Encourage Yourself

 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 43:5

Encourage Yourself

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

I feel like a storm is coming; a testing of my faith.  At first I felt nothing but apprehension, but God is a comforter.  He reminds me daily and as many times as I need to hear it to put my trust in Him.  I am putting my trust into whom nothing is impossible.  I am putting my trust into the Creator of the heavens and the earth.  I am putting my trust into my God, my Lord, and Savior.  I have nothing to fear for my God is with me and He will strengthen me and uphold me with HIs righteous hand (Isaiah 41:10)

Therefore, when the enemy would have me be downcast and disturbed, I call on Jesus.  I praise Him for His excellence.  I praise Him for His benevolent love towards me.  I will consider it pure joy even though it might not feel good because is producing a faith in me the perseveres. He is making me more into His image every day.  He is teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight.  He is "leading me on" and I can trust that His way is safe. His way is better and when I come out on the other side, I will be better.

Lord, You are my God and You are in control.  I surrender it all to You.  Help me to encourage myself with thy word on those days that may appear dark.  Let me remember that where You are there is light and let hold on to Your unchanging hands.  Let me be a witness to others that might also be going through a test.  Let us all remember that You are able and that You are with us.  You will be and are our peace in the middle of any storm.  You are our stronghold that cannot be shaken.  Forgive me for those times when I may doubt, bring the truth back to the forefront of my mind and heart.  In Jesus name I do pray.  Amen

Bless the Lord anyway!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,~ Psalm 103:2

Transparency,  I'm still going through and I feel as if a storm looms over my head, but in the name of Jesus I won't stay here. I need a praise break.  I need to bless the Lord and thank Him for all of His blessings.  I need to thank Him for His goodness, His forgiveness, and His love.  You see I have to organize my thoughts and adjust my focus.  I have to get my eyes off of my circumstances and onto to Jesus.  

The enemy wants me bound with fear, but my God did not give me the spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) he enemy would have me so wrapped up in anxiety that I miss the glory of God.  BUT GOD!

 So I will praise my Lord and Savior and recount all of His goodness and mercy.  I  will glorify my Lord.  I will be of good courage and let Him strengthen my heart (Psalm 27:14).  I will draw near to Him (James 4:8) and praise His holy name.  I will adore Him and give Him a sacrifice of praise.

I will say thank You for waking me up this morning. I will say thank You for Your provision.  I will say thank You for covering me  when my body experiences pain.  I will say thank You for answering every prayer and hearing every plea.  I will say thank You for the love of my children, husband, family and friends.  I will thank You for being such a good, good God.  I will thank You for going before me and walking beside me.  I will thank You for being my strength and courage.  I worship You Lord.

Father, I do not know what today or tomorrow holds, but I know that You are in control.  I know that You are good and gracious and kind.  I know that You are Lord.  I know that You sent Your Son Jesus to die for my sins that I can be reconciled to You and forgiven.  I also know that He was raised on the third day and now because I believe the Spirit lives in my heart.  I know that You are mighty and that You are Lord.  I know that You are worthy of every drop of praise.  I stand on Your word. I stand on Your promises.  I call upon the name that is above every name.  Jesus!  I pray that my sacrifice of praise be acceptable in thy sight,  In Jesus name. Amen

He is with us...always

 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.~ Psalm 23:4

There is a cute and, I feel accurate ,Snoopy meme on Facebook about teachers not being on summer vacation, but rather being in recovery. I have been teaching for thirty years and for the first time I have some trepidation about going back into the classroom.  

Teaching is more than just presenting curriculum to students. Besides the professional development and paperwork, the main thing includes building relationships and engaging students  to the point where they can see and reach their fullest potential.  Its also combatting worldly influences everyday.  I battle not flesh and blood, " but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)  

As the summer winds down for me.  I feel myself getting anxious, but God steps in an reminds me that He is with me always, even until the end of the ages. (Matthew 28:20)  While my mind was circling in a dessert of fear, I realized I needed to "turn". (Thanks Pastor Best).  You see the enemy was presenting me with anxiety and wanted me off my mission.   You see the classroom is my mission field and everyday that I work with teens and colleagues I get to be an ambassador for Jesus.  So I need to turn my face towards Jesus.   I need not be discouraged, but encouraged.

God reminded that even though I might walk through some dark valleys, He is with me.  His rod and His staff bring me comfort.  He rod is my protection and His staff guides me.  I am never alone.  I have the Spirit of God living on the inside of me (1 Corinthians 3:16)  He will direct my steps as I trust in Him and lean not to my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).  

Maybe you have something that causes you anxiety and fear.  It could be parenting, relationships, financial stress or anything.  The enemy wants you to fear, but God does not give us a spirit of fear ( 2 Timothy 1:7) so we can turn away from that worry and look to Jesus.  We can pray and seek His face knowing that He will provide what we stand in need of. We can know with confidence that He is with us no matter what.

Lord, thank You for being our Shepherd.  Thank You for Spirit that reminds us that You are with us always.  Help us to cast our anxieties on to You and leave them there. Help us to keep our face turned towards You in every situation and circumstance and let us find peace.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Self -examination

 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.~1 Corinthians 11:28

 

A few weeks ago, a pastor spoke about three types of men.  The first man had to make a choice to first serve the Lord.  They had to recognize that they needed Jesus.  This man had to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead and be saved (Romans 10:9).  

The second man had to commit to stick with Jesus.  They has to make a choice of whom they were going to serve.  They had to stop trying to serve to masters because this is impossible to do.  They had to decide to follow Jesus now that they know who Jesus is.  They had to declare that only He is Lord and stop being double minded in their ways ( James 1:8)

The third man had chosen to serve the Lord, stuck with Him, and now needs to walk out their faith.  They know the word, but now need to live it out.  They need to do it( James 1:22) They need to be loving their enemies, letting go of bitterness, putting down idols and not drinking from empty cisterns(Jeremiah 2:13).  They need to be planted by living water, God's word, (Psalm 1:3)an eternal spring, so that they may flourish even in times of drought.  This man is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ(Romans 1:16).  They are guided by the Spirit and know that the word of God is their weapon to battle and defeat the enemy.  They live the word out loud.

I once was that girl who decided to follow Jesus.  I have been that woman that drifted from God and tried to have my foot in both worlds.  That doesn't work.  It leads to misery.  I am not that woman who tries to walk out her faith, to be a doer of God's word.  To live out my faith unapologetically.  Not that I get it all right, but I trust in the Lord as I continue to abide in Him(John 15:4) and let Him have His way.  Let's make the choice today to let our lights shine so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven(Matthew 5:16).  If you do not know Jesus take the first step today.  He is waiting with open arms.

Lord, I thank You for the truth of Your Word.  It is Your truth that sets us free.  May we examine ourselves and find out where we are and make a choice that draws us closer to You.  Forgive us for our sins and let us run to knowing that we will find love and forgiveness.  May we walkm out our faith daily.  In Jesus name. Amen

Heal our land

 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Our land is sick with sin, but its healing begins with us, God's people humbling ourselves and realizing that we are not above it all.  We too fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We need to pray and seek His face.  Seek His wisdom,  Seek His ways.  We need to turn from idols of comfort, complacency, financial security, social media, or anything that we would put before our God.  

We need to turn away from division and unforgiveness and seek peace.  When we as God's children come together in love and seek our Father, He will hears us and forgive us.  He will heal our land.  We will be blessed and our children will be blessed.

In my country we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow.  To be honest, I do not always recognize my country.  We have turned away from many things, but I know have to focus on Christ and His will  I have to remember that He is sovereign and I have to pray.  I pray for the unity of the church, God's people.  I pray that we love each other as Christ loves us. I pray that we humble ourselves, look to Him and let Him heal us and our land. I pray for blessing for all God's people and for those who do not know Him.  We have to stand up and be bold for Christ.

Lord, You have given us a wonderful gift, freedom in You. Let us not abuse it.  Let us turn from our sin and humble ourselves.  Let us pray for righteousness-Your righteousness to prevail and Your love to rule.  Cleanse us and heal our land Lord.  Bless the nations of this earth.  In Jesus name.  Amen