Pray Back Scripture

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) 
 
In Psalm 27, David cries out to God and reminds Him of how He protected and provided for him in the past. What a beautiful reminder to us to recall those things that God has done for us in the past. 
 
When we pray back scripture and remember God’s goodness to us, it lifts our spirits. It gives us the encouragement we need to keep going, even under challenging circumstances.  

David, himself tells God that he is turning his enemies over to Him. How often do we hold onto our worries and troubles, even when we have prayed about them? God doesn’t intend for us to carry those.  
 
While we may not have armies coming after us today, as David did, we have diseases, financial stressors, heart pains, and emotional troubles.

However, we can go to God and ask with confidence for His goodness to us. We can expect Him to come through for us and be with us in our pain. While the outcome or answer may not be what we are anticipating or wanting, we can trust that God’s answer will always be best.  
 
How can God use your pain to grow you so that you will be more effective for him?  

When I read this devotion it blessed me. As we go into this new year may we remember this devotion, “We can trust that God’s answer will always be best”. God will always provide, it just might look different than what we had in mind. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


Real Peace

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) 
 
What if someone told you that you never had to be anxious again? Would you laugh or roll your eyes? How can we not be anxious? 
 
Each of us has stressors, worries, and difficulties. But God wants us to turn our worries into prayers. As we give Him our burdens to carry, it lightens the heaviness in our hearts and minds.  

Some might mistake peace for lack of conflict, positive thinking, or even control. But that isn’t peace. Peace is not dependent on our circumstances. 
 
Of course, when things are going well, we feel excited and happy. But, true peace is found in trusting the Lord, even when things are not going the way we hope or want. 

Real peace has faith that God is in control whatever the obstacle, situation, diagnosis, or loss.
 
Lord, will you help me to trust you with my pain today? I need your strength. Amen
 
God is the reason why even in pain, I smile; in confusion, I understand; in betrayal, I trust; and in fear, I continue to fight. James 1:12, Blessed is the man that endures trials: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. God loves you and is far more powerful than the thing you fear most. He sees, He hears and He will deliver.
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


Great Comfort

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8) 
 
God is powerful, good, unchangeable, and consistent!  
 
There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. 

Believing that He loves you, will help you trust His will for your life. 
 
Life can certainly be challenging at times which can cause us to question the Lord and His ways. 

However, the better you know Christ, the easier it is to have peace.
 
He has your best interest at heart…always!

 Today are you:

  • Struggling with letting go of control
  • Do you hesitate to give your concerns, hopes, and dreams to Christ?
  • Are you holding onto pride by believing that you are better equipped to decide what is best? 

When we lose sight of God’s divine plan, we replace God with SELF. 

People may let you down, but Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
 
The world, your job, and circumstances may change. God never does.
 
There is great comfort in trusting the Lord. He is unchangeable, and He is a Savior you can rely on!
 
When I read this devotion it blessed me. Plain and simple. No matter what, God is the same today, yesterday, tomorrow and always. Never loose site of that truth. I may not know what tomorrow holds but I know Who holds my tomorrow. God is faithful.
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


Trust in The Lord

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) 
 
Trust is part of any healthy relationship. 
 
However, past hurts or life experiences can make it hard to trust.  

You might even find yourself questioning who is reliable, truthful, or able to support you emotionally.  
 
Yet, Proverbs says to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  

That is because our hearts and minds can lead us astray. 
 
When we set out on our own without God’s input, we can get lost or off track—like taking a hike without a map or compass. 

However, as we lean into God’s Word and His wisdom, we are promised that He will make our path straight. 
 
He will guide us and show us which way to go

Take a moment to reflect on your day. Are there any areas of your life you struggling to give the Lord? Is there anything that is weighing heavily on your heart? Allow God’s peace and wisdom to penetrate the deepest fears and biggest concerns of your life. He will guide and protect you!! 
 
When I read this devotion I was reminded of the very scripture God placed on my heart the past couple of days, Proverbs 2:25-26, Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Faith does not mean trusting God to stop the storm, but trusting Him to strengthen us as we walk through the storm. 

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


Value to Our Suffering

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:5) 
 
Is there any value to our suffering?
 
We identify with Christ in all ways, namely experiencing the heartache of this world.
 
But Jesus experienced the comfort of God and we will, also!
 
Jesus experienced victory over the enemy and we will.
 
Jesus conquered death, and we will. 
 
So let us comfort those who are afflicted from the overflow of our comfort. 

Let all that we experience in this life, good and bad, be so that we would know Him more! 
 
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4
 
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I know for some it may be hard to understand. Why would God allow certain things to happen, why, why, why, we ask so many times but if we would stop and see it through a different lens we would see just what today’s devotion is saying. God allows things to happen for a reason. Circumstances will either direct you, correct you or perfect you. John 13:7, Jesus said, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Trust Him in and through all things.
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!


No Good Thing will He Withhold

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11) 
 
Perhaps you are filled with such disappointment that you have taken a few steps backward. Will you let go of the one thing today, in order to receive back from the Lord what His grace has ready for you? Will you remember who God is and all He promises for you even in the midst of loss? Therein is the need for surrender. Don’t waste another minute. 
 
Remember the truth that “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 
 
By His grace He will flood you with His power and faith for every storm. You can know that “The Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). 
 
As I was reading the Bible this morning I came across this setting of scripture and it blessed me. I knew I had to share it. I pray you are uplifted and encouraged by this devotion today. Psalm 84:12 goes on to say, O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord! Is there any better promise than this? If I trust Him, I will be blessed. All I can say is THANK YOU! I trust the Lord Almighty so I can rest in knowing that He will bless me. These blessings may not always look like the world’s definition of “blessed” but without doubt, God will bless me. His Word says so!

Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
 
 
 


After You

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. (Genesis 13:9) 
 
In some cultures a younger person is expected to permit his elder to enter a room first. In others, the most important or highest ranking individual enters first. No matter what our traditions, there are times when we find it difficult to allow someone to choose first on important matters, especially when that privilege rightfully belongs to us. 
 
Abram (later called Abraham) and his nephew Lot had so many flocks, herds, and tents that the land could not support both of them as they traveled together. To avoid conflict, Abram suggested they part company and generously gave Lot first choice of the land. His nephew took the fertile Jordan Valley, leaving Abram with the less desirable land. 
 
Abram did not insist on his rights as the elder in this situation but trusted his future to God. “And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left” (Gen. 13:8–9). Lot’s choice eventually led to dire consequences for his entire family (see Gen. 19). 
 
Today, as we face choices of many kinds, we can trust our Father to guide us in His way. He has promised to care for us. He will always give us what we need. 
 
Father, Your unfailing love and faithfulness guide us in every choice we make. May our lives speak well of You and honor You today. Amen.  
 
After reading this devotion I pray you are encouraged in knowing and being reminded that God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 2:9


The Power of Trusting The Lord with All Your Heart

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 
 
If the future feels uncertain right now, and worry keeps occupying too much room in your heart, in your mind, remember this: God is already in all of our tomorrows. He knows our way, and He has a plan. And we can be assured it’s always the best one for us. 
 
God never asks us to figure it all out on our own. He just asks us to trust Him, to recognize His leadership and Sovereignty in our lives. And He promises to make our pathways straight. 
 
– “Trust (be confident in, be bold, be secure) 
 
– in the Lord with all thine heart (seat of emotions, inclinations, mind, soul), 
 
– and lean not (trust, support) 
 
– unto thine own understanding (discernment). 
 
– In all thy ways acknowledge him (know, recognize), 
 
– and he shall direct thy paths (pleasing, right, smooth).” Proverbs 3:5-6 
 
We may not always see what’s ahead, but He does. 
 
There’s great power in trusting Him. For it clears the way for our security to be based solely on Him, not on our circumstances, or other people, not on ourselves, or our own ways of thinking. 
 
He is faithful to lead us and He sees the big picture. He brings clarity and light through foggy times. He knows what’s around the other side of the bend where we can’t fully see. His timing is perfect even when we start to feel like we’ve been forgotten. No matter how we feel or what our current situation may be, we can be confident that God’s Presence will go before us, paving out pathways, guiding and guarding our steps. 
 
Keep choosing trust. Let go of worry, hold on to Him. 
 
What do you need to trust God with today? Ask Him to help you guard and protect your heart from worry or trying to figure out everything on our own. Pray for His Spirit to fill you afresh and give you wisdom to hold on to His Truth. 
 
I was blessed by this devotion today. I pray there are others who needed to be reminded of this scripture today as well. Have confidence in God, trust Him with ALL your heart! He will never fail you. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:5-6


Being Consumed

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3) 
 
In his book The Call, Os Guinness describes a moment when Winston Churchill, on holiday with friends in the south of France, sat by the fireplace to warm himself on a cold night. Gazing at the fire, the former prime minister saw pine logs “crackling, hissing, and spitting as they burned. Suddenly, his familiar voice growled, ‘I know why logs spit. I know what it is to be consumed.’’
 
Difficulties, despair, dangers, distress, and the results of our own wrongdoings can all feel consuming. Circumstances slowly drain our hearts of joy and peace. When David experienced the consuming consequences of his own sinful choices, he wrote, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah” (Psalm 32:3–4). 
 
In such difficult times, where do we turn for help? For hope? Paul, whose experiences were filled with ministry burdens and brokenness, wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). 
 
How does that work? As we rest in Jesus, the Good Shepherd restores our souls (Psalm 23:3) and strengthens us for the next step of our journey. He promises to walk that journey with us every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5). 
 
What are some of the consuming struggles you’ve experienced? How did you respond? How did God meet you in those difficult times? 
 
This devotion blessed me. May this be our prayer today, Father, give me the strength to endure the hardships of this day, and the hope of Christ for the eternal tomorrow You have promised. Amen. He is forever faithful. 
 
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Matthew 11:28


Seek God’s Wisdom

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. (Psalm 14:2) 
 
Do we understand the ways of God? Understanding God is different than believing in God. To understand means that we can come into alignment by acknowledging the decisions God makes on our behalf. We do not have to agree with the decision but because we understand that God’s ways are higher than ours are, we can yield to Him. At that point, we show our trust in His ways as we continue to seek and submit to His will. 
 
As a parent, I have been challenged to explain “why” I am making a certain decision. If my decision pleases my children, no discussion is necessary. However, if I disagree, I am sought out to discuss and debate why my choices did not match their hearts’ desire. As a parent, I have the right to make final decisions as much as I have the right to explain or not explain the factors that went into making those decisions. My children then have the right to agree or disagree with my decisions but what a joy it is when they understand and accept them as is. 
 
God wants a relationship with us. As our Heavenly Father, He knows what is best for us. He is more than willing to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. God does not want us to just believe in Him but to understand Him as well. God has not hidden Himself from us. He has given us His Son, Jesus, His Word, and His Spirit. 
 
The Spirit of God intercedes for us, convicts our hearts and leads us into all truth. We have the opportunity to seek God and to find Him. But we also have the ability to understand Him as we continue to choose to read the Bible, pray and submit to the circumstances that He has allowed us to encounter in our lives. 
 
If you are struggling with understanding why God is allowing certain circumstances to continue in your life, seek Him for wisdom. James 1 tells us that anyone who is lacking in wisdom should ask God for it because God will give liberally to all that ask. But when God answers, believe that answer and do not doubt. Doubting only leads us to becoming double minded. Double mindedness is a worse state than questioning God’s decisions in the first place. And remember, God is looking down from Heaven to see if we understand and seek after Him. 
 
After reading this I was instantly reminded of today scripture, Luke 1:37, For with God nothing shall be impossible. How wonderful is that, it doesn’t mean everything will go our way as today’s devotion says but it’s in trusting His answer and not doubting Him. Remember, For His thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways His ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than your ways, and His thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Trust Him and seek His wisdom. 
 
Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 
 
Today’s Reading is Luke 1:37