Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Worship dispels worry . . .

"What comes from the Lord because it is impossible for humans to manufacture it?  Wisdom."
"What comes from humans because it is impossible for the Lord to experience it?  Worry."
"And what is it that brings wisdom and dispels worry?  Worship."
Chuck Swindoll (The Living Insights Bible)

Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength. 
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His Holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks, and strips the forests bare.  And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Warren Wiersbe, in With the  Word, explains the passage in this way:

"Praise before the storm (1-2)
David called on the angels in heaven to ascribe praise to God.  You never know when a storm is coming, so be sure you are worshiping Him and giving Him glory.  The greatest beauty of all is the beauty of holiness, and it comes from worshiping the Lord.

Power in the storm (3-9)
First the thunder rolled over the Mediterranean Sea.  Then the storm broke and moved across the land.  Seven times the storm is call "the voice of the LORD." (see Rev. 10:3-4)  What power there is in a storm! Even the angels shout, "Glory!" as they watch it!

Peace after the storm (10-11)
David may have seen a rainbow and remembered God's promise given after the Flood (Gen. 9:8-17).  God sat as King at the Flood, and He is still King!  No storm is greater than God.  If you trust Him, the storm will bring glory to God.  If life is stormy just now, worship Him and wait on Him.  The storm will pass, and He will give you peace."

Today, choose to praise God in the storm ~ Trust His mighty power for your sufficiency in the storm ~ Experience His peace that passes all human understanding!!!



"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!
 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends alll understand, will guard your  hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 
Philippians 4:4-7

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up."  Galatians 6:9

This morning as I was sitting on my deck having my quiet time, I read this verse.  Although, I've read it numerous times over the years, this morning it seemed to leap off the page.  You know what I'm talking about.  Something so familiar, yet you know God wants to show you something. 

The first thing that jumped out were the words "grow weary".  How often have we said, "I'm so tired of doing this."  Not sure what your "this" is?  Here are a few of the "this" things that God brought to mind along with His promises to encourage you in your journey. 

. . . I'm so tired of having to discipline my children ~~ I tell them the same thing over and over again until I'm blue in the face!!!  Will they ever get it???  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6

. . . I'm so tired of having to go to this job every day ~~ I work hard and watch as others get raises/promotions, but does anyone notice or reward my efforts???  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24

. . . I'm so tired of having to stay on this diet ~~ Why can others eat like they want and not gain weight??? I need help!!!  "As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  2 Chronicles 15:7,  "This is what the LORD says to you; "Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . For the battle is not yours, but God's."  2 Chronicles 29:15

. . . I'm so tired of always having to be the one to say I'm sorry or forgive when forgiveness isn't deserved!!!  "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  Ephesians 4:30-32

. . . I'm so tired of praying for my family members/friends to come to Christ when I don't see any results!!!  "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."  Luke 18:1, "Pray continually."  1 Thessalonians 5:17

. . . I'm so tired of trying to make this marriage work  when all I hear is "give up".  DON'T weary one!!!  "Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."  James 1:12  "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever."  Ephesians 3:20-21 

The second thing that jumped out was how ALL the sentences started with the word "I".  So what are we to do???  We are to look to Jesus Christ who helps us in ALL our situations and circumstances!!!  We need to remember where victory comes from.  It comes as we put our trust in our all powerful God to whom nothing is impossible.  Weariness will most likely not go away because it's part of life.  What will go away is our focus on weariness when we give that weariness to Him!!! 

The result is found in the last part of the verse.  "We will reap a harvest if we don't give up."  We can't have the harvest without the work.  Does a farmer receive a bountiful harvest without work???  NO!!!  Does an Olympic athlete receive the Gold medal without work???  NO!!!  Does a contestant on American Idol/Duet, etc become the winner without work???  No!!!  You get the picture.  Something that is worthwhile, takes work!!! 

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Amazing GRACE how sweet the sound . . .

Love God's beautiful grace ~ His marvelous riches at Christ's expense ~ so undeserved ~ lavishly given to all who believe . . .

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace, which He has freely lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
Ephesians 1:7-8 ♥