This morning while I was reading my Bible during my quiet time with the Lord, I heard an all too familiar "thump". From time to time we have birds that run into our bay window outside our dining room. Not sure why they get so confused and run into it, but they do. Usually a little stunned at first, eventually they fly away.
That wasn't the case this morning. When I got up to see what had happened, I saw a little bird, head down in the snow. I immediately went and tried to help it, but it was too late. That little bird had apparently broken its neck and was never going to fly away.
Sad as I was, I was quickly reminded of how much God loves and takes care of the little birds and knows when one falls. Yet,how much more He loves and cares for us!!! He knows when we sit, when we stand, when we sleep and is familiar with all our ways ~ past ~ present and those to come. Nothing escapes His gaze ~ nothing is unnoticed by Him. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart form the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31
Regardless of what your facing today ~ spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially; God sees, He cares and He will help when we call on His name. He is big enough to handle anything we are going through.
He has given us a heart to know Him (Jeremiah 24:9) ~ provided the way through His Son, Jesus for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) and graciously bears all our burdens (Psalm 68:19).
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Encouragement for the Journey . . . 2014
Steadfast Heart ~ Singing Heart
King David is known as the singer of songs. He rose early in the morning and sang praises to the Lord. Do you?
"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples." Psalm 108:1-2 (see also, Psalm 57)
A steadfast heart is a "singing heart" as Warren Wiersbe says. Why? Because "confidence in God gives you something to sing about." (Warren Wiersbe ~ With the Word)
A steadfast heart is one that is:
-loyal - constant - faithful - committed in attitude - devoted - dedicated - steady- reliable - true - unchanging - unwavering - tireless. Do you have a steadfast heart?
When David wrote these Psalms he was in a battle; yet he did not waver in his devotion to the Lord. He remained steadfast in his trust and fully relied on the faithfulness of his God. Who do you rely on when the battle rages?
"For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted. O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:4-5
David's confidence grew as he cried out to the Lord and rested in His promises. He knew without a doubt his God would give him victory. Where does your victory come from?
"Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:12-13
"God leads us into the battle, helps us capture the enemy's strongholds, and gives us the victory. Verse 13 of Psalm 108 is David's version of Philippians 4:13. It was true for him, and it is true for you today." (Warren Wiersbe - With the Word)
Let your song today be:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
King David is known as the singer of songs. He rose early in the morning and sang praises to the Lord. Do you?
"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples." Psalm 108:1-2 (see also, Psalm 57)
A steadfast heart is a "singing heart" as Warren Wiersbe says. Why? Because "confidence in God gives you something to sing about." (Warren Wiersbe ~ With the Word)
A steadfast heart is one that is:
-loyal - constant - faithful - committed in attitude - devoted - dedicated - steady- reliable - true - unchanging - unwavering - tireless. Do you have a steadfast heart?
When David wrote these Psalms he was in a battle; yet he did not waver in his devotion to the Lord. He remained steadfast in his trust and fully relied on the faithfulness of his God. Who do you rely on when the battle rages?
"For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted. O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:4-5
David's confidence grew as he cried out to the Lord and rested in His promises. He knew without a doubt his God would give him victory. Where does your victory come from?
"Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:12-13
"God leads us into the battle, helps us capture the enemy's strongholds, and gives us the victory. Verse 13 of Psalm 108 is David's version of Philippians 4:13. It was true for him, and it is true for you today." (Warren Wiersbe - With the Word)
Let your song today be:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Encouragement for the Journey . . . 2014
Heart of Praise . . .
In 2014, may we offer up to God a heart of praise:
~ through what Luci Swindoll (I Married Adventure) says,
~"the good times"
~"the bad times"
~"through the planned times"
~"through the unplanned times"
In other words, every day ~ every moment, in all our ways. It's as we have a heart of praise, that we see the greatness of God.
~ His power and might
~ His faithfulness that reaches to the skies
~ His tender love as He carries us
Isaiah 61:3c encourages us to choose the oil of gladness instead of a spirit of despair. Proverbs 15:13,15; 30:17:22 reminds us of the benefits of choosing a cheerful heart.
A cheerful heart:
~ has a happy face
~ has a continual feast
~ is filled with joy
~ is good medicine
In Praying God's Will for Your Life, Stormie Omartian says, "praise softens our hearts and makes them pliable. There is NOTHING that brings greater joy than lips that are filled with praise. "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name." Hebrews 13:15
In 2014, may we offer up to God a heart of praise:
~ through what Luci Swindoll (I Married Adventure) says,
~"the good times"
~"the bad times"
~"through the planned times"
~"through the unplanned times"
In other words, every day ~ every moment, in all our ways. It's as we have a heart of praise, that we see the greatness of God.
~ His power and might
~ His faithfulness that reaches to the skies
~ His tender love as He carries us
Isaiah 61:3c encourages us to choose the oil of gladness instead of a spirit of despair. Proverbs 15:13,15; 30:17:22 reminds us of the benefits of choosing a cheerful heart.
A cheerful heart:
~ has a happy face
~ has a continual feast
~ is filled with joy
~ is good medicine
In Praying God's Will for Your Life, Stormie Omartian says, "praise softens our hearts and makes them pliable. There is NOTHING that brings greater joy than lips that are filled with praise. "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name." Hebrews 13:15
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