"And He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while'" (Mark 6:31). Have you gotten to a quiet place with the Lord lately? Just you and Him? "And they all ate and were satisfied" (Mark 6:42). Have you eaten of His Word until you were satisfied? If you've been down and discouraged or feel like you are far from victory, the FIRST thing to ask yourself is...have you spent time with Jesus? Real time. Time in His presence where His Word jumps off the page and into your heart?
If you feel far away from the Lord right now, remember... "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5). Call upon the Lord...be refreshed in the REALITY of His presence! The more we live day by day apart from experiencing His presence, the more we live weak and hungry lives. We all are going to find a way to meet our souls needs somehow...let's not turn to idols but to the true and living God!
If there is one MAIN THING the enemy goes after...it's your time spent with the Lord. Remember that...
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
An Abomination
Hey Everyone! I read a proverb this morning and just thought it was awesome. It put a little fire in me. It's Proverbs 29:27 and it says, "An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked." AMEN! I want to be ABOMINABLE to the wicked! I want the enemy to be afraid and scramble. My God is SO powerful and mighty. He "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist" (Romans 4:17).
We naturally use our reasoning to talk ourselves out of a life of faith. Why don't we take the truths of WHO GOD IS...think about it, He created the universe with His words...and use our reasoning to talk ourselves INTO a life of FAITH! It is illogical to doubt and not believe God. Really...that's why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Lord help us today to have FAITH and use the brains you gave us to meditate on WHY we believe you. If we would love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:30)...we leave little room for a defeated day. Walk today in the "upright way" and be an abomination to the wicked. To God be the glory!
We naturally use our reasoning to talk ourselves out of a life of faith. Why don't we take the truths of WHO GOD IS...think about it, He created the universe with His words...and use our reasoning to talk ourselves INTO a life of FAITH! It is illogical to doubt and not believe God. Really...that's why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Lord help us today to have FAITH and use the brains you gave us to meditate on WHY we believe you. If we would love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:30)...we leave little room for a defeated day. Walk today in the "upright way" and be an abomination to the wicked. To God be the glory!
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Divine Defining Moment
Be encouraged today to know that we all go through trials. It is a part of life on earth. And it's okay. Trials in your life do not mean that there's a problem that needs to be fixed. Okay, maybe there's a problem that needs to be fixed, but we can only be so proactive in preventing difficult circumstances and hardship. I'm not talking about consequences to sin and the discipline of the Lord. I am talking about having hard days, dealing with hard emotions and feeling pain. We cannot see how everything is going to work out in life and prevent hard times.
Do you know that you have barely scratched the surface of intimacy with the Lord? Do you realize how little you know God? I'm not saying that to discourage you...but wow...there is so much to know! Is there a special way God touches your heart...and you know it's Him loving on you? Have you learned how to hear His voice as you meditate on His word? Does He make you smile during the day?
Hardships are all about knowing Jesus. They woo us to Him. They help us see Him because we're pretty blind. Difficult circumstances can either bring us toward the Lord or away from Him. Don't be swallowed by them. When you are overwhelmed in your difficulties you are in position to experience a supernatural God. And that is NOT a bad thing. We look at hard times and seek to get out. It is our natural response. Look at a hard day, a hard year or even just a hard moment as your opportunity to having a Divine Defining Moment.
At times I may want my spouse or friend to be perfect. But if they were perfect and I did not know them in an intimate way...it sure would not mean much. God perfects you through the trials...but I assure you, He is more interested in you knowing Him more intimately through them. As you know Him more intimately and personally through the trials, the work of holiness in your life will be genuine and authentic. You will be real. Life will be an adventure and a thrill. God does not just want to make you a "better person." He wants you to be alive. To live life to the fullest (John 10:10). And God does not love you more if you are more holy. That's love. Loving people just as they are...that's what Jesus is all about. Don't get me wrong...God is totally into holiness and perfecting you. It's a glorious purpose of His. It is how the world sees God in our lives.
When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, what did they do? They prayed and sang praises to the Lord. In that moment, do you think they were doing that because they were happy they were becoming more perfect people? Maybe. But I think it was a supernatural moment. They allowed the suffering to be a Divine Defining Moment. They let God have His way. The result? An earthquake, all the prison doors open and chains broken, the gospel shared and salvation occurred. Now that is an exciting story to tell! God is no bore. He is an exciting God. Trials invite you to experience that.
Let those trials come...and get to know your God.
Do you know that you have barely scratched the surface of intimacy with the Lord? Do you realize how little you know God? I'm not saying that to discourage you...but wow...there is so much to know! Is there a special way God touches your heart...and you know it's Him loving on you? Have you learned how to hear His voice as you meditate on His word? Does He make you smile during the day?
Hardships are all about knowing Jesus. They woo us to Him. They help us see Him because we're pretty blind. Difficult circumstances can either bring us toward the Lord or away from Him. Don't be swallowed by them. When you are overwhelmed in your difficulties you are in position to experience a supernatural God. And that is NOT a bad thing. We look at hard times and seek to get out. It is our natural response. Look at a hard day, a hard year or even just a hard moment as your opportunity to having a Divine Defining Moment.
At times I may want my spouse or friend to be perfect. But if they were perfect and I did not know them in an intimate way...it sure would not mean much. God perfects you through the trials...but I assure you, He is more interested in you knowing Him more intimately through them. As you know Him more intimately and personally through the trials, the work of holiness in your life will be genuine and authentic. You will be real. Life will be an adventure and a thrill. God does not just want to make you a "better person." He wants you to be alive. To live life to the fullest (John 10:10). And God does not love you more if you are more holy. That's love. Loving people just as they are...that's what Jesus is all about. Don't get me wrong...God is totally into holiness and perfecting you. It's a glorious purpose of His. It is how the world sees God in our lives.
When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, what did they do? They prayed and sang praises to the Lord. In that moment, do you think they were doing that because they were happy they were becoming more perfect people? Maybe. But I think it was a supernatural moment. They allowed the suffering to be a Divine Defining Moment. They let God have His way. The result? An earthquake, all the prison doors open and chains broken, the gospel shared and salvation occurred. Now that is an exciting story to tell! God is no bore. He is an exciting God. Trials invite you to experience that.
Let those trials come...and get to know your God.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Don't Forget to Pray
Are you feeling burdened? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel overwhelmed? Don't forget to pray.
Is your vision clouded? Don't forget to pray.
Is your heart broken? Don't forget to pray.
Are you just making it by? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel depressed?Don't forget to pray.
The enemy tempts us away from our time of prayer. Think back to those times God has shown up strong in your time of prayer with Him. Remember how He lifted a burden, gave you peace, filled you with joy and changed your perspective. Remember how He is the only one who can do those things! Enter into a time of prayer with your Creator (even if you are busy doing things...learn to pray wherever you are) and run to Him. Remember Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So often we carry around huge burdens and pain because we have not yet learned how to "go to Jesus." He wants to carry those heavy loads. He wants to heal you. He wants to relieve you of the burdens and pressures of this life. But we need to learn how to "go to Him." We need to remember to "go to Him." When you feel these things...stop and "go to Jesus."
Do you feel overwhelmed? Don't forget to pray.
Is your vision clouded? Don't forget to pray.
Is your heart broken? Don't forget to pray.
Are you just making it by? Don't forget to pray.
Do you feel depressed?Don't forget to pray.
The enemy tempts us away from our time of prayer. Think back to those times God has shown up strong in your time of prayer with Him. Remember how He lifted a burden, gave you peace, filled you with joy and changed your perspective. Remember how He is the only one who can do those things! Enter into a time of prayer with your Creator (even if you are busy doing things...learn to pray wherever you are) and run to Him. Remember Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So often we carry around huge burdens and pain because we have not yet learned how to "go to Jesus." He wants to carry those heavy loads. He wants to heal you. He wants to relieve you of the burdens and pressures of this life. But we need to learn how to "go to Him." We need to remember to "go to Him." When you feel these things...stop and "go to Jesus."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Number 1
Practically, how do you still "yield fruit" in a difficult season in life? Okay, number 1...
1. Continue to build up the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
Be building up the body of believers...the spiritual building...pouring yourself into the lives of others. Remember...you are not alone! Every time you think about or talk to someone...remember they go through hard times! We are all "going through stuff." If we all seek to build each other up and encourage each other...how glorious! Needs will be met.
Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you are also doing."
1. Continue to build up the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
Be building up the body of believers...the spiritual building...pouring yourself into the lives of others. Remember...you are not alone! Every time you think about or talk to someone...remember they go through hard times! We are all "going through stuff." If we all seek to build each other up and encourage each other...how glorious! Needs will be met.
Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you are also doing."
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