Our strength, protection, and guidance for this day come from Him who loves us best: our Heavenly Father. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
How any dreams have been put off, never to be revisited again? Today, we ACT against that.
Procrastination and complacency are a deadly plague in our society. Theirs are the ruin of many dreams. The dasher of many hopes. But what a feeling to step forward and act! Putting steps behind ones thoughts and movement behind ones ideas is a beautiful process filled with power because those steps and movements, in even the tiniest form, will help you to arrive at a place you may never have dreamed of before.
The Bible encourages our actions by telling us, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24). When one is diligent, they are going toward something. Yes, it may exert more energy then you are used to. And yes, all the answers may not be before you, but forward you must go. The dream inside demands nothing less. The hope that burns within says regardless of what you currently see, this is possible.
But, my friend, diligence is the key word. With the absensce of it, nothing will ever happen. Proper actions in wisdom will lie dormant, and dreams and purposes will remain unfulfilled.
More lies in your future, but fear, uncertainty, and inaction can stand as a wall before you. But diligence and action will look at that wall and know there is more on the other side. Persistent effort says I am not afraid of the hard work it may take to get there.ย
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I sit on my couch in the early morning, sipping my beverage and eating a bowl of hot breakfast cereal when through my window shines the rising sun.โIts brightness captivates me and invites me to the joy of the new day before me.
It’s beautiful to see its rising and to feel the warmth of its encouraging rays stretching out before me.โLike one of my cats who always seems to find that perfect spot on the floor to enjoy its richness, I, too, just sit to soak in its shining goodness.
As beautiful, and as welcoming as this morning moment is, I am reminded of the morning of a new day that all believers will be privileged to rise to.โA day this physical sun cannot compare to or even touch in beauty and splendor, because, in that place, there will be a “city,” that has “no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof,” (Revelation 21:23).
Can you imagine the glory of that moment, of that place?
While I may struggle to put into words the thoughts my heart feels when taking in the reality of those written expressions of our future and the picture of glory they represent, one day all those who are in Christ will see this and so much more for themselves.
No matter how beautiful or hard a moment here may be, they will all be eclipsed by the glorious future that awaits the believing heart. Our hope, rest, peace, and restoration we are yearning for will all come to fruition when we enter the place where God’s glory shines brighter than any sun.
Live for that moment, dear friends.โLet the beauty of what will be capture your heart, overshadow any troubles, and strengthen your steps for these days.โFor these days have nothing on that glory which is to come.
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
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When discussing your dreams, ambitions, and life goals there are two types of people you deal with: the pessimist and the optimist. The pessimists have the habit of speaking negativity into everything that comes across their path. And, if one is really stepping out on faith and shooting for the moon with a certain determined objective in mind, one that doesn’t fit into the ordinary way one may think, it usually eggs this negative Nelly on to speak even more of all the things that could go wrong.
Whereas, the optimist doesn’t see the same barriers the pessimist sees. The optimists believe that if you want to shoot for the moon, shoot, and don’t stop until you land on it. For this one, there is no such thing as an unattainable goal. “If you can dream it, you can live it,” is their life motto.
There are a lot of things that many of us want to do in life but setbacks cause some to shrink away from those dreams. The fighting to press forward before can damper the will to fight again to see desires fulfilled.
But, in our Christian journey, if we do nothing else, we walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Everything we believe in and look forward to is based on hope and expectation. There are many things we can’t see in this present day, but a glorious future is whispered in our ears by the voice of hope; the voice that never stops believing there is more. There is greater to come because God has declared it throughout His Word.
While the world tries to dim your light and say, “Don’t get your hopes up;” I say, “Get your hopes up” and get excited about what God wants to do through His people in this new year! Enter this year with expectations raised higher than ever before! Don’t shrink back, but stir up the hope within and believe so much more! Reach beyond even the positivity of the optimist and declare, “I am a hope-imist!”
Why?
Because…
“I am a child of God who is favored!” (Num. 6:25-26; Ps. 5:12; 30:5; Gal. 3:26)
“I have an enduring hope!” (Ps. 71:14; Pro. 23:18; Isa. 40:31; Mk. 9:23)
“I am special to God!” (Jer. 1:5; Luk. 12:7; 1Pet. 2:9)
“His plans for me are so much greater than I can envision!” (Jud. 6-7; Pro. 9:2; Jer. 29:11)
“I have a reason to believe!” (Gen. 15:6; Ps. 112:7; Joh. 3:16; Mk. 11:24)
“I have a reason to keep pressing on!” (2 Chr. 15:7; Job 17:9; Gal. 6:9-10; Phi. 3:14; Jam. 1:12)
“I have a reason to expect victory in the end!” (Deu. 20:4; Joh. 16:33; Rom. 8:37; Phi. 4:13; 1 Joh. 5:4)
“I am in the plan of God!” (Ps. 138:8; Mat. 6:25-34; Eph. 2:10; Phi. 1:6)
…Therefore, I will get my hopes up! I will believe in the best for this new year ahead!
Scripture Prayers:
“Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Psalm 33:22
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13
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Reposted from a previous article
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Guarding is strong.ย Guarding is powerful.ย Guarding is beautiful because it says what I have in me is valuable space.ย Trivial things and those who tarnish or bring unbeneficial substances are not welcome here.
The sacred is alive in you (1 John 4:4) and it must be cherished and protected at all costs.ย The Bible encourages us to, โBe sober, be vigilantโฆโ (1 Peter 5:8).ย Being vigilant means I must take a proactive approach to the value in me and be very attentive to the things that seek to drain and damage it.
Many distractions come in life with its very definition meaning to steal your focus and direction from what is truly important.ย These distractions stand against the foundation of what one considers significant. ย ย
But to truly treasure whatโs in you is to truly treat it like the jewel that it is and stand guard against all who would try to misappropriate her value.ย โThe thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroyโฆโ Jesus warned His followers (John 10:10a).ย So, the responsibility lies within each of us to be aware and never stop protecting the beauty He offers โ โabundant lifeโ (John 10:10b).ย
Would it be profitable to move oneโs feet from the position on the watchtower even for just a moment while an enemy creeps in unawares?
No.ย It would not only be unprofitable, but it could be dangerous.ย A foe is a foe and nothing else.ย His purpose is to stop your advancement while Christ is accelerating you up to go forward.ย But if you are slowed and your progress hindered due to a personal refusal to stand watch, then what of the treasure within?ย Will it be used to its maximum usefulness, or will it, through neglect and lack of vigilance, dwindle and waste away?
The beauty withinโฆ the value within calls us to stand guard and to treasure and protect the significant.
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This is a comfort to the soul who cannot find comfort anywhere else. Is this not a blessed place to be? For if one found comfort among the false and depraved, would they not also think as other men? Take comfort, O soul, in your God who is always present. The head of all principality and power still bears the crown obtained for the salvation and deliverance of mankind. He that holds that holy scepter and Himself is the Scepter that rises out of Israel (Num. 24:17), remains in control and is worthy of your trust and honor.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Wherever you go today, and whatever you do, stay under the shadow of the wings of the Almighty. Father God loves you and is reminding you to trust in Him who is covering His people with His power, strength, and love.
Father God, thank You for being our strength, our refuge, and our covering as we go about our day. In Jesusโs name, Amen.
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The prophet Jeremiah faced much opposition.ย As the mouthpiece of God during his time, adversity and sorrow of heart were with him.ย He faced many troubles because of the message he carried, yet even in that, his heart was burdened with sorrow for his people, for those who refused the message.
In Jeremiah 15:21, God comforts Jeremiah with words that are meant to boost his confidence and encourage his faith during the difficulties he is dealing with.ย For in times of suffering and conflict, we all need a reassuring word, one like God told the prophet, saying, โAnd I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.โย
The word โhandโ here speaks regarding the trouble that laid hold of Jeremiahโs life due to the stuff he endured from those who were contrary to him and the message he carried.
But Jeremiahโs message was more than the words we see recorded in the pages of history, the words that inform us of his trouble and work.ย In the story of his life, we see God speaking past what he was going through, past the enemyโs grip, to reassure him of his deliverance and rescue.ย While it may seem like he is overcome by adversities and grasped by the hand of the enemy, God lets him know that His power is mightier, His will is greater, and His hand is stronger than anything or anyone who rises against any of His beloved ones.
We see a similar reassuring promise written to Israel, saying, โFear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnessโ Isaiah 41:10.
Where the enemy has his hand, God reminds us that His hand is greater. Where the enemy seeks to knock people down, God says, with My hand, I will uphold.
God will never be without the power and authority to help, heal, and save His people!
โBehold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.โ Isaiah 59:1
โThou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.โ โ Psalm 89:13
โThy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.โ โ Exodus 15:6
โFor I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.โ โ Isaiah 41:13
โAh Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.โ โ Jeremiah 32:17
โThough I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.โ โ Psalm 138:7
โMy Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.โ โ John 10:29
We are always safe in the strong hand of God!
The love of Jesus is unwavering and our rock-solid truth to stand upon through the storms and trials of life.
Eventually, the love of friends fades.ย As years go by, we grow up and move on with our lives.ย Even some familial relationships can wane with the passing of time.ย But there is one love that never quits on you.ย His promise was to never leave you nor forsake you, Heb. 13:5.ย He showed His devotion to His disciples right up to the end.ย And daily, He shows His devotion to each and every one of us by continually being there for us, loving us, interceding for us, and hearing us when we call.
I am personally amazed at His undying devotion to us.ย Through all of our faults, shortcomings, and mess, He still stays committed to us even โto the end.โย This is a source of comfort and reassurance for them that are His.ย Despite the tragedies of life or how much we feel like we are not measuring up, we have a Savior, nay a friend that sticks closer than a brother, Pro. 18:24.
The times and tides of life may ebb and flow, come and go, but Jesus is our stable and trustworthy source never to be moved.ย He is committed completely to you in love. Somebody once said, โIt isn’t over โtil itโs over!โย And since we are here today, alive and with breath in our bodies, itโs not the end.ย Bolster your faith and encourage your heart today in the great truth that no matter what it may look like right now, Jesus loves you to the end!ย
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God invites us to prayer. Pray over the burdens you carry. Pray over the disappointments you feel. Pray for your family. Pray for your loved ones. Pray for the condition of this world. ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐น๐ป๐ธ๐ซ๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ, ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ป๐ฎ, ๐ซ๐ป๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ถ ๐ช๐ต๐ต ๐ฝ๐ธ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐๐ธ๐ป๐ญ ๐ฒ๐ท ๐น๐ป๐ช๐๐ฎ๐ป.
“I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path…” Psalm 143:1-3
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
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