March 20 – Not Down, Up Instead

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”  -  Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

We are likely to find ourselves in a category of people who are weighed down with worry. Being pelted with negative news about the situation in the world and in our country wears us down.  Our hope and joy can become diminished like a wet blanket does to a fire.  We see others around us in the same mood and we can do something about it.  We can find something encouraging to say to them.  There is always hope for light even at the darkest time in the night.  Our creator God is the one who has this world under His control.  We pray today that for those of us who are fretting and worried sick, that you will find encouragement in the promises of God.  We pray that today we each may find a way to share encouraging words to those that might need a cheering up.  Encouraging words of truth that we do not need to be anxious for anything.  We can shift our cares from us to Jesus because He cares for us and He can carry them for us.

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March 28 – Gain New Strength

“Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 (NASB©)

Today’s verse gives us refreshing and encouraging words about how God helps those who serve Him. We can expect God to help us for as we wait for him, our strength is renewed and we will not get tired or grow weary in serving Him. In the verses just prior, the prophet reminds us that God, the Creator will not grow tired or weary and that He gives strength to the weary. We are tempted to give in and lay off when we are tired but God has promised what we need. So, if you are facing a daunting task or if you feel tired, this promise is for you. God, who never gets tired, will help us when we feel that we are, and will help us from getting tired. As we put our trust in God, it is He who keeps us going in our Christian life. He will help us walk, run or fly when we are tempted to take a break or check out.

Scripture quotation taken from the NASB©. (www.lockman.org) 

February 25 - Find Rest in God

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5 (NIV)

This verse is another where the psalmist is talking to himself, encouraging himself. This is a psalm written by David. Why would he say something like this to himself? He must have found from experience that by trusting in God alone he would have an inner peace. And that is true because in the very first verse of this same psalm he said these words, “my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Now doesn’t that seem strange that he would say this and then just four verses later he is telling himself to find rest in God? The fact is though, we are all living in situations that keep changing. Although we have learned how good it is to trust only in God we need to be reminded and to remind ourselves to do this over and over again. Let’s not hesitate to talk to ourselves as David did and tell ourselves that our rest and hope is found in God alone and nowhere else. 

October 10

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:8 (NIV)

Do you ever wonder what your status is with God, the great ruler of the universe? If you have accepted Jesus Christ by faith then the words of this verse are for you. When we make the decision to accept Jesus as our Savior and step out to follow Him, our status with the Creator God changes. Instead of being strangers living as we please, we become members of the family of God. Is it not encouraging to know that God recognizes that change? After that He looks at us and thinks of us as being His very own sons and daughters. And we can look to Him as our very own Father with all the love and attention that this implies.