Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Ever feel at as loss as to how to praise God at Thanksgiving or everyday for that matter. At our last Titus 2 Women we had a night of Praise & Worship. We used the following to remind us of who He is as we began our praise.

I PRAISE YOU, LORD, BECAUSE YOU ARE . . .

ALMIGHTY ~ WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE ~ EXALTED

VICTORIOUS ~ MY SONG ~ STRONG ~ FAITHFUL

RIGHTEOUS ~ THE LIVING GOD ~ MAJESTIC ~ MY SHIELD

HOLY ~ MY DELIGHT ~ THE MOST HIGH GOD ~ TEACHER

KING OF KINGS ~ MY SAVIOR ~ GOOD ~ ETERNAL

PERFECT AND ALL YOUR WORDS ARE PERFECT/FLAWLESS

THE ONE WHO ARMS ME WITH STRENGTH ~ MERCIFUL

MY ROCK ~ MASTER ~ MY FORTRESS ~ MY DELIVERER

MY REFUGE ~ MY GOD WHO GOES BEFORE ME ~ MY HELP

MY GOD WHO NEVER LEAVES ME OR FORSAKES ME ~ MY JOY

TRUSTWORTHY ~ SHEPHERD ~ COVENANT KEEPER

CREATOR ~ GRACIOUS ~ COMPASSIONATE ~ PEACE ~ JUST

MY HIDING PLACE ~ CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED

LOVE ~ LIGHT ~ PROTECTOR ~ MY STRONGHOLD ~ HOPE

LOVER OF MY SOUL ~ GIVER OF LIFE ~ OUR GUIDE ~ MY REST

A FORGIVING GOD ~ NEVER CHANGING ~ MY LOVING GOD

POWERFUL ~ BEAUTIFUL ~ AWESOME ~ GREAT ~ MAKER

BURDEN BEARER ~ SOVEREIGN LORD ~ INFINITE

THE ONE WHO QUIETS OUR FEARS ~ UNFAILING ~ YAWEH

MY COUNSELOR ~ PROVIDER ~ ABOUNDING IN LOVE

SUSTAINER ~ THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER

WISDOM ~ MIRACULOUS GOD ~ WISE ~ CONSTANT

VICTORIOUS OVER OUR ENEMIES ~ SLOW TO ANGER

RESPLENDENT WITH GLORY ~ FAMILIAR WITH ALL MY WAYS

THE ONE WHO HEARS MY CRY ~ MY SATISFACTION

RICH IN LOVE TO ALL WHO CALL ON YOU IN TRUTH

~ ~ ~

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."

Psalm 150:6

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Waiting ~ with an expectant heart or with a grumbling heart ~ our CHOICE

How would you describe your attitude when God asks you to wait? Anxious; Annoyed; Disappointed or Trusting; Peaceful; Joyful in the process. In Isaiah 30:18-21, it says, "Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. and your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (ESV)

We live in a world of instant gratification, so WHY should we wait? God clearly gives us the answer in James 1:2-4. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (ESV) The NIV uses the word perseverance rather than steadfastness. He is building our character and shaping us in a way that is for our good and in a way that will bring Him glory.

Several weeks ago at Titus 2 Women, a friend of mine, Christy Sansom shared some thoughts on waiting ~ something we all have to do from time to time. It's how we respond in the waiting process that matters. Christy shared how God taught her as she waited on Him during an illness she experienced a couple of years ago and the blessings she received in the process as she trusted in Him and His perfect design for her life.

After sharing her story, she gave us 7 things the Lord taught her about waiting:
1. Wait actively and seek His face daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
2. Be still and listen ~ worship while you wait ~ don't be in such a hurry to get through the process.
3. Pray out loud ~ pray scripture ~ speak against the devils schemes to discourage you while you wait. Ephesians 6:10
4. Keep a journal ~ during your quiet time, write down your thoughts or write out a prayer to the Lord ~ go back and read it later ~ it's a good reminder of God's faithfulness.
5. Don't try to find your way out of the fire ~ let God finish what He wants to accomplish. He'll get you through any suffering and pain you might be experiencing along the way. When you try to escape too quickly, you may have to repeat the process. Words to think about.
6. Don't try to figure out why it's happening ~ trust God's Sovereignty. Ask Him to reveal any sin in your life at this time.
7. Continue serving where He calls you to serve. He may call you out of one area and place you in another. He may also put serving on hold for a season. (For Christy, God put her music ministry on hold during her illness, but gave her another place to serve as she waited ~ she chose to serve Him with joy.)

She also shared the following verses that have to do with waiting and going through trials/suffering.
• James 1:1-12 (especially verses 1-2)
• Ephesians 3:12-13
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• 1 Peter chapters 3-4 (especially 4:12-13, 5:8-10)
• Malachi 3:3 (She also talked about how God uses the refiners fire to burn away impurities.)

As you look at the verses above, ask yourself:
• What impurities are in your life?
• What is God doing to burn away those impurities?
• What is your response as your are going through trial ~ praising Him or complaining?

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Remember "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10c
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Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Friendship/Relationships/Best Friend of all ~ Jesus

I meet with women monthly in a group called Titus 2 Women. This past month we talked about friendship relationships. We discussed some of the qualities we look for in a friend. Here are some of the qualities we came up with: loyal, trustworthy, fun, someone who looks out for your best interest, encourager, truthful and honest, counselor, like-minded, someone you can be real with, compassionate and someone who is a good listener. What are some qualities you look for in a friend that weren’t mentioned?

I’ve had some great friendship relationships over the years ~ a few that really stick out are a friend from first grade, my maid of honor in our wedding and a dear friend when we lived in Virginia. God placed each one of these friends in my life for a short season. Even though I am not in contact with any of them now, they will always have a special place in my heart.

Can you think of a friend who is currently in your life or someone God placed in your life for a season? Have you thanked Him for her (them)? Have you been able to thank, them?

There are many friendship relationships described in the Bible. Take the time to look up their stories: David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-5), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth), Paul and Barnabus (Acts 11:25-26, and see chapters, 13, 14, 15), Lazarus, Mary, Martha and Jesus (John 11:1-44), John, the beloved and Jesus (John 21:20-24). A few more verses concerning friendship/relationships are found in Eccl. 4:9-12, Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:6, 9,17,18, and Romans 12:10.


When we receive Christ, one of the privileges we have in our relationship with Him is that He calls us His friend ~ but how do we treat that friendship? In John 15:12-17, Jesus says, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

Knowing that Jesus calls us His friend is a priceless gift. Do you take that friendship for granted or do you treasure it? He longs to be your best friend, your first love. (Revelations 2:4-5) Friends come, friends go, some are only in our lives for a season, but Jesus has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Remember He is and always will be our faithful friend. Regardless of how we feel or the circumstances surrounding us, we can always count on Him. Jesus is worthy of ALL our praise. Praise Him for He is:

Almighty (Rev. 1:8)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (Colossians 1:16)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Defense (Advocate) (1 John 2:1)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel ~ God with us (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Master (Lk. 5:5; 8:24; 9:33)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6))
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
One and only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 3:16, 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Peace (John 14:27, Col. 3:15)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25, John 3:2)
Radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God ( Luke 1:35, John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)