Encourage Yourself

 

Psalms 18:32 NIV

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

I focus a lot on God's strength and protection because transparently I need every bit I can get from Him.  I am totally dependent upon God to get me through each day.  I go to bed tired and I wake up tired.  I wake up having to press my way through, so I go to the source for the energy I need to do just that. I go to the source of my encouragement.

The Lord is my strength.  He gives me His word to meditate on a repeat.  Such as Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He reminds me that He angels dispatched on my behalf.  Psalm 91:11-12, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."  

He reminds me of His love and in His great mercy He reveals Himself to me.  He reminds me of my purpose, like when I get to help a student understand their work or see the effects of prayer when my child speaks positively over himself.  My heart leaps for joy and I immediately energized.  I am full of hope.  His breath takes over and I am grateful.  

And when I reach the end of my day their is no secret to what God can do and has done for me.  He brings me victory as my heart trust in Him to provide. I lean into an on Him and He props me up every time.  Thank You Jesus. 

Thank You Jesus for being me strength.  Thank You for being my encourager.  Help me to get weary in well doing, knowing that I will reap a harvest if I endure.  I can do it through You Lord, so I thank You and bless Your Holy Name.  In Jesus name I do pray. Amen

He Watches Over Me

 

Psalms 121:7-8 NIV

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

There is an old hymn called Blessed Assurance and the first line says "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine".  When I reflect on what the  Lord does for me I realize that I blessed assurance.  I have the knowledge and confidence to know that Jesus is watching out for me.  He is keeping me from all harm.  Not some, but all.  

 This means He is watching over me as I drive to and from work. He is protecting me on the highways.  He is protecting me when I come into contact with a server who presents themselves with an attitude.  His Spirit tells me to stay calm and to remember whom I am representing.  He is watching over my reputation.

He watches over me in my classroom, protecting me and my students from negativity.  He is watching over my children and my husband as they go about their day.  He watches over me everyday, all day.  Who wouldn't serve a God like that.  

And its all because I have Jesus.  God gave me His precious Son who died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day winning the victory over death.  As a result I can experience peace.  I do not have to worry about what's coming because God has me completely covered now and forevermore.

The Lord Is My Strength

 

Psalms 28:7 NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

There are times when I feel like I am at the end of myself.  I am mentally drained and it becomes hard to focus.  I just want to go home and crawl under my covers.  I cry out to God for help and He heeds my call.  

It is when I am at my end that He begins and feel me the dunamis power.  I get supernatural strength to endure and go on.  He shields me from anxious thoughts as I trust in Him. My heart turns to Him.  I put my trust in Him and He helps me.  God never lets me down. He is a faithful God who lavishes me with His love.

Thinking on the Lord and all He has done for me.  Thinking on all that He is  and who He is causes my heart to respond.  It's like He breathes in me and I am revived.  I get my second wind.  I can face the next thing.  I am confidant because God is on my side.  He is my shield.

 There is now a song in my heart.  A song of praise for His goodness.  Praise for His mercy. Praise for His provision. God is beyond good and deserves a hallelujah praise.

Lord thank You for being my strength.  Thank You for the breath of life. Thank You for being me shield.  Thank you for focusing me and causing me to triumph where I would fail on my own.  Thank You for pouring into me.  Thank You for being my rest.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Getting the victory over anxiety

 

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? I struggle with anxiety and I experienced some difficult days this week. Life this week was like a roller coaster as I battled stresses of home and work life. What do you do when you feel like it's too much?  How do you get the victory? You cry out to God.  That's what I did.  And you know what...He answered every cry. He heard every prayer and granted me success. 

I dropped to my knees and prayed for God to help me to deal with the stressors of life.  From just having the energy to run needed errands or trying to implement all of the initiatives at my school and teaching, seeking to reach my students.  Stressors over making sure my youngest son is having a positive mindset and school year.  That he is connecting to God.  Am I doing enough to be an example and ambassador of Christ in his life? Worrying about a sick friend.  All that weight sitting on my chest.  Weight that is not mine to handle because God told me that I can cast all of my anxiety on him because He cares for me.  He loves me.  So I turned it over to God and I talked to a sister in the faith.  I acknowledged my fears and I acknowledged who God was and is in the midst of those fears.

Truths that kept me grateful and hopeful is knowing that God send his angels to protect the ways of my life. 

Psalms 91:11 NIV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

God promised that He would never leave me nor forsake me ( Deuteronomy 31:8) so I did not have to be discouraged.  I am not alone and every task was completed.  Every plea answered. My burdens lifted as I worked with God and let Him be my strength.  He did it for me and He will do it for you.

Lord, thank You for being my saving grace.  Thank you for hearing my cries and turning your ear and heart towards me.  Thank you for calming my frantic heart.  Thank You for being God.  Help me to remember that I can always turn to You because You love me.  Bless your people and all who struggle with anxiety.  In Jesus name. Amen

Give thanks to the Lord

 

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

God is so unbelievably good.  He walks with me and talks with me.  He tells me that I am HIs own.  He showers me with tender mercies and love.  He is so very worthy of every ounce of thanksgiving and praise.

This week I have started posting 'I'm grateful' post daily on Facebook.  I am being intentional about looking for and thanking God for blessings He showers upon me daily.  Like reminding me to stay patient with my students. Or giving me the strength to continue to physically stand when my feet are hurting as well as spiritually stand when the enemy would seek to test my faith.

Life can be hard, but it pays us to remember to look beyond our circumstances to the One who is over all.  To the One who is compassionate and good.  It is refreshing to recall His good works and offer praise.  Praise is freeing and it ushers in His presence.  We are filled with His Spirit that lifts us higher. So let us take moments to worship God and give Him praise.

Lord, I love you and I thank You.  I thank You for your consistency of character.  Thank You for seeing me through another week.  Thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me.  You are good and worthy of all the praise. Forgive me for those times that I grumble rather than thanking You for your goodness.  In Jesus name.  Amen 

Effective

Psalms 86:11 NIV

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Something hit me this morning while doing my quiet time with God.  The enemy would love to render me ineffective.  I have salvation.  Jesus paid the cost.  My sins are forgiven.  I am eternally secure, but I also have a purpose here on earth.  While God breathes life into my body I have a task to share the good news about Jesus, to encourage others, and to teach.

If I am not careful I can get lulled into thinking about my relationship with Jesus, but not what He wants me to do with it.  I need God to teach me His ways so that I can walk in faithfulness.  I need an undivided heart.  My heart needs to be centered on Christ to be effective.  I need His Spirit.  I need to reverence His name and live my life accordingly.

Jesus I thank You for Your Spirit that leads me to revelation.  Thank You for teaching me.  Forgive for those times when I have rested on laurels and have been ineffective.  May I be impactful for Your Kingdom.  Give me an undivided heart.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Remember who God is

 

Revelation 1:8 AMP

“I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].”

It’s time to go back to school.  I should be geeked with excitement, but transparently I’m a little nervous and anxious.  I could get stuck in a trap of dread and despair if I keep my mind on what I can do rather than who God is.

I am a child of God and my unknown school year(future) is in the hands of the Almighty God.  He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  He is and will always will  be.  That’s whom I serve.  This is who I call Abba so I have nothing to fear.

The school year will be fine as long as I keep my eyes on and trust in Jesus. The One who knows my future.  The One who promises me hope( Jeremiah 29:11). The Almighty is my help.

So I am determined to filter everything through the knowledge of who God is and who I am in Christ Jesus.  Anxiety will not win. Fear will not be given a place.  I serve the Almighty and He will not let me falter.

Lord, You have given me an assignment in the school system.  Help me to fulfill it and walk according to Your Word.  Help me to remember who You are and stand strong in Your strength.  In Jesus name.  Amen