A Present Help

22 06 2015

2014-08-25 15.21.39

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

He is our refuge.  In the midst of a storm, He is a place where we can find peace and protection.  A refuge is a place of safety, when trouble seems to surround us.  In Him, we can find a place of covering for our hearts and minds in every situation.  We thank you Lord for you are our refuge.

He is our strength.  His strength is perfected in our weakness.  We can look to Him for the added strength we need to face what is ahead.  He gives us the renewed will and power to face the challenges of the day.  We thank you God for your perfect strength.

He is our present help.  The Lord provides help that is complete.  His blessings provide for every need.  He supplies all of our needs.  Healing, deliverance, salvation and guidance are all available to His children.  We thank God for His present, right now help.

We are seeking and praising you for your refuge, strength and present help today and for the days ahead.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Always

17 06 2015

West Angeles COGICAlways be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9 NLT


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Trust God

3 06 2015
Terri in Barcelona

Terri in Barcelona

 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
     he’s the one who will keep you on track.
 Don’t assume that you know it all.
     Run to God! Run from evil!
 Your body will glow with health,
     your very bones will vibrate with life!
 Honor God with everything you own;
     give him the first and the best.
 Your barns will burst,
  your wine vats will brim over.
 But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
     don’t sulk under his loving correction.
 It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
     a father’s delight is behind all this.

Proverbs 3:5-12


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags:
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, FAITH

Fan the Flame

2 06 2015

March 2013 Picture IPhone 323This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:6-7 NLT

We were each born with a God-given purpose. We are equipped with unique abilities that give us all the tools and talents needed to accomplish our assignment. During our life’s journey, we explore and nurture our gifts as we accept the call on our lives for God’s service. We are all called to serve. We may not be called to proclaim God’s Word from a pulpit but in our families, our communities and in our interactions with one another we are to demonstrate God’s love in ways that fulfill our purpose. Our hands, our words, our tasks emanate His love, His compassion, His mercy that exemplify His Son, Jesus Christ. What a tremendous gift to the world to use the gift that is inside of you. You have what it takes to accomplish the task and to carry it through. He made you for this task. He has given you the tools and the talents to make it happen. You are empowered, careful not to embrace fear but to walk in confidence of the God we serve. Our passage today reminds us to keep our gifts active, alive and on fire. We are to fan the flames within us to keep our gifts fueled with the air that it needs to grow and to shine bright. We fan the flames today within us to use our gifts for His Glory.

That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.  II Timothy 1:5-7 MSG


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, PURPOSE

Be Brave and Courageous

26 05 2015

Psalm 27

IMG_1924

A psalm of David

The Lord is my light and my salvation-
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

The one thing I ask of the Lord-
the thing I seek most-
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.

Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Blessed

20 05 2015

giving imageAnd this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

We receive so many blessings each day.  The blessing of life, health and strength are precious gifts.  The added promise of peace and joy in our minds and soul, as we focus on God is a gift beyond measure.  It is amazing to me to know that the Lord can provide peace and joy even when circumstances in our personal lives can be full of uncertainty. We can have faith that whatever arises today that God can provide guidance, comfort and healing.  We pray that God will use our blessed life for His glory and in service to His people.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 NLT


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Running Shoes

13 05 2015

walking feetTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

 

I have on my running shoes.  It’s going to be a day for getting things done and moving forward.  I am thankful for a focused mind this morning.  I am thankful for the gift of the opportunity of today.  I am so grateful for all the detailed blessings of the day ahead; the conversations shared, the knowledge learned, the ideas that will bloom.  As we launch another day of living, we have a prepared heart and mind for running ahead.  We are moving forward and we are thankful. 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

It’s Ahead

12 05 2015

Rome Moving ForwardBrethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  Philippians 3:13-15

 

My goal is ahead.  It is in front of me and not in what happened last year, last week or even yesterday.  My goal is in front.  I have to keep pressing. Even when I am tired, He is faithful to renew my strength.  When my vision becomes murky about what is important, He provides clarity.  When I am not sure about next steps, He is faithful to direct my path.  So I keep pressing. I will do my part to be faithful to His calling.  I will keep my heart encouraged and focused.  I will keep striving for the goal ahead. 

 

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. Philippians 3:15-16 MSG


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

All That I Need

11 05 2015

walking encouragedThe LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 23 NLT


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

Give it to Him

7 05 2015

2014-08-25 15.21.39Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 NIV

God cares about every aspect of our lives.  He cares about our thoughts, our decisions, our hopes, dreams, our problems and our concerns. I love the scripture that says that “we can cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us”. It is a powerful assurance that no matter what we are facing, God cares and that we can cast, toss, or give our problems to our Heavenly Father. He cares about the big and little things of our lives. We may have concerns about health, finances, relationships or how a whole range of situations will be resolved. We can thank God for His love and that He knows all about it. We can demonstrate our faith and confidence in Him and turn it over to Him. When we give it to Him, He immerses His love, His power and His healing that transforms any situation. It may be a long-standing concern that has burdened our hearts for months or years but I challenge you today to give it to the Father. We can receive a new outlook through the lenses of His faith and promises concerning His children. We may be waiting on Him but He may be waiting on us to put our whole faith and trust in Him. Give it to Him today.

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT

« Previous Entries Next Entries »