Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting,
God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along.
If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter.
He does our praying in and for us,
making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
He knows us far better than we know ourselves,
knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God.
That’s why we can be so sure
that every detail in our lives of love for God
is worked into something good.
Romans 8:26-28 MSG
Be strong and •brave [courageous; resolute]. Be •sure [careful] to obey all the •teachings [law] my servant Moses •gave [commanded] you. If you •follow them exactly [do not turn from it to the right or to the left], you will be successful in everything you do. Joshua 1:7 EXB
Brave. Courageous. Resolute. Each of these words is a vivid attribute for Joshua to embrace as He faced leading God’s people after the death of Moses. Joshua was called to be strong and brave, disciplined and careful to follow God’s commandments. Success was promised if He was able to follow God’s leading on the path ahead. This was Joshua’s calling and at some level all of us are called to be both strong and courageous. We need to be strong, even when we are tempted to be weak or afraid. We may be called to step out on faith to do things that we could not have imagined. But when God is calling and leading, we must gather all the strength, we can muster to take the next step. Moving forward, we can be careful to listen for His voice and His direction. He promised to be with us each step of the way. We will be diligent and faithful to follow His Word that provides His wisdom and His will for our lives. With the Lord’s leading, we can be strong and brave.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
God’s promise to be with us gives us confidence. It is not a promise of ease or unfettered progress but it gives us so much more. He promised to be with us. He gave His unfailing Word that His presence would be with us always. His presence is a place of peace, joy and strength. In His Company, we can receive renewal, strength and confidence. We can be reassured to be strong and courageous. We can thrive. With Him, fear has no place. We can leave our anxiety behind. We can shed anything that hinders our walking fully in our purpose. In His presence we can be healed of the past and look focused toward the future. Growing, maturing, and completing the work of our hands. He promised to be with us. His presence in my life is sufficient for me.
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG
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.
Psalm 27
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12
We crave for warmer days during a persistent hard winter. Record snow falls and low temperatures for weeks at a time can start to weigh on your heart after a while. The winter season is a lesson of perseverance and resiliency when the days are dark and frigid. We have to remind ourselves that winter is in fact a season and that spring indeed will come. Our God is faithful and with each new day and sun rise, we are approaching closer and closer to spring. We have to keep hope in our hearts even if a March snow storm may come to dampen our outlook. We experience both natural and spiritual winters in our lives, when we must stay in the faith and remember that this too shall pass. Warmer days, peace and joy are ahead. It is time of staying in faith and to look for the signs of spring. The promise of spring keeps us grounded in hope and allows us to start planning and anticipating the next season. Even at the darkest hour we are closer than we think if we are steadfast and don’t lose heart. Stay in faith and nurture hope. Spring cometh.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Romans 12:11-12MSG
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
Psalm 91:1-3
We are committed to serving the Lord. He is the strength of our lives and the Savior of our souls. Even though unworthy, He provides new mercies with the start of each new day. Our trust is in the Lord. The unfolding of the road ahead may bring challenges but He promised to be with us. He will not leave us. He will not forsake us. The Holy Spirit gives us strength and power to continue on our journey in purpose. Come what may…
Our mind is focused on Him.
Our heart is meditating on His Word
Our faith is in His promises.
Our trust is Him today and forevermore.
Yes, Yes, My soul says yes.
Come What May
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV
The power to rebound after a set-back requires courage and faith. We need this level of constitution in our hearts and souls for everyday living. The unexpected in our lives will at times bring events that are designed to make us feel defeated and discouraged… but God. When we experience a set-back we may be tempted to stay where we are to nurse our wounds but know this is the time to get-up. The Lord has given us the tools of hope, faith, courage and determination to stand up and try again when we experience failure. This is a time to muster more strength, more courage and more faith for our relationships, our health, our ministry and our work. We may have missed the mark last time but recognize the God in us is bigger than the challenges that we face. We are His children and we are called to be strong and courageous. God loves us and He helps us to learn, grow and mature into our purpose. God is working every detail in our lives together for our good. This promise and assurance gives us the stamina to get up and start again.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2 MSG
God brings out the best in me when I submit my life fully to Him. A submitted life in His hands can take the good, the bad and the ugly and transform it into a life that I could not have imagined. I can submit my whole self and exchange my will for His will, my plan for His plan. His vision and plan for my life takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. His plan for us is built on a foundation of peace and is full of hope. I can present my whole life before Him; my health, my past hurts and disappointments, my shortcomings, my relationships, my family and my future. I can submit it all to Him. His arms are always open. His hand is always extended. With an open heart, He can begin the work of changing my life from the inside out. With my attention fixed on Him, He will direct a new path for me.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1
So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. I Thessalonians 3:7-8
Thomas Whitfield is one of my favorite Gospel song writers. The words and melodies of his songs continue to be a source of inspiration and uplifting to me. “I’m Encouraged” is a favorite among favorites. During different seasons in my life, this song was the first song played and listened to throughout the day. It was a mantra that kept my heart and mind focused on the goodness of the Lord and helped to strengthen my faith muscles when I needed it most.
May be you have a song that you keep close to your heart when you need it; a go-to song that helps to remind you of the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. You might have a first morning hymn that gets your heart and mind focused on Jesus. I am thankful for the gift of song and the power of inspirational music that keeps us going and keeps us encouraged. (Please feel free to add your favorite faith song in the comments section)
I’m Encouraged
By Thomas Whitfield
I’m encouraged Yes to stay with Jesus, Jesus I’m encouraged To stay with the Lord
Ohh-ohh-ohh ohh I’m encouraged Yes to stay with Jesus, Jesus I’m encouraged To stay with the Lord
I keep the devil running And I’m so glad I’m offering God The highest praise today
And if it seems like victory’s fading I’m going to trust Him Knowing all things work for good In Jesus name
Now faith is still the substance Of things hoped for I don’t know just what you Want the Lord to do
Because He’s never slacked In His promise Why not trust Him
To restore you with new power And your testimony too
Now I’m going all the way You can’t stop me
Even though I might lose a friend along the way
But because He lives I know I can face tomorrow
And thank you Lord I’m gonna praise Your name today
I’m encouraged, I’m encouraged, I’m encouraged, I’m encouraged, To stay with the Lord
I’m encouraged To stay with the Lord I’m encouraged To stay with the Lord (repeat as needed- out)
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalms 46:1 NLT
Our Savior provides a safe place in the time of trouble. It is a place of peace, protection and rest for our hearts and minds. The stress and pressure of the season can leave us feeling tired and weary. He knows and He cares about His children. During prayer and meditation we can experience respite for our busy minds and burdened souls. The Lord is our refuge. In His presence we are rejuvenated with His strength, infused with His peace and surrounded by His love. We are so thankful for the gifts of refuge, respite and rejuvenation that we have in God.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Psalm 91:1 -2 NLT
Terri's Wellspring 