Category: Encourage

Hands On

“The mighty hand of God” may be used in many ways to bring us to that glorious moment.

Meditation Thought: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” (1 Peter 5:6)

We must come as a ignorant pupil, willing to be taught by our Teacher. We must trust Him, even when we chafe at discipline – for it is the wisdom and knowledge that He will teach us that will bring us to His exalting of us after we have proved to be His apt pupils. “The mighty hand of God” may be used in many ways to bring us to that glorious moment of exaltation:
-It may comfort us – or chasten us
-It may pour riches into our hands – or it may receive riches from our hands
-It may beckon us to a certain place – or be raised in warning not to take a particular path.
– It may point out words and ways of wisdom, and be placed upon us as a gesture of love and assurance.

And, when the lessons are finished, His hand reaches out to draw us to Him, to be His companion, His family member come home to stay, rather than being just a pupil – no matter how beloved a pupil. We are exalted because we are in His Presence in a new and glorious way. The exaltation is actually a mutual exultation that we recognized His love, we obeyed Him out of love, and now our mutual love has drawn us together in a fulfillment of purpose for God and for ourselves. God’s glory reign forever and ever!

Paths of Discovery

When you find yourself chopping at obstacles in your path, frustrated, tired and discouraged – stop!

Meditation Thought: “See, I am doing a new thing!… I am making a way in the wilderness.” (Isaiah 43:19)

“Give me your attention… we are starting on an adventure together. Enjoy the thrill, the excitement, the anticipation of discovery. The way will be cleared before you, for I prepare it before asking you to go that way. You must look for the path I have cleared for you – otherwise you will have to fight the wilderness by yourself – finding it very difficult to penetrate. When you find yourself chopping at obstacles in your path, frustrated, tired and discouraged – stop! Look at where you are, and look at where I am – are you following me? Are you taking the path which I have cleared for you? The jungle of circumstances holds no peril for you, no difficulty, if you put your efforts into finding my path instead of into hacking a path for yourself. Direct your efforts where the results will be fruitful and satisfying, not frustrating.”

Power Source

We must be properly connected to our Source of Power in order for there to be light.

Meditation Thought: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

The lamp cannot burn and give light without a power source – whether it is oil, electricity, battery. So, too, we must be properly connected to our Source of Power in order for there to be light. Without it, our purpose is never fulfilled. We may be an ornament without it – but never become the comfort, the guide, the help that we should be to the world. The more Power we allow to flow through us, the more light we shed – and the more helpful we will be.

Woodworking

Our lives are like that wood: It’s the “flaws” that give them character, and once the whole is polished by God’s light, the lives are beautiful flaws and all.

It is the contrast in wood that makes it interesting – the knot holes and variations are what make it intriguing, and the polishing, or sheen over all adds to its beauty. Our lives are like that wood: It’s the “flaws” that give them character, and once the whole is polished by God’s light shining over all, the lives are beautiful, flaws and all. As long as we are active, we will have some flaws in our lives, but as we trust God, they will blend in to become beautiful instead of ruining our lives. (see Romans 8:28)

Spiraling

But if we keep moving, we will come to the center – to the Beginning and the End, and the Meaning.

Our lives are like a spiral leading to God in the center. We go along the path, moving constantly, sometimes wondering if the path really does lead anywhere. But if we keep moving, we will come to the center – to the Beginning and the End, and the Meaning. If we stop in the path because of the difficulties we encounter, then we do not find the Treasure which is at the end of the path.

Avalanche!

What a different attitude we have as we travel along if we know that every time we come to a mountain, we can turn to God.

Meditation Thought: “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” (Mark 11:22-23)

Have faith in God. It is God’s power that moves mountains – not our faith. We must look to God in faith, but not concentrate on our faith, but on God. “I can’t do it – but my Father can” – confidence in Him, giving it to Him so that He can work without our interference. Let Him initiate the movement – we do only as He asks us. God may ask us to roll a stone to start the avalanche to move the mountain – in fact, perhaps it is our faith turning to God that is the stone that starts the avalanche – but it is God’s power that is released in the tumbling of tons of stone being moved, clearing a way where the obstacle was. What a change in perspective, to go from looking at a mountain blocking our way, to seeing it disappear before our very eyes as God moves it into the sea – now our way is easy, our view is clear. What a different attitude we have as we travel along if we know that every time we come to a mountain, we can turn to God and say: “This mountain is in the way Lord – would You please move it?”

Believernado

At the end of the day, blessings will abound wherever my path has led.

Meditation Thought: “…no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The power of God working in and through us can be compared to the action of a tornado – except that everywhere we move with God’s power leaves a path of good – of joy, of gratitude. We are the tip of the funnel, moving along the earth – but the power of God is the force which changes the landscape, the lives which we touch. Where a tornado is a destructive force, God’s “Believernado” is a healing force, a reconciling force.

Not until the Holy Spirit releases His power within us can we have the force of a tornado – until that time, we can lead good, moral lives – but it is the conviction and power of the Spirit that moves us with such force that the paths where we move are changed so much that they are bound to be noticed and so bring others to seek the Force that produced such results.

Prayer of Response:
“Lord, I feel positive and eager to go out today and be a “believernado”, leaving a path of love, concern, help and encouragement wherever I go. I ask that Your wisdom guide me, and Your love work through me, so that at the end of the day, blessings will abound wherever my path has led.
Amen

New Healthy Growth

There are 2 wings to enable us to fly above our burdens – ‘surrender’ and ‘trust’.

Meditation Thought: “…every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)

The problems and burdens are the painful cut associated with the pruning process. They are unpleasant, but as we learn to release them to God, He seals over the cut made by the problems and burdens, relieving the painful exposure. And then, with the old branches which were not healthy removed, new healthy growth is produced by the strength which had before gone to the unhealthy branches now shunted over toward new healthy growth.

(Accompanying thoughts that appear to be based on the book ‘The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life’: There are 2 wings to enable us to fly above our burdens – ‘surrender’ and ‘trust’. The burdens become the chariots of God, sent to take the soul to its high places of triumph.)

Jesus Cares for Me

I have been transported from a world to a Kingdom, never moving, but the scene changes because the knowledge comes:
Jesus cares.

Do I feel lonely – deserted?
Jesus cares.
Do I need help?
Jesus cares.
Do I need love?
Jesus cares.
Do I need strength?
Jesus cares.
Do I need guidance?
Jesus cares.
I wander lost and lonely in a void –
Jesus cares…
And the void blossoms into a garden of beauty, pleasing all my sensed, taking me from delight to delight – I have been transported from a world to a Kingdom, never moving, but the scene changes because the knowledge comes:
Jesus cares.

That’s a Win!

When you see the enemy’s strength, quickly turn your eyes from him to your Leader.

Meditation Thought: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

“I have sent a Hero to lead you to conquer your foes: Will you recognize Him, follow Him? If not, defeat will come. But the more you believe in Him, trust Him, obey Him, the more glorious the victories, the more enthusiastic you will be in the battles. Let Him use you – He knows your strongest assets and will use them well. Read your ‘marching orders’ every day, so you will be taking the right path to vanquish the enemy. When you see the enemy’s strength, quickly turn your eyes from him to your Leader – you know He has already been given the victory, and if you are right with Him, – both in the sense of obeying Him, and in the sense of being close to Him, the victory is yours also.”