Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Remembering God's faithfulness during this Thanksgiving season. Through times of joy and laughter, sorrow and tears; He remains the same. "Every good and perfect gift is from above; coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights., who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 May your heart be filled with His praise.

Joy and Laughter

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

"You have made known to me the path of life, You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"You make me glad by Your deeds. O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands." Psalm 126:6

"{God} will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." Job 8:21

Sorrow and Tears

"I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." Psalm 59:16

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD . . . has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, . . . to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion . . . the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:1-3

"Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10

"Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surround His people both now and forevermore." Psalm 125:1-2

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Seasons . . .
"Praise be to the name of our God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons. . ."

Daniel 2:1-2

I am so enjoying this beautiful fall season with its lovely, brilliant colors. I especially love looking at the tall maples in our front yard. I love the way the sun shines through the leaves, glistening brightly, showing off the golden hues with some deep orange mixed in. It simply warms my heart, yet I know in such a short time, things will change. These lovely colors will fade, the leaves will fall and in its place a stark picture compared to the fullness that was once there.

Life is so much like this, just as Solomon quoted in Ecclesiastes, "there is a time for every season." One minute we find ourselves in a season of brilliance, where everything surrounding us seems golden, peaceful, lovely to look at and a place we'd like to stay. Then all too quickly things change. Sometimes our circumstances change gradually like the leaves that fall from the trees, fluttering, swirling in the air as they make their home on the ground below. Other times our circumstances rapidly change.

Change happens, but the important question to ask is, "How do we handle our changing circumstances?" When reality sets in and things look bleak and empty, what do you do? Do you run to the One who can give you perfect peace amidst the change you're experiencing or do you run from His warm embrace? God allows different seasons to come in our lives for His purpose and His glory. What season have you found yourself in lately?

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And we know that hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy spirit, whom He has given us."

Romans 5:2-5

"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."

Psalm 33:18

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

"Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Praising the Lord for ALL our military ~ both my Dad an my husbands Dad served our great nation. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice!!!

Praying for those (and their families) who serve today ~ may you be richly blessed by our great God and may each of you embrace His unconditional love that will sustain, strengthen and empower you.

"being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance . . . For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son(Jesus) He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:11,13 ♥