GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JANUARY 25, 2014.
PROVERB:
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
PROMISE:
But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel. Psalm 125:5
PRAISE:
The Lord reigns forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the people with justice. Psalm 9:7-8
January 26, 2014
Procrastination: January 24, 2014
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 24, 2014
PROCRASTINATION
DEFINITION:
To defer action; delay; to put off until another time.
SCRIPTURE:
Now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Procrastination can be a form of bondage in a person’s life, but the Lord, who wants the best for His followers, did not design us to be enslaved. We have heard believers in Jesus say that they are “born procrastinators,” but according to the scriptures that is impossible.
Procrastination has several common causes. The first is the attempt one tries to dodge discomfort. Many people put off taking action on a bothering situation because they feel uncomfortable or anxious about the ramifications of the issue.
We read about Paul before Felix in Acts 24:24-27. He sent Paul away from his court fearing the apostles talk about righteousness, self-control and judgment. This can also show up in our lives. Have you ever put off your Bible reading, meditation and prayer because you were afraid God would bring to surface a matter you needed to confront?
Issues like pride, self-control, or guilt may not be comfortable to face, but dodging them obstructs God’s purpose in our life. So our Lord does not want us to procrastinate because we are trying to dodge discomfort.
The second cause that comes to mind, for putting things off is the problem of self-doubt. Many people feel inadequate to complete a job so they choose not to begin. They also fear that they may make a mistake or just fail. This makes postponing a preferable option for many people.
It is important for us to realize that procrastination is not a laughing matter nor should we just sit back and procrastinate. In our spiritual life delaying an assignment from God is the same as disobeying Him. If you are prone to delay you need to identify the problem areas in your life and the feelings that accompany them. Then confess your tendency to the Lord and rely on God’s strength to overcome them.
As parents of six we saw a lot of procrastination from our children. When there were chores they did not like to do, they would procrastinate and put off doing them as long as they felt they could get away with it. We understand, because, often we put off doing chores that we did not like to do.
When God calls us to do something difficult we should never procrastinate because we will miss out on God’s best for us.
The Children of Israel procrastinated and missed out on God’s best. God had promised to give them the land of Canaan. He was going to give them power to conquer the Canaanites and take possession of their land.
When the tribe of Manasseh complained to Joshua that they did not have enough land, Joshua said to them, “How long will you put off going into the land to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? (Joshua 18:3) If they had obeyed God completely and driven out all the Canaanites they would have had all the land they needed. God had promised it would be theirs but that they would have to work and fight for it.
God has promised to give us an eternal home through Jesus Christ. It is a free gift. Have you chosen to possess it? Now is the time.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to always listen for your direction for what You want me to do and where You want me to be. Keep me alert and willing and ready. Keep me from putting off what I know You want me to do.
PROCRASTINATION
DEFINITION:
To defer action; delay; to put off until another time.
SCRIPTURE:
Now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Procrastination can be a form of bondage in a person’s life, but the Lord, who wants the best for His followers, did not design us to be enslaved. We have heard believers in Jesus say that they are “born procrastinators,” but according to the scriptures that is impossible.
Procrastination has several common causes. The first is the attempt one tries to dodge discomfort. Many people put off taking action on a bothering situation because they feel uncomfortable or anxious about the ramifications of the issue.
We read about Paul before Felix in Acts 24:24-27. He sent Paul away from his court fearing the apostles talk about righteousness, self-control and judgment. This can also show up in our lives. Have you ever put off your Bible reading, meditation and prayer because you were afraid God would bring to surface a matter you needed to confront?
Issues like pride, self-control, or guilt may not be comfortable to face, but dodging them obstructs God’s purpose in our life. So our Lord does not want us to procrastinate because we are trying to dodge discomfort.
The second cause that comes to mind, for putting things off is the problem of self-doubt. Many people feel inadequate to complete a job so they choose not to begin. They also fear that they may make a mistake or just fail. This makes postponing a preferable option for many people.
It is important for us to realize that procrastination is not a laughing matter nor should we just sit back and procrastinate. In our spiritual life delaying an assignment from God is the same as disobeying Him. If you are prone to delay you need to identify the problem areas in your life and the feelings that accompany them. Then confess your tendency to the Lord and rely on God’s strength to overcome them.
As parents of six we saw a lot of procrastination from our children. When there were chores they did not like to do, they would procrastinate and put off doing them as long as they felt they could get away with it. We understand, because, often we put off doing chores that we did not like to do.
When God calls us to do something difficult we should never procrastinate because we will miss out on God’s best for us.
The Children of Israel procrastinated and missed out on God’s best. God had promised to give them the land of Canaan. He was going to give them power to conquer the Canaanites and take possession of their land.
When the tribe of Manasseh complained to Joshua that they did not have enough land, Joshua said to them, “How long will you put off going into the land to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? (Joshua 18:3) If they had obeyed God completely and driven out all the Canaanites they would have had all the land they needed. God had promised it would be theirs but that they would have to work and fight for it.
God has promised to give us an eternal home through Jesus Christ. It is a free gift. Have you chosen to possess it? Now is the time.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to always listen for your direction for what You want me to do and where You want me to be. Keep me alert and willing and ready. Keep me from putting off what I know You want me to do.
Unbeliever: January 23, 2014
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 23, 2014
UNBELIEVER
DEFINITION:
A person who does not believe; skeptical.
SCRIPTURE:
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses (unbeliever), made us alive together with Christ. It is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God’s Word is always true but not always popular. When it runs counter to the cultural preferences of one who is an unbeliever, the message of the gospel will be uncomfortable to hear and may lead to a challenge and confrontation.
We need to know that biblical truth, including the fact that God sees unbelievers as dead in their trespasses and sins, is true and real. Spiritual death comes to all generations, without exception, through the first Adam and spiritual life is available to all generations through Jesus, the last Adam according to I Corinthians 15:45. Many choose not to believe this is true, but not believing does not change God’s mind. God doesn’t change what He has declared to be truth just because we choose not to believe.
Those who are spiritually dead, unbelievers, cannot perceive the things of God. Divine truth cannot penetrate because their “receiver spirit” is dead within them.
John 1:12 reminds us that there are only two families in the world. They are God’s and Satan’s. We are all born in sin into Satan’s family, and then “born again” into God’s family by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice and receiving Him as Savior.
We need to be reminded that according to Ephesians 2:3 unbelievers, even kind and loving ones, are under judgment. A sin debt is owed (Romans 6:23) and it cannot be paid by kind or loving acts of service. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and only by trusting in Him and His sacrifice can we escape God’s wrath.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to be able to communicate to unbelievers that they are in grave danger even though they do not believe this fact. Give me the courage and the words to present and offer Your gift of salvation to unbeliever’s today. I reach out my hands and the words of my mouth today for You to use according to your will and desire.
UNBELIEVER
DEFINITION:
A person who does not believe; skeptical.
SCRIPTURE:
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses (unbeliever), made us alive together with Christ. It is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God’s Word is always true but not always popular. When it runs counter to the cultural preferences of one who is an unbeliever, the message of the gospel will be uncomfortable to hear and may lead to a challenge and confrontation.
We need to know that biblical truth, including the fact that God sees unbelievers as dead in their trespasses and sins, is true and real. Spiritual death comes to all generations, without exception, through the first Adam and spiritual life is available to all generations through Jesus, the last Adam according to I Corinthians 15:45. Many choose not to believe this is true, but not believing does not change God’s mind. God doesn’t change what He has declared to be truth just because we choose not to believe.
Those who are spiritually dead, unbelievers, cannot perceive the things of God. Divine truth cannot penetrate because their “receiver spirit” is dead within them.
John 1:12 reminds us that there are only two families in the world. They are God’s and Satan’s. We are all born in sin into Satan’s family, and then “born again” into God’s family by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice and receiving Him as Savior.
We need to be reminded that according to Ephesians 2:3 unbelievers, even kind and loving ones, are under judgment. A sin debt is owed (Romans 6:23) and it cannot be paid by kind or loving acts of service. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and only by trusting in Him and His sacrifice can we escape God’s wrath.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to be able to communicate to unbelievers that they are in grave danger even though they do not believe this fact. Give me the courage and the words to present and offer Your gift of salvation to unbeliever’s today. I reach out my hands and the words of my mouth today for You to use according to your will and desire.
Hurt: January 22, 2014
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22, 2014.
HURT
DEFINITION:
To cause bodily injury or pain; to offend or grieve, damaged or offended.
SCRIPTURE:
They have struck me, but I was not hurt: They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. Proverbs 23:35.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we are in pain or hurting, we may question whether God cares or even knows what we are going through. As believers we should remember that our God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. No action, no pain, no hurt, no person, no situation --- past, present or future --- is hidden from Him.
The Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought of every believer. He has perfect knowledge. He knows us intimately and fully understands exactly what we need. And even more important, God’s love and concern for us does not change, even if our pain has resulted from our own sinful actions.
Let us look at an example from the scriptures when Jesus met and initiated a conversation, much to His disciple’s dismay, with a Samaritan woman. She was a social outcast and was hurting badly. He went out of His way to meet her. Jews did not associate with Samaritans and in fact, avoided traveling through their region. But God does not adhere to man’s rules or prejudices. Unlike the Jews, Jesus did not try to avoid Samaria. If one is hurting, He will be there. He brings a message of hope and new life to all who will listen and believe.
This Samaritan woman must have felt worthless, abandoned and unloved after being divorced 5 times. But Jesus knew her pain and heartache. We all have emotional baggage that weighs us down and causes us hurt and pain, but Jesus is always there for us because He knows when we have deep hurts.
But the story of the Samaritan woman does not end there. Jesus drew out the details of her situation in a nonjudgmental way so that she would be receptive to His offer of forgiveness and a relationship with God. He understood what she needed. She needed love, to be valued, and acceptance. Jesus knows our hurts just like He knew hers and He is offering us daily healing and restoration.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me daily to accept Your love. Help me to submit to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in my life so that I will be a useful vessel that You can use in this needy and sinful world. Take away my prejudices that would keep me from reaching out to those who are hurting.
HURT
DEFINITION:
To cause bodily injury or pain; to offend or grieve, damaged or offended.
SCRIPTURE:
They have struck me, but I was not hurt: They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. Proverbs 23:35.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we are in pain or hurting, we may question whether God cares or even knows what we are going through. As believers we should remember that our God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. No action, no pain, no hurt, no person, no situation --- past, present or future --- is hidden from Him.
The Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought of every believer. He has perfect knowledge. He knows us intimately and fully understands exactly what we need. And even more important, God’s love and concern for us does not change, even if our pain has resulted from our own sinful actions.
Let us look at an example from the scriptures when Jesus met and initiated a conversation, much to His disciple’s dismay, with a Samaritan woman. She was a social outcast and was hurting badly. He went out of His way to meet her. Jews did not associate with Samaritans and in fact, avoided traveling through their region. But God does not adhere to man’s rules or prejudices. Unlike the Jews, Jesus did not try to avoid Samaria. If one is hurting, He will be there. He brings a message of hope and new life to all who will listen and believe.
This Samaritan woman must have felt worthless, abandoned and unloved after being divorced 5 times. But Jesus knew her pain and heartache. We all have emotional baggage that weighs us down and causes us hurt and pain, but Jesus is always there for us because He knows when we have deep hurts.
But the story of the Samaritan woman does not end there. Jesus drew out the details of her situation in a nonjudgmental way so that she would be receptive to His offer of forgiveness and a relationship with God. He understood what she needed. She needed love, to be valued, and acceptance. Jesus knows our hurts just like He knew hers and He is offering us daily healing and restoration.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me daily to accept Your love. Help me to submit to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in my life so that I will be a useful vessel that You can use in this needy and sinful world. Take away my prejudices that would keep me from reaching out to those who are hurting.
Growth: January 21, 2014
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014.
GROWTH
DEFINITION:
The act or process of growing; the development from a simple to a more complex stage.
SCRIPTURE:
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever. II Peter 3:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Very few people are counseled when they accept Jesus as their Savior as to how they are to grow spiritually in their Christian faith. God wants us to conform to the image of Christ but He cannot make us conform. We must desire to be like Him. Unless we know what Christ is like how can we conform to His image? We must do as Peter teaches us in II Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.” True knowledge of Jesus comes through talking to Him in prayer, faithfully studying God’s Word, and obeying God’s commands. Here are several thoughts that we have learned through 56 years of marriage and in the challenges of raising of six children which helped us grow spiritually.
First, we are responsible for renewing our mind as we are told in Romans 12:2. God saves us and gives us a new spirit but He does not give us a new brain. Our minds, prior to knowing the Lord as our Savior, have many trenches that have been dug or worn by rebellion, self-focus, or habit. To overcome these trenches one must learn to meditate on the Bible because the Bible expresses the thoughts of God. Meditation is more than reading, it involves thinking about what the words mean and then applying the truths of God’s Word to our life. There is no way to grow spiritually without absorbing Scripture into our minds and hearts.
Secondly, in order to grow spiritually we must be willing to admit and assume responsibility for failure. When we deny our sins, we delay spiritual growth. As we learn to confess our wrongdoings, we will acknowledge our spiritual failure.
Thirdly, after confession comes repentance. This is more than an acknowledgement of wrongdoing or a promise to try harder. Repentance means that we commit to make an about-face and head in the opposite direction from our sin. When we are truly repentant we will not repeat doing the same sinful things.
God’s goal is for all believers to continually make progress toward Christ-likeness and to draw near to Him and deepen our relationship with Him. God seeks us and is waiting for us to come to Him. .
We will grow spiritually stronger when we learn to serve God by serving others. Getting involved in another person’s life can help us learn patience, acceptance and love. Jesus came to serve others. He set the example for us. When we follow His example we are conforming to His image and growing in Christ-likeness.
If you really want to move ahead in your Christian walk, it will require time, attention and commitment. When you choose to walk down God’s pathway to growth, you can expect to become more like Christ every day.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12:
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to renew my mind by reading and meditating daily on Your Word. Teach me to admit and assume responsibility for my wrongdoings. By Your Holy Spirit convict me of my sins and give me a repentant heart so that I may be more like You every day.
GROWTH
DEFINITION:
The act or process of growing; the development from a simple to a more complex stage.
SCRIPTURE:
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever. II Peter 3:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Very few people are counseled when they accept Jesus as their Savior as to how they are to grow spiritually in their Christian faith. God wants us to conform to the image of Christ but He cannot make us conform. We must desire to be like Him. Unless we know what Christ is like how can we conform to His image? We must do as Peter teaches us in II Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.” True knowledge of Jesus comes through talking to Him in prayer, faithfully studying God’s Word, and obeying God’s commands. Here are several thoughts that we have learned through 56 years of marriage and in the challenges of raising of six children which helped us grow spiritually.
First, we are responsible for renewing our mind as we are told in Romans 12:2. God saves us and gives us a new spirit but He does not give us a new brain. Our minds, prior to knowing the Lord as our Savior, have many trenches that have been dug or worn by rebellion, self-focus, or habit. To overcome these trenches one must learn to meditate on the Bible because the Bible expresses the thoughts of God. Meditation is more than reading, it involves thinking about what the words mean and then applying the truths of God’s Word to our life. There is no way to grow spiritually without absorbing Scripture into our minds and hearts.
Secondly, in order to grow spiritually we must be willing to admit and assume responsibility for failure. When we deny our sins, we delay spiritual growth. As we learn to confess our wrongdoings, we will acknowledge our spiritual failure.
Thirdly, after confession comes repentance. This is more than an acknowledgement of wrongdoing or a promise to try harder. Repentance means that we commit to make an about-face and head in the opposite direction from our sin. When we are truly repentant we will not repeat doing the same sinful things.
God’s goal is for all believers to continually make progress toward Christ-likeness and to draw near to Him and deepen our relationship with Him. God seeks us and is waiting for us to come to Him. .
We will grow spiritually stronger when we learn to serve God by serving others. Getting involved in another person’s life can help us learn patience, acceptance and love. Jesus came to serve others. He set the example for us. When we follow His example we are conforming to His image and growing in Christ-likeness.
If you really want to move ahead in your Christian walk, it will require time, attention and commitment. When you choose to walk down God’s pathway to growth, you can expect to become more like Christ every day.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12:
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to renew my mind by reading and meditating daily on Your Word. Teach me to admit and assume responsibility for my wrongdoings. By Your Holy Spirit convict me of my sins and give me a repentant heart so that I may be more like You every day.
Abundant: January 20, 2014
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JANUARY 20, 2014.
ABUNDANT
DEFINITION:
Great or plentiful amount; present in great quantity; more than adequate; richly supplied.
SCRIPTURE:
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many believers in Jesus just do not take advantage of the abundant life that Jesus offers. Christ promises to provide everything one needs for an abundant life but we do not take advantage of His offer.
God has given us the gift of abundant life through Jesus Christ. Jesus has made it possible for the believer to enjoy a full and rich life. God bestows abundant blessings on believers each and every day but we often fail to recognize them. When we fail to recognize just how good God is to us we miss out on enjoying the good life He has given us.
The abundant life is filled with God’s abundant peace and joy and love. We have real and lasting peace when we know our sins have been forgiven. We have joy knowing that we have eternal life and an eternal home with our Savior Jesus Christ in heaven.
The way to an abundant life is obedience to God and putting God first in our life. God did not promise us that we would not have to deal with problems in life. We have had many. He has promised to be with us as we go through them. In the midst of the tough times of life, God is there providing abundant blessings.
We want to share several of these with you today from the scriptures. When you are weak, God is your strength. In Philippians 4:13 it reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.
When you are discouraged, God comforts you. In II Corinthians 1:5 it reads, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ”.
When you suffer anguish, He mends your broken heart. In Isaiah 61:1 it reads, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
When you are tempted, He empowers you to overcome. The scripture reads in I John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
When you are rejected, He accepts you. We read in Romans 15:7, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”
When you have financial needs, He is your provider. It reads in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
When you sin, He forgives. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When you are confused, He gives you wisdom. Read Colossians 2:3, That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the father, and of Christ; in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
When you walk through trials, He provides His all-sufficient grace. In II Corinthians 12:9 it reads, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Are you living the ABUNDANT life? If not you need to practice by reading these verses when you face situations that concern you. You will be amazed how great God is.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12:
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to take advantage of Your promise to provide everything I need to live an abundant life. Help me to come to You when I am weak, discouraged, suffering, tempted, rejected, confused and walking through trials. Thank You for being the awesome God that You are.
ABUNDANT
DEFINITION:
Great or plentiful amount; present in great quantity; more than adequate; richly supplied.
SCRIPTURE:
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many believers in Jesus just do not take advantage of the abundant life that Jesus offers. Christ promises to provide everything one needs for an abundant life but we do not take advantage of His offer.
God has given us the gift of abundant life through Jesus Christ. Jesus has made it possible for the believer to enjoy a full and rich life. God bestows abundant blessings on believers each and every day but we often fail to recognize them. When we fail to recognize just how good God is to us we miss out on enjoying the good life He has given us.
The abundant life is filled with God’s abundant peace and joy and love. We have real and lasting peace when we know our sins have been forgiven. We have joy knowing that we have eternal life and an eternal home with our Savior Jesus Christ in heaven.
The way to an abundant life is obedience to God and putting God first in our life. God did not promise us that we would not have to deal with problems in life. We have had many. He has promised to be with us as we go through them. In the midst of the tough times of life, God is there providing abundant blessings.
We want to share several of these with you today from the scriptures. When you are weak, God is your strength. In Philippians 4:13 it reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.
When you are discouraged, God comforts you. In II Corinthians 1:5 it reads, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ”.
When you suffer anguish, He mends your broken heart. In Isaiah 61:1 it reads, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.”
When you are tempted, He empowers you to overcome. The scripture reads in I John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
When you are rejected, He accepts you. We read in Romans 15:7, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”
When you have financial needs, He is your provider. It reads in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
When you sin, He forgives. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When you are confused, He gives you wisdom. Read Colossians 2:3, That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the father, and of Christ; in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
When you walk through trials, He provides His all-sufficient grace. In II Corinthians 12:9 it reads, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Are you living the ABUNDANT life? If not you need to practice by reading these verses when you face situations that concern you. You will be amazed how great God is.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12:
The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.
PRAYER:
Help me to take advantage of Your promise to provide everything I need to live an abundant life. Help me to come to You when I am weak, discouraged, suffering, tempted, rejected, confused and walking through trials. Thank You for being the awesome God that You are.
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