|
sbm |
|
|
|
|
|
If
this is your FIRST time here, please
read the inspiration for the Encourager
If you would like to see a few previous days, scroll down. |
|
|
Dear friend, I encourage you to be yourself with God. He cherishes and honors honesty, humility and a contrite spirit. Confess to him sin, worry, doubt, and fear. He already knows all things, even your innermost feelings and thoughts. Sometimes we try to suppress the thoughts that we are ashamed to admit. Are you angry or disappointed with God? Do you feel you have failed God? Have you ever felt like your prayers have gone unanswered? Are you afraid to give complete control of your life to the one who holds your life in his hands? Do you have trouble believing God loves you and wants the best for you? Have you allowed worry, fear, doubt and excuses to keep you from the promises of God? We some how think by not speaking our true thoughts, they will just go away or even worst that we have somehow kept them hidden from God. Don’t be deceived! Remember it’s the truth that will set us free. Your willingness to intimately share all your concerns with God shows your desire to seek him for all things; including comfort, forgiveness, wisdom and guidance. To have an intimate relationship with God we must be open and honest. ~Susan Pursue WISDOM. ~ Susan Proverbs 2:3-11 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 4:5-7 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:11-12 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 8:11-12 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. Proverbs 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 2 Peter 3:15-16 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. The believer is not exempt from difficulties. James uses the phrase, “whenever you go through trials”, not “if you go through trials.” That means that trials are an expectable part of Christian life. When he says, “Consider it pure joy..” it doesn’t mean that we must pretend to be happy when we face painful situations. This kind of joy comes from knowing trials cause growth and maturity making us complete, lacking nothing. We rejoice in the certain results, not in the misery of the trial. Trials become times of learning and opportunities to grow. Our faith is tested, helping us to develop perseverance. Perseverance: the action or condition or an instance of persevering : STEADFASTNESS Persist - 1 : to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning 2 obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position 3 : to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question or an opinion) 4 : to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time synonym see CONTINUE Steadfastness - 1 a : firmly fixed in place : IMMOVABLE b : not subject to change <the steadfast doctrine of original sin -- Ellen Glasgow> 2 : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : LOYAL synonym see FAITHFUL Our true character is often revealed when we are under pressure and our faith is tested. Will we persevere in spite of the difficulty? Will we stand firm in our belief? Will we be immovable, unchanged in character, and faithful? It’s easy to practice our faith when life is great and wonderful things are happening, but will we still remain faithful when the trials, temptations, and difficulties of life come our way? Will we draw closer to God or will we be double-minded and unstable? Only under pressure can the believer test the true depth of his faith in God. The testing of our faith produces patience and endurance. God wants us to be mature, complete, and whole, lacking nothing. During trials, thank God for promising to be with you always. Ask for endurance and the wisdom to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. I pray that you will come through each trial victorious, wiser and more like Jesus. ~Susan James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. “Most people are
paralyzed by fear. Overcome it and you take charge of your life and your world.” In 5 months, my husband and I will be grandparents for the first time. As I pray for our grandchild, I am reminded of the wonderful work God has already begun in the first 4 months of life. I often wonder what God might be doing on a particular day. Could he be planting a dream, designing a fingerprint or forming an ear? Just imagine, every day of this child’s life has been ordained by God before the baby’s first breath is ever taken. What plan and purpose could God have for this child, born for a time such as this! As you read the following verses, let them remind you that God had a plan and purpose in mind when he created you. You are not an accident! You are here because God wanted you here! God made you for a reason- you need to ask him what his plan is for your life. Are you doing what God has destined you to do? Are you living the plan and purpose of God for your life? You were made by God and for God. Ask him to make his plan known to you. ~ Susan Psalm 139:13-16 for you created my inmost being, you knit me together in the mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you… Isaiah 49:1 Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born and time to die… Psalm 138:8 The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. Acts 5:38-39 ..For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Isaiah 44:2 This is what the LORD says--he who made you, who formed you in the womb, And who will help you. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. John 16:12-15 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. Dear Lord, A friend sent this to
me today and I was blessed.
|
|
Website Revised: . Copyright © 2005 [Susan Bottger Ministries]. All rights reserved. |