These are verses or passages from books that have touched me, that I believe the Lord has brought me to for a reason; if none other than to share His love with others. Be blessed today and always.
We may feel helpless at times, but we are never hopeless.
February 11, 2013
As of late, I've been feeling quite dark, depressed, disheartened, discouraged...you get it. The Lord once again knows just where to lead me to receive His encouragement and blessings. May you be blessed today.
From Praying the Psalms by Clift & Kathleen Richards (p. 133-134)
Prayer Purpose: To seek God's help in overcoming depression in your life.
Key Scripture: "For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. for by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the work of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him" (Ps. 18:28-30, NKJV).
Prayer: O god, my God, I believe you will light my candle and bring light to the darkness and depression I have been experiencing (1). Thank you for this precious promise from your Word.
I believe your way is perfect and your Word is tried and true. Thank you for being a mighty buckler to me, dear Father (2). I place all my trust in You (3).
I love you, dear Lord God, my strength (4). You are my Rock, my fortress, my Deliverer, my God, my strength, my buckler, the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (5).
Thank you, Father. I call unto you, because I know you are worthy to be praised. In this way I know you will save me from all enemies, including depression and all its causes (6).
In my distress I call to you, dear God (7). In you I hope and I know you are hearing me as I pray (8). Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer and for your promise to deliver me from all depression (9).
I believe you are bringing me into a far better situation than I have been enduring, because I know you take delight in me (10). Thank you, Father.
Reward me according to you righteousness (11). How I thank you that you are girding me with strength and making my way perfect (12). Thank you for showing me the way out of depression and for commanding your lovingkindness in my life, dear God (13).
In light of all your promises to me, I realize I have little reason to be cast down, discouraged, depressed, or disquieted, Father, for you are the health of my countenance and my God. I will ever praise you (14).
In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen (15).
References: (1) Ps. 18:28; (2) Ps. 18:30; (3) Ps. 18:30; (4) Ps. 18:1; (5) Ps. 18:2; (6) Ps. 18:3; (7) Ps. 18:6; (8) Ps. 38:15; (9) Ps. 18:17; (10) Ps. 18:19; (11) Ps. 18:24; (12) Ps. 18:32; (13) Ps. 42:8; (14) Ps. 43:5; (15) John 16:23.
February 6, 2013
(source: Pinterest)
January 29, 2013
Once again the Lord has directed my reading. He has shown me that "This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 No matter how I feel physically; I know that spiritually, the Lord is with me always. He always has the best in store for me. All I need to do is obey and follow Him.
"If you can forgive the person you were, accept the person you are, and believe in the person you will become, you are headed for joy. So celebrate your life." Barbara Johnson
"The highest and most desirable state of the soul is to praise God in celebration for being alive." Luci Swindol
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for I will be with you wherever you go. You can choose to be strong and courageous even when you are feeling very weak. However, the weaker you feel, the more effort it takes to choose to be strong. It all depends on where you look. If you gaze at yourself and your problems, your courage will melt away. The choice to be bold rests on your confidence that I am with you and for you. Through eyes of faith, see Me on the path before you, beckoning you on, one step at a time. Looking to Me consistently will increase your strength and valor." Jesus Today
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous today!
January 22, 2013
Oftentimes it is so easy to dwell on the negative instead of the positive. This has never been more true for me these last two weeks, however I can never be hopeless if my hope is in the Lord. I have a tendency toward feeling negative and allowing depression to enter my life; it is at these times that I need Him the most. This entry is from Jesus Today by Sarah Young. It has of late, been my "go-to book" for encouragement. May you all be encouraged today as we seek to find hope in the midst of chronic illness:
"I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; YOU NEED ONLY TO BE still. I know how weary you are, My child. You have been struggling just to keep your head above water, and your strength is running low. Now is the time for you to stop striving and let Me fight for you. I know this is not easy for you to do. You feel as if you must keep struggling in order to survive, but I am calling you to rest in Me. I am working on your behalf; so be still, and know that I am God.
Quieting your body is somewhat challenging for you, but stilling your mind may often seem downright impossible. In your striving to feel secure, you have relied too heavily on your own thinking. This struggle to be in control has elevated your mind to a position of autonomy. So you need the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to control your mind more and more--soothing you from the inside out. Take time to rest in the shadow of the Almighty while I fight for you." (Entry 33, pg. 76)
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)
"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1
January 4, 2013
Putting our trust in the Lord...sounds easy, but can at times be such a challenge. The good news is, is that when we do put our trust in God he draws near to us. We want, need to feel safe and secure and only through our trust in Jesus can we achieve this.
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25 NIV
"Lord, you know the hopes of humble people. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort their hearts by helping them." Psalms 10:17
"Each morning I will look to you in heaven and lay my requests before you, praying earnestly." Psalms 5:3
January 3, 2013
So often with chronic illness we can't "see the forest for the trees". I find it so difficult at times to seek joy in all things, that includes finding it despite my illness. The Lord reminds me daily to seek Him. It is during these times that we need Him the most. He made us, He knows us and what we go through daily. He wants only the best for us and loves us each and every step of the way.
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NASB
January 2, 2013
"Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burden." Matthew 11:28-30
"[The Lord] has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion for you." Isaiah 54:10 NIV
*All verses are from Life Application Bible: The Living Bible unless otherwise noted.
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