Encourage Yourself!

David had a lot of trouble on every side. Trouble with the Philistines; trouble with the Amalekites; trouble with his own people and trouble with his friends. When David and his men came to Ziglag they found the city burned, their wives, sons, and daughters taken captive. They all wept until they could weep no more 1 Sam 30:4. David had lost his wives, and was greatly distressed. His own people had also lost their wives and wanted vengeance. They turned on David and wanted to stone him because of their grief.
David had lost everything. Even his friends were not standing with him in his distress. So David encouraged himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam 30:7. He was strengthened and pursued the Amalekites and recovered all that they had taken 'there was nothing lacking to them, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken; David recovered all'. 1 Sam 30:19
If no one else encourages you, encourage yourself in the Lord. Sing hymns, spiritual songs, believe God's word, shout it aloud in the face of the enemy. The devil wants to bring discouragement, but be encouraged for you shall take the spoil from your enemies if you hold fast to the Lord God Almighty. He will give you the victory.

New Vision

Wait for new vision and motivation to come to you from the presence of the Lord. As you worship, read His word, and bring your requests to Him, He will empower you with a new perspective and new thoughts. The vision will bring direction and clarity to your path and the things that seemed difficult and wearysome will suddenly become easy. The fresh wind is gently blowing and will gather momentum to take you forward. Keep stepping forward, even though you think the steps are small, they are significant. Your efforts are not in vain.
'Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour is not in vain' 1Cor 15:58.

Think About These things!

I visited an Aquarium recently and gazed with my grandson at the wonders of God's design. The variety of Marine life under the oceans is infinite. And each creature seemed to express something of it's Creator. He truly is an amazing Master Artist! Every fine detail of line and colour filled me with awe. As an artist I appreciate shape, colour, detail and composition. But I know that I could not design such wonders. God is not a magician. Things did not just happen without pre-meditation. Did He have a drawing board and intricately design each species that Adam named? Did He have a sense of anticipation, excitement and exhilaration at the good things He was creating? He had a deep satisfaction at what He had done because after each stage 'He saw that is was good' Gen 1:4.
If we look there is always something wonderful to behold. It is good to fill our hearts and minds with the wonders of God's creation. It is there for us to enjoy also as we are the crowning of it all. He enjoyed creating Man and placing us in His Creation. I know there is so much pain and war, evil has contaminated the purity of the world He created. Even the lovely Marine fish eat one another!
'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things' Phill 4:8.

Daily Bread

It always amazes me to read about the way God provided the Manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel. The grainlike flakes appeared each morning with the dew for six days. They collected as much as was needed and enough for two days on the sixth day as nothing fell on the seventh. It was there for them without fail. When the camp moved on to a new place, so the Manna fell in that place too. Quietly, silently, it fell, making no big show about it. I'm sure they took it for granted, and they complained about the simplicity of the diet. It was not their choice. But it was God's provision that gave them strength for each day, kept them healthy, and they travelled many miles on that Manna! Jesus said ' I am the Bread of Life' Jn 6:35. He is there for us every day, has planned our provision, never fails, gives us extra when we need it, and is sufficient for all of our life come what may! All we have to do is come and collect His blessing each day, let the dew of His Spirit to wash us, and be lovingly obedient to His words.

Don't Give Up!

You are nearer your goal than when you started, so give it your best and keep going. The seeds that you have planted will come to fruition at the right time. Ok! it seems that nothing is happening and no one is looking, or seeing the amount of effort you are putting in. But God watches and says that a reaping is guaranteed. Your life touches many others and the quality of your faith shows endurance. It is your gaining ground each day, bit by bit, that speaks of a righteous life in the sight of God. And it is Him that you are doing it for. He is looking! You shall reap what you have sown, and more than you have sown, because all will multiply. That which you have done in secret will be rewarded openly and God will be honoured because of it. 'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up' Gal 6:9.

Heavenly Helper

When we don't know how to pray, or what to do, or how to proceed, there is Someone just waiting to help us. He is ready to be called upon every moment of every day. What problems we cause for ourselves because we don't avail ourselves of His help. The Holy Spirit is our Helper in every situation. He gives us boldness and power with God. He gives us access into the very presence of the Father. He prays for us with groans and sighs that words cannot express. He makes loving intercession in us for all the saints. It is our highest privilege as priests to be intercessors. How amazing that our prayers can move Almighty God! we can pray for people thousands of miles away; people we have never met, and God hears our hearts and answers our petitions. Ask for the Holy Spirit to help. We cannot pray without Him. He can go where we cannot go, do what we cannot do, attend to the very root of a situation, all because we ask!

Set Your Sails!!

You have been waiting in the harbour for the storms to pass and now is the time for you to move out. Raise your sails of hope and expectancy because there is a fair wind about to blow! This wind will take you many miles across the ocean to a new continent of adventure and work in the Kingdom. Enjoy the journey and the bracing air that will fill your spiritual and physical life with a new vigour. You have the wisdom and maturity to discern the seasons and make sound decisions therefore on this journey you will not make mistakes. But be sure that you don't look back to port, instead face into the wind and sail on to your new destination.

Can You Be Trusted?

The way to increase and blessings in the Kingdom of God is by using what you have, then God gives you more. You can't ask for more if you are not using fully what you have already been given. God tests our stewardship and promotes us according to what we do with what we have. The water of life has to flow out of our innermost being to stay fresh. One of the key qualities of a Christian has to be their honesty. In speech and action!
'Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?' Lk 16:10,11 God waits to see if our motives are right in serving Him.Then He will bring spiritual and material increase. You cannot serve God and money! Lk 16:13.

Out Of The Ditch

Listen to the words of someone who was deeply tried 'I waited patiently for the Lord: He turned to me, and heard my cry' Ps 40:1. Hear what he passed through 'He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire'. Have you seen an animal stuck in a muddy, marshy place, crying out in distress? It was looking for water but got trapped in a bog instead. The more the animal struggles to get free the more it sinks into the mire. Finally through exhaustion it waits patiently, unable to help itself, waiting for someone to lift it out.
The psalmist who wrote these words knew what it was to suffer patiently with no natural way out. The word patience suggests the thought of being under the constraint of some power from which we would gladly be free. We submit to our circumstances against our will knowing it is vain to resist, like the animal in the slimy pit. The only way out is for the Lord to come and rescue us as we cry out to Him.
It says in Psalm 40: 2,3 that David was lifted out, had his feet set upon a rock, and God put a new song in his mouth! What a testimony! O soul, do not be impatient, because patient waiting on God brings a rich reward; the deliverance is sure.

Faithful God

In the book of Lamentations the writer speaks of the desolation of Jerusalem, the beloved city. He says it is solitary and lonely. It was once full of people and he likened it to a widow, who weeps bitterly in the night Lam 1:1,2 (amp).
He urges the people in captivity to 'recall and have hope'. Lam 3:21. He says 'we are still alive'. Because of God's mercy and lovingkindness, and His tender compassions that do not fail they are not totally consumed. 'His mercies are new every morning: great is your faithfulness' 3:23
The Lord is good to all those who wait on Him. Today is a new day. Look for the Lord's love and His word to you today. He is speaking in quiet ways through a still small voice. Maybe you have wept through the night, feeling there is no hope. But God is saying  'today is a new day, because I am faithful I will not abandon you, or leave you alone. It is not in my Nature to forsake those who call on Me. I have heard your cries and will respond'.

Keep Praying!

When asked about how long a person should keep praying about something, Reece-Howells replied 'Until you get the answer, or get the assurrance that the answer is on it's way'. He was a great intercessor who knew how to pray. Real intercession is 'work'. Faith, boldness, and persistence are qualities needed to fulfill the call Lk 11:8. It is a faithful, hidden work. The Holy Spirit makes intercession to the Father for us Rom 8:26. So we need the Holy Spirit to help us pray. We can't do it on our own. Some saints of God have prayed for many years and the answers have come after they have gone to heaven! Gosh! that is commitment!
But we do know that the Father is more willing to give than we are to pray. Jesus said ' ask and it shall be given to you' and that everyone who asks, receives Lk 11:8,9. And that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him Lk11:13.
Let us ask for the Holy Spirit to fill us so that we can pray according to the will of God and receive the answers. God works on earth in answer to our prayers. We co-labour with Him for the world, our nations, our families, ourselves. If we don't ask, we don't get!

Wisdom

Many years ago I was given some wise advice by a seasoned elderly lady. She said 'don't believe all you see, and only believe half of what you hear!' People spin their own stories to suit their own purposes. There are always hidden motives underneath. In difficult relationships, especially in church situations it is wise to give time to let opinions cool down, and let some water to go under the bridge. More damage can be done by being hasty. We usually think 'we' are right. And we may well be! But we can also be proud of 'being right' and approach a situation in the wrong attitude. There is always another side to the story and it is important that we only speak the truth in love. And sometimes don't speak at all unless it is in our power to change things.
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight'. Prov 3:5

God's Plans For Increase!

When the Israelites were taken into exile in Babylon, Jeremiah sent a letter to them giving them the word of the Lord. He told them to increase in number by marrying and having children and to increase in business. Also he told them to seek the peace and prosperity of the city where they were captives. 'Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers you too will prosper' Jer 29:7 We are praying for the prosperity of our customers so that they will need more printing work. About 35 printing businesses a month are closing down in the UK. We need to provide for our own family, pay our employees wages, and have money to give to God's work.
God also promised deliverance from captivity after seventy years. That gave them something to work towards. He said 'I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' Jer 29:11.
Hang in there! Don't give up hope! Keep trusting! God has good plans for you. The time of captivity will bring you increase as you look to Him. Deliverance WILL come in His time.

Who Is In Control?

'It is in the way of man to make plans, but the Lord directs his steps' Prov 16:9. Life does not always go the way we plan it! We can arrange our days; decide our future; organise our activities; and it all take a different course in minutes. Who is in control? have we given the reigns to God or are we deciding our own course without consciously giving all our days into His hands? The safest and best route is for Him to be Lord every day, then we are secure. Chaos can rule; misadventure hit; confusion can reign, all because we did not surrender the control of our lives to God. When we do this we are assured that whatever adversity, affliction, or dissapointment comes our way, that it passes through His will first. Daily ask Him to take control. Daily give your pathway to Him, then enjoy the security of knowing that 'He knows all' because you chose to give all to Him.

Enter In

So often we stand at the door and look in but don't take the step of abandonment and enter into God's presence. There is much more for each one of us. We may feel unworthy, or rejected, or just ignorant of our Father's love. But there is a warm welcome waiting us, a kindly presence longing to reach out to us, a listening ear waiting to hear our voice. Strength for today is there for us, and the joy of having fellowship with Almighty God. He wants to 'be' with you.
When Jesus was on earth He showed us what God was like. Jesus loved to 'be' with His friends. To walk with them, eat with them, stay in their homes. In this daily context He taught them and revealed the nature of the heavenly Father. God loves people! and because Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood all who want to come to Him, can come. 'Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away' Jn 6:37. You can come freely, knowing that He forgives and restores.

Fruit For Others

In England we are now in the season of Autumn. This year has produced a bountiful crop of fruit. Nuts, apples, plums, pears, as well as yellow, orange, and red wild fruits. A fruit bearing tree lives solely to bear fruit that others use for refreshment and life. As soon as the fruit on the branch is ripe - it lets it go! It starts afresh the cycle of fruit bearing for another season. If it holds on to it the fruit will rot, then fall to the ground and be trodden underfoot as it is not good for anything. No, fruit is for partaking, sharing. The seed is passed on as the fruit is spread out to others.
Our lives are meant to be a blessing to others. The fruit is not for us. Life becomes stagnant if we do not allow others to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit within us. As we become a blessing, others are refreshed and experience Christ. Selfishness can make us decide to keep the fruit. We want it for ourselves and are not willing to continue to give it away. Keep offering love, joy, peace, longsuffering,, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self control. Gal 5:22

A Step At A Time

In the Ugandan villages people walk miles to get anywhere. The widows walk several hours to get to Church. They keep a steady, slow pace, placing one foot in front of the other. it is very hot and dusty, with only red earth tracks to follow.No rushing, no car or bicycle. I have learned so much from them. The only way we can acheive anything in our Christian walk is to take one step at a time. It is very simple just doing the next thing you need to do. And that next step may seem very ordinary and mundane, with no honour or glory attached to it. But when you do it with Jesus it is transformed into some thing blessed.
It was only a plain bowl and towel that Jesus took to wash the disciples feet. Only servants work; just a cleaning job! But Oh the love that He put into it. And the genuine humility of His attitude. The proud do not do the work of a servant! Be faithful in the small things and God will give you greater things to do. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. He appreciates all that you do for Him, and sees your faithfulness, your willing attitude, and above all your loving actions. John 2:5.

Back To Basics!

I often sit alone awhile, settle my heart into an uncomplicated mode and ponder on the wonders of creation. It seems right to prepare myself to enter God's presence with intent, not with vague wandering thoughts. Then after a few minutes I speak aloud the verse of a hymn that I learnt as a child. It has become my theme tune! and reminds me of the many years I have travelled the Christian path and known God's faithfulness.
' O Jesus I have promised to serve Thee to the end. Be Thou ever near me my Master and my Friend. I will not fear the battle if Thou art by my side. Nor wander from the pathway if Thou will be my Guide'
There is so much confusion, chaos, pain and trouble around in the world. Of course we need to pray! for our friends, family and nations. But it is so imortant that we are still and know that He is God. Not we are God, or any one else.
In over 52 years I have found that 'God is there for me'. He never turns anyone away who comes to Him in trust and honesty asking for help in time of need. His presence is more than a happy feeling, it is an assurrance of Someone greater than it all, being there with you in it all!

Do It Today

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today!The window of opportunity may become closed to you. Tidy up your affairs today if they are in disorder. You cannot work in God's kingdom if there is confusion or chaos in your relationships. They need attending to. Even if the other person does not reach out to you, humble yourself and be the one to do the reconciling. However do not attempt it with anger hidden in your heart. Let the relationship be restored in peace. First let your heart be cleansed and then ask for God's compassion to come and fill your heart and motives. Even if you are nervous still move towards putting things right. But if they will not receive you, peacefully let them go, trusting God to work things out because you have obeyed the scriptures. 'And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. Eph 4:32.

Half The Story!

Two disciples were walking along a road going towards a village. They were busy discussing events that were on their minds. They were confused, despondant, dissapointed, and doubting because all their hopes were dashed. Jesus was walking that same road. He saw that they were sad and downcast. He asked them all about it Lk 24:13-17. They poured it all out to Him, just thinking He was a stranger.
Jesus has walked through everything we walk through in life. He has been there before us, and even knows what we think and feel beforehand. The two people said 'we had hoped' but now all is lost. To them all their dreams had come to an end; there was no future hope. Looking at it the way they saw it all, nothing made sense.
But it was only half the truth! There was more to come that turned out to be 'the best'. Jesus was with them, when they thought He was dead. Jesus explained the scriptures to them when they could not understand. Jesus came and ate with them and revealed His presence. Sorrow was suddenly turned to joy!
Often we jump to conclusions in our lives. We don't give God a chance to finish what He was saying to us; we pre-judge the outcome insted of waiting for Him to unfold new things and bring light. We want to 'know the end before the beginning'! When you pour your heart out to Him you can be sure that there is another chapter to come in your life that will put things in a new light.