Amadeo-Ryan Stevenson]
~The intersection of stress and mess. Jesus is right in the middle of it! He wants to meet you there so you can do what he called you to do. [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Words are either poison or fruit. Lysa TerKeurst says what we serve to others we eventually will have to eat ourselves. The Bible warns…."The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Remember to Speak Life. [Speak Life-TobyMac]
~Sometimes God calls us to hard and difficult places. Whatever season you’re in right now, you can trust Him. [Together-4 King & Country]
~Don't get discouraged. We are works in progress! [Unfinished-Mandisa]
~A great reminder for us in these turbulent times. Whenever you find yourself getting discouraged, remember that God is with you during the ups AND the downs. [Hills and Valleys-Tauren Wells]
~Remember that joy you felt when you became a born-again believer? But, today, that feeling, that person seems so far away? You aren't the first. The Psalmist cried out to God, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”
~Lord, take this from us…we need you now. [Need You Now-Plumb]
~Ever been a backseat driver? God knows the way…let him steer. [Control-Tenth Avenue North]
~The road ahead might look pretty scary. Remember that courage doesn't come from mustering up something inside of us; it comes from His promise to be with us wherever we go and whatever comes our way.
Stephanie Bryant/inCourage Blog
~Here’s how it works: We confess. God forgives. He cleans out all the junk! This is what’s left… [No Shame-Tenth Avenue North]
~Don’t worry. God is always right on time. I get it. When you’re in the middle of a fork in the road, and you can’t hear the inner GPS of God’s voice, remember the Bible says his timing is PERFECT! [Right On Time-Aaron Cole]
~When God pours out his love on us, it’s forever! He loves you and he’ll never let go! [Love (Won’t Let Go) We Are Messengers]
~The Bible says to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” If you’re like me, you need him right now and you’d be lost without him! [Me Without You-TobyMac] [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Do you beat yourself up every time you do something that you know is against God’s will? Well, take these words from AW Tozer to heart: "We please God most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms."
~It's straight out of the Bible, "Love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself." It’s simple. Love God, Love People. [Danny Gokey]
~Even when we don’t see him, when we don’t feel him God is working behind the scenes! He is there in every fabric of your life.
~Have you ever been around a group of friends and you feel like you should go along with what they’re doing even when it doesn’t align with your beliefs? Or, you clam up instead of sharing your faith? Well, remember what the Bible tells us. (Hebrews 12:1-2) “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
~If you’re running on empty, remember this encouragement from the Bible: (Hebrews 12:1) "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
~God be greater than the worries in my life let your glory come alive!
~God wants to be No. 1 in your life. He has mapped out your journey. He’s the voice on your GPS. He wants to help you avoid the detours, the traffic jams and the construction zones. He wants to hear you say, whatever comes my way, count me in! [County Me In-Switch]
~In the Christian life, we are not always shouting with joy and celebrating. We are not without heartache, pain, and fear, but because we have Christ in our hearts, we have HOPE. We walk with God every moment of the day to get through the journeys through deep valleys. Even when we don’t feel him beside us, he’s there to encourage, to provide, to heal. He tells us “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t be discouraged. I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Through (personal story), my family has clung to his hand as he helps us face each day. Through it all, there was Jesus. [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~[Newsboys-Live With Abandon] Wouldn’t it be amazing if we listened to God’s voice WITHOUT HESITATION? Throw off ALL DOUBT about what God's plan is for our lives? Just simply say, “Yes, Lord!” and run full out to fulfill what he asks of us? [Christ in Me-Jeremy Camp]
~The Bible says if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. (John 8:36) Let him break you out of your prison. Cry out to him! [Cry Out to Jesus-Third Day]
~Praying that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
~Are you at a low point in your life? In fact, maybe you've hit bottom. Well, I want to encourage you that God is with you through the highs and the lows. So, with Him, you can rise above anything! [Rise Up-CAIN]
~As a Christian, our faith in Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be private. Live it out. Share it! - Shane Pruitt, Next Gen Evangelism
~Some encouragement from Liz Curtis Higgs today: She posted a photo of a flower from her garden with just one last petal standing. She says, “Meet my hero. All the rest have faded, wilted, given up, but not this one little pink petal. She's still going, still blooming, still pointing the way, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:3
~Choose to focus on God’s promise to be our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) [Overcomer-Mandisa]
~In the midst of circumstances that leave us feeling shaken, we must allow the truth of who God is to steady us. Lysa TerKeurst says, “Let’s praise God today for who He is … Our God who fulfills His purposes. Our God who saves. Our God whose steadfast love and faithfulness know no end.”
~There's nothing like throwing your hands up toward the sky and trusting God with your struggles. Put your trust in Him! -Zach Williams [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~Christ died for me, I will live for Him. How about you? Testify! [Testify-Needtobreathe]
~The Bible says God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) So, go be fearless! [Fearless-Jasmine Murray]
~Every day is a new start. A new chapter to turn everything around. So, let go of the hurt before you can start fresh. God has the most amazing plan for you! [What If-Blanca]
[My Heart is Yours-Passion]~God is the author of your life and he knows it intimately. Share it with him. Nothing scares Him. He can turn a story of pain and disappointment into hope. Let God write your story. [My Heart is Yours-Passion]
LightWorkers
~Some encouragement today from Kirk Cameron: "When we follow God's plan, we find hope." [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Is your world shattered into pieces, your heart broken, your body weak, your spirit deflated? Remember these words today from John Finch, the author of The Father Effect: “God sees beauty in our brokenness and He loves us no matter how broken we are.” You are beautifully broken. And you can be whole again. [Beautifully Broken-Plumb]
~Here’s some #DailyHope encouragement for you: “When you wait expectantly, you demonstrate that you believe God’s promises. You believe he’s going to keep his word.” You believe He’s got this! [You Got This-Love & The Outcome]
~You might feel small and insignificant and invisible to God, but God is never blind to your tears, deaf to your prayers, or silent to your pain. He sees, he hears, and he LOVES you more than you can imagine. [More-Matthew West]
~Sit with God today. Choose to believe Him when He says, “I can.” God can take it all. Let Him speak words of healing over your life as you lay it all before him. He can take any mess and make it beautiful. He can build from it all.
Lightbuilders/Twitter [audio link]
~Are feeling overwhelmed right now? Afraid to take the next step? Ask yourself this: Have I given up control and given it to the One who is in control? Trust him. [Walk on Waves-Austin & Lindsay Adamec]
~Consider this before you tweet or share today: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Great advice straight from the Bible. (1 Peter 4:8)
~Some encouragement from Will Graham today: He says, “God wants to come into your life to give you joy and purpose and peace. Despite your circumstances, God wants to work in your life!” And you know what? It starts with giving your life to him. [Love Broke Thru-TobyMac]
~Ever think of the questions you’ll ask God when you see him face to face? Like the question of why God closed the doors you asked him to open. Well, maybe he closed that door because he has something so much better in store. [Face to Face-Mat Kearney]
~The inevitable storms of life hit us out of nowhere. Sometimes, it’s a huge tidal wave of pain and grief that pulls under the depths of the sea. But, we can turn to Christ for courage and comfort. He gives us strength to make it to the surface and breathe again. [Strong Enough-Matthew West]
~Do you feel it? Revival spreading even with the church doors still closed…You can’t silence the old church choir! [Zach Williams-Old Church Choir]
~Are you trying to set goals and plan for your future while the world is in turmoil? Well, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!
~In every season, God has a purpose. We don’t always know the reason for our pain, our wandering, our confusion, but He tells us it all leads to our true home…with Him. So, keep pressing on and take joy in the journey! [Almost Home-Mercy Me]
~Some days you’re in a puddle on the floor. It’s a struggle just to face the day…but with God’s help you can get back up and move forward! [Hard Love-Needtobreathe]
~I love this from Elevation Church: “Everything's possible by the power of the Holy Ghost. A new wind is blowing right now.”
~God is amazing, isn’t he? He is the same today as He was yesterday. With all the rapid-fire change going on in the world around you, cling to that promise.
~ "We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10) You are made new. Go. Step out of your comfort zone. Tell someone about his transforming love.
~Is the noise all around you deafening? The kids, the traffic, the negativity in the world right now? You just need a moment to breathe and rest and reset? Remember that even when things seem out of control, God is in control! Find a quiet space and ask him to give you his peace! Let it cover you and quiet your mind.
~It’s tough out there. Bleak sometimes. But there is joy. There is peace. There is victory. Keep pressing on toward the prize!
~Ever cloud watch and see images in the shapes? Well God is there. Go outside and find him in the ordinary. [Ordinary-Hannah Kerr]
~I love this from Propel Women: “At a very low point in his life, David pours out his heart to God, demonstrating a raw honesty and a posture of vulnerability with God. Like David, will you readily go to God with each one of your worries and concerns?” Our conversations with God don’t have to be nice, neat, happy little conversations. They can be anguished, angry, confused and desperate. The key is to be HONEST and GENUINE. He already knows what on your heart. Share it. Spill it. Let it all out. And, then LISTEN.
~For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. (1 John 5:4) Hold onto that verse when you feel bombarded by divisiveness. Be the unifying factor in your neighborhood. [I Lift My Hands-Chris Tomlin]
~Are you walking a hard road today? A road strewn with ruts and impassable debris? Remember that wherever God takes you, He is with you and He is guiding your way. [Faith-Jordan Feliz]
~I am with you always - Matthew 28:20. That promise gives me joy deep in my soul…
~We all know that one person in your life…the one who makes you laugh out loud, makes your smile bigger, encourages your heart and chases away the clouds. Be that person. Shine your light!
~We see confusion and chaos in the world, but Nancy DeMoss says "these situations are actually plot threads God is weaving together to create a story . . . a beautiful, compelling work of art."
~I love this from Dr. Michael L. Brown: “We're living in unprecedented times. Let's live unprecedented lives.” What are doing to step out of your comfort zone during this time?
~Sometimes we struggle with understanding the will of God. We pray for what we want, we put our requests before him, but we forget that part “Your will be done.” Remember what the Rev. Billy Graham said, “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”
~Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) The best is yet to come!
~[Your story] I stayed home with my kids for about a year when they were little, and it was the best time of my life, but I also get that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose your cool sometimes when they don’t behave like perfect angels. There were plenty of times when I did not use my inside voice. Well, if you’re in that moment (compounded by this stay-at-home order and anxious days), take a deep breath and be encouraged by this from author and teacher Sharon Miller. She says, “It is an enormous, underrated, undeserved grace that young children don't hold onto our mistakes and carry them into the next day. Kids forgive so quickly.” Kind of like Jesus.
Sharon Hodde Miller/Twitter
~Some encouragement from Greg Laurie today: Like a storm, COVID-19 has a beginning, middle and end. Perhaps we are somewhere near the beginning or approaching the middle. But the storm will pass, and don’t forget, Jesus is with us in it.”
~Are you reading the news and feeling discouraged or confused? Great reminder from Christian Associates on Twitter: "The minute we start getting confused, that's when we need to back off. God is not the author of confusion."
~A shout out and thanks to those stepping out of their comfort zones, putting aside fear for their own safety to go into the front lines to help battle this pandemic. [Oceans-United]
~Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
~Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
~Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
~Encouragement from Greg Laurie today: “Keep moving. Don’t give up. Don’t abandon hope. We are going to get through this valley in our lives. There will be an even greater mountaintop beyond it, with great lessons we have learned as God demonstrated His strength in our weakness.”
~Watching the news today. More stats. More cases. More restrictions. I have to take a deep breath and remember that God is stronger than all of that. I have to trust in his power to transform. He is healer. Max Lucado asks, “Is fear coming at you from all sides? Then let God speak to you. He is as near as your next breath!” [Your Name is Power-Rend Collective]
~It’s a very different Easter season this year. But, we can’t lose sight of what Jesus did on the cross for you. He died for you and through him anything is possible. There will be a light at the end of this tunnel!
~For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
~You might be feeling discouraged by everything that's going on in our country, but Rick Warren says, "To live with hope in the middle of a crisis, you need to change your focus, shift your perspective, and live in the light of eternity.” Hope you're encouraged by his words and spend some time today transforming your way of thinking about all of this.
~It’s easy to get discouraged when we keep seeing a constantly rising statistics ticker of the toll this virus is taking around the world and right here in our communities. I have noticed the media sharing a new stat, though: the number of people that have recovered! More than 150,000. But, here’s an ever better stat from Greg Laurie’s Harvest Church: From online services this past Sunday, more than 3,400 salvations-new lives in Christ.
~"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (John 1:7 )
~"We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 CEV). [City on a Hill-TobyMac]
~The Bible says the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18) Do you feel his presence beside you?
~Don't worry about the future. “God is already in your tomorrow.” – Elevation Church.
~Take shelter under his wings. He will protect you and see us through this. The Bible says to trust in the Lord and offer sacrifices in the right spirit. A Psalm of David: “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord.” No matter how long you’ve run from God, what you’ve done, God pursues you. He invites you to come to his throne of grace. Take his free gift and be forgiven. Be made whole. Run into his arms!
~There is no reason to fear! We are victorious! The great I Am has already won. Take courage in that and in God promises. Lift up the name of Jesus. The church is not a building. It is His people!
~The Bible says (Psalm 46:1) God is your refuge. God is your strength. God is your help. In times of trouble, he is always there.
~Think about the things that have been stripped away. Name them. Say them out loud one at a time and open your hands to physically practice “letting go” of them, releasing them into God’s hands to hold. This week, seek the Peace of God.”
Propel Women/Twitter
~Did you thank God today? You woke up. You’re healthy. You’re alive and breathing. Some are grieving today. Some have lost so much. “Forgive me Lord for my complaints. I'm truly grateful for all you've done.” [Alive & Breathing-Matt Maher]
~Prayers and encouragement for our churches as they continue to close their doors and stream their services online! The vice president urged people to continue donations as churches have closed their doors during this pandemic. Mike pence said ministries are playing a vital role in the wake of the coronavirus.
~Remember this: "In the middle of the war, God remains in control." Let go of your fears and anxiety right now and give him the reigns! [Eye of the Storm-Ryan Stevenson]
~God loves you with an all-consuming love. He will pursue you and draw you to him! Remember back when you were running away from him and you still felt his presence all around you? His great love was there in all the signs along the path guiding you to him. [Reckless Love-Passion]
~Romans 15:5 (NLT) says, “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” How about consciously spending time today greeting those you don’t normally talk to – with social distancing rules to stay safe of course. Minimize differences and seek common ground for fellowship. (Life Application Study Bible)
~If you’re feeling anxious because of the separation, the social distancing, working from home and you’re isolated from your co-workers, try connecting on a video chat. And remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It’s Romans 8:35.
~Some encouragement from Propel Women: “Stay calm. Stay strong. Stay open. Stay generous. Stay faithful. Stay decisive. Stay hopeful. You are not alone; we are in this together. Remember, the world will always be changing—but God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).”
~The Bible reminds us of what is ahead of us as believers and the hope we have every day. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
~Has the week of homeschooling and working remotely been hectic for you? Well, consider this, it might be a good opportunity to take a step back from the everyday routine and answer some of the hard questions. What is my purpose and am I following God’s lead or my own? [City on our knees-TobyMac]
~Do you find that at times you are slow to pray? Maybe you feel like you don’t deserve for God to answer favorably. Well, you're right. None of us deserves it, but we should pray anyway. It wouldn’t be mercy or grace if we deserved it. During this trying, fearful time, let's ask God to heal our land, not because WE are good, but because HE is. (Author unknown)
~ The Bible says (in 2 Thessalonians 3:16) "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. Remember to turn to God for all your needs today.
~A great reminder from Propel Women: "During a storm, hope gives us the ability to look at things as they are and still be confident that something better is coming." As we weather this storm, hold onto the promises of God.
~We need God in America today. Greg Laurie says, "We need him to eradicate this invisible enemy. In the Bible, prayer stopped storms, calmed waves, healed the sick, raised the dead and even stopped time. Scripture reminds us, “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
~Start each day - especially right now - by declaring to yourself... "This is the day the Lord has made and I am going to be glad in it!"
~Have you ever noticed that children many times have some profound things to say about Jesus and faith? In Luke 10:21, Jesus says, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way." The openness of children and their transparency can often receive the truth of God where we don’t!
~There is a lot of fear and uncertainty right now, but we are going to get through this as a community. Trust God, stay calm and choose to see crisis as an opportunity to LOVE others. Consider ways that you can reach out – even if you’re quarantined or working from home – a phone call, a welfare check on your neighbors, buying a sack of groceries or takeout and have it delivered to a friend. I ordered online for pickup at Walmart so I don’t have to go inside the store. How about Face-timing to stay connected, and always, always, PRAY for one another.
~I love this optimistic, challenge-accepted tweet from an author-blogger Deanna Jackson on Twitter: “Didn't really expect to be giving up this much for Lent, but here we are...rockin' it!” She asked the writing community to share their work. She says, “Since some of us are in quarantine, we need some new reading material. In the process, maybe make a new virtual friend to chat with. We got this!”
~We get caught up in the every-day things of the world. The panic over the Coronavirus, or just the busyness of our lives. I went to the grocery store, and just like I had heard, the toilet paper aisle was completely empty! Interesting note, too: there were only a few boxes of spaghetti left on the shelf. Well, take a minute and remember Romans 12: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Look at everything through his lens.
~Some encouraging words today from Dr. Tony Evans: “We’re trusting in Him day by day, in spite of the challenges and the loss. Sometimes you have to learn to trust God in the dark when there is not clarity, when He becomes inscrutable.”
The Christian Post
[I Got You-Aaron Bucks] ~Everything will be OK. We know that because the Bible says in Philippians 4:7 (NLT) “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” It’s a peace that passes understanding! The verse continues, “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
~God loves you! How much? The Bible says, "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT) [How He Loves-Crowder]
~By far, the most frequent name Jesus called himself was “Son of Man,” recorded over 100 times in the gospels. He also refers to himself as: I Am, Life, Bridegroom, Gate, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Lord/Teacher, Messiah/Christ, and the Vine: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Christianity.com
~“When you trust God to fulfill the promises He's given you, all the forces of darkness cannot stop God from bringing your dreams to pass.” – Moms Who Pray [Burn the Ships-for KING & COUNTRY]
~God is the source of hope…the Bible offers a prayer that God would “fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
~Do you feel inadequate? Like you don’t measure up? You know God has a plan. You might even have an idea about what that plan is, but you still feel unsure and out of your comfort zone sometimes. You might you’re on a path you never imagined. Well, here’s some encouragement for you: God isn’t finished writing your story. Keep trusting him and taking the day one step at a time. [God's Not Done With You-Tauren Wells]
~God is with you in surprising ways. Did you see the video of the toddler running out to give the pizza delivery guy a hug? The sweet moment was caught on the front porch camera. Later after the little boy’s mom posted the video, Ryan, the driver, shared that he’d recently lost his 16-year-old daughter and through the unexpected hug, he felt like his daughter was there.
Good News Network
~If you are struggling right now, remember that “suffering can refine you rather than destroy you because God himself walks with you through the fire.” – Timothy Keller
~When you decide to follow Christ, he changes you from the inside out. But you have to make a conscious choice to turn away from your old ways. The Bible says (Colossians 3) to put on the new self: mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forgiveness and above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
~It’s great to have ambition and push to reach the greatest heights in your career, but it’s all for nothing without Christ at the heart of it. Make sure you are putting him first wherever you are in your life. [Touch The Sky-United]
~When we’re hit with tragedy, our beliefs sometimes falter. But, it’s in those times when holding tightly to the truth is our lifeline. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy. Remember the words of Jesus…“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)
~Here’s a great question from Christian Associates on Twitter: “Some of us are very busy, but are we fruitful in Christ?” Sometimes we have to take a step back from the everyday routine and answer some of the hard questions. What is my purpose and am I following God’s lead or my own? [My Feet are on the Rock-I Am They] [Motions-Matthew West]
~Some words to lift your spirit today from Jenny Wheeler on the (in)courage blog: “There is nothing too hard or too big for God to heal and piece back together with His peace.”
~Are you shining your light? John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” [Light Shine Bright-TobyMac] (NLT)
~ Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. ~1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)
~Thought-provoking quote from Christine Caine: “A story doesn't become a testimony until it goes through a test.” If you’re being tested right now, know that God’s is walking through the fire with you and he’ll bring you out on the other side with a new perspective and a story to tell that might change someone’s life.
~The Bible says the word of God is alive and powerful and Hebrews 4:12 is pretty convicting. It says God’s word “is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Lay all of that at his feet right now and accept his love, his gift of salvation. [Lay 'Em Down-Needtobreathe]
~God can root into the tiny crevices of your heart and mind and get all the gunk out. He washes you clean when you give your life to Christ. That doesn’t make us perfect. He forgives us, yet we all stumble and fall. Just remember, though, he is the master creating a work of art and he’s not finished! Can you feel the brushstrokes?
~God is so good, isn’t he? Even when the road is long and littered with grief and pain and sorrow, he reveals his plan mile by mile and it’s amazing when we open our eyes to His truth and his love.
~Do you want to make an impact in your world? Your community, your own backyard? Tuck this nugget of truth from Bob Goff into your pocket: “People will know what you believe when they see what you do.”
~God is with you, friend. In your grief, in your sadness, in your despair. The Bible says in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
~How do you drown out all other voices, but God’s? Propel Women says, “Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Replace lies with God’s promises and truth. Use discernment in who and what you listen to, and let God be the first one you go to for comfort, wisdom, insight, and discernment. [Echo-Elevation Worship]
Propel Women
~God wants you to be authentic when you bring your prayers to him, to be REAL. Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect, whitewashed words of poetry. Just lay it all out to him. The good parts, yes, but, also the messy parts, the ugly scars. The deep anguish. Thank him, tell him you love him, ask him for what you want or need, but share all your emotions with him. That’s what having a real relationship with him is like. He made you. He understands what you’re going through right now.
~I love to watch all the home remodeling shows on TV. It's hard to envision the beauty in all the dilapidated houses that they transform. But, that's how God sees us, with a designer's eye. Are you in a place of hopelessness right now? Your world has shattered into a thousand pieces? Your life is like a neglected old home with peeling paint, a rotting foundation and crumbling brick. But, through Christ, God can rebuild your broken soul. It’s demo day, let The Creator do the ultimate home restoration. [Rebuilder-Carrollton] [Masterpiece-Danny Gokey]
~I know that a lot of you are going through something heart-wrenching. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, and you just can’t quite get back on track with your normal day-to-day routine. How can you? People might say it’s time to “get over it.” That can never be when you have that terrible void in your heart, but God can fill that hole with hope and with his promise of Christ’s return and a glorious day, a new heaven and a new earth! Thinking of that day dispels the pain, or at least lessens it. Remember, He is with you right now and he will make a way for you to go on running this race. [Glorious Day-Casting Crowns] [Hope in Front of Me-Danny Gokey] [There Will Be a Day-Newworldson] [Best News Ever-Mercy Me]
~If you’re broken and ready to give your sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and have a new life in Christ, well I have good news. Salvation is a FREE gift from God. That's what grace is. It'll change your outlook and your eternity! [Grace Got You-Mercy Me]
~If you are weary in the life, keep running for the prize, keep fighting the fight, keep shouting the name of Jesus. You’re almost home. [Almost Home-Mercy Me]
~If you are standing on a road you didn’t plan crying out to God and you can’t see the signs ahead of you, remember Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. [Plumb-Need You Now]
~From Moms Who Pray on Twitter: "Where there's hate, let me sow love. Where there's injury, pardon. Where there's despair, hope." A great reminder to look inward and examine our hearts, then offer forgiveness, show Christ's love and be his hands and feet.
~Don‘t just give God 10 percent or 50%....Give God all of you today. Let go of your fear and give him your trust, your love. Your heart. [All of Me-Matt Hammit]
~I am thankful for my scars. They made me who I am today. The sorrow of brokenness, the pain of loss, the regret of sin. God covered it all when I found Christ. Will you let him heal your scars today? Just call out to him. He will rescue you. [Scars-I Am They] or [Scars-TobyMac]
~When you look at the world around you through God’s eyes, do you have his compassion? His grace? Pray that he would open your eyes, open my eyes to suffering, to the “least of these,” and that He would give you a heart to follow him into the trenches. [Follow You-Leeland]
~It’s still February – the Love Month – and maybe you’re still struggling with singleness. Well, here’s some great advice from Elevation Church: Instead of your focusing on “finding the right person, BE the right person.” How about working on your relationship with God and let him be the matchmaker. [Love Lifting Me-Tasha Layton]
~Do you feel abandoned? By your friends, your family? God promises that he will never leave you. He’s by your side right now. [The God Who Stays-Matthew West]
~Dear younger me. Let me introduce you to my best friend. His name is Jesus. He will change your life. [Dear Younger Me-Mercy Me]
~Are you living in fear? Fear of the test results? Fear of making ends meet every month? Fear of the path your child is wandering down? The Bible says (in 2 Corinthians 9:8-NLT) "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” So, trust him to meet your needs, and guide you. [The Breakup Song-Francesca Battistelli] / [Fear No More-Building 429]
~I love this from the (in)courage blog: “There is grief and there is joy, sometimes at the very same time, but He does not waste our hurt or our hope.” Remember, God has a plan, a specific purpose for your life. If you are hurting right now, let the God wipe away the veil blocking the sun. Let the cloudy day slip away and let the light of Christ shine bright.
(in)courage
~Grief comes in different forms. One is ambiguous grief. Sarah Walton, the author of Hope When it Hurts, shares that it differs from ordinary loss in that there is no verification of death or no certainty that the person will come back or return to the way they used to be.” Caring for her son who suffers with the effects of Lyme disease, she says, “In a sense, we feel frozen in our grief, unable to move forward or begin the process of healing because we face our loss in a fresh way every day. We had lived in this space for twelve years, ever since the realization that our son’s challenges were far beyond just a strong will or a different parenting technique. Little did we know that our sweet and hurting child’s neurological challenges would affect every area of his and our family’s life from that point on. As many can attest to, the pain of loss sears the deepest places of our hearts. Whether it crashes upon us with one devastating blow or is a gradual fading away of someone or something we hold dear; loss always leaves its painful mark, though its intensity and length will differ for each of us. I’m learning that it’s a grieving process that often repeats itself on a daily basis. But, it’s these three truths that have drawn me closer to the Lord through that process:
-Acknowledge your grief
-Accept what is
-Assure yourself of your future hope
“As we learn to trust the Lord with the life he’s given us, there are countless unexpected blessings to be found – both now and for eternity.”
SetApart.net
~Are you using your skills for the glory of God? Tony Perkins says, “It’s not just pastors who are called and work for God. God gives unique vocational skills and wisdom in many areas – all for His glory.” Remember 1 Corinthians 10:31: “…Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
~"Show me someone who has lost hope, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t reading the Scriptures. Reading God’s Word bolsters our faith and renews our hope." - Greg Laurie
~Are you questioning God’s plan for you? Getting frustrated when doors don’t open the way you want them to? I didn’t understand the road I was on for years. [Share your personal story] So, I can personally attest to this from Beth Moore: “God knows what He’s doing. And that includes what He’s doing with you. We may have no earthly idea what’s up but, whatever it is, it will be right, it will be good, it will be true and it will be meaningful. Trust God in the dark and He will always turn back on the light.”
~As Christians, how an we glorify God at work? 1. Be thankful for your job. 2. Recognize your work is to the Lord. 3. Strive to maintain integrity. 4. Show genuine care for co-workers. 5. Don't be obnoxious as you evangelize. 6. Work excellently for God's glory.
Dustin Benge
~When she lost her daughter, she was gripped with fear. Her family wondered how they would face the future without her. Remember, it is a day-to-day- hour-by-hour minute-by-minute process to move forward. But, trusting in God’s plan and following his lead is the only way to take the next step. Have you taken that detour in life, too? Just remember to throw fear aside, follow his signs and listen to his voice. [Fear No More-Building 429]
~It’s been a long week already and you’re wondering, “When will God answer my prayers??? That’s when you need to hold onto Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” In the midst of it all, just praise him! [O Praise Him-David Crowder Band]
~Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward. ~ Col. 3:23
~From Propel Women: "In every challenge that we encounter in life, we can be grateful that our God is wise, loving, and completely trustworthy. We can lean into the strength he gives us so we can hang on and press through, empowered by the One who is already victorious and who loves us so very much."
Twitter@PropelWomen
~Do you have an eternal perspective in your grief? Dr. Joseph Stowell says, “If you believe that God has a world prepared for you where all Christians will be together again and be with Him in absolute joy and bliss, then that brings strength to your sorrow.”
GriefShare
~Are you trapped in that old pattern of habits from your old self? Or maybe you’ve never opened your heart to the One who can break your chains, erase your sins and make you brand new. No one but Jesus can set you free. Will you let him? [Chain Breaker-Zach Williams]
~Are you feeling powerless today? Read 2 Corinthians 12 verses 9 & 10 for for a little courage! "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NLT)
~One of the reasons we don't know God deeply is that we don't venture much on his pledge to carry things for us. John Piper says, “Knowing God…is a matter of walking with him through fire and not being burned. It is a matter of not being crushed under a load because he carries it for you at your side. What, then, does he carry? God has carried our sins. God pledges to carry our anxieties, and he pledges to carry our burdens. Will you lay your burdens down before him tonight?
Going Deeper
~Do you feel like you don’t have all the right skills, talents, characteristics to be effective in sharing your faith? In fulfilling God’s call for your life? Here’s some encouragement from Elevation Church, who posted a picture of a puzzle piece on Twitter: “You're not missing anything. You have every piece you need for the picture God has for your life!
Twitter/Elevation Church
~Have you been letting fear hold you back from living fully for God? Well, remember 2 Timothy 1:7: (NLT) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” So, go be fearless! [Fearless-Jasmine Murray]
~Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “We are all broken—that’s how the light gets in.” If you’re feeling broken, embrace it and let the light of Christ in. [Beautifully Broken-Plumb]
Twitter/@DailyHemingway
~Some inspiration from Tori Hein, the wife of Matt Hein of I Am They: You don’t need to fix your life. You need to fix your eyes. This month God lead me to the book of Hebrews. He told me to read it over and over and over again until it was deeply in me again. I remember studying this book in Bible College and being so moved by its depth and direct application to my life.
After having read through the whole book a few times I got to the famous lines...
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥.”𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟸:𝟷-𝟸
And that was it. I hit my knees weeping in God’s presence in my sun room. I don’t have the time or words to explain all that shifted back to alignment in my heart that moment.
Are you afraid?
Fix your eyes.
Unsure of what to do?
Fix your Eyes.
Feeling left out?
Fix your eyes.
Confident and certain?
Fix your eyes.
This faith that requires you to step forward into the unseen is FOUNDED and PERFECTED by Jesus. You can’t endure what lies ahead without Him. He has gone before you to provide and equip you with whatever you need in Him.
Your victory belongs to Him.
YOU belong to Him.
When your eyes are fixed on Him, there’s no sitting on the out skirts. You’re right in the center of your life’s purpose. If your eyes are fixed on Him, it’s impossible to miss “it” or miss out. He is the reward.
Facebook/I AM THEY
~Are you crying out to Jesus right now to take this from you? Whatever you’re going through, remember all the times he has heard your prayer and given you the strength to keep going. [I Need You-Plumb]
~Jesus is the King of Kings and his name is powerful! God elevated him to the place of highest honor. Philippians chapter 2 says God "gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT) [Your Name is Power-Rend Collective]
~How can you engage more with God's Word? Here are 4 practical ways to dig deeper and strengthen your faith in the process:
~Do you know who you are in Christ? Leadership blogger Paul Sohn writes that according to the Bible, we are God’s possession, his child, his workmanship. He says, "You are His friend, His vessel, a co-laborer, and His witness. You are a soldier, an ambassador and a building, a temple. You’re a minister and an instrument. You’re His chosen, His beloved, His precious jewel, and His heritage."
Paul Sohn
~With God—chance is eliminated! God knows what’s best! Max Lucado writes in Grace for the Moment, "No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, his presence and his permission. Isaiah 43:2 says, 'when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.' What encouragement! You’re never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped by the winds of fortune. Perish the thought! You live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of your life, and delights in doing you good! Remember this! Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of God’s love!"
~"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15
~"Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." If you're feeling far away from God, these words from Hosea 6:3 remind us to draw close to him and he will come near to us.
~When you're struggling or facing a tough decision, do you immediately turn to God for guidance? Oswald Chambers wrote, "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense." Take your fears and burdens to him right now.
~If you feel like everything is crashing in around you, know that God is there. He is listening. He hears you. He understands your struggle, your pain. Take comfort in these words from Sharon Jaynes: “All through our lives, there will be times when we feel powerless. But friend, we are never more powerful than when we use our words in prayer.”
~When you do something for someone, what are your motives? Remember this verse if your motives are selfish in any way: "Whatever you do, do it willingly, as if it’s for the Lord and not for people." Colossians 3:23.
~"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God." Psalm 42:1-2. Think of the last time you ran on the track. You were "dying of thirst by the second lap, right? Run the race that God has placed before you and thirst for the living water that he provides.
~"“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him." Psalm 41:1-2. A great verse to memorize. Then, act on it whenever God gives you the opportunity.
~Great thought from Women's Fitness: "Follow your hopes, not your fears." So, if you hope to fit into your size 12 jeans again, face your fears, lace up your shoes and get out there on the track! And don't fear the yoga pants. Pull 'em on and cover up with a big t-shirt. Just do it!
~Do you need a reminder today that God is faithful to answer your prayers? "...Whatever you ask for in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
~The holiday season is good time to evaluate your volunteer and ministry efforts. Evangelist Nick Vujicic says, "When you serve others, you will find that the life you transform is your own." Take time to find a project that you are passionate about or that God has been nudging you to commit to, and jump in!
~Anxiety is a joy killer. If you're worried about money or your job or test results from the doctor, remember to put your circumstances in God's hands. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." Trust is the key word there. When we place our trust in Him, joy and peace replace stress, worry, and anxiety. Give your burdens to him right now.
~Was your holiday weekend a hectic, stress-filled there's-too-many-people-in-my-house one? Here's a reason to love Monday, then: Jeremiah 31:25 reminds us that God will "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."
~"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" - Psalm 119:105. When your world is in darkness and you can't find your way, use the Bible as your searchlight.
~It's hard sometimes to keep your faith strong when things seem to be crashing in around you. Finances, responsibilities, and unexpected setbacks weigh heavily on you. If you're going through something right now that is tripping up your trust and faith in God, remember this verse: "But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you." - Psalm 56:3.
~Do you ever think that God gets fed up with our mistakes, our daily struggles and the times that we mess up big time? Parents, you understand that point when your kids have tested you to the limit! Well, just as you correct them, guide them, and keep loving them, God never stops loving us! The Bible says, "He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber." -.Psalm 121:3.
~The Bible tells us to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength - Mark 12:30. Remember to spend time in worship today.
~A sobering reminder as we look in the mirror and ask ourselves how we treat people: "Those who aren’t loving don’t know God, because God is love"- 1 John 4:8.
VETERANS DAY:
We're honoring veterans today for their duty and sacrifice in serving our country. Here's an encouraging word for our veterans and active duty military today for our Heavenly Commander in Chief:
~"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Cor. 5:17. Throw off your old self and start your brand new day!
~How do you want to live your Christian life? As Christians, we are made new by Christ, but we find ourselves living day to day by the world's standards. We "just get by" because we try to do life on our own without the power that God gave us through the Holy Spirit. We're just going through the motions. Kay Arthur says, "If you truly want to live then you must: 1. Live by the Word of God. 2. Live a crucified life, and 3. Live by His Spirit. Decide right now which life you choose.
~"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our day." - Psalm 90:14. How many times have you rushed out the door in the morning without a thought about God? Take time to feel his embrace and be encouraged and refreshed! If you do, you won't be able to hide the light of his love from those around you!
~We don’t have to perform for God's love; we only need to receive it. Holly Gerth shares on the (in)courage blog that we all want approval, affirmation and secretly crave applause. But, the reality is an audience can’t give us anything we don’t already have. It can’t heal our souls. It can’t fill us up. It can’t prove our worth. Comedian Tim Hawkins put it in perspective this way: "I'm not in front of an audience to “get laughs,” but to “give laughter.” Remember that we live for an audience of One.
(in)courage
~One of the most amazing and humbling parts of the Christian faith is when you realize this: "You can accept God’s grace, but you cannot earn it." That tweet from Explore God reminds us that we don't deserve his grace, but he offers it freely when we ask for forgiveness and for Christ to come into our lives. Will you accept his free gift? "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9
~Have you seen the movie "Woodlawn" yet? It's an amazing story of reconciliation and spiritual revival, and it has inspired the nation and athletes everywhere. The fact that it is based on a true story seems to strike a chord with people. The Woodlawn High School football team had to overcome racial divide when the school was desegregated in the early 1970's.They were able to do that when they became a team of believers in Christ. We can all learn a lot from this movie. The Bible talks about the power of teamwork. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Sports Illustrated wrote, "Woodlawn shares a universal truth: Winning is sweeter when you play for a larger cause.” What is your team playing for?
~I love this from Inspiring Awesome: "When inspiration hits, take action immediately even if it's a tiny first step." You can't go where God wants you to go until you do.
~Are you timid with your faith? Especially around friends that don't share your views? It's time to boldly proclaim his name. The Bible says, "Let your light shine forth before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16
~Do you need a Galatians 5:22 attitude adjustment today? We all need this gentle reminder from time, especially in rush hour traffic or when the kids are driving you nuts. The Bible says, "But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
~Feeling discouraged by where you are in comparison to where you thought you would be in your life? Here's a good pep talk from a PR expert Andrew Pelletier: "Your dream doesn't have an expiration date." God has a plan for you. Don't lose sight of it.
~You may be facing some tough decisions right now; waiting on a diagnosis, struggling with your job or confused about where God is leading you. Well, here's a great reminder from Christian Associates: "If we really trust God, we have to be content with the answers He gives us." Pray, but remember to pray for His will. Listen to His voice and follow His leading.-
~When the chaos is overwhelming, take a deep breath and let the peace that God gives settle your mind. Remember John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you."
~You wonder why you’re stuck in traffic, why you lost 10 minutes looking for your phone, or why the door isn’t opening on that new job. Think of it this way. Maybe your delay was God’s protection, His plan, His perfect timing.
~If you’re sitting there wondering how God could love you, how He could forgive you after what you’ve done, remember that He loved the thief on the cross. The thief believed that Jesus was the Son of God and he joined Christ in Heaven that day, just as He promised. [Man on the Middle Cross, Rhett Walker]
~We have the power through Christ take captive every lie that the enemy throws at us. You are worthy because of mercy!
~Maybe you hate confrontation or standing out in the crowd. Maybe you’re thinking, “It is so much easier to just go with the flow and do what everybody else is doing.” Well, as Christian we have to go in a different direction. We have to follow the narrow path and swim upstream like the salmon. To do that we have to let God lead and tap into the power that is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Greg Laurie
~If you’ve been blindsided by life, remember that God is with you in this unwelcome season. He still has great plans for you. Don’t stay stuck looking back. Put one foot in front of the other because your best days are ahead of you with God’s healing.
~It is humbling to hear the stories of how God transforms people’s lives. My story may not be like your story, but our hearts are identical when we’re changed by his grace! Let’s celebrate that! [Changed, Jordan Feliz]
~God’s timing is perfect! The Bible says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for everything under heaven." He has already made a way for you. In the right time and at the right place, He will cause it to all come together. Share your perfect timing story with us.
~Never estimate what God can do. Never underestimate what you can do through his strength. That’s faith and trust in his promises.
~Is there a barrier between you and Jesus? Remember that he can cross any of them. Jesus walked on the sea to reach his disciples in a boat. He can find his way to you! (Matthew 14:25)
~You have a friend who will never give up on you and will always be by your side. His name is Jesus…
~"A thousand moments I had taken for granted, mostly because I assumed there would be a thousand more." (Morgan Matson) Treasure each moment as the gift from God that they are.
~I love this reminder! Don't pray with words like: "I wish." "I hope." "I think." Pray with words like: "I know." "I trust." "I believe." And, no matter the answer say Hallelujah anyway! [Hallelujah Anyway – Rend Collective]
~The closeness we experience with God is unlike any other thing in this world. It’s the kind of closeness that comforts us with wisdom and truth, when we can’t see past what is in front of us. --LysaTerKeurst
~Maybe you’re watching your child struggle with a chronic condition and you're praying for healing. Bart Millard encourages you that “even if He went silent and never said another word, He's still worthy to be praised and that He's our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.” [Even If, MercyMe]
~It’s amazing how we don’t realize that we’re living in a prison of our own making until the light of Christ shines through the bars and the chains break. Be the one holding the flashlight.
~When you look back over your life, you can see the glimpses of God, those intersections along the journey where he paved over the potholes, carried you over the canyons, or just held you in the dark. He was always there, leading you, drawing you to His Son, Jesus, showing you his glory.
~How many times do you find yourself at the end of the day and you haven’t spent any time with God? I didn’t open my Bible, listen to a devotional, a message, or even pray out loud in the car? We are God’s children, and the key to family is relationship! We are to worship Him and we can’t do that when our focus is on the kids, the job, all the daily stuff. Let’s take a breath and just worship Him!
~I have so much respect for first responders. They put their lives on the line for complete strangers. Jesus is the ultimate first responder. The Bible says, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”
~When good things happen to us, we see them as blessings, but maybe the hard things we face are also blessings. I can tell you it eases the grief when you think of how God is using those trips through the valley. [Blessings – Laura Story]
~Battling discouragement doesn't mean we're failing. It means we're fighting. Holly Gerth shares, "I used to think success meant never growing weary, but I’ve come to understand it means not giving up. It doesn’t mean feeling strong all the time; it’s seeking God in our weakness. It’s not looking as though we have it all together; it’s knowing God alone holds us together."
~On the days when life feels small, Holly Gerth reminds us that Jesus didn't say, "Well done, good and famous servant." He said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Holly Gerth
~God loves you! You might say that to a lot of people you encounter, but they might doubt you. In fact, Chip Ingram says, “Without doing a thing, we are ALREADY deeply and completely loved by God.” Romans 5:8 tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
~Some encouragement from Chrystal Evans Hurst. She says, “With every breath we take, we inhale another possibility, another moment to honor Him with attitudes and actions that bring Him glory.”
~When you put Jesus first, your life changes, and you’ll change the world around you! [Love God, Love People, Danny Gokey]
~Maybe you're feeling down tonight because the void your person left is vast, and the emptiness washes over you in waves. Well, I want to encourage you with this truth: In every season, even when it’s hard, God is good. Keep your eyes focused on him and he will bring you through this.
~Sometimes we can get caught in the endless scrolling or distractions all around you, but just to take a minute to pause and reflect on the blessings God has given you. [Counting My Blessings, Seth Schlueter]
~The world throws so many things at us that draw us and our kids kids away from God and his truth. – Social media, TV, movies, music. That’s why the Bible warns us, above all else, to “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." [Proverbs 4:23]
~Lord, may we never forget that on our best days, we need you as desperately as we do on our worst days.
~You are God's handiwork, my friend! The Bible says, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! [Philippians 1:6]
~Are you in the middle of the chaos, confusion and deception of the enemy right now? I have been there, and I want to encourage you to hold fast to your faith, pray, and remember that there is power in the name of Jesus.
~God’s light shines in the darkest places and gives us hope, Lord, Jesus, help us to keep our eyes focused on you, and let your light shine through us! We want that light to be so bright on the path we walk that it draws people to you!
~Are you wondering how you got to where you are? Well, take a breath! Lysa TerKeurst reminds us that “we can run our emotions ragged trying to make sense of things that aren’t ever going to make sense in our situation, or we can ask Jesus to show us how to move forward.” One foot in front of the other!
~Two of Satan’s most effective strategies are imitation and infiltration. He will try to stop a work [of God] altogether, but if that isn’t successful, then he will imitate. Greg Laurie says, “In this way, he’s looking to minimize the power and glory of God and neutralize the impact of someone’s life and testimony. That’s why we put on the Armor of God and go into battle daily! No fear!
~Today, let's hold on to hope. Let's profess God's promises over our problems. And let's remember that God carries the weight of making sure His promises are fulfilled. Not us. He is the faithful One. He is the sure One. What a powerful truth to help us keep going. - Lysa TerKeurst
~Powerful stuff here for parents from Shane Pruitt. What do you do when your kids aren’t walking with Jesus? You pray without ceasing. You remember that God loves them even more than you do. You don’t compromise your faith, but you don’t argue. You don’t burn a bridge, so they have a pathway back. Above all, you point to Jesus whenever possible.
~Even as we walk through the valley, we can hold onto the promise of Revelation 21:4. He will wipe away all our tears.
~Do you have that Hallelujah Feeling? That’s the joy and peace that comes from believing. Praying Romans 15:13 over you! “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.”
~Have you been putting off that dream? Letting that gift God gave you wilt on the vine? It’s time to act, to move toward his voice.
~Fear is an entirely natural response to dangerous and confusing situations. But if we’re not careful, it can become a default lens that colors how we see the world. The Lord wants us to trust in Him, and as we do so, fear has less influence over our lives. Lord, even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, because I know you are close beside me. [Psalm 23]
~God pursues us with a love that is immeasurable. If you're running away from Him, stop, and fall into His embrace!
~Imagine how much God delights in raining down blessings on his children. The Bible says, “Give praise to God. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.” Which blessings come to your mind?
~We can’t imagine facing a tragedy until we do. And, we're amazed at the strength God gives us to get to survive it. Pete Greig [Grayg] says, "We pray for miracles, and we want God to airlift us out of our problems, but more often he parachutes in and joins us in the midst of the problem." That's the key. It's the presence of God in the dark times - in the cancer ward, in the breakup of the relationship, in the financial struggle - that becomes our lifeline. Hold on!
~If you’ve ever lost someone, you understand just how precious life is. Every day is a gift. God gives and He takes away, and we won't know why this side of Heaven, but be assured that there is a purpose in the pain. He molds us, stretches us, and walks alongside us as he fulfills His perfect plan. Look up, follow His light, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
~Maybe you feel like God has forgotten about the desires of your heart. You’re thinking, “God, I see you working in other people's lives, but what about me?” Tasha Layton reminds us that “you are never forgotten, never forsaken, never abandoned." God is close to you in this very moment, and he will never let you down.” [Never]
~Did you know you are loved and cherished by the Creator of the universe? What an amazing truth. Sometimes it’s hard to wrap your mind around the enormity of that. Remember that you are cherished and loved by God.
~What keeps your focus off Christ? For me, it’s all the screens. I really want to unplug from technology completely, don’t you? Jesus said he is preparing a place for us in His Father’s House. Our ultimate dream home – better than anything I could imagine binge-watching those home remodeling shows I love. When our thoughts are on Heaven, we can begin to loosen our grip on the trappings of this world and dream bigger!
~We can’t get past our anxiety without knowing that God, who is in control, also loves us and knows what is best for us—always. “Father, help us to let go of our worry and stop being anxious about tomorrow. Teach us to trust in you, knowing you will work all things for good, in line with your purpose and for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.
~There are so many things that I simply forget to take to God, like God doesn’t want to be bothered by small requests. Well, Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” The key word here is ASK.
~Listen to God’s voice. It reminds us that we are loved. It leads us without driving us. It makes us more like Jesus. | Ruth Schwenk, Proverbs 31 Ministries
~When we pause to pray we step from the doorway of discouragement to the pathway of peace. Lysa TerKeurst says, “We trade worry for worship. We magnify God and become less intimidated by our problems. Yes, I want less of my brain power and more of His prayer power in my life.”
~Are you walking in the valley right now? Maybe it feels like the journey will never end. Well, I promise you’ll get to the other side. Keep holding on to God’s promise of a future and a hope!
~God is so good. Lysa TerKeurst reminds us that He is near to us in our heartbreak, and He cares about our despair. Past, present and future, God is still here.
~The pain of grief washes over you in waves. It comes out of the blue in the middle of the day. It’s like a dark cloud that hides the sun for a time. But, remember the light is still there. It shines again when you imagine what it's like for them to be in the presence of God.
~You don’t have to go off the rails to be a prodigal. Sometimes, we just let the space between us and God grow larger and larger until we can’t feel his presence in our lives, we don’t hear his voice nudging us to come home. He never left your side. You turned toward the world, ignoring his love. Are you ready to turn around and run home to his arms?
~Have you been holding back on stepping out on that dream you’ve had? The plan that God has laid out for you? He wants you to fulfill his plan, he called you for a reason, he gave you a purpose. Step out in faith.
~Hey, girls. Do you remember that awkward season growing up, comparing yourself to others and feeling like you weren't good enough? Maybe you're still in that season. Well, I want to encourage you that you are precious in the eyes of God. You don't have to strive for perfection or work hard to get God's love and attention. You are enough just as He made you.
~God is so good to us. He is near to us in our heartbreak, and He cares about our despair. Past, present and future, God is still here.
~Even the little things, the things you never noticed have meaning. Rest in knowing that because of Jesus, everything has purpose in your life. Blessing or hardship, he says he will use it for good.
~Are you walking in the valley right now? Maybe it feels like the journey will never end. Well, I promise you’ll get to the other side. Keep holding on to God’s promise of a future and a hope.
~Jesus, the True Vine
I’m a terrible gardener, so this verse really struck me. Jesus is the true grapevine and God is the gardener. Jesus said he cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit. He prunes the branches that do produce fruit so they produce even more. He says, Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine.
~Thank you Lord for another day. Thank you for your perfect love.
~No matter what your situation is, God sees your tears. He hears your cry. He is mindful of what scares you, stresses you, and saddens you. Jennifer Rothschild reminds us tonight that He not only notices your tears, He knows why they’re falling—and He always responds with concern and care.
~Even in the ashes of grief and tragedy, we can be grateful to God for his blessings.
~Remember the get out of jail free card in the Monopoly board game? My brothers were always sending me to jail and it was great getting that card and getting your life back! That card in real life is God’s love and, his mercy and his grace!
~Remember the get out of jail free card in the Monopoly board game? My brothers were always sending me to jail and it was great getting that card and getting your life back! That card in real life is God’s love and, his mercy and his grace!
~Most of us have regrets from our past. I regret things I have a done and said, but I know God forgives me. He forgives you too. So today, let go of that regret and let God in.
~Most of us have regrets from our past. I regret things I have a done and said, but I know God forgives me. He forgives you too. So today, let go of that regret and let God in.
~Some encouragement from Patsy Clairmont: She says. "We need world-wide miracles. God never said life would be an easy curriculum. But, He did promise to be with us in times of trouble. The resources of heaven cannot be depleted or defeated." So, call on his mercy, walk wise, live brave, and show unwavering love.
~When confusion surrounds you, and the whys consume you, trust God and Praise him even when you don’t understand what He's doing.
~When your heart is heavy, turn to the pages of the Bible. It says, God is the God of all comfort. Lord, thank you! When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.
~When you’re in the depths of pain, grief, or fear, we turn inward. We’re so focused on trying to take the next step forward that we forget to look around and savor the blessings, the moments that God give us. Like a lifeline. Lord, keep me in this moment. [Keep Me in the Moment-Jeremy Camp]
~Hey, regret…guess what? I am a child of the one true king! And His mercies are new every day!
~Are you on fire for Christ??? Billy Graham said, "Don’t forget: Without fuel, a fire grows cold—and without the ‘fuel’ of the Bible, prayer and Christian fellowship, our faith grows cold."
~The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. - John 1:5
~If you need an attitude adjustment, read Proverbs. You’ll find all kinds of wisdom on how we should act – not just as believers – but as humans. This one hit home for me: “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” (Proverbs 18:13)
~I see you. You’re in the car listening to the last of the song, thinking about all your worries, trying to making sense of the pain. Well, remember these words from Billy Graham: "I've read the last page of the Bible. It's going to turn out all right."
~Lord, we don’t want to carry our worries into the fresh start of this week. So, we offer them all to You. We give you All of our attempts to figure things out. All of the anxiety of the unknown. we lay it all down - trusting that we have complete access to Your peace today. Amen. (Lysa Teurkerst)
~When you’re in the fight of your life and people wonder how you can get through the day, it’s because we have this faith of a future better than anything we can imagine.
~Reading a commentary from Matthew this morning and it really hit home. Am I serving Christ the way I should? Am I being fruitful? Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same question. The Bible says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Lord, forgive us and burden our hearts to go where you lead, to share our faith and to serve others to glorify you.
~When confusion surrounds you, and the whys consume you, trust God and Praise him even when you don’t understand what He's doing.
~Do you feel like what you’re doing and sharing in God’s name is falling on deaf ears? A prayer from the Psalms: “And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful.”
~Are you checking off another box on your to-do list? Consider this from Nancy DeMoss: “People matter more than any task you might accomplish.” Don’t waste a moment.
~Anxiety and fear whisper in your ear: ‘What if?'” But, Jennie Allen says “Freedom begins when we interrupt that voice with the truth."
~God is real, he’s personal and he’s present. He says, For I hold you by your right hand. I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. - Isaiah 41:13
~If you’re faltering this week thinking about how this year will be different…Maybe a chair will be empty at your table. Maybe everything is off because of the virus. Well, here’s a great reminder from Greg Laurie: “Possessions come and go. Friends come and go. So does time. Yet God doesn’t come and go. He stays.” God promises, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you'” (13:5 NLT). [Matthew West-God Who Stays]
~Most of us can think of times when we felt happy. But what happened when the moment passed? The "happiness" probably faded as well. Explore God says, “The ultimate goal is not for us to find our happiness in our circumstances. God wants us to find deep satisfaction, contentment, and joy in the love and grace he offers us every minute of every day. The more we recognize this—and are grateful for it—the more joyful we will be.”
~Psalm 118:5 – “In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.” God comfort the widow fighting loneliness tonight wrap your arms around her, let her know that you are walking beside her and that you will provide for all of her needs…. [All My Hope-Crowder]
~It’s a trap to think, “If I am feeling good, then God is good” or “If I’m not feeling good, then God is not good!” James 1:3 tells us that trials are “the testing of your faith” which means it’s an opportunity to experience the faithfulness of God as we go through them. It helps us to move from just “knowing” of God to “experiencing” God and His faithfulness. [King of My Heart-Kutless]
Greg Denham
Life’s full of choices, isn’t it? The funny thing is, even when we don’t intentionally choose a response, we have still made a choice. Today, choose to bless the Lord at all times. [Yes I Will-Vertical Worship]
Michelle Nezat
~God gives us spiritual gifts and talents to glorify him. Moms who Pray encouraging us to be fearless in pursuing what sets your soul on fire! [Soul on Fire-Third Day]
~We all have a past before we knew Christ. We have tragedies and sorrows since. Don’t let them haunt you. God can take bad experiences and make you better for having gone through it.
~There's a lyric in this song by Tenth Avenue North that really strikes a chord. "Don’t fight these hands that are holding you." We do that don’t we? Sometimes we just want to wallow in our sorrow and our pain even when we know God is reaching out his hands. Stop fighting and let him hold you. No matter what he’ll be by your side! [By Your Side-Tenth Avenue North]
~Love this truth nugget from T.C. Stallings: "Whether the road is bumpy or smooth, I follow Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of God helps me enjoy the ride—no matter what."
Twitter/T.C. Stallings
~Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” I dare you to take him up on his offer…
~You know, with God you are not walking through life alone. You are not stuck in the mistakes of your past. There is hope in Christ. You are never too far gone. Take his hand and let him lead you into a brand new future. [Never too Far Gone-Jordan Feliz]
~Some awesome insight on the Christian life from Pastor Mark Driscoll: Step 1 preach the Word. Step 2 if that don’t work preach it again. Step 3 repeat steps 1-2.
~Are you celebrating a success tonight? Maybe patting yourself on the back with all your awesomeness? We’ve all been there. But, we have to remember to take it down a notch, deflate your head a bit and give God ALL the credit. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s all about Him. Let him steal the show. [Steal My Show-TobyMac]
~Matty Mullins says the inspiration behind his new song is to not believe the lies of the enemy and give into your fears. Isn’t it encouraging that God says in his word: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” He will give you strength. He will help you. He says he will hold you up with his victorious right hand! (Isaiah 41:10) [No Hold on Me-Matty Mullins]
~Stop the lies and doubt bombarding your mind right now, the “What if I fail? What if I’m not enough?" Listen to God’s voice telling you, "What if you’re right where I want you?" [What If-Blanca]
~What a beautiful sound! No matter what you’re facing…what we’re facing in this struggle with the virus and division in our world, we can shout out, “He reigns!” We can drown out all the noise from the enemy with a Hallelujah. God is in control! [He Reigns-Newsboys]
~Lord help me to see the purpose in this pain. If it brings me closer to you, I will embrace it, trust your plan and keep pointing people to you! [Nobody-Casting Crowns] [Even Then-Micah Tyler]
~You don’t have to walk through this alone. God can give you the strength to move forward. Give him your heart and trust his plan. [Strong Enough-Matthew West]
~You are valuable! You matter! And you are loved! No one loves you like God does! [Who Can-Cochran & Co.]
~Now more than ever, we need to look out for each other! Light the way for your brother, Be the shelter for your sister. [Brother-Needtobreathe]
~Fall in love with the man who died for you. The only one who gives eternal life. The one who walks beside you through it all. His name is Jesus. [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~We have to get back up. No matter what. Through tragedy. Through heartache. Through grief. Losing everything. God is there…[Hard Love-Needtobreathe/See The Light-TobyMac]
~Favorite tweet of the day! A quote from Snoopy…”Keep looking up. That’s the secret of life." I’m looking up to my God. How about you? [Look Up Child-Lauren Daigle]
~“Thy will be done” may be the scariest and the most freeing words ever said. [Thy Word-Hillary Scott]
~Don't beat yourself up for messing up...AGAIN. It's a brand new day. And I love this truth from Patsy Clairmont: “How generous of God to offer new mercies each day. He’s not a once upon a time, faraway god. He’s an always God. He’s as current as our next breath.” [Day One-Matthew West/Redeemed-Big Daddy Weave]
~God has a wonderful way of turning negatives into positives. Sometimes those negatives are devastating tragedies. Sometimes you can’t see the light through the darkness that is enveloping your heart. That’s when you raise your voice in a Hallelujah.[Hallelujah Even Here-Lydia Laird]
~Take the weight off your shoulders…The Bible says those who believe in the name of the Son of God, will have eternal life. Nothing can take that away.
~Don't settle for less than God's best for you. That includes kicking fear out the door! [Even Then-Micah Tyler/The Breakup Song-Francesca Battistelli
~Praying that God will strengthen and encourage you every single day; that you will never ever give up, but always remember that God is for you. I pray the joy of the Lord will always be your strength, and that you know nobody loves you like he does. [Nobody Loves Me Like You-Chris Tomlin]
~Father, I pray for strength and courage as we face this day. We know that you will never give up on us, that you are fighting for us. Help us to remember that you are for us and let our hearts be filled with joy as we walk with you today.
~The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” You’re strapping on your armor right now aren’t you? Go face your giants! [Warrior-Hannah Kerr, Confidence-Sanctus Real, Amadeo-Ryan Stevenson]
~The intersection of stress and mess. Jesus is right in the middle of it! He wants to meet you there so you can do what he called you to do. [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Words are either poison or fruit. Lysa TerKeurst says what we serve to others we eventually will have to eat ourselves. The Bible warns…."The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) Remember to Speak Life. [Speak Life-TobyMac]
~Sometimes God calls us to hard and difficult places. Whatever season you’re in right now, you can trust Him. [Together-4 King & Country]
~Don't get discouraged. We are works in progress! [Unfinished-Mandisa]
~A great reminder for us in these turbulent times. Whenever you find yourself getting discouraged, remember that God is with you during the ups AND the downs. [Hills and Valleys-Tauren Wells]
~Remember that joy you felt when you became a born-again believer? But, today, that feeling, that person seems so far away? You aren't the first. The Psalmist cried out to God, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”
~Lord, take this from us…we need you now. [Need You Now-Plumb]
~Ever been a backseat driver? God knows the way…let him steer. [Control-Tenth Avenue North]
~The road ahead might look pretty scary. Remember that courage doesn't come from mustering up something inside of us; it comes from His promise to be with us wherever we go and whatever comes our way.
Stephanie Bryant/inCourage Blog
~Here’s how it works: We confess. God forgives. He cleans out all the junk! This is what’s left… [No Shame-Tenth Avenue North]
~Don’t worry. God is always right on time. I get it. When you’re in the middle of a fork in the road, and you can’t hear the inner GPS of God’s voice, remember the Bible says his timing is PERFECT! [Right On Time-Aaron Cole]
~When God pours out his love on us, it’s forever! He loves you and he’ll never let go! [Love (Won’t Let Go) We Are Messengers]
~The Bible says to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” If you’re like me, you need him right now and you’d be lost without him! [Me Without You-TobyMac] [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Do you beat yourself up every time you do something that you know is against God’s will? Well, take these words from AW Tozer to heart: "We please God most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms."
~It's straight out of the Bible, "Love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself." It’s simple. Love God, Love People. [Danny Gokey]
~Even when we don’t see him, when we don’t feel him God is working behind the scenes! He is there in every fabric of your life.
~Have you ever been around a group of friends and you feel like you should go along with what they’re doing even when it doesn’t align with your beliefs? Or, you clam up instead of sharing your faith? Well, remember what the Bible tells us. (Hebrews 12:1-2) “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
~If you’re running on empty, remember this encouragement from the Bible: (Hebrews 12:1) "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
~God be greater than the worries in my life let your glory come alive!
~God wants to be No. 1 in your life. He has mapped out your journey. He’s the voice on your GPS. He wants to help you avoid the detours, the traffic jams and the construction zones. He wants to hear you say, whatever comes my way, count me in! [County Me In-Switch]
~In the Christian life, we are not always shouting with joy and celebrating. We are not without heartache, pain, and fear, but because we have Christ in our hearts, we have HOPE. We walk with God every moment of the day to get through the journeys through deep valleys. Even when we don’t feel him beside us, he’s there to encourage, to provide, to heal. He tells us “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t be discouraged. I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Through (personal story), my family has clung to his hand as he helps us face each day. Through it all, there was Jesus. [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~[Newsboys-Live With Abandon] Wouldn’t it be amazing if we listened to God’s voice WITHOUT HESITATION? Throw off ALL DOUBT about what God's plan is for our lives? Just simply say, “Yes, Lord!” and run full out to fulfill what he asks of us? [Christ in Me-Jeremy Camp]
~The Bible says if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. (John 8:36) Let him break you out of your prison. Cry out to him! [Cry Out to Jesus-Third Day]
~Praying that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)
~Are you at a low point in your life? In fact, maybe you've hit bottom. Well, I want to encourage you that God is with you through the highs and the lows. So, with Him, you can rise above anything! [Rise Up-CAIN]
~As a Christian, our faith in Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be private. Live it out. Share it! - Shane Pruitt, Next Gen Evangelism
~Some encouragement from Liz Curtis Higgs today: She posted a photo of a flower from her garden with just one last petal standing. She says, “Meet my hero. All the rest have faded, wilted, given up, but not this one little pink petal. She's still going, still blooming, still pointing the way, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:3
~Choose to focus on God’s promise to be our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) [Overcomer-Mandisa]
~In the midst of circumstances that leave us feeling shaken, we must allow the truth of who God is to steady us. Lysa TerKeurst says, “Let’s praise God today for who He is … Our God who fulfills His purposes. Our God who saves. Our God whose steadfast love and faithfulness know no end.”
~There's nothing like throwing your hands up toward the sky and trusting God with your struggles. Put your trust in Him! -Zach Williams [There Was Jesus-Zach Williams]
~Christ died for me, I will live for Him. How about you? Testify! [Testify-Needtobreathe]
~The Bible says God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) So, go be fearless! [Fearless-Jasmine Murray]
~Every day is a new start. A new chapter to turn everything around. So, let go of the hurt before you can start fresh. God has the most amazing plan for you! [What If-Blanca]
[My Heart is Yours-Passion]~God is the author of your life and he knows it intimately. Share it with him. Nothing scares Him. He can turn a story of pain and disappointment into hope. Let God write your story. [My Heart is Yours-Passion]
LightWorkers
~Some encouragement today from Kirk Cameron: "When we follow God's plan, we find hope." [I Would Be Lost-Joel Vaughn]
~Is your world shattered into pieces, your heart broken, your body weak, your spirit deflated? Remember these words today from John Finch, the author of The Father Effect: “God sees beauty in our brokenness and He loves us no matter how broken we are.” You are beautifully broken. And you can be whole again. [Beautifully Broken-Plumb]
~Here’s some #DailyHope encouragement for you: “When you wait expectantly, you demonstrate that you believe God’s promises. You believe he’s going to keep his word.” You believe He’s got this! [You Got This-Love & The Outcome]
~You might feel small and insignificant and invisible to God, but God is never blind to your tears, deaf to your prayers, or silent to your pain. He sees, he hears, and he LOVES you more than you can imagine. [More-Matthew West]
~Sit with God today. Choose to believe Him when He says, “I can.” God can take it all. Let Him speak words of healing over your life as you lay it all before him. He can take any mess and make it beautiful. He can build from it all.
Lightbuilders/Twitter [audio link]
~Are feeling overwhelmed right now? Afraid to take the next step? Ask yourself this: Have I given up control and given it to the One who is in control? Trust him. [Walk on Waves-Austin & Lindsay Adamec]
~Consider this before you tweet or share today: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Great advice straight from the Bible. (1 Peter 4:8)
~Some encouragement from Will Graham today: He says, “God wants to come into your life to give you joy and purpose and peace. Despite your circumstances, God wants to work in your life!” And you know what? It starts with giving your life to him. [Love Broke Thru-TobyMac]
~Ever think of the questions you’ll ask God when you see him face to face? Like the question of why God closed the doors you asked him to open. Well, maybe he closed that door because he has something so much better in store. [Face to Face-Mat Kearney]
~The inevitable storms of life hit us out of nowhere. Sometimes, it’s a huge tidal wave of pain and grief that pulls under the depths of the sea. But, we can turn to Christ for courage and comfort. He gives us strength to make it to the surface and breathe again. [Strong Enough-Matthew West]
~Do you feel it? Revival spreading even with the church doors still closed…You can’t silence the old church choir! [Zach Williams-Old Church Choir]
~Are you trying to set goals and plan for your future while the world is in turmoil? Well, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!
~In every season, God has a purpose. We don’t always know the reason for our pain, our wandering, our confusion, but He tells us it all leads to our true home…with Him. So, keep pressing on and take joy in the journey! [Almost Home-Mercy Me]
~Some days you’re in a puddle on the floor. It’s a struggle just to face the day…but with God’s help you can get back up and move forward! [Hard Love-Needtobreathe]
~I love this from Elevation Church: “Everything's possible by the power of the Holy Ghost. A new wind is blowing right now.”
~God is amazing, isn’t he? He is the same today as He was yesterday. With all the rapid-fire change going on in the world around you, cling to that promise.
~ "We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10) You are made new. Go. Step out of your comfort zone. Tell someone about his transforming love.
~Is the noise all around you deafening? The kids, the traffic, the negativity in the world right now? You just need a moment to breathe and rest and reset? Remember that even when things seem out of control, God is in control! Find a quiet space and ask him to give you his peace! Let it cover you and quiet your mind.
~It’s tough out there. Bleak sometimes. But there is joy. There is peace. There is victory. Keep pressing on toward the prize!
~Ever cloud watch and see images in the shapes? Well God is there. Go outside and find him in the ordinary. [Ordinary-Hannah Kerr]
~I love this from Propel Women: “At a very low point in his life, David pours out his heart to God, demonstrating a raw honesty and a posture of vulnerability with God. Like David, will you readily go to God with each one of your worries and concerns?” Our conversations with God don’t have to be nice, neat, happy little conversations. They can be anguished, angry, confused and desperate. The key is to be HONEST and GENUINE. He already knows what on your heart. Share it. Spill it. Let it all out. And, then LISTEN.
~For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. (1 John 5:4) Hold onto that verse when you feel bombarded by divisiveness. Be the unifying factor in your neighborhood. [I Lift My Hands-Chris Tomlin]
~Are you walking a hard road today? A road strewn with ruts and impassable debris? Remember that wherever God takes you, He is with you and He is guiding your way. [Faith-Jordan Feliz]
~I am with you always - Matthew 28:20. That promise gives me joy deep in my soul…
~We all know that one person in your life…the one who makes you laugh out loud, makes your smile bigger, encourages your heart and chases away the clouds. Be that person. Shine your light!
~We see confusion and chaos in the world, but Nancy DeMoss says "these situations are actually plot threads God is weaving together to create a story . . . a beautiful, compelling work of art."
~I love this from Dr. Michael L. Brown: “We're living in unprecedented times. Let's live unprecedented lives.” What are doing to step out of your comfort zone during this time?
~Sometimes we struggle with understanding the will of God. We pray for what we want, we put our requests before him, but we forget that part “Your will be done.” Remember what the Rev. Billy Graham said, “The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”
~Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) The best is yet to come!
~[Your story] I stayed home with my kids for about a year when they were little, and it was the best time of my life, but I also get that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose your cool sometimes when they don’t behave like perfect angels. There were plenty of times when I did not use my inside voice. Well, if you’re in that moment (compounded by this stay-at-home order and anxious days), take a deep breath and be encouraged by this from author and teacher Sharon Miller. She says, “It is an enormous, underrated, undeserved grace that young children don't hold onto our mistakes and carry them into the next day. Kids forgive so quickly.” Kind of like Jesus.
Sharon Hodde Miller/Twitter
~Some encouragement from Greg Laurie today: Like a storm, COVID-19 has a beginning, middle and end. Perhaps we are somewhere near the beginning or approaching the middle. But the storm will pass, and don’t forget, Jesus is with us in it.”
~Are you reading the news and feeling discouraged or confused? Great reminder from Christian Associates on Twitter: "The minute we start getting confused, that's when we need to back off. God is not the author of confusion."
~A shout out and thanks to those stepping out of their comfort zones, putting aside fear for their own safety to go into the front lines to help battle this pandemic. [Oceans-United]
~Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
~Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
~Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
~Encouragement from Greg Laurie today: “Keep moving. Don’t give up. Don’t abandon hope. We are going to get through this valley in our lives. There will be an even greater mountaintop beyond it, with great lessons we have learned as God demonstrated His strength in our weakness.”
~Watching the news today. More stats. More cases. More restrictions. I have to take a deep breath and remember that God is stronger than all of that. I have to trust in his power to transform. He is healer. Max Lucado asks, “Is fear coming at you from all sides? Then let God speak to you. He is as near as your next breath!” [Your Name is Power-Rend Collective]
~It’s a very different Easter season this year. But, we can’t lose sight of what Jesus did on the cross for you. He died for you and through him anything is possible. There will be a light at the end of this tunnel!
~For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
~You might be feeling discouraged by everything that's going on in our country, but Rick Warren says, "To live with hope in the middle of a crisis, you need to change your focus, shift your perspective, and live in the light of eternity.” Hope you're encouraged by his words and spend some time today transforming your way of thinking about all of this.
~It’s easy to get discouraged when we keep seeing a constantly rising statistics ticker of the toll this virus is taking around the world and right here in our communities. I have noticed the media sharing a new stat, though: the number of people that have recovered! More than 150,000. But, here’s an ever better stat from Greg Laurie’s Harvest Church: From online services this past Sunday, more than 3,400 salvations-new lives in Christ.
~"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (John 1:7 )
~"We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 CEV). [City on a Hill-TobyMac]
~The Bible says the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18) Do you feel his presence beside you?
~Don't worry about the future. “God is already in your tomorrow.” – Elevation Church.
~Take shelter under his wings. He will protect you and see us through this. The Bible says to trust in the Lord and offer sacrifices in the right spirit. A Psalm of David: “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord.” No matter how long you’ve run from God, what you’ve done, God pursues you. He invites you to come to his throne of grace. Take his free gift and be forgiven. Be made whole. Run into his arms!
~There is no reason to fear! We are victorious! The great I Am has already won. Take courage in that and in God promises. Lift up the name of Jesus. The church is not a building. It is His people!
~The Bible says (Psalm 46:1) God is your refuge. God is your strength. God is your help. In times of trouble, he is always there.
~Think about the things that have been stripped away. Name them. Say them out loud one at a time and open your hands to physically practice “letting go” of them, releasing them into God’s hands to hold. This week, seek the Peace of God.”
Propel Women/Twitter
~Did you thank God today? You woke up. You’re healthy. You’re alive and breathing. Some are grieving today. Some have lost so much. “Forgive me Lord for my complaints. I'm truly grateful for all you've done.” [Alive & Breathing-Matt Maher]
~Prayers and encouragement for our churches as they continue to close their doors and stream their services online! The vice president urged people to continue donations as churches have closed their doors during this pandemic. Mike pence said ministries are playing a vital role in the wake of the coronavirus.
~Remember this: "In the middle of the war, God remains in control." Let go of your fears and anxiety right now and give him the reigns! [Eye of the Storm-Ryan Stevenson]
~God loves you with an all-consuming love. He will pursue you and draw you to him! Remember back when you were running away from him and you still felt his presence all around you? His great love was there in all the signs along the path guiding you to him. [Reckless Love-Passion]
~Romans 15:5 (NLT) says, “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” How about consciously spending time today greeting those you don’t normally talk to – with social distancing rules to stay safe of course. Minimize differences and seek common ground for fellowship. (Life Application Study Bible)
~If you’re feeling anxious because of the separation, the social distancing, working from home and you’re isolated from your co-workers, try connecting on a video chat. And remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God. It’s Romans 8:35.
~Some encouragement from Propel Women: “Stay calm. Stay strong. Stay open. Stay generous. Stay faithful. Stay decisive. Stay hopeful. You are not alone; we are in this together. Remember, the world will always be changing—but God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).”
~The Bible reminds us of what is ahead of us as believers and the hope we have every day. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
~Has the week of homeschooling and working remotely been hectic for you? Well, consider this, it might be a good opportunity to take a step back from the everyday routine and answer some of the hard questions. What is my purpose and am I following God’s lead or my own? [City on our knees-TobyMac]
~Do you find that at times you are slow to pray? Maybe you feel like you don’t deserve for God to answer favorably. Well, you're right. None of us deserves it, but we should pray anyway. It wouldn’t be mercy or grace if we deserved it. During this trying, fearful time, let's ask God to heal our land, not because WE are good, but because HE is. (Author unknown)
~ The Bible says (in 2 Thessalonians 3:16) "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in all ways. Remember to turn to God for all your needs today.
~A great reminder from Propel Women: "During a storm, hope gives us the ability to look at things as they are and still be confident that something better is coming." As we weather this storm, hold onto the promises of God.
~We need God in America today. Greg Laurie says, "We need him to eradicate this invisible enemy. In the Bible, prayer stopped storms, calmed waves, healed the sick, raised the dead and even stopped time. Scripture reminds us, “With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
~Start each day - especially right now - by declaring to yourself... "This is the day the Lord has made and I am going to be glad in it!"
~Have you ever noticed that children many times have some profound things to say about Jesus and faith? In Luke 10:21, Jesus says, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way." The openness of children and their transparency can often receive the truth of God where we don’t!
~There is a lot of fear and uncertainty right now, but we are going to get through this as a community. Trust God, stay calm and choose to see crisis as an opportunity to LOVE others. Consider ways that you can reach out – even if you’re quarantined or working from home – a phone call, a welfare check on your neighbors, buying a sack of groceries or takeout and have it delivered to a friend. I ordered online for pickup at Walmart so I don’t have to go inside the store. How about Face-timing to stay connected, and always, always, PRAY for one another.
~I love this optimistic, challenge-accepted tweet from an author-blogger Deanna Jackson on Twitter: “Didn't really expect to be giving up this much for Lent, but here we are...rockin' it!” She asked the writing community to share their work. She says, “Since some of us are in quarantine, we need some new reading material. In the process, maybe make a new virtual friend to chat with. We got this!”
~We get caught up in the every-day things of the world. The panic over the Coronavirus, or just the busyness of our lives. I went to the grocery store, and just like I had heard, the toilet paper aisle was completely empty! Interesting note, too: there were only a few boxes of spaghetti left on the shelf. Well, take a minute and remember Romans 12: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Look at everything through his lens.
~Some encouraging words today from Dr. Tony Evans: “We’re trusting in Him day by day, in spite of the challenges and the loss. Sometimes you have to learn to trust God in the dark when there is not clarity, when He becomes inscrutable.”
The Christian Post
[I Got You-Aaron Bucks] ~Everything will be OK. We know that because the Bible says in Philippians 4:7 (NLT) “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” It’s a peace that passes understanding! The verse continues, “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
~God loves you! How much? The Bible says, "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT) [How He Loves-Crowder]
~By far, the most frequent name Jesus called himself was “Son of Man,” recorded over 100 times in the gospels. He also refers to himself as: I Am, Life, Bridegroom, Gate, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Lord/Teacher, Messiah/Christ, and the Vine: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Christianity.com
~“When you trust God to fulfill the promises He's given you, all the forces of darkness cannot stop God from bringing your dreams to pass.” – Moms Who Pray [Burn the Ships-for KING & COUNTRY]
~God is the source of hope…the Bible offers a prayer that God would “fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
~Do you feel inadequate? Like you don’t measure up? You know God has a plan. You might even have an idea about what that plan is, but you still feel unsure and out of your comfort zone sometimes. You might you’re on a path you never imagined. Well, here’s some encouragement for you: God isn’t finished writing your story. Keep trusting him and taking the day one step at a time. [God's Not Done With You-Tauren Wells]
~God is with you in surprising ways. Did you see the video of the toddler running out to give the pizza delivery guy a hug? The sweet moment was caught on the front porch camera. Later after the little boy’s mom posted the video, Ryan, the driver, shared that he’d recently lost his 16-year-old daughter and through the unexpected hug, he felt like his daughter was there.
Good News Network
~If you are struggling right now, remember that “suffering can refine you rather than destroy you because God himself walks with you through the fire.” – Timothy Keller
~When you decide to follow Christ, he changes you from the inside out. But you have to make a conscious choice to turn away from your old ways. The Bible says (Colossians 3) to put on the new self: mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forgiveness and above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
~It’s great to have ambition and push to reach the greatest heights in your career, but it’s all for nothing without Christ at the heart of it. Make sure you are putting him first wherever you are in your life. [Touch The Sky-United]
~When we’re hit with tragedy, our beliefs sometimes falter. But, it’s in those times when holding tightly to the truth is our lifeline. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy. Remember the words of Jesus…“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15)
~Here’s a great question from Christian Associates on Twitter: “Some of us are very busy, but are we fruitful in Christ?” Sometimes we have to take a step back from the everyday routine and answer some of the hard questions. What is my purpose and am I following God’s lead or my own? [My Feet are on the Rock-I Am They] [Motions-Matthew West]
~Some words to lift your spirit today from Jenny Wheeler on the (in)courage blog: “There is nothing too hard or too big for God to heal and piece back together with His peace.”
~Are you shining your light? John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” [Light Shine Bright-TobyMac] (NLT)
~ Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. ~1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)
~Thought-provoking quote from Christine Caine: “A story doesn't become a testimony until it goes through a test.” If you’re being tested right now, know that God’s is walking through the fire with you and he’ll bring you out on the other side with a new perspective and a story to tell that might change someone’s life.
~The Bible says the word of God is alive and powerful and Hebrews 4:12 is pretty convicting. It says God’s word “is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Lay all of that at his feet right now and accept his love, his gift of salvation. [Lay 'Em Down-Needtobreathe]
~God can root into the tiny crevices of your heart and mind and get all the gunk out. He washes you clean when you give your life to Christ. That doesn’t make us perfect. He forgives us, yet we all stumble and fall. Just remember, though, he is the master creating a work of art and he’s not finished! Can you feel the brushstrokes?
~God is so good, isn’t he? Even when the road is long and littered with grief and pain and sorrow, he reveals his plan mile by mile and it’s amazing when we open our eyes to His truth and his love.
~Do you want to make an impact in your world? Your community, your own backyard? Tuck this nugget of truth from Bob Goff into your pocket: “People will know what you believe when they see what you do.”
~God is with you, friend. In your grief, in your sadness, in your despair. The Bible says in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
~How do you drown out all other voices, but God’s? Propel Women says, “Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Replace lies with God’s promises and truth. Use discernment in who and what you listen to, and let God be the first one you go to for comfort, wisdom, insight, and discernment. [Echo-Elevation Worship]
Propel Women
~God wants you to be authentic when you bring your prayers to him, to be REAL. Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect, whitewashed words of poetry. Just lay it all out to him. The good parts, yes, but, also the messy parts, the ugly scars. The deep anguish. Thank him, tell him you love him, ask him for what you want or need, but share all your emotions with him. That’s what having a real relationship with him is like. He made you. He understands what you’re going through right now.
~I love to watch all the home remodeling shows on TV. It's hard to envision the beauty in all the dilapidated houses that they transform. But, that's how God sees us, with a designer's eye. Are you in a place of hopelessness right now? Your world has shattered into a thousand pieces? Your life is like a neglected old home with peeling paint, a rotting foundation and crumbling brick. But, through Christ, God can rebuild your broken soul. It’s demo day, let The Creator do the ultimate home restoration. [Rebuilder-Carrollton] [Masterpiece-Danny Gokey]
~I know that a lot of you are going through something heart-wrenching. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, and you just can’t quite get back on track with your normal day-to-day routine. How can you? People might say it’s time to “get over it.” That can never be when you have that terrible void in your heart, but God can fill that hole with hope and with his promise of Christ’s return and a glorious day, a new heaven and a new earth! Thinking of that day dispels the pain, or at least lessens it. Remember, He is with you right now and he will make a way for you to go on running this race. [Glorious Day-Casting Crowns] [Hope in Front of Me-Danny Gokey] [There Will Be a Day-Newworldson] [Best News Ever-Mercy Me]
~If you’re broken and ready to give your sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and have a new life in Christ, well I have good news. Salvation is a FREE gift from God. That's what grace is. It'll change your outlook and your eternity! [Grace Got You-Mercy Me]
~If you are weary in the life, keep running for the prize, keep fighting the fight, keep shouting the name of Jesus. You’re almost home. [Almost Home-Mercy Me]
~If you are standing on a road you didn’t plan crying out to God and you can’t see the signs ahead of you, remember Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. [Plumb-Need You Now]
~From Moms Who Pray on Twitter: "Where there's hate, let me sow love. Where there's injury, pardon. Where there's despair, hope." A great reminder to look inward and examine our hearts, then offer forgiveness, show Christ's love and be his hands and feet.
~Don‘t just give God 10 percent or 50%....Give God all of you today. Let go of your fear and give him your trust, your love. Your heart. [All of Me-Matt Hammit]
~I am thankful for my scars. They made me who I am today. The sorrow of brokenness, the pain of loss, the regret of sin. God covered it all when I found Christ. Will you let him heal your scars today? Just call out to him. He will rescue you. [Scars-I Am They] or [Scars-TobyMac]
~When you look at the world around you through God’s eyes, do you have his compassion? His grace? Pray that he would open your eyes, open my eyes to suffering, to the “least of these,” and that He would give you a heart to follow him into the trenches. [Follow You-Leeland]
~It’s still February – the Love Month – and maybe you’re still struggling with singleness. Well, here’s some great advice from Elevation Church: Instead of your focusing on “finding the right person, BE the right person.” How about working on your relationship with God and let him be the matchmaker. [Love Lifting Me-Tasha Layton]
~Do you feel abandoned? By your friends, your family? God promises that he will never leave you. He’s by your side right now. [The God Who Stays-Matthew West]
~Dear younger me. Let me introduce you to my best friend. His name is Jesus. He will change your life. [Dear Younger Me-Mercy Me]
~Are you living in fear? Fear of the test results? Fear of making ends meet every month? Fear of the path your child is wandering down? The Bible says (in 2 Corinthians 9:8-NLT) "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” So, trust him to meet your needs, and guide you. [The Breakup Song-Francesca Battistelli] / [Fear No More-Building 429]
~I love this from the (in)courage blog: “There is grief and there is joy, sometimes at the very same time, but He does not waste our hurt or our hope.” Remember, God has a plan, a specific purpose for your life. If you are hurting right now, let the God wipe away the veil blocking the sun. Let the cloudy day slip away and let the light of Christ shine bright.
(in)courage
~Grief comes in different forms. One is ambiguous grief. Sarah Walton, the author of Hope When it Hurts, shares that it differs from ordinary loss in that there is no verification of death or no certainty that the person will come back or return to the way they used to be.” Caring for her son who suffers with the effects of Lyme disease, she says, “In a sense, we feel frozen in our grief, unable to move forward or begin the process of healing because we face our loss in a fresh way every day. We had lived in this space for twelve years, ever since the realization that our son’s challenges were far beyond just a strong will or a different parenting technique. Little did we know that our sweet and hurting child’s neurological challenges would affect every area of his and our family’s life from that point on. As many can attest to, the pain of loss sears the deepest places of our hearts. Whether it crashes upon us with one devastating blow or is a gradual fading away of someone or something we hold dear; loss always leaves its painful mark, though its intensity and length will differ for each of us. I’m learning that it’s a grieving process that often repeats itself on a daily basis. But, it’s these three truths that have drawn me closer to the Lord through that process:
-Acknowledge your grief
-Accept what is
-Assure yourself of your future hope
“As we learn to trust the Lord with the life he’s given us, there are countless unexpected blessings to be found – both now and for eternity.”
SetApart.net
~Are you using your skills for the glory of God? Tony Perkins says, “It’s not just pastors who are called and work for God. God gives unique vocational skills and wisdom in many areas – all for His glory.” Remember 1 Corinthians 10:31: “…Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
~"Show me someone who has lost hope, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t reading the Scriptures. Reading God’s Word bolsters our faith and renews our hope." - Greg Laurie
~Are you questioning God’s plan for you? Getting frustrated when doors don’t open the way you want them to? I didn’t understand the road I was on for years. [Share your personal story] So, I can personally attest to this from Beth Moore: “God knows what He’s doing. And that includes what He’s doing with you. We may have no earthly idea what’s up but, whatever it is, it will be right, it will be good, it will be true and it will be meaningful. Trust God in the dark and He will always turn back on the light.”
~As Christians, how an we glorify God at work? 1. Be thankful for your job. 2. Recognize your work is to the Lord. 3. Strive to maintain integrity. 4. Show genuine care for co-workers. 5. Don't be obnoxious as you evangelize. 6. Work excellently for God's glory.
Dustin Benge
~When she lost her daughter, she was gripped with fear. Her family wondered how they would face the future without her. Remember, it is a day-to-day- hour-by-hour minute-by-minute process to move forward. But, trusting in God’s plan and following his lead is the only way to take the next step. Have you taken that detour in life, too? Just remember to throw fear aside, follow his signs and listen to his voice. [Fear No More-Building 429]
~It’s been a long week already and you’re wondering, “When will God answer my prayers??? That’s when you need to hold onto Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” In the midst of it all, just praise him! [O Praise Him-David Crowder Band]
~Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward. ~ Col. 3:23
~From Propel Women: "In every challenge that we encounter in life, we can be grateful that our God is wise, loving, and completely trustworthy. We can lean into the strength he gives us so we can hang on and press through, empowered by the One who is already victorious and who loves us so very much."
Twitter@PropelWomen
~Do you have an eternal perspective in your grief? Dr. Joseph Stowell says, “If you believe that God has a world prepared for you where all Christians will be together again and be with Him in absolute joy and bliss, then that brings strength to your sorrow.”
GriefShare
~Are you trapped in that old pattern of habits from your old self? Or maybe you’ve never opened your heart to the One who can break your chains, erase your sins and make you brand new. No one but Jesus can set you free. Will you let him? [Chain Breaker-Zach Williams]
~Are you feeling powerless today? Read 2 Corinthians 12 verses 9 & 10 for for a little courage! "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (NLT)
~One of the reasons we don't know God deeply is that we don't venture much on his pledge to carry things for us. John Piper says, “Knowing God…is a matter of walking with him through fire and not being burned. It is a matter of not being crushed under a load because he carries it for you at your side. What, then, does he carry? God has carried our sins. God pledges to carry our anxieties, and he pledges to carry our burdens. Will you lay your burdens down before him tonight?
Going Deeper
~Do you feel like you don’t have all the right skills, talents, characteristics to be effective in sharing your faith? In fulfilling God’s call for your life? Here’s some encouragement from Elevation Church, who posted a picture of a puzzle piece on Twitter: “You're not missing anything. You have every piece you need for the picture God has for your life!
Twitter/Elevation Church
~Have you been letting fear hold you back from living fully for God? Well, remember 2 Timothy 1:7: (NLT) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” So, go be fearless! [Fearless-Jasmine Murray]
~Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “We are all broken—that’s how the light gets in.” If you’re feeling broken, embrace it and let the light of Christ in. [Beautifully Broken-Plumb]
Twitter/@DailyHemingway
~Some inspiration from Tori Hein, the wife of Matt Hein of I Am They: You don’t need to fix your life. You need to fix your eyes. This month God lead me to the book of Hebrews. He told me to read it over and over and over again until it was deeply in me again. I remember studying this book in Bible College and being so moved by its depth and direct application to my life.
After having read through the whole book a few times I got to the famous lines...
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘴𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥.”𝘏𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝟷𝟸:𝟷-𝟸
And that was it. I hit my knees weeping in God’s presence in my sun room. I don’t have the time or words to explain all that shifted back to alignment in my heart that moment.
Are you afraid?
Fix your eyes.
Unsure of what to do?
Fix your Eyes.
Feeling left out?
Fix your eyes.
Confident and certain?
Fix your eyes.
This faith that requires you to step forward into the unseen is FOUNDED and PERFECTED by Jesus. You can’t endure what lies ahead without Him. He has gone before you to provide and equip you with whatever you need in Him.
Your victory belongs to Him.
YOU belong to Him.
When your eyes are fixed on Him, there’s no sitting on the out skirts. You’re right in the center of your life’s purpose. If your eyes are fixed on Him, it’s impossible to miss “it” or miss out. He is the reward.
Facebook/I AM THEY
~Are you crying out to Jesus right now to take this from you? Whatever you’re going through, remember all the times he has heard your prayer and given you the strength to keep going. [I Need You-Plumb]
~Jesus is the King of Kings and his name is powerful! God elevated him to the place of highest honor. Philippians chapter 2 says God "gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT) [Your Name is Power-Rend Collective]
~How can you engage more with God's Word? Here are 4 practical ways to dig deeper and strengthen your faith in the process:
- Prioritize your quiet time. Set an alarm on your phone and keep your appointment with God just like your daily meetings.
- Choose a scripture a day to meditate on. Download a verse of the day app.
- Talk about God's Word throughout your day. Share your insights with family and friends in casual conversation.
- Turn frustration or anger into teachable moments. Let his Word transform your outlook on every day struggles.
~Do you know who you are in Christ? Leadership blogger Paul Sohn writes that according to the Bible, we are God’s possession, his child, his workmanship. He says, "You are His friend, His vessel, a co-laborer, and His witness. You are a soldier, an ambassador and a building, a temple. You’re a minister and an instrument. You’re His chosen, His beloved, His precious jewel, and His heritage."
Paul Sohn
~With God—chance is eliminated! God knows what’s best! Max Lucado writes in Grace for the Moment, "No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, his presence and his permission. Isaiah 43:2 says, 'when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.' What encouragement! You’re never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped by the winds of fortune. Perish the thought! You live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of your life, and delights in doing you good! Remember this! Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of God’s love!"
~"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15
~"Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." If you're feeling far away from God, these words from Hosea 6:3 remind us to draw close to him and he will come near to us.
~When you're struggling or facing a tough decision, do you immediately turn to God for guidance? Oswald Chambers wrote, "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense." Take your fears and burdens to him right now.
~If you feel like everything is crashing in around you, know that God is there. He is listening. He hears you. He understands your struggle, your pain. Take comfort in these words from Sharon Jaynes: “All through our lives, there will be times when we feel powerless. But friend, we are never more powerful than when we use our words in prayer.”
~When you do something for someone, what are your motives? Remember this verse if your motives are selfish in any way: "Whatever you do, do it willingly, as if it’s for the Lord and not for people." Colossians 3:23.
~"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God." Psalm 42:1-2. Think of the last time you ran on the track. You were "dying of thirst by the second lap, right? Run the race that God has placed before you and thirst for the living water that he provides.
~"“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him." Psalm 41:1-2. A great verse to memorize. Then, act on it whenever God gives you the opportunity.
~Great thought from Women's Fitness: "Follow your hopes, not your fears." So, if you hope to fit into your size 12 jeans again, face your fears, lace up your shoes and get out there on the track! And don't fear the yoga pants. Pull 'em on and cover up with a big t-shirt. Just do it!
~Do you need a reminder today that God is faithful to answer your prayers? "...Whatever you ask for in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
~The holiday season is good time to evaluate your volunteer and ministry efforts. Evangelist Nick Vujicic says, "When you serve others, you will find that the life you transform is your own." Take time to find a project that you are passionate about or that God has been nudging you to commit to, and jump in!
~Anxiety is a joy killer. If you're worried about money or your job or test results from the doctor, remember to put your circumstances in God's hands. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." Trust is the key word there. When we place our trust in Him, joy and peace replace stress, worry, and anxiety. Give your burdens to him right now.
~Was your holiday weekend a hectic, stress-filled there's-too-many-people-in-my-house one? Here's a reason to love Monday, then: Jeremiah 31:25 reminds us that God will "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."
~"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" - Psalm 119:105. When your world is in darkness and you can't find your way, use the Bible as your searchlight.
~It's hard sometimes to keep your faith strong when things seem to be crashing in around you. Finances, responsibilities, and unexpected setbacks weigh heavily on you. If you're going through something right now that is tripping up your trust and faith in God, remember this verse: "But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you." - Psalm 56:3.
~Do you ever think that God gets fed up with our mistakes, our daily struggles and the times that we mess up big time? Parents, you understand that point when your kids have tested you to the limit! Well, just as you correct them, guide them, and keep loving them, God never stops loving us! The Bible says, "He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber." -.Psalm 121:3.
~The Bible tells us to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength - Mark 12:30. Remember to spend time in worship today.
~A sobering reminder as we look in the mirror and ask ourselves how we treat people: "Those who aren’t loving don’t know God, because God is love"- 1 John 4:8.
VETERANS DAY:
We're honoring veterans today for their duty and sacrifice in serving our country. Here's an encouraging word for our veterans and active duty military today for our Heavenly Commander in Chief:
- Joshua 1:9 - "…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
- Psalms 33:20-22 - "Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
- 2 Samuel 22:2-4 - And he said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, Thou dost save me from violence. "I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies."
- Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
- John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
- Psalms 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
~"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Cor. 5:17. Throw off your old self and start your brand new day!
~How do you want to live your Christian life? As Christians, we are made new by Christ, but we find ourselves living day to day by the world's standards. We "just get by" because we try to do life on our own without the power that God gave us through the Holy Spirit. We're just going through the motions. Kay Arthur says, "If you truly want to live then you must: 1. Live by the Word of God. 2. Live a crucified life, and 3. Live by His Spirit. Decide right now which life you choose.
~"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our day." - Psalm 90:14. How many times have you rushed out the door in the morning without a thought about God? Take time to feel his embrace and be encouraged and refreshed! If you do, you won't be able to hide the light of his love from those around you!
~We don’t have to perform for God's love; we only need to receive it. Holly Gerth shares on the (in)courage blog that we all want approval, affirmation and secretly crave applause. But, the reality is an audience can’t give us anything we don’t already have. It can’t heal our souls. It can’t fill us up. It can’t prove our worth. Comedian Tim Hawkins put it in perspective this way: "I'm not in front of an audience to “get laughs,” but to “give laughter.” Remember that we live for an audience of One.
(in)courage
~One of the most amazing and humbling parts of the Christian faith is when you realize this: "You can accept God’s grace, but you cannot earn it." That tweet from Explore God reminds us that we don't deserve his grace, but he offers it freely when we ask for forgiveness and for Christ to come into our lives. Will you accept his free gift? "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9
~Have you seen the movie "Woodlawn" yet? It's an amazing story of reconciliation and spiritual revival, and it has inspired the nation and athletes everywhere. The fact that it is based on a true story seems to strike a chord with people. The Woodlawn High School football team had to overcome racial divide when the school was desegregated in the early 1970's.They were able to do that when they became a team of believers in Christ. We can all learn a lot from this movie. The Bible talks about the power of teamwork. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Sports Illustrated wrote, "Woodlawn shares a universal truth: Winning is sweeter when you play for a larger cause.” What is your team playing for?
~I love this from Inspiring Awesome: "When inspiration hits, take action immediately even if it's a tiny first step." You can't go where God wants you to go until you do.
~Are you timid with your faith? Especially around friends that don't share your views? It's time to boldly proclaim his name. The Bible says, "Let your light shine forth before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16
~Do you need a Galatians 5:22 attitude adjustment today? We all need this gentle reminder from time, especially in rush hour traffic or when the kids are driving you nuts. The Bible says, "But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
~Feeling discouraged by where you are in comparison to where you thought you would be in your life? Here's a good pep talk from a PR expert Andrew Pelletier: "Your dream doesn't have an expiration date." God has a plan for you. Don't lose sight of it.
~You may be facing some tough decisions right now; waiting on a diagnosis, struggling with your job or confused about where God is leading you. Well, here's a great reminder from Christian Associates: "If we really trust God, we have to be content with the answers He gives us." Pray, but remember to pray for His will. Listen to His voice and follow His leading.-
~When the chaos is overwhelming, take a deep breath and let the peace that God gives settle your mind. Remember John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you."
~“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” - Galatians 6:2. Remember that verse when you see a post from a friend who is struggling or they answer, "Fine" when you ask them how they're doing and you know they are just trying to be strong. Don't just comment or offer a passing nod. Stop and pray for them or with them. Do something tangible to let them know you're there for them.
~Some encouragement for you today: The Bible says "I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing." - Ezekiel 34:26.
~"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28. Keep that verse tucked away in your heart the next time you hit a snag in the road of life. You might be driving over pot holes, through a construction zone or a major traffic jam that slows your journey to a crawl, but God has a plan and he will use it to glorify His name.
~A verse to keep in mind if you're like me and you tend to yell at the TV when the news is on: "The Lord’s servant must not quarrel." - 2 Timothy 2:24.We are not to compromise our values and beliefs, but we also have to keep our attitudes in check and hold on to a higher power. Do whatever you do in Jesus name. People are watching.
~"I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4 Whatever you're going through right now, give it to God in prayer and let His power and might break through the chains of fear holding you back. Remember that he is mighty to save!
~God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved - John 3:17. God's forgiveness is more than drops in the oceans.
~You've been hearing about this man named Jesus and you're skeptical. Was he a just a man, a prophet, a figure to be put on a shelf in the annals of history? Or was He the Son of God? Is he the only way to Heaven? The Bible, in which all scripture is God-breathed, says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Are you ready to open your heart and follow Him.
~Ever feel like no one understands you or what you're going through? You might feel lost and alone and isolated...Reach out to friends. They love you. But even if you can't do that, there is one person who always understands and is there for you. His name is Jesus.
~Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 [Burdens-Jamie Kimmett]
~Through all your joy and pain God is there. He never left you alone. He picked you up and changed from the inside out! So dance for joy at your new life with Him!
~When the news of the day and all the negativity on social media brings you down, remember this from Exodus 15:18: "The LORD reigns forever and ever."
~If you're feeling the stressed with getting your To-Do list trimmed down, consider this reminder from GodFruits.com: "Satan rushes you, frightens you, pushes you, confuses you, condemns you, stresses you, discourages you and worries you. But, God stills you, reassures you, leads you, enlightens you, forgives you, calms you, encourages you and comforts you!" Why not let him be your joy today!
~If you're feeling let down because the job you wanted fell through or the path you thought God had you on took a detour, have you ever thought that God is still orchestrating everything? He knows is best for you by closing this door. Proverbs 2:8 tells us, "He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." Billy Graham says, instead of asking God to bless your plans, ask Him instead to show you His plans, and then give you the strength to follow them.
~Kay Arthur reminds Christians that we have to live out Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" and remember what Jesus told His disciples in John 15:17-18: “This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”
~We must speak the truth and shine the light of Christ in a dark world. We cannot hide his light under a bushel. We are also commanded to love and show grace just as God loves each of us. Proverbs 16:24 says, "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
~Are you worrying about all the day-to-day responsibilities you're facing? The kids, the job, the deadlines, the bills? It seems the world is crashing in on you from all sides and you don't have time to just worship God? Well, check out Luke 10: 41-42. It's the story of Mary and Martha when Martha was running around taking care of the house and the food and Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him speaking: "The Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
~Make this verse your prayer for the day! "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!" Psalm 19:14. Even if you've already blown it today, it's never too late to make a 360 degree turn and start over!
~One of the best evidences that you're a good parent is this: Look at how awesome your kids are! Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
~What do you do when grumbling replaces the joy of service? Whatever the reason, remember that joy can be restored. Hope Griffin writes, "If the laundry is too high or the project at work falling into chaos and you start to lash out and your family or your co-workers, walk away from your task list for a bit. Find a quiet place to pray and rest. When your heart is not right with God, that is when your light becomes hidden and others can't see the glory of God in you." Pray this prayer from Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Hope Griffin
~Where do you put your hope? In circumstances? In your own ability? In others? Psalm 119:114 says God is our refuge and our shield." Put your hope in His word. Put your life in the hands of the one who can wipe away your stains and make you flawless! [Grace Like Rain-Todd Agnew]
~Hebrews 9:28 says "Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Will you be ones of those he returns for?
~It's so hard to reconcile the evil in the world, but we know that God is with us. We are Praying for Charleston today...remembering Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep."
~Faith takes believing even when believing is hard. Do you believe the sun will come out again when the storm clouds part? Do you believe the journey will get easier once you reach the top of the hill? Do you believe in God and trust in his plan even when He is silent? This song reminds us to rest in that silence and listen for his voice. That is when he reveals his path.
~Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." It's amazing to think that God knew us even before we were born! So, you can be certain that he has called you to use the gifts he gave you for a specific purpose. Seek His will for your life and be willing to step out and be used by Him. Go change your world!
~How many times have you shared your faith with someone and they don't respond, or they reject the idea altogether? Take encouragement in this: God calls you to spread the Gospel message; to carry the name of Jesus into the world. You may not yield a huge harvest, but you are being faithful when you till the soil and plant the seeds. Then, water the seeds with prayer.
~This is one of my favorite verses. It's pretty convicting, so it's a great one to memorize and recite on a daily basis as a reminder of what we hope we can say at the end of our lives! 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
~Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Vince Miller writes on his blog, "We season and preserve our culture by staying true to our calling in Christ." So, we don't compromise in situations we find ourselves in with our friends, coworkers and our families. He says, "God has called us to be unchanging elements to the world. We are to preserve it. Impact it. And heal it. We can be the most valuable substance on the face of this earth and bring hope to a dying world." How about becoming a salt shaker and "Go salt your world."
Vince Miller
~The mystery of God's divine being is in his creation. So nobody has a good excuse. Do YOU Believe? Read Romans 1:20
Bible Gateway
~Is God calling you to a place that makes you a little uncomfortable? We all tend to stay where we feel safe, but he wants to pull you into deeper waters, into your "un-comfort" zones to shine his light and bring people to him! It's beyond our understanding, but we have to trust him!
~Maybe you're feeling a little burnout today, the struggles of the week pulling you away from God. Reach out for God's hand. Listen for his voice. Remember how you felt when your faith was brand new. In Luke 24:32 the disciples said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" Pray that he will set your soul on fire again!
~Why is it so hard for us to accept how much God loves us or that he can love us at all? Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
~"Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 4:18. Have you encouraged someone today? If not, call up a friend and say, "Hi." Let them know you're there for them. It might be just what they needed today!
~Great thought from Life Coach Bruce Van Horn: "Stop looking for someone who makes you happy and BE someone who makes you happy!" Of course, the only one who can give us true joy is Jesus. If you pursue him, your happiness will spill out on everyone around you.
~"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. - Psalm 118:14 You may have a long week ahead of you and you're already stressing about how you're going to manage it all. Let him be the strength you need and the song in your heart because he has given you a brand new day!
~"Judge your worth and value by what God says about you in His Word, not by how somebody else treats you." - Ephesians 2:4-10
~I love this quote from Martin Luther! "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime." Do you see the new life all around you? In the life-giving rain? In the sunshine? In the colorful, blooming flowers? In the newness and joy and excitement of lives transformed by His promise of resurrection? We are made new by Christ's death and resurrection. Celebrate that new life this Easter! Because of that new life, there is Hope in front of me!
"For I hope in You." - Psalm 38:15. Put your hope in the one who gives life, who picks you up and carries you through the struggles of this life!
~Be kind to those who are wavering. Save them by pulling them out of the fire." - Jude 22-23 That verse is so convicting! Think about this: If your friend was about to slip and fall off the cliff, you would go to drastic lengths to rescue them, right? Then, why do we not go to great length to tell people in our lives about the greatest rescue of all? The one that saves them from being separated from God forever? Jesus is the only way. It's because He lives that we're alive and that we can have everlasting life!
~Forgiveness is the central tenant to our Christian faith. Isaiah 44:22 says, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” If God forgives us, shouldn't we forgive each other? Over and over again?
~Some insight from the (in)courage blog: "Joy is found when we're doing what we're created to do." What has God created you to do? Are you doing it? If not, take the leap and you might be surprised at all the joy you dive into to!
~Some encouragement for you today: The Bible says "I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing." - Ezekiel 34:26.
~"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28. Keep that verse tucked away in your heart the next time you hit a snag in the road of life. You might be driving over pot holes, through a construction zone or a major traffic jam that slows your journey to a crawl, but God has a plan and he will use it to glorify His name.
~A verse to keep in mind if you're like me and you tend to yell at the TV when the news is on: "The Lord’s servant must not quarrel." - 2 Timothy 2:24.We are not to compromise our values and beliefs, but we also have to keep our attitudes in check and hold on to a higher power. Do whatever you do in Jesus name. People are watching.
~"I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4 Whatever you're going through right now, give it to God in prayer and let His power and might break through the chains of fear holding you back. Remember that he is mighty to save!
~God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved - John 3:17. God's forgiveness is more than drops in the oceans.
~You've been hearing about this man named Jesus and you're skeptical. Was he a just a man, a prophet, a figure to be put on a shelf in the annals of history? Or was He the Son of God? Is he the only way to Heaven? The Bible, in which all scripture is God-breathed, says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Are you ready to open your heart and follow Him.
~Ever feel like no one understands you or what you're going through? You might feel lost and alone and isolated...Reach out to friends. They love you. But even if you can't do that, there is one person who always understands and is there for you. His name is Jesus.
~Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 [Burdens-Jamie Kimmett]
~Through all your joy and pain God is there. He never left you alone. He picked you up and changed from the inside out! So dance for joy at your new life with Him!
~When the news of the day and all the negativity on social media brings you down, remember this from Exodus 15:18: "The LORD reigns forever and ever."
~If you're feeling the stressed with getting your To-Do list trimmed down, consider this reminder from GodFruits.com: "Satan rushes you, frightens you, pushes you, confuses you, condemns you, stresses you, discourages you and worries you. But, God stills you, reassures you, leads you, enlightens you, forgives you, calms you, encourages you and comforts you!" Why not let him be your joy today!
~If you're feeling let down because the job you wanted fell through or the path you thought God had you on took a detour, have you ever thought that God is still orchestrating everything? He knows is best for you by closing this door. Proverbs 2:8 tells us, "He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." Billy Graham says, instead of asking God to bless your plans, ask Him instead to show you His plans, and then give you the strength to follow them.
~Kay Arthur reminds Christians that we have to live out Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" and remember what Jesus told His disciples in John 15:17-18: “This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”
~We must speak the truth and shine the light of Christ in a dark world. We cannot hide his light under a bushel. We are also commanded to love and show grace just as God loves each of us. Proverbs 16:24 says, "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
~Are you worrying about all the day-to-day responsibilities you're facing? The kids, the job, the deadlines, the bills? It seems the world is crashing in on you from all sides and you don't have time to just worship God? Well, check out Luke 10: 41-42. It's the story of Mary and Martha when Martha was running around taking care of the house and the food and Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him speaking: "The Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
~Make this verse your prayer for the day! "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer!" Psalm 19:14. Even if you've already blown it today, it's never too late to make a 360 degree turn and start over!
~One of the best evidences that you're a good parent is this: Look at how awesome your kids are! Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
~What do you do when grumbling replaces the joy of service? Whatever the reason, remember that joy can be restored. Hope Griffin writes, "If the laundry is too high or the project at work falling into chaos and you start to lash out and your family or your co-workers, walk away from your task list for a bit. Find a quiet place to pray and rest. When your heart is not right with God, that is when your light becomes hidden and others can't see the glory of God in you." Pray this prayer from Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Hope Griffin
~Where do you put your hope? In circumstances? In your own ability? In others? Psalm 119:114 says God is our refuge and our shield." Put your hope in His word. Put your life in the hands of the one who can wipe away your stains and make you flawless! [Grace Like Rain-Todd Agnew]
~Hebrews 9:28 says "Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Will you be ones of those he returns for?
~It's so hard to reconcile the evil in the world, but we know that God is with us. We are Praying for Charleston today...remembering Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep."
~Faith takes believing even when believing is hard. Do you believe the sun will come out again when the storm clouds part? Do you believe the journey will get easier once you reach the top of the hill? Do you believe in God and trust in his plan even when He is silent? This song reminds us to rest in that silence and listen for his voice. That is when he reveals his path.
~Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." It's amazing to think that God knew us even before we were born! So, you can be certain that he has called you to use the gifts he gave you for a specific purpose. Seek His will for your life and be willing to step out and be used by Him. Go change your world!
~How many times have you shared your faith with someone and they don't respond, or they reject the idea altogether? Take encouragement in this: God calls you to spread the Gospel message; to carry the name of Jesus into the world. You may not yield a huge harvest, but you are being faithful when you till the soil and plant the seeds. Then, water the seeds with prayer.
~This is one of my favorite verses. It's pretty convicting, so it's a great one to memorize and recite on a daily basis as a reminder of what we hope we can say at the end of our lives! 2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
~Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Vince Miller writes on his blog, "We season and preserve our culture by staying true to our calling in Christ." So, we don't compromise in situations we find ourselves in with our friends, coworkers and our families. He says, "God has called us to be unchanging elements to the world. We are to preserve it. Impact it. And heal it. We can be the most valuable substance on the face of this earth and bring hope to a dying world." How about becoming a salt shaker and "Go salt your world."
Vince Miller
~The mystery of God's divine being is in his creation. So nobody has a good excuse. Do YOU Believe? Read Romans 1:20
Bible Gateway
~Is God calling you to a place that makes you a little uncomfortable? We all tend to stay where we feel safe, but he wants to pull you into deeper waters, into your "un-comfort" zones to shine his light and bring people to him! It's beyond our understanding, but we have to trust him!
~Maybe you're feeling a little burnout today, the struggles of the week pulling you away from God. Reach out for God's hand. Listen for his voice. Remember how you felt when your faith was brand new. In Luke 24:32 the disciples said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" Pray that he will set your soul on fire again!
~Why is it so hard for us to accept how much God loves us or that he can love us at all? Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
~"Encourage one another." - 1 Thessalonians 4:18. Have you encouraged someone today? If not, call up a friend and say, "Hi." Let them know you're there for them. It might be just what they needed today!
~Great thought from Life Coach Bruce Van Horn: "Stop looking for someone who makes you happy and BE someone who makes you happy!" Of course, the only one who can give us true joy is Jesus. If you pursue him, your happiness will spill out on everyone around you.
~"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. - Psalm 118:14 You may have a long week ahead of you and you're already stressing about how you're going to manage it all. Let him be the strength you need and the song in your heart because he has given you a brand new day!
~"Judge your worth and value by what God says about you in His Word, not by how somebody else treats you." - Ephesians 2:4-10
~I love this quote from Martin Luther! "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime." Do you see the new life all around you? In the life-giving rain? In the sunshine? In the colorful, blooming flowers? In the newness and joy and excitement of lives transformed by His promise of resurrection? We are made new by Christ's death and resurrection. Celebrate that new life this Easter! Because of that new life, there is Hope in front of me!
"For I hope in You." - Psalm 38:15. Put your hope in the one who gives life, who picks you up and carries you through the struggles of this life!
~Be kind to those who are wavering. Save them by pulling them out of the fire." - Jude 22-23 That verse is so convicting! Think about this: If your friend was about to slip and fall off the cliff, you would go to drastic lengths to rescue them, right? Then, why do we not go to great length to tell people in our lives about the greatest rescue of all? The one that saves them from being separated from God forever? Jesus is the only way. It's because He lives that we're alive and that we can have everlasting life!
~Forgiveness is the central tenant to our Christian faith. Isaiah 44:22 says, "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” If God forgives us, shouldn't we forgive each other? Over and over again?
~Some insight from the (in)courage blog: "Joy is found when we're doing what we're created to do." What has God created you to do? Are you doing it? If not, take the leap and you might be surprised at all the joy you dive into to!
