Monthly Archives: January 2012

Bible Journal – Those Dark Cloudy Days

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~Psalm 105:1-5 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. (1) Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. (2) Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. (3) Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. (4) Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (5)

Weariness… it creeps in like a rain storm. You see dark clouds and a wall of rain from a distance yet the sun is still shining over you. Closer and closer the rain comes and you know that it’s only a matter of minutes before you are drenched. Isn’t weariness the same? It doesn’t come quickly and out of the blue – it slowly builds.

Weariness is a tool that the devil sometimes uses to overwhelm the believer. Ole slew foot is smart! He works slowly, methodically, making sure that you do not recognize his tactics. He creeps in unaware. By the time the believer is totally weary, he can no longer see the hand of God in his life. That is why it is so important for the believer to keep his eyes on the Lord and not on the day-to-day circumstances.

In these beautifully written verses, the Psalmist gives us insight as to what we can do to overcome our weariness. Psalm 105:1 does not specify exactly for what we are suppose to thank God. However, God showed us elsewhere in His word:

~Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

We are to thank God for the bad – the good – the uncertainties – for everything! It is hard to be sad when you have an ‘attitude of gratitude’. A thankful heart cannot be achieved during trials when all we’re doing is griping and complaining about our lot in life. The more we complain, the easier it becomes!  It comes to a point where complaining becomes a habit.  Our heart is a muscle which needs to be exercised like any muscle. Therefore, exercising our faith and teaching ourselves to be thankful in all things will result in a strong, grateful attitude. It is so important to get a handle on this because whatever condition our heart is in will be revealed by the words we speak.

~Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 

Practice makes perfect. Starting today, thank God for your trials. You will start conditioning your heart – you will be exercising your faith and making it strong. The Lord says that whatever thoughts we harbor in our hearts will be reflected in our speech. Our mouths are a dead give-away for what lies in our hearts – you must understand this. Whether your trial is chronic illness, financial problems, marital stresses or other relationship problems, thank God for these in your life. When we experience a trial in our lives, it is our opportunity to be trained by God! When we don’t thank Him, our heart is certainly not open to being taught and our attitude will show it. God wants to teach us to rest in Him – to draw upon His grace to make it through each day. When we moan and groan, our thoughts couldn’t be any further from the Lord. Thanking him in all things opens our heart to seeing what He wants to teach us. We are then able to glean from the Scriptures and we are ready to accept His direction.

Psalm 105:1-2 speak of telling others what the Lord has done for us. When we keep His blessings to ourselves, we miss out on opportunities to give glory to God for His goodness and grace. We are to tell others of the trials we have been experiencing and how the God of Glory has brought us through them. This doesn’t mean that you now have center stage and can express every gory detail about the trial. But it does mean that you can generalize and then give every detail about how the Lord is bringing you through. Tell them that He is your light in the very darkest of nights. Give God the glory in all things and He will give you exactly the right amount of grace of each difficult moment of the day – He will sustain you!

Psalm 105:4 encourages us to seek God’s face and His strength. Some trials will never go away. It is at these times that we must accept the fact that we will be living with this trial until the Lord takes us Home. It is those dear believers who need to seek Him and His strength minute by minute. There is nothing this believer can do to make this trial go away. Therefore, it is vital this believer gets his strength from the Father because in his own strength, he will fail. The Heavenly Father never fails!

So dear weary Christian, (1) give thanks in all things, (2) make know to others how God is bringing your through, and (3) seek Him and His strength. His grace is sufficient!

O Render Thanks To God Above

O render thanks to God above,
The fountain of eternal love,
Whose mercy firm through ages past
Hath stood, and shall forever last.

Who can His mighty deeds express,
Not only vast, but numberless?
What mortal eloquence can raise
His tribute of immortal praise?

Extend to me that favor, Lord,
Thou to Thy chosen dost afford;
When Thou return’st to set them free,
Let Thy salvation visit me.

O may I worthy prove to see
Thy saints in full prosperity,
That I the joyful choir may join,
And count Thy people’s triumph mine!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – The Bondage of Weariness

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2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Weariness can sometimes come from our own personal sin. God does not impute our trespasses unto us! What a wonderful thought!

Noah Webster defines “imputing” as:

Charging to the account of; attributing; ascribing.

Strong’s defines it as:

G3049
λογίζομαι
logizomai
log-id’-zom-ahee
Middle voice from G3056; to take an inventory, that is, estimate (literally or figuratively): – conclude, (ac-) count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

***Sigh*** This is such a conviction to me! God does not charge my sin to my account. Not only that, He doesn’t even take an inventory of my sin.

I cannot say that I have followed God’s leading in this area. How many times have I been miserable within because I could not forget a trespass against me. God has used this to prick my heart and show me that I cannot move forward in my spiritual walk unless I follow His pattern.

When we do not heed to the Holy Spirit’s convictions, it is as if our feet are planted in mud. At first, it is slightly difficult to walk in mud. However, as our feet become more and more covered in the mud, we find it is harder and harder to pull our feet out and move forward due to the weight we’ve accumulated. This is a wonderful analogy … the result of heavy weighted mud is the same result as when we harbor ill feelings toward another.

Hebrews 12:14-15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (14) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (15)

When I am at peace with all men, I can’t harbor grudges or ill feelings. I cannot push forward for the Lord when my heart is in this state. If I succumb to this sin, I only fill my spirit with exactly what the devil wants. If I dwell in this state long enough, I will become weary. I will become self absorbed.  I will have my eyes on me and not on the Lord. This is not what God wants for me.

I am to be as He is. I am to be molded into His likeness by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life. As I submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading, I become more Christ-like in my nature. In turn, I will treat those who have offended me in the same manner as God treats me. I will forgive them – I won’t hold their offense against them – I will not keep an inventory of what they have done! Since God does not take an inventory of my sin, nor does He charge my account or remember my sins, why should I?!

If you are experiencing weariness, take spiritual inventory of your walk and be sure to remove this sin from your life so you can be free from its bondage.  Weariness can become burden – it can place you under bondage.  Forsake it and let the Holy Spirit heal you and bring you sweet peace!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – Centered

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~2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Here we see the Trinity at work in the believer’s life. The love of the Father is so great (John 3:16) that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sin. Salvation rests totally on Jesus Christ – there’s nothing we can do to earn it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) The only thing we need to do is to acknowledge this in our heart and repent from our ways. That is grace: unmerited favor. God’s love provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him by giving of Himself! What love – what provision!

My favorite part of this verse is the communion with the Holy Spirit! Noah Webster defines communion as “fellowship.” As I have communion with the Lord, I have fellowship with Him. I communicate with Him – I meditate on God’s love, grace, mercy, and His attributes. Doing so opens my heart to His nature. It helps me to know Him more intimately.

When I am weary, I fail miserably in this area. My thoughts, once again, revolve around my trial and circumstances. They are not dwelling on God’s attributes but they are dwelling on:

“Why is God allowing this in my life? Why won’t God take this away? Why me and not someone else?”

My communion with God has now become a one-way form of self-centered communication – it is no longer communion at all. It is like your child coming to you whining about something he feels is unfair.  I keep asking why instead of asking for His help through my suffering. Am I so different from the Apostle Paul in my feelings? Paul had a thorn in his side and he asked God to remove it three times. God’s response to Paul was:

~2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

As I commune with God and express the sorrows of my heart, He provides me with just the right amount of grace I need to go through that very moment. As with Paul, God may not take away my problem, but He does promise me that His grace is sufficient. He comforts my heart – He gives me strength to carry on – He showers me with His love, peace and comfort.

God’s strength is revealed through us during our trials. When others see my faith in action during a trial, it becomes a testimony to them of God’s power in my life. Yes, there have been times that the Lord has removed my trial from me and I have given Him the glory. Others witness my joy and their faith is increased. However, I believe that there is more impact in their lives when they see my faith in action when a trial is not removed. When we continue to rejoice in the Lord despite our circumstances, this testimony has greater impact. They actually see that God is carrying us through. It reminds me of the “Footprints in the Sand” story. God desires to help us through our trials and to even carry us. I’ve been carried by Him, haven’t you?

My communion with the Holy Spirit brings much benefit to my spiritual walk. He instructs me, He speaks to me through His word, He encourages my weary heart and He lifts me up (Psalm 121). I now understand how the Apostle Paul was able to continue preaching the Gospel. He probably asked God to remove his thorn so he could better serve Him. As much as that sounds like a Christ-centered request, the Father said that He would receive more glory  through Paul’s afflictions than without them. Paul’s relationship with God grew sweeter – it forced him to fully rely on God’s grace for each moment. We may think we know what is best for us but God’s ultimate goal always has our best interest.

When we reach this point in our spiritual walk, we can overcome weariness. Weariness is the result of trying to change our circumstances and failing. When we acknowledge that we cannot change them and fully rely on the grace of God to help us through, our focus is removed from our circumstances and instead placed on God. We now see that it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with God. Rather than look at my trials with discouragement, I can now look at my trials with different eyes – I can see that through these trials, God will ultimately receive the glory and, as a result, will draw another closer to Him.

Is this not what Christ called us to do?

~2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Everyone of us has this ministry in life. We are to reconcile the unbeliever to God by sharing the Gospel. We are to reconcile the wayward believer to Christ by being a spiritual mentor. When we see ourselves in this ministry, we understand how God takes our trials and uses them to help others. We find purpose for our lives. Weariness brings lies. We believe that because we are so sick, God cannot use us. Those are the devil’s lies. He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he is quite effective. But the weary Christian does not need to fall for those lies. Remembering that our ministry, sick or not, is to reconcile others to God, we now see ourselves with purpose in our lives! There is no greater joy in a believer’s heart than to know that God is using him for His work!

Press on, my friend!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – Encouragement

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When I am weary of well doing, I need to remind myself of just who God is. He is not mere man. Man can let us down but God will never let us down.

God created us in His image with a desire to fellowship with Him. Without salvation, we cannot fellowship with God. Prior to salvation, man feels empty within. Man feels as though there is something missing in his life. That is why he is always in pursuit of happiness and joy. He does not find this joy until the fellowship with God is restored.

~Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

This Psalm is one of my favorites. It reveals to me man’s attempt to seek after God and God’s reward for doing so.

The Psalmist knew that his God could help him with anything. This verse reminded me of when we were fighting as children saying, “My Dad is bigger than your Dad!” David says His God is the Creator of the universe and will surely help him!

~Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

It is one thing to believe in God but quite another to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will help you. How does God help us? As I meditated on this Psalm, I realized that the Father helps us in every aspect of our lives:

~Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Since God never sleeps, we can be assured that He will assist us in our spiritual walk if we allow Him. That is the most important thing for a believer. When we are walking with the Lord, all things are “right” in life. Even the hurdles are easier and manageable because He is guiding.

~Psalm 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

It’s as if the Psalmist wanted to emphasize this point. God is not human that He tires and needs to take a nap. He is always standing watch over us. What comfort! Not only is God watching over us, but He is the same God that has cared for Israel these thousands of years! It almost seems like a resume to me!

~Psalm 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Not only is this the God who cares for Israel, but He is our keeper! When things get “hot” in life with struggles and cares, our God will provide us with the same kind of care as He promised in Psalm 23 as our Shepherd! What a blessing! :-)

~Psalm 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of the sun, moon and entire universe, will not allow us to be defeated – both day and night! We are His children – born into His family through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ! We have a promise that our Heavenly Father is faithfully watching over us!

~Psalm 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

~Psalm 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

The best thing ever is to know that our Heavenly Father has our salvation preserved for all time. The born again believer does not need to worry about his salvation because it is not in the hands of a mere man. Our salvation is in the hands of the God who never sleeps, my friend! Who can take it away from God?

No matter where we go in life, we can rest assured that the Father is right there with us preserving every step. The steps we take (as in verse 3) are watched by God. He monitors our lives and is way ahead of us. He knows where we are going and He knows what lies ahead. We do not need to worry because He will guide us. When we are in sweet fellowship with God and we stay in tune with Him through His word, we are going to be protected.

I am not saying that we will never go through trials. It is through trials that we are shaped into the vessel that God can use. What I am saying is that God will protect us and surround us with His love as we go through the trial. What blessing is that? The weary Christian can rest assured that the Creator of the Universe, the God of Israel, is the same God that will walk along side of him. This same God is the One who loves you and will care for you in those difficult times!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – Dealing With Weariness

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Weariness … when does it begin? How do we get ourselves in this state? It is when I am thoroughly absorbed with myself that I fail to remember what the Lord has taught me in His word. I use to think back on my difficult circumstances and only recall the negative details. I wouldn’t try to recall the good that came out of that trial. I find that I am not alone in this. Why is that?

I truly believe my problem resulted because I did not praise God enough for carrying me through my difficulties. The Scriptures say to be thankful in all things – (1 Thessalonians 5:18) that includes hardships as well as blessings.

The phrase, giving thanks, appears five times in God’s word. I find that interesting – we reap God’s grace when we give thanks to Him for all things in our lives – whether good or bad. It’s all in our attitude. I once heard a message called “The attitude of gratitude.” It surely does apply in today’s devotional.

~Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

~Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

~Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

~Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

~Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Once I learned to thank God for everything that was happening to me (good or bad), I became less absorbed with the details. I was able to rest in the Lord knowing that He was in control. This held especially true when my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer.

I remembered that God brought me through my previous difficulties and He would do it again. I would think of Him first as soon as I grew weary again. David is truly my mentor when it comes to growing weary as a Christian. David wasn’t exempt from weariness – in fact, he openly admitted it and wrote about it. As a writer, I find myself better able to cope with my weariness when I am able to put my thoughts on paper. It is as if the Lord speaks to me and walks beside me down this path.

~Psalm 6:6-9 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. (6) Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. (7) Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. ( 8 ) The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. (9)

David’s bed was covered with tears – not just a few, but covered. I’ve been there, haven’t you? There doesn’t seem to be an answer to my problem. In fact, I know for a fact there isn’t an earthly solution. However, I know that God has the solution. It may not be the answer I want but it will be the solution I need. God’s solution may not even take away my problem. However, as I meditate in His word, I come to realize that my Heavenly Father will give me the ability and energy to deal with my situation.

Our weariness has an end to it my friend, if we allow the Lord to do the healing.

~Psalm 30:5 … weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

The first thing I tend to do when I grow weary is to withdraw from the world. I tell myself that no one wants to be around sadness so I keep it to myself. David felt this way, also, but he did the exact opposite.

~Psalm 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

When you are weary, dear friend, do not withdraw!  Withdrawing is exactly what the devil would have you to do. When you do, he can keep you in his grip. He can keep you down in the Slough of Despond, as Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress. The devil does not play fair. (1 Peter 5:8) He knows how to create an ineffective Christian and that is to keep that Christian preoccupied with trials and tribulations. But the Lord has made us spiritually whole – He has given us eternal life. The Lord has given us victory over this trial, as long as we trust in Him and allow Him to be in control. We cannot sit idly by and wallow in self pity. We must arise as Aeneas did in the Book of Acts and make our bed.

~Acts 9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Just as Jesus Christ made Aeneas whole, so does Christ make us whole, spiritually. Just as Aeneas arose immediately and put action to his healing, so must we. We must put action to our spiritual walk. You cannot walk and be still… you must move forward. Move forward, dear Christian. When you are weary, thank the Lord for the circumstances in your life. Know that He will bring you through and give you just the right amount of grace you need to carry on.

Keep going – Press forward!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – I’m Weary, Lord!

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~Jude 20-23 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (20) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (21) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (22)

Weariness does not occur overnight. It is a compilation of day-to-day hardships and stresses that grow from a little to almost overwhelming us.

Jude encourages us to build ourselves in our faith praying in the Holy Spirit. Many times we think we know God’s will but we do not pray seeking His will. Jude assures us that our faith will be built as we pray in the Spirit seeking the will of the Father.  This isn’t some “cosmic” experience.  Since the believer has the Holy Spirit residing within him, the believer must be sensitive to God’s direction as He leads us.  Bible reading, praying, studying the word of God are all ways that the Spirit uses to communicate.  This is a simple and basic example but it makes a point:  Let’s say you’re praying for God to provide you with a Cadillac.  God knows you need a car.  So the Holy Spirit communicates to the Father exactly what you really do need.  So the Father provides you with a car that’s more in line with your finances :-)  I know it’s simple but it conveys how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us to our Heavenly Father.

God’s love came to us with great mercy. We do not deserve His love but He gives it to us freely. As much as we are sinners, God loves us despite of this and offered His Son.  (Romans 5:8) Could you do that for someone you did not even know? More importantly, could you do that for someone you did not even like? Mercy is love in action and, therefore, if we have mercy on the unlovable, we keep ourselves in the center of God’s love.  (Matthew 25:40)

It is one thing to have compassion for someone, but when that compassion has feet attached to it, it becomes compassion that makes a difference. You can see someone who needs help and feel compassion. However, Jude says to have compassion which makes a difference in someone’s life – which means when you see someone in need of help, you are the one that helps.

As a result of working with these building blocks, the believer is concentrating on someone else. The weary believer now has his eyes on another and not on himself. What a wonderful balm to place on a weary heart!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – Alone?

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As Christians, we should have the joy of our salvation ever present in our lives. However, I find myself weary of well doing – weary of fighting the battle – weary because of ill health. When I rest in this long enough, I go down the path of feeling of alone. People are all around me, yet I feel alone.

I am not the type of person who stays discouraged long. I praise the Lord, God Almighty for pulling me out of “myself” early. Yes, “myself” – because it is not the Lord who changes – I am the one who changes. How I view my circumstances totally depends on my walk with the Lord.

Feeling alone is not wrong. In fact, it is at these times that we turn to God and He has our undivided attention. It is then that I am still and in listening mode. Although I have people around me, I have felt all alone. But I am not the only person who has ever been in this position. David poured his heart out in Psalm 102 with these same feelings.

The Lord, Himself, was alone at times. I think of when His closest friends deserted Him and ran.

~Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the Heavenly Father forsook Christ when He hung on the cross and all of mankinds’ sin was laid on Him.

~Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Our Saviour died alone on that cross. Have my feelings of being alone been as overwhelming as my Saviour’s? Mine don’t even compare to what Christ went through. The Lord understands my feelings – He knows what I am going through because He has been through them as well.

~Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

I love the word “succour” – Noah Webster defines it as:

Literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; as, to succor a besieged city; to succor prisoners.

Do you feel alone today? Jesus Christ, your Saviour desires to run to you to support you, help you and relieve you during your time of distress. Just as you would run to a friend and cry for help, turn to the Lord and ask Him. Who can help us better than the Lord?

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Bible Journal – More Encouragement

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Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (KJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 (KJV)

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4 (KJV)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

Bible Journal – Encouragement

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These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalms 46:1-3,7 (KJV)

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 (KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalms 16:8 (KJV)

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22 (KJV)

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalms 62:6-7 (KJV)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)

Bible Journal – Got Hope?

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~Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ( 8 ) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (9)

It has been my experience that weariness can be the result of what my eyes rest upon. If I spend days away from the word of God, I will reap that by being discouraged!  As I was in Psalms this morning, I noticed that God was David’s priority (vs. 8 ). This verse says that he placed God always before him.

As well, David continued to say that God was at his right hand. The right hand was and is still considered the stronger hand for most people. As I see it, if I keep God in the proper position in my life, God will be on my strong side. God will keep me from falling.

The end result of this assurance and security produces a glad heart within – my spirit is glad and I can rejoice because of this assurance and security. Therefore, my heart/my spirit is glad and I am able to physically rest. We all know how stress harms us physically. It affects our heart, our blood pressure, etc. However, if I keep God always before me – I have assurance and security, even when I don’t feel so secure – He is my strength, even thought I feel discouraged – I keep that stress from affecting me physically.

I found a cure in these two verses today – I must set my priorities! God must be first – God must be the center of my life – God must be my focus.

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures, which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!