Daily Encouragement

God has asked each of us to take a journey called life. For some, the journey is pleasant and fulfilling; for others, painful and sorrowful. The key to remember is that the same loving God is in both journeys, every step of the way, quietly guiding, encouraging and strengthening us for what lies ahead. God's roadmap is before you today and He is your biggest cheerleader! "Here is my path. Walk ye in it!"

Let's see: Day1: Created light and dark; Day 2: Created sky; Day 3: Created land, sea and vegetation; Day 4: Created sun, moon and stars; Day 5: Created birds and all sea creatures; Day 6: Created land animals, taking special time to create man and woman; Day 7: He rested. Now, after all that, do you really think that your problem is too big for Him to handle?

It is said that a person can live without food for 40 days, without water for 3 days and without air for 8 minutes, but a person cannot live 1 second without hope! Many times in our lives, things seem hopeless. Despite all of our prayers and all of our pleadings, things seem impossible to us. But remember, it is in our weakest moments that God shows Himself to be His strongest, and with God, all things are possible!

Today's culture teaches us the concept of "a little more." For true joy, happiness and contentment, we need "a little more" money, house, car, boat, stock and bonds. More stuff! But God's method is far simpler. He tells us that one cross, one thorny crown, three rusty nails and one Savior Who takes away our sin is all we need...no more, it is enough and it is finished! And we should never want or need anything more!

Battle lines are drawn in our lives everyday. Satan hurls his weapons of fear, doubt, worry, illness, depression, loneliness and everything else he can think of to rob us of the abundant life we possess in Christ. Yet on our side stands a humble General, slipping quietly into the fray through a manger and winning each battle with the weapon of a cross. And in Him alone, we are more than conquerors because He loved us!

With each new morning, we should pray and ask God for the wisdom, strength and power we'll need for that day's challenges. And God answers with His infinite wisdom, "I'll give you enough for today." Like the manna and quail received during the exodus, God does not promise us anything for tomorrow. Instead, He promises ...He'll give us all we'll need for that day and that day alone. And what He gives is always enough!

We celebrate with grateful and thankful hearts our freedom as a people and nation. It has been made possible only by the blessing of Almighty God and the sacrifice of so many. But our truest freedom was provided by Jesus Christ, Who died alone for our sin on an inglorious cross on a battlefield called Calvary. There He conquered death and hell, all to provide us with an abundant and eternal life if we truly believe!

Ever feel like you've crossed the line once too often with God? That, this time, you've gone too far and sinned one time too many? Remember, the shepherd left the 99 in the flock to find the one who strayed, the woman went to great efforts to seek the one coin that fell from the ten, and the father patiently waited for the prodigal of his two sons to return. You can never escape the love or forgiveness of a Holy God!

The strength and power needed to persevere in the Christian life is not revealed in moments of crisis by accident. They are nurtured in the quieter days of faith, Scripture study and private prayer. Then, when the moments of trial do come, we are prepared to react and overcome through the "training" which was done in secret. Prepare your heart today for the trails that are just around the bend!

Accountability. It's a fact of life. We are, first, accountable to God. He is our Source of perfection, guidance and example. Then, we are accountable to others- our spouses, family, friends, co-workers, employers. But we must never forget to be accountable to ourselves. We must constantly guard our health, heart, mind and spirit, and always gauge our spiritual stature. Jesus set the bar that we must follow.

God has a plan and purpose for each us, and deep within our hearts, He has added a special place for our hopes and dreams. All too often, we allow life to stiffle those dreams and squash our hopes. But life has no mountain that God cannot level, no chasm that God cannot span. Whatever your dream is today, commit it to God, use it for His glory, and watch how your every hope and dream becomes a reality. Dream big!

Being content can be challenging. Our culture drives home our need for bigger and better, while God whispers, "I am all you need and will give you all you need. Trust me with your life." What does it take to be truly content? Simply trusting that God made you just like you are, He wants the very best for your life and He has a plan to get you there. It's not the world's definition, it's His, and that's enough for me!

So many things can trouble us these days- financial pressure, job loss, illness, problem children, broken marriages, compromised trust. We often ask where God is in them all. I'd like to answer that. He's right where He's always been...walking beside you through every difficulty and heartache. Today, above the thunder of every storm, hear His words, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in Me!"

There are three words you need to tell yourself every day- "Only today matters!" Yesterday is gone and can't be done over, and tomorrow is out of your control. So ask God to give you the wisdom and discernment for today only, and release His power of forgiveness for your yesterdays and ask Him to handle your tomorrows. Today is all you need to be concerned with and will pave the way for everything that follows.

Do you really trust God? God is not a spiritual vending machine where you insert your prayer, pull a lever and receive an answer, and if you don't like that answer, you insert more prayers and keep pulling levers until you get the answer that you want. That's not God! If your prayer is made with faith, trust and thanksgiving, He'll give you the right answer the very first time. Trust me, He knows what He's doing!

Weariness - that feeling we often face at the end of far too many days. Life simply saps our energy. Marriage problems. Prodigal child. Financial burdens. An unfaithful spouse. Sickness. An anxious spirit. Soon, all energy is gone and we simply slump over in an emotional heap. But God says to come to Him all who are weary and He would give us rest. Rest. God's answer for life's trials. And all we have to do is come.

We all need encouragement, that pat on the back, that lets us know that we're loved, wanted and appreciated. Have you ever stopped to consider that's exactly what the cross is doing? On the cross, Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, is telling you and me that He'd rather die for us than live without us. Now THAT'S a pat on the back!

Faith is always tested at the intersection of "Why?" and "Trust Me!" We come to God with those situations and problems that make us ask Him, "Why?" He answers with a simple, "Trust Me!" You cannot trust God in those things which you choose and not trust Him in others. You either trust Him with it all or with nothing. The conclusion will be a faith that will enhance daily living and that you can live an eternity