Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ deep within me. Christ below me. Christ above me,

Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left hand,

Christ as I lie down, Christ as I arise, Christ as I stand,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me."

The Prayer of Saint Patrick

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

This morning I was reading from Treasures from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. (Copyright 1935, Copyright renewed 1963. Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.) The focus was on love, God's, perfect agape love and our love for our family, friends and all those He brings in our lives. How appropriate since Valentines Day is just around the corner. : ) His comments are priceless and to be treasured, pardon the pun, for many years. Here are a few to enjoy and encourage you on the Journey.

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"I have called you friends." John 15:15

"Love for God is not sentimental, for the saint to love as God loves is a most practical thing."

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"Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17

"And Jesus has some extraordinarily funny sheep, some bedraggled sheep, dirty sheep, some awkward, butting sheep, some sheep that have gone astray."

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"And to brotherly kindness, love." 2 Peter 1:7

"God's love to me is inexhaustible, and I must love others from the bedrock of God's love to me."

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"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

"The bedrock of our Christian faith is the unmerited, fathomless marvel of the love of God exhibited on the Cross of Calvary, a love we never can and never shall merit."

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"That they may be one as we are one." John 17:22

"Love is the outpouring of one personality in fellowship with another personality."

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"Love is patient, love is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4

"Love is not premeditated, it is spontaneous, i. e., it bursts up in extraordinary ways."

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Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:18-19

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Lord,

Help me to let go of the past; keep me from dwelling on it.

Help me to remember that things that year happened last are "old news".

Help me not to hold on to unforgiveness or an attitude that's all about me.

Give me a fresh start and help my focus to be on the new things

You're doing in my life this year and the life of my family.

May my walk with You grow deeper as I read Your Word and pray unceasingly.

Regardless of my circumstances, may I see the streams in the desert

as an oasis for my soul.