Tag: strength

You Are Not Alone

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV, “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

This verse encourages us to never feel alone, because we are part of God’s family of believers. The enemy wants us to feel alone and isolated so that we will become discouraged in our faith. He is always seeking to destroy our relationship with the Lord. But the Lord wants us to stand firm in the faith! Even when we stumble we are to keep pressing on in our faith. God assures us that every single believer in Christ is going through the same kind of sufferings. The enemy is trying to kill, steal, and destroy those who are seeking the face of Jesus. However in Christ, we are more than conquerors, He came to give us life (John 10:10)!

We all have situations that are beyond our control. We all have issues that we are waiting on God to resolve, rather it be personal or rather it involves other people. We overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. Because of Him, we are able to persevere.

Photo by: Min An

We must stay alert, and not give in to the temptation to become relaxed or nonchalant in our faith and quest to know Jesus better. Instead we must be intentional and vigilant to pursue the Savior and the things of the Lord. But be encouraged and know that no matter what your struggle is, God forgives you when you confess your sins to Him (1 John 1:9) and He empowers you to move forward in His grace and love. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, not people or problems.

Just decide each day, in every situation, in every hurt, and through every struggle to keep trusting Jesus. He is faithful, and He will carry you through. And remember, you are not alone in your struggles. Through Christ you are part of something greater…God’s family.

Photo by: Tirachard Kumtanom

Father,

For those who may feel like they are alone, please let them know that you are near. Place the right people in their lives who can be true friends and really care. Give them confidence in who they are in You.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

I Choose Jesus

I was watching a movie the other day, and in the movie the main character decided that she needed to find her “true self”. So along with that, she decided she no longer wanted to be married. After her divorce, she set out on a journey of traveling, exploring life and other cultures, and various forms of spirituality. One of her struggles was learning to forgive herself for ending her marriage. Since her husband loved her, and never wanted their marriage to end, forgiving herself was difficult. In some ways, I could identify with the lady in the movie. I too had to learn to forgive myself for divorce and other unfortunate things that have happened in the past.

At some point during the movie, the words “I choose Jesus”, came to my mind. As I watched the main character try to figure things out, and try to find peace by finally being able to forgive herself, I again realized how valuable it is to have the love and forgiveness of our Savior. By choosing Him, we choose healing, peace, restoration, and forgiveness. Any struggles we face, even forgiveness towards ourselves, we can turn over to Him. We can choose Jesus to handle our hurts, pains, and sins. Our freedom comes from Him, not our ability to find peace within ourselves based on our own actions. He is our peace.

I’m thankful we have the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to help us choose Jesus. When our trust in Him overrides our own understanding, we position ourselves to experience the victory that comes when we choose His will over our own. We choose Jesus when we accept Him into our hearts and lives. However, everyday we have to choose to live for Him by letting His Spirit guide our actions and decisions. When you choose Jesus, it changes your life.

Photo by: Artem Saranin

Wise Words Bring Healing

Proverbs 12:18 NIV, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

As a child we had a jingle we would sing, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Looking back, I now know that this was far from the truth. Words can hurt. They do have an impact, rather good or bad. We have the power of life and death in our tongues (Proverbs 18:21). They can inspire us to be all God purposed us to be, or they can hinder our progress and leave us stagnant. Words can destroy lives and keep people from seeing the beauty God sees in them, and instead cause them to focus on everything that seems wrong. God’s Word helps us to overcome negative, hurtful words that have been spoken to us. We can learn to see ourselves as He does.

Photo by: Vera Arsic

As Christians , we are privileged to be able to help bring healing to those who are hurting through the words we speak. God has promised to grant wisdom to us when we ask Him to (James 1:5). Through the wisdom He gives us, we can choose words that will empower and encourage ourselves and others.

God’s Spirit working in us, enables us to be sensitive to one another’s needs. Since our words can build up or tear down, it’s wise to speak words that are in agreement with what God says. His words are truth and bring life.

Persecuted For Doing Right

Matthew 5:10 NLT, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

When you are going through persecution you may not always “feel” blessed but God says you are. Standing firm in your faith in Jesus Christ, even when it’s not popular, shows your loyalty to the Savior. In order to go deeper with the Lord and know Him more, we must be willing to make Him a priority, and choose Him regardless of what other people are doing and saying. This often means going in a different direction from where the world is going. It can also mean detouring from our own plans to follow His.

One of the blessings I have personally experienced from following Jesus Christ when it’s not popular, is a deep peace and contentment that comes from knowing I am in His perfect will. It brings satisfaction to know that I am doing what is best for my life because I am obeying God’s Word.

We don’t have to compete with others or work to gain their acceptance and approval, because in Christ we already have been accepted and approved of. He also has a unique plan for our lives, and always has our best interest at heart.

Even though things are not always within our understanding right away, we can completely trust God to work out every single detail and bring the needed blessings into our lives. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

We’re living in a time where it’s becoming more and more unpopular to follow Jesus, and easier and easier to not follow Jesus. Therefore we have to make a decision and stand firm. When we are persecuted for Him, we are blessed and great is our reward in heaven. However even now on Earth, God will show us His goodness and protect us when we choose Him above all else.

Psalm 27:13 NIV, ”I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

Remain confident in your faith in Jesus, for in Him you are blessed. The persecution you are enduring, may very well be God’s training ground to shape you and mold you so that He can promote you to the next level. Keep your eyes on Him, and stand firm.

Our Refuge and Strength

Psalm 46:1 NIV, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

So often the demands of life can leave us feeling exhausted and worn out in so many ways. With all that’s going on, it’s important to take time out daily to connect with our Heavenly Father. I love that He’s always there with us, no matter where we are. Knowing that He is our refuge and strength, who is ever present, brings hope and peace that is unexplainable. Being able to rely fully on Him in any and every situation brings us comfort. He is our Strength. When we are weak, He is strong.

The other day, I read this post by Chrissy @ Riverside Peace entitled Strength. It is a timely reminder that the Lord cares for us and gives us strength to keep going. (Thank you Chrissy for encouraging us.)

When I think of the blood that Jesus shed so that we could have the strength to persevere, my heart rejoices! I pray that you too would be strengthened, as the Lord’s joy and truth fill your heart.

Photo by: Oladimeji Ajegbile

Yes, God Is Real

When God is real to you, that’s something that no one can take away from you. Nothing compares to knowing Him for yourself. You may not know everything there is to know, however as long you continue to walk by faith, and take one day at a time, you are making progress. Some days we may feel closer to God than others, but nevertheless He is there every step of the way. He never leaves us.

Psalm 106:1 ESV, “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Photo by: Robin McPherson

I woke up this morning with this song in my heart, “Yes, God Is Real”. It was written by Kenneth Morris, and many sang it, but I first heard it sung by Sandi Patti.

There are some things

I may not know

There are some places

Oh Lord, I cannot go

But I am sure

Of this one thing

That God is real

For I can feel

Him in my soul

Yes, God is real

Oh, He’s real in my soul

Yes, God is real

For He has a washed

And made me whole

His love for me

Is just like pure gold, oh Lord

My God is real

For I can feel

Him in my soul

Keep seeking the Lord and keep trusting in Him. His love for you will never change. Have a wonderfully blessed day.

Power In Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

It doesn’t come naturally to boast about our weaknesses, because weakness isn’t usually associated with strength. But in Christ, it is. The hardships we face, and the temptations we must resist, are opportunities for the power of Christ to illuminate our lives. His power working in us, allows us to accomplish things that we cannot accomplish on our own.

Photo by: Flo Maderebner

Through Him, we are able to remain faithful and work to fulfill the purposes He has for us. His power brings life to situations that seem dead. When we are weary, He makes us strong. In Christ, it’s okay to come to the end of ourselves, because where our strength ends, His strength begins. His grace is sufficient for our every need.

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