Everyday Strength

Every day is a brand new start, a day to start something new, a day to continue fulfilling a goal you have set, a day to accomplish all that you dream.  Every morning you are equipped with everything you need to be successful throughout the day.  Sometimes we wake up down and out, dreading the day, but you have the strength, the ultimate strength, the strength of God to get through your day.  So when it seems that your day is going down hill, when it seems that nothing is going right, remember that God is right there with you and He has provided you with the strength you need plus more to get through.   Know that when you're in distress God is right there helping you, saving you, strengthening you, loving you.  We all have a firm foundation holding us up each and every day, a foundation full of wisdom, knowledge and strength.  So stand firm on your foundation, lean on that foundation every minute of every day because that foundation, which is God, will give you all the strength you need every morning to accomplish everything you face and to overcome any obstacle or stumbling block you may come across throughout the day.

2 Lord, be gracious to us;
    we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
    our salvation in time of distress.

5 The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,
    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

~Isaiah 33:2, 5-6

God's Protection

The world is full of evil ones, some are easy to spot and others are in deep disguise.  Unfortunately sometime the enemy is someone close to us, a friend or family member.  But regardless if the enemy is someone close to us or not the enemy is always in attack mode trying to bring you down.  But the good news is God is on your side.  God will provide you with the strength you need to endure and protect you from every attack of the enemy.  God is always protecting you, making sure you come out on top, even from enemies you don’t know exist.  Sometimes it may seem like the attacks are getting you down and that you are all alone but God is right there. Whatever you do, don’t stoop to the level of the enemy, don’t seek revenge for God says that vengeance is His and He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies.  God’s vengeance may not look like that of humans but God will take those evil attacks, turn them around for you good and bless you right in front of your enemies.  So don’t worry or stress about those who are out to get you because God will provide you strength and protect you from the enemy.

2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

~2 Thessalonians 3:2-5

Eyes on Jesus

It is so easy to get distracted and sidetracked from whatever it is we are doing. With everything going on around us we begin to take our eyes off of the positive and focus on the negative, off of our blessings on focus on the hardships, off of God and focus on the attacks of the enemy.  But in everything we are going through we must learn to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Even when it's difficult and it seems like the negative is right in front of your face, you must still keep your eyes on Jesus.  So when you are feeling down, feeling like there is no way out, feeling like everything is failing, fix your eyes on Jesus for He loves us, protects us, covers us, provides for us and much more.  Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us, so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. So don't lose heart or become weary, just keep your eyes focused on Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

~Hebrews 12:1-3

As the Sun Sets

There's something about a fall evening, that time when the sun begins to set, peaking through the trees with leaves beginning to change colors, that compares to no other.  But this Fall Sunday evening felt different and brought a while new light to a Fall sunset.  As I mourn two family members that passed within less than 24 hours between each other, through this fall sunset God reminded me that He got me.  God has a plan for us all, sometimes it may not seem like it, especially when you are losing those you love back to back, but God will use the simplest thing to remind us all of His greatness.  In this sunset I found calmness that only God can provide, joy in knowing that although I miss and will miss my family forever, they are no longer suffering and are now in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and love, that unconditional love that brings about reassurance that everything is going to be alright.

Daily Scripture: Our Own Personal Bodyguards

We are constantly under attack by the enemy, for the enemy has come to kill, steal and destroy.  Some of these attacks we see with our own eyes but there are also some attacks against us that we know nothing about.  These attacks are taken care of without us even knowing anything about them. How is that?  God has us all surrounded and regardless of whether you know it or not, you have your own personal bodyguards protecting you each and every day.  God is our shield and because we have that shield, God makes sure that we are covered and saves us from harm and disaster.  We are all surrounded by God’s angels that He has commanded to guard us in everything concerning us, that He has commanded to lift us so that we will not stumble or be harmed, that they lift us up above the enemy.  There’s a lot of snakes in this world, some that are so hidden that we don’t even know that they’re there, but because of our guard of protection we can walk among the snakes in our lives and still come out unharmed and trampling them along the way.  Keep your head up, don’t be afraid of your surroundings because you have a special group of bodyguards that’s protecting you from dangers seen and unseen.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

~Psalm 91:9-13

Daily Scripture: The Lord is Faithful

In the world we live in people will sometimes let you down.  Friends will turn on you, people will betray you and talk about you, break your heart, and continuously break the promises they gave you.  Those are all actions of this world but we have a friend that is out of this world that is and always will be faithful.  In the Word you will find several promises that God makes to all of us.  God promises to never leave us nor forsake us, God promises to supply all of our needs, God promises to lift up the brokenhearted, God promises that He will give us all success, God promises to be an ever present help in a time of trouble, God promises to be our strength when we are weak, and the list goes on and on.  God loves each and everyone one of you and whatever He has promised you know that it will come true.  Because God loves each of us he will lift us all up when we are bowed down and satisfy all of our desires and will remain faithful through it all.  Hold on to all of the promises of God for He is faithful to each of us and faithful to all of His promises.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
    and faithful in all he does.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

~Psalm 145:13-16

Daily Scripture: He Heard Me

There have been plenty of times in our lives that we have cried out for help but felt like nobody heard us or felt like nobody was there in our time of need.  There have been times that it seemed like we were drowning in sorrow and trouble that nothing in life was going right, BUT GOD!!! God was right there to hear your cry, right there to save you from everything you were going through.  Continue to press forward and remember that your cries does not go unheard and sorrows doesn't go unseen.  You are not alone, god is right there with you, He hears every cry and see every tear, and every time you call on His name He hears you.  We serve a God that is compassionate and loving, a God that wipes every tear from our eyes, a God that saves us when we're drowning, and a God that provides us peace in the middle of the storm.  Find rest in God because He is and will always be good to each of you and will never turn His ear from you.  God hears all of your cries!!!!

1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

~Psalm 116:1-7

Daily Scripture: Are You Content?

A materialistic world is an understatement to describe the world we live in today.  We are living in a time where if you don’t truly know the true worth of life and what’s important, society will make you feel like what you have is not enough.  People are steady trying to “Keep up with the Jones” that they are never happy with what they have.  But continuously chasing materialistic happiness will leave you miserable every time.  What I’ve come to realize is that when you are truly thankful for all that you have and you know from whom all blessings come, you are able to live each day with true happiness and joy.  We can live each day calmly and in content because God lets us know over and over again that He will never leave us and He will always be right there.  There’s no need to live in fear because whatever we need, He will provide.  When we fall, He will pick us up.  When we’re in trouble, He’s right there.  When we need help, He will be our helper. Keep your faith, stand firm, and know that if God did it in the past, He can do it in the present and the future.  God will never change and will always be right there, right by our side, providing us with everything that we need. So be content in all that you have and watch the blessings continue to flow because God is the same yesterday and today and forever.

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]

• 6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

~Hebrews 13:5-8

Daily Scripture: Healed Wounds

Life brings about a lot of wounds, wounds that can be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.  Sickness can wound your body.  Heartbreak or betrayal can wound your emotions.  Continuous trials and tribulations can would your mental. Those trials can lead to you questioning God and your faith which can wound your spirit.  But there’s good news within it all, God can heal all of your wounds.  It may seem like the enemy and your trials keep coming at you making your wounds bigger and bigger but God will take care of the enemy and your trials.  God will restore you and your body.  Hold on, know that a bandage won’t be there always because eventually God will restore you.  Your sickness, God can heal you.  Your heartbreak, God can mend a broken heart.  Betrayal, God will surround you with those who truly care about you.  Whatever trial you may be going through, God will take care of it.  Hold on to your faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed can bring about miracles.  Restoration is upon you and you will be fully restored. Know that God loves and care about you and He will heal every open wound.

16 “‘But all who devour you will be devoured;
    all your enemies will go into exile.
Those who plunder you will be plundered;
    all who make spoil of you I will despoil.
17 But I will restore you to health
    and heal your wounds,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you are called an outcast,
    Zion for whom no one cares.’

~Jeremiah 30:16-17

Ask and You Will Receive

As humans our pride kicks in when we’re in trouble and in need of help and because of that pride we hesitate asking for help.  But we need to learn to drop our pride and ask for help. Regardless of what you are going through in life, the ups, the downs, the happiness, the sadness, or whatever trouble it is, know that God will turn all of our sadness, hardship, and grief into happiness, success and pure joy.  When we humble ourselves and ask God for assistance, whatever we ask Him for He will provide as long as it’s within His will.  Remember that we must always remain humble and that God will provide everything we need according to His riches, we just have to learn to communicate and ask Him for help.  God is the only one that can turn all of our situations around. Don’t be ashamed to ask Him for help, God knows our hearts and everything we are going through, He is just waiting on us to come to Him, to build our relationship with Him, and to talk with Him and ask Him for assistance.  Whatever it is holding you down or whatever it is that you need, ask and you will receive for God will turn everything around and make you whole again!!!

20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has painbecause her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 

~John 16:20-24

Daily Scripture: Out of This World

So many people get so caught up in trying to seek and gain treasures, happiness and peace from within the world we live in.  They begin to go against their character and morals chasing these items.  But what they fail to realize is that they are seeking these things in the wrong place.  We must continue to hold on and remember that the true treasures, happiness and peace we all long for can only come from one place, and that is from our Heavenly Father.  The peace we need, the strength we need, the happiness we all long for cannot be given to us from within the world we live in.  God provides us with His peace that helps us to sustain the world we live in that can be so hard, sad, and sometimes down right horrible.  But the good news is that the God we serve provides us with all we need, gives us peace to make it through those hard times and lets us know that we do not have to be worried, troubled or afraid because He will provide all we need.  The joy, happiness and peace that we all long for the world can’t give it to us and the world can’t take it away.  Rest easy and live in the peace given to all of us and know that the treasures, happiness and peace we all have is not like that in which the world tries to provide.  The treasures, happiness, love, joy and peace we have are out of this world!!!!

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Daily Scripture: No Eye Has Seen

People will try to talk you out of you hopes, dreams, aspirations and the vision you have for your life.  They will question you, ‘how are you going to accomplish that?’ or ‘what makes you think that you’re capable of accomplishing that?’ and so on and so on.  They will make you question yourself and even try to plant their dream for you in your head.  But what Gad has for you is for you.  Nobody knows what God is calling you to be and whatever God has planned for your life it will come to pass.  God will equip you with everything you need to accomplish His will for your life while encouraging you and loving you every step of the way.  Don’t get defeated when people try to down play your vision, as a matter of fact don’t share your vision with everybody.  God will ensure that the vision HE has for you will become reality.  Nobody can see, hear or conceive what God has planned for you and your life.  Keep pushing and know that nobody can keep you from what God has destined for your life!

9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

~1 Corinthians 2:9-12