Category: discouragement

Tuesday 8/14 ~ When I feel rotten, does God’s Spirit…

On By In discouragement, faith, Holy Spirit, knowledge, ScriptureLeave a comment

The scripture for today, August 14 (8/14), is Romans 8:14 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Well, how are you supposed to know the Spirit is leading you? Is it guesswork? Does it depend on your emotions and how you are feeling that day? It doesn’t seem fair of God to leave you guessing.

But God does not make you guess. Jesus said in John 14:16,17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever ~ the Spirit of Truth.” And in John 17:17, praying to God the Father, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the Truth; your Word is Truth.”

Jesus said you are sanctified by God’s Spirit, God’s Truth, God’s Word. How? Not by feelings. Not because someone else said so. Not by touching it or carrying it around in your pocket. But by reading it and following it. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. That is how the Spirit leads you.

You don’t have to guess. Just follow it. Even if you are feeling rotten today, as long as you are following the Spirit of Truth, you are a child of God ~ not a slave, but His child.

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Friday 8/10 ~ Weeping so we can be happy

On By In discouragement, ego, forgiveness, humility, Inspirational, Thanksgiving, victory1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 10 (8/10), is Nehemiah 8:10b as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

07-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonSmall“This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

After exile for 70 years for forsaking God, the Jews were led by Ezra and Nehemiah back to Jerusalem. On a special day, Ezra read the Law of Moses to all the people. And they wept. They were so embarrassed and so sorry they had betrayed God. The above scripture quotation is from that occasion.

But many people find it too humiliating to admit to others that they were wrong. Others find it easy to repent, but never regroup and pull themselves up so they can try again. Still others say, “What I’ve done is so bad, God could never forgive me.”

God can perform miracles. That means he can forgive the greatest sinner. So grieve. Ask for forgiveness. Then start over fresh ~ innocent in the eyes of God.

Remember, the joy of the Lord is always your strength.

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Thursday 8/2 ~ And he touched him

On By In discouragement, forgiveness, healing, Inspirational, love, sin, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, August 2 (8/2), is Matthew 8:2 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-LUKE-KINDLE Cover-Thumbnail“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.’ “

People in Jesus’ day who had leprosy had to live outside of town in what we would call a leper colony. And if someone without leprosy started getting close to them, they were required to call out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

But here was a man who apparently pushed his way through a crowd where he didn’t belong. He didn’t ask Jesus if he could heal him; he asked if he was willing to. After all, he was “unclean”. Remarkably, Jesus said yes.

Then Jesus did another remarkable thing: He touched the man. He touched the leprosy. Not only was he willing to be seen with an unclean man, he was willing to touch him.

Jesus still does this today. When we come to him with a diseased heart wondering if we are good enough, Jesus reaches out across the centuries and touches us. And his voice echoes across the centuries and says, “I am willing.”

No matter how much sin mars your life, Jesus still today wants to say, “Be clean.”

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Friday 7/27 ~ Lead the way

On By In discouragement, emptiness, Inspirational, Loss, problems, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 27 (7/27), is Luke 7:27 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Joseph-Cover-Thumbnail“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “

“The way” could also be considered “the path” or “the road”. To prepare “the way” would be to straighten out the curves temporarily leading in the wrong direction, or clear out the stumbling rocks, or fill in the jarring ruts made when it rains.

You can prepare “the way” ahead of crises for your loved ones by example, by being a true friend, by prayer, by sharing the Word of God. You can also prepare “the way” for yourself.  We all have our ups and downs. You know yourself better than anyone. You know best what you need to hear when you are down in order to lift you back up.  Write yourself a letter. Tell yourself what you need to hear. Then put your letter away in preparation for one of your down times.

Life is hard. Are you always preparing “the way” for people you know?  Have you prepared the way for yourself?

Today, sit down and write yourself that letter.  Then think of someone else for whom you can begin to prepare “the way”.

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Wednesday 7/18 ~ Does God really answer prayers?

On By In discouragement, Enemies, governments, knowledge, patience, prayer, problemsLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 18 (7/18), is Acts 7:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Inside-COVER-lg thumbnail“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”

Does God really answer prayers? When the Jews first arrived in Egypt, they received “royal treatment” because they were relatives of “Prime Minister” Joseph. Then he died, but his Jewish relatives stayed. Eventually, they were resented, then feared, then made slaves of the Egyptians.

For the following 400 years, the Jews prayed for God to release them from their slavery. Generation after generation died believing that God does not answer prayers.

But God saw the big picture. He saw that the 70 relatives of Joseph who originally went to Egypt would become more than three million over the next four centuries. Then and only then would they be large enough to begin a new nation ~ the Jewish nation. In Egypt during those centuries, they were in a form of “protective custody”.

Are you frustrated and confused because God is seemingly not answering some very important prayers? Perhaps you are part of a bigger picture that only God knows about. Perhaps your job is to stay where you are and just keep hanging on. Are you up to the task God has assigned to you?

 

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Tuesday 7/17 ~ What is God’s assignment for you?

On By In attitude, discouragement, faith, patience, power, problems, Satan, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 17 (7/17), is 1st Corinthians 7:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-LUKE-KINDLE Cover-Thumbnail“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”

In some situations in life, this scripture is hard to accept. Sometimes life gets very, very hard. Sometimes it is difficult to keep smiling, even to keep breathing. When will it end? Will it ever end?

But can it be that this is where God wants you? Can it be that the difficulties in your life right now are your assignments from God? God fights Evil from heaven and it is our place to fight Evil from earth. It is an ongoing battle. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

For some reason that cannot be understood right now, you are where God wants you to be. This is your assignment from God. Remember, we are “ambassadors for Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20). We must show the world that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28).

As a soldier for Christ, be brave. Think with a clear head. Stand firm of faith, strong in spirit, pure of heart.

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Monday 7/16 ~ When God closes the door, it’s time to rest

On By In attitude, discouragement, Inspirational, patience, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 16 (7/16) is Genesis 7:16 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Thumbnail“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”

Does your life sometimes feel like a downpour of unending bad events or a flood of tragedies? Whenever that happens, why not just enter an ark of safety and let God shut the door? When God shuts the door on something, try to recognize it, accept his decision, and take advantage of its peace and quiet.

Your ark of safety is in your mind, your heart, your soul. Your ark of safety is quietness in Jesus.

“My heart is not proud, O Lord….I have stilled and quieted my soul” (Psalm 131:1f)

“In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15b)

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Today, instead of being angry at God for a closed door, stop, take a deep breath, and rest in the ark of his arms.

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Saturday 7/14 ~ Do you pray for your nation?

On By In discouragement, governments, Inspirational, patience, persecution, prayerLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 14 (7/14), is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-Thumbnail“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

There is always a little bit of turmoil in all nations of the world. Of course, there is more in some. The average person cannot make their own nation call on God. But the average person can do this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Further, we should pray for them by name.

Even if you think some people in authority in your nation are against you, you must pray for them anyway. Then wait quietly for God to work things out. It may take Him a year, a decade or a lifetime to bring about your heart’s desire for your nation. But keep praying.

Your job, in the meantime, is to follow God’s ways yourself. Romans 13:1,3-4 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right…For he is God’s servant to do you good.”

God is aware of the suffering going on around you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

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Friday 7/13 ~ Believe it or not, some day you will smile again

On By In discouragement, emptiness, patience, problems, weakness, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for July 13 is in Job 7:13ff in the Old Testament of the Bible:

07-Jairus' Daughter-ThumbnailCover“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”

Job was extremely depressed. It happens to everyone sometimes. His depression was certainly valid ~ he had lost all his income and all his children in a recent storm. Now he had what the Bible translated as “boils” but the symptoms indicate he had a form of leprosy. This particular form leads to nightmares in addition to the physical problems. Job had every right to be depressed. So depressed was he, that he no longer wanted to live, for his life no longer had meaning.

But, as miserable as Job was, he hung on. Patiently he hung on during the bad times. Sometimes during our bad times, the greatest thing we can do is “hang on” ~ be patient.

Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Job loved the Lord. Even in his misery and desire to die,  he continued to love God and trust Him.

And although at such times you may believe your misery will never end, you may believe you will never even smile again, it will happen. The misery comes to an end. It did for Job. He got his health and wealth back and more children to comfort him. God will see you through too.

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Tuesday 7/10 ~ Do you ever use God’s shield?

On By In discouragement, patience, power, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 10, is Psalm 7:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

10-Daniel-KindleThumnail“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”

You wouldn’t need a shield if everything on earth was good.  God gave you free will to love him or not, to follow him or not. He did not want robots to love and follow him, for that is not true love or true commitment.

And so you have your assignment in life: To be strong in the Lord when others want to tear you away from him. Be an example of those who choose to follow Jesus in order to escape from this world into his world.

So, when sometimes things get too difficult for you, God stands ready to shield you while you rest.

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