From Childhood.

July 25 – 31, 2010

Welcome Friend and Shalom!

It is wonderful to praise and thank the Lord.  He loves us and has given His all for us.  Praise God!

Each day I am hopeful the words here will always encourage and inspire you on your journey seeking Jesus. 

This Week’s Scripture Focus is from the book of  Psalms:  129:2

“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.”

There are issues that have plagued you since you were young.  Perhaps they developed because of how you were raised or because of your own insecurities and maybe they’ve resulted in a poor self-image or incorrect belief that somehow you’re unloveable.

If so, these issues will crop back up when you’re under pressure and cause you to doubt yourself and God.

Yet they’re not to difficult for God to overcome —  he’ll assuredly heal you from them and give you the victory.

Friend, whatever you’ve been struggling with can be conquered through God’s power —  so don’t be afraid of those issues anymore.

Claim the triumph over them and know that God makes you loveable, whole, and completely acceptable.

Let’s please bow our heads together and pray:

Lord God, thank you that I don’t have to live under the oppression of these issues any longer.  Thank you freeing me and loving me and Lord for continuing to remind we when I forget.  Hallelujah!

Amen.

You’re Made Well.

Welcome and Shalom Friend!

Thanks for visiting for the first time or once again.

It is my hope that the words you find here will be encouraging and inspiring as you stay on the path seeking Jesus.

Today’s Scripture Focus is:  Psalm 139:14

“I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.  Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.”

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

Do you see an imperfect facial feature or a waistline that needs adjustment?

Society generally puts a lot of emphasis on outward appearance, but there’s so much more to attractiveness than mere looks.

There’s character and all of the attributes that God builds in you, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self -control.

Friend, God didn’t make any mistakes or use any unworthy materials when he put you together.  Rather, he skillfully created you with your own unique beauty and potential.

So whatever you’re at the mirror, remember that you’re God’s work of art, and he’s completely delighted with you.

Let’s bow our heads together and pray:

Lord God, thank you for the way you created me.  Please help me to see the beauty and potential that you see in me and in others.

Amen.

An Impenetrable Defense.

Welcome Friend!

Praises and Thanks to God for your visit.

Today’s Scripture Focus is from the book of  Psalms –  3:3

“You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

In reading the Bible – it seems King David always had plenty of enemies.

However, in this one case – the enemy David faced knew his most profound weaknesses.  This time the enemy was his own son Absalom.

Are you facing a problem that’s a lose-lose situation no matter how you look at it?  You aren’t sure whom to trust, and you’re heartbroken about the way you’ve been betrayed? It’s difficult to know what to do.

You can ALWAYS do as David did — count on God as your impenetrable defense, who not only protects your body but guards your heart.

Today don’t despair. 

Rather, TRUST God to shield you in this situation.

Let’s bow our heads together and pray:

Lord, I know that you can turn this lose-lose situation into a VICTORY.  Thank you for being my merciful defender.  I TRUST you.

Amen.

True Stability.

Welcome Friend!

This is the day the Lord has made – I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Praise the Lord for your visit.  I pray you are greatly blessed by the words you find here and they will encourage and inspire you as you continue on your journey seeking JESUS.

Today’s Scripture Focus is:  Psalm 11:4

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.”

Your life can change in an instant — you get a bad doctor’s report or are the victim of a crime, you lose a job or, worse, a loved one. 

In that horrible moment you experience something that leaves you reeling in pain and confusion. 

Perhaps your sense of stability is seriously dam,aged, and nothing provides any security or peace.

When your world is shaken, turn to the One who is completely unwavering.  No matter what’s happened to you, God is still on the throne, and he’s able to help and comfort you.

So don’t look any further — embrace the only security that will never fail.  God will surely keep you stable and strong. 

TRUST Him.

Please bow your head with me and pray:

Lord, I’m so glad that no matter what happens, you are my stability and strength.  Your love gives me hope when everything else fails.

Amen.

How To Thrive!

Welcome Friend!

I am glad for your visit and hopeful that the words you find here will be a blessing to you as you continue seeking JESUS.

He is wonderful and loves us all so much.  He gave his life to redeem us —  praise God!

Our Scripture Focus today is again from the encouraging and inspiring book of Psalms:  52:8-9

“I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever.  I will praise You forever for what You have done.  In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name; for it is good.”

Have you received an assignment that’s less than thrilling? Are you discouraged because it seems beneath your expertise and training?

Then you’re thinking about the wrong thing.  Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the task, consider these questions: 

“Why has this duty come to me?  Why does it require my attention?”

Perhaps you’ve received it to model godly character to someone else, or because you must learn some HUMILITY. 

Possibly, the task is more important than you realize, or maybe it’s God’s provision for your bills.

Whatever the reason, it’s an opportunity for excellence.  So don’t be discouraged.  Rather, honor God with your assignment.  No doubt, you’ll be glad you did.

Let’s bow our head together and be on one accord as we pray:

God, please help my ATTITUDE.  I don’t know your purpose for this task, but I’ll do my best to honor you, be obedient and thrive in it.

Amen.

Profound Knowing.

Welcome Friend!

Thank you for visiting and may the words here encourage and inspire you on your journey seeking JESUS.

The Scripture Focus today is:  Psalm 139:1

“O Lord, you have searched me (thoroughly) and have known me.”

You can keep up a front with other people —  it’s a way to protect yourself when you feel insecure. 

You conceal your flaws and fears so people can’t hurt you.  Unfortunately, your defenses also stop you from receiving their love.

Yet you cannot hide from God.

He knows you completely and is aware that those defenses are stopping you from having the life you were created for. 

That’s why he chips away at them until you fully experience his love.

Friend, God knows you more profoundly than you know yourself —  and he’s declared that you’re worth loving.  Therefore, let him tear down those defenses so that others can know and love you as well.

Let’s bow our head together and pray:

Lord God, you’re my Protector —  not the defenses I’ve built up.  Please tear down the harmful walls in my life so I can fully experience your love.  

Amen. 

 

An Eye On The Guide.

Welcome Friend!

Praise God for your visit – as you continue seeking JESUS!

Be encouraged, inspired and blessed by the words here – as this is my prayer for you.

Today’s Scripture Focus is:  Psalm 78:53

“He led them on safely and in confident trust, so that they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.”

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a tower of fire by night.

These shielded the Israelites from their enemies and reminded the people of God’s powerful presence with them.

Looking to God is an important principle that can keep you from becoming disheartened.  As long as you maintain your FOCUS on God, you’ll be SAFE and CONFIDENT.

Yet take your eyes off of God, and you will be overwhelmed by the troubles surrounding you.

I encourage you to remember friend that whatever you are facing today, take no heed of the impossibilities. 

KEEP your gaze fixed solely on God!  He’ll lead you safely through if you’ll just trust and believe in him.

Please bow your head with me as we pray together:

Lord God, thank you for helping me with my troubles today and for promising never to leave me nor forsake me.  I am overwhelmed Lord and I need you.  I am comforted by your strength and loving presence.  Thank you for being with me and my family.

Amen.