Editorial Note....

Happy Friday!

Please take an extra moment to read today's post slowly and carefully as it is truly a remarkable and powerful promise and message for us all!

I know many people are struggling with the inevitable trials and challenges that come with living life on this earth and we can often feel alone and overwhelmed by the events of each day. 

However, we are NEVER alone or in danger when we understand the promises and gifts that our faith provides to all of us!

All we have to do is Believe, Trust and Ask in order to receive all the backup and help we need to take on any challenge or trial in our lives! 

This is the Promise of our Faith!

Trust in it.

Have a Terrific and Peaceful weekend.

Remember, no matter how bad you think you have it, you can throw a rock and find someone whose cross is 1000 times more difficult to bear than ours today.

Put it all in perspective.

Count your blessings because they are numerous and beyond counting and know that someone you encounter today would trade their life for yours in a heartbeat - and you wouldn't want that trade!

Don't take your countless blessings for granted! ;)

God bless and Stay Strong!!

SUPERNATURAL POWER

WHEN THE JOURNEY YOU ARE ON FEELS OVERWHELMING, THE VERY BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS CLING TO ME.

At such times the future seems unreal—unreachable—and the past feels remote, but this can actually be a blessing.

My followers tend to waste vast quantities of time and energy thinking about past and future matters.

Thus they neglect the present—where they actually live—and My Presence, though I am always near.

When adverse circumstances surround you and seem to be closing in on you, it is still possible to be joyful in Me, your Savior.

Since you cannot find a way out of your circumstances, accept the situation and search for Me in the midst of it.

Sometimes you may feel as if you can hold on to Me no longer.

I remind you, though, that you have been able to cling to Me to this day.

You have powerful backup because the Holy Spirit lives in you.

He can give you supernatural strength, far beyond your own.

In addition to this, My hand has an eternal grip on yours.

Though your strength to keep holding on may run out, Mine never will.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"So do not fear, for I—your God—am with you. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. But cling to the Lord your God as you have done to this day."
JOSHUA 23:8 AMP

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.'
HABAKKUK 3:17–18

"My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."
PSALM 63:8

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ISAIAH 41:10

The Strength of My Life; of Whom Shall I be Afraid?

I WANT YOU TO SAY WITH CONFIDENCE: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"

This bold confidence is not a denial that bad things happen to My people.

It is a declaration of transcendent courage—in the midst of hardships and dangers.

The basis for this courage is My tenacious Presence with you:

I will never leave you or forsake you.

I Myself go before you and will be with you wherever you go.

I am well aware of your fearful tendencies, and I long to help you break free from them.

Most of your fear stems from pondering bad things that could happen—leaving Me out of that imaginary scenario.

This is a very harmful practice; it is also an exercise in unreality.

Although your future stretches all the way into eternity, there is not even one second when I will be absent from you.

While the psalmist David was being pursued by King Saul, he was in constant danger.

Yet he was able to write:

The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I am also your strength.

Whenever your mind wanders into the future, make the effort to include Me in that imagery.

See Me helping you, strengthening you, encouraging you.

Instead of being intimidated by tough times ahead, view them as adventures that you and I together can handle.

If fearful thoughts start closing in on you, push back the darkness with a shout of "Victory!"—confident in the Victorious One who will never leave you or forsake you.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
HEBREWS 13:6

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
DEUTERONOMY 31:8

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
PSALM 27:1 NKJV

My Strength and My Shield

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
NAHUM 1: 7

Prayer is so much simpler than we make it!

We get bogged down in details.

I heard one preacher say, "Don't preach theology to God in your prayers!"

Do we think God doesn't know all the details?

All we need to do is tell God our needs, our desires, our feelings, hopes, and longings as well as our temptations, our indifference to good, and our taste for evil.

Jesus knew you and I would struggle with prayer.

In His parting words to His disciples, Jesus kept it simple.

He said, "Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16: 24 NKJV).

Tell Him your troubles, your joys, your weaknesses, your needs.

Willingly show Him the wounds of your heart.

Ask!

Ask Him to help you pray more effectively and with more concentration.

Ask Him to help you pray specifically and persistently.

Ask, "Lord! Help me to pray!"

From " Fixing My Eyes on Jesus " by Anne Graham

I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND YOUR SHIELD.

I continually work—sometimes in wondrous ways—to help and protect you.

As you put your trust in Me, your heart can leap for Joy!

Trusting Me and loving Me go hand in hand.

When I search the hearts of My children, what I focus on most of all is the measure of love and trust within them.

If you say you love Me but you do not really trust Me—to take care of you and your loved ones, providing what is best in your lives—then your words ring hollow.

To trust Me wholeheartedly, you must rest in My sovereignty: My absolute control over the universe.

When circumstances seem to be spinning out of control, it's essential to believe I know what I am doing.

I orchestrate every event of your life—including suffering and loss— to benefit you in this world and the next.

While you are in the throes of adversity, your greatest challenge is to keep trusting that I am both sovereign and good.

Do not expect to understand My ways.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours.

The best response is simply to thank Me, believing I can bring much good out of the unwanted circumstances.

This act of faith will encourage you and glorify Me.

I rejoice when My struggling children give thanks to Me in song.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
PSALM 28:7

"I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
PSALM 18:1–2

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
ISAIAH 55:9 NKJV

Transform Trouble

WHATEVER IS TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, ADMIRABLE—THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS.

You live in a world where media direct your attention to what is false, degrading, wrong, impure, ugly.

Truth has been displaced by "spin," and sensational stories attract advertisers.

It is no accident that "true" is the first adjective in this list of excellent qualities.

Without truth, there is nothing worth pondering.

That is why it's essential to fill your mind with Scripture—developing a biblical worldview.

Even though there is so much brokenness in the world, you can still find much that is excellent or praiseworthy in it.

Search for such things as for buried treasure.

When you unearth something lovely, meditate on it and praise Me for it.

Tell others about such things; help them find beauty and meaning in their lives.

True, noble, admirable things can still be found in many places on earth, but they are most abundantly available in Me.

So I urge you to fix your thoughts on Me as much as you can.

Whisper My Name to remind yourself that I am always within "whispering distance."

Look at the world around you through eyes of gratitude; thank Me for the many good things you can see.

Bring Me your problems as well as your praises, and watch Me transform trouble into something praiseworthy.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"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."
PHILIPPIANS 4:8

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."
HEBREWS 3:1

"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him."
PSALM 91:15 NKJV

Constant and Complete Protection

DO NOT DREAD WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.

My radiant Presence shines brightly in that deep, sunless valley — strengthening, encouraging, and comforting you.

Since I never sleep, I am able to watch over you continuously.

Moreover, there is no valley or pit so deep and dark that I cannot see all the way to the bottom of it.

Even if you wander from Me and fall into a slimy pit, you need not despair.

When you cry out to Me, I will lift you out of the mud and mire and set your feet on a rock—giving you a firm place to stand.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I—your Shepherd—am armed.

I am never without My rod of protection, and I use it with deadly accuracy.

My shepherd's staff is for guiding you.

The hooked end of the staff is perfect for pulling you back from danger or rescuing you when you have fallen out of arm's reach.

Find comfort in the constant protection and guidance I provide.

As you face your fears, remember that I am the One who goes before you and will be with you;

I will never leave you.

While you are walking through the valley of adversity, let these ten short words cascade through your mind:

I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me."
PSALM 23:4 AMP

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
PSALM 40:1–2

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." JOHN 10:11 NKJV

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
DEUTERONOMY 31:8

Do Not be Alarmed by Trials

I AM NOT A CARELESS GOD.

In fact, because I am perfect in all My ways, it is impossible for Me to be careless.

However, when I allow difficulties to come into your life— events that you know I could have prevented—you may feel as if I am being careless with you.

In those times, remember that I have fully equipped you to handle whatever comes your way.

What you need is: help in using the equipment.

My Word and My Spirit are freely available to help you.

The Bible imparts to you essential wisdom: My promises to be near you and take care of you, exhortations that help you avoid sinful snares, offers of forgiveness when you "miss the mark," promises of My Spirit's living in you and empowering you.

It is important not to be surprised or alarmed by the many trials that enter your life.

Until you reach your ultimate home in heaven, you will be at war.

Adopting a wartime mentality makes it easier to handle difficulties as they arise.

You don't waste time and energy bemoaning your circumstances, and you avoid the trap of feeling singled out for hardship.

I do indeed equip you to be ready for adversity and handle it well.

But you have to make the effort to use what I provide:

My Presence, My Word, My Spirit.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Come to Me when you are heavy laden, and you will find rest for your soul. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ISAIAH 41:10

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
1 PETER 5:8–9

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
MATTHEW 11:28–29 NKJV

Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer

BE JOYFUL ALWAYS;

PRAY CONTINUALLY;

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

The only way to be joyful consistently is to take pleasure in your invincible relationship with Me—the One who rules the universe.

This relationship is full of hope, so it is possible to be joyful in hope even in the midst of ongoing affliction.

The simplest way to find Joy in Me is to give thanks in all circumstances.

There is immense Power in praying simply,

"Thank You, Jesus."

This brief prayer is appropriate for all times and all situations because of My great sacrifice for you.

I encourage you to thank Me for every good thing as soon as you become aware of it.

This practice adds sparkle to your blessings, increasing your Joy; it also helps you pray continually—persistently, perseveringly.

When you are feeling dull or downhearted, it is still a good time to thank Me.

This tiny act of gratitude can brighten your perspective immediately.

To deepen your thankfulness, ponder specific things about Me that delight you—for instance: My lavish grace, My unfailing Love, My continual Presence.

Giving thanks in all circumstances is a joyous discipline; it empowers you to lift up your soul and live close to Me.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16–18

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
EPHESIANS 1:7–

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."
PSALM 143:8

Unbearable Burden

JESUS WEPT

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 PETER 1: 3

When have you thought, "Jesus just doesn't care"or "If God really loved me, He would've prevented this circumstance I'm in"?

All these thoughts crowding your mind are like seeds sown by Satan.

And if you're not alert, those seeds will grow into weeds that choke out and strangle the truth —that God loves you, that your grief is His and your pain is His …that your tears are on His face.

At the grave of Lazarus, "Jesus wept"(John 11: 36).

He wept for no other reason than that He loved Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, and this precious family was weeping.

He was entering into their suffering even as one day He would ask us to enter into His.

When your spirit is heavy, when your heart is broken, when your burdens seem unbearable —trust Him.

Look to Him.

Your tears are on His face!

From " Fixing My Eyes on Jesus" by Anne Graham Lotz

Stay Strong!

Second Chances

THE GOD OF THE SECOND CHANCE

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
PHILIPPIANS 3: 13 –14

I once heard a speaker ask what we thought God expected of us.

Mentally I answered, "Righteousness, holiness, love for God and my neighbor."

He repeated his question, so I continued my list, "Bible reading, prayer, obedience, service."

But then he stated, to my stunned amazement:

"All God ever expects of you is failure."

I had to resist the temptation to raise my hand, wave it wildly, and exclaim, "I can do that! I can live up to God's expectations! I know I can fail!"

But before I could blurt it out, the speaker said, "But He has given you the Holy Spirit so that you need never fail."

Do your past failures or setbacks discourage you in the present and paralyze you for the future?

Then join me in praising the God who expects us in our flesh to fail, but who is also the God of the second chance!"

Stay Strong!

Hope and Courage to Endure

I GIVE YOU HOPE—HOPE THAT THE BEST PART OF YOUR LIFE IS NOT BEHIND YOU.

Rather, it stretches out before you gloriously: into an eternity of experiences that will get better and better and better.

For now, though, you inhabit a world of death, sorrow, crying, and pain.

Let the hope of heaven empower you to live well in this broken world that is passing away.

In heaven I will wipe away every tear from your eyes —permanently!

If this world were all there is, it would be tragic beyond description.

When the day of the Lord comes, I will destroy the entire universe as you know it.

And I will replace it with a new universe where My followers will live forever in ceaseless ecstasy.

Let this hope give you courage to keep holding your head up high as you endure suffering and sorrow.

The best part of your life lies ahead—stored up for you in heaven, awaiting your arrival.

This is true for all Christians, both young and old.

As you grow older and deal with infirmities, you may feel as if your life is closing in on you.

Physically, your limitations do increase with age and illness.

However, your spiritual life can open up ever wider as your soul grows strong in the nourishing Light of My Presence.

When you "graduate" to heaven, your soul-Joy will instantly expand—exponentially!

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." REVELATION 21:4 NKJV

"Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty."
JOEL 1:15

"When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
LUKE 14:15

Your Refuge in the Storms of Life

THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION AGAINST SINKING DURING LIFE'S STORMS IS DEVELOPING YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH ME.

You waste a lot of time, however, worrying about storms you can see forming along the horizon of your life.

In the past many of the storms you had anticipated veered off in another direction, never reaching you.

Although some of them did actually hit, usually they had lost much of their power by the time they got to you.

I urge you to switch your focus from difficulties that may come your way to My Presence, which is always with you.

You will never find security by trying to anticipate all the storms that may reach you someday.

Remember that I control the atmosphere of your life.

Trust Me by relaxing and releasing your concerns into My capable care.

It saddens Me to see you obsessing about possible problems rather than bringing these matters to Me.

When you find yourself anxiously scanning the horizon of your life, use that as a reminder to seek My Face.

You will not find Me off in the distance.

I am here beside you, nearer than you dare believe.

Instead of wasting time worrying, devote that time to building close friendship with Me.

Talk with Me about everything that concerns you—your pleasures as well as your problems.

I am interested in everything that matters to you because I am your perpetual Lover.

Ask Me to lift your perspective from a problem-focus to a Presence-focus.

Remember that I am holding you by your right hand.

I guide you with My own counsel, based on eternal wisdom; so there's no need to worry about the future.

When the time comes, I will personally take you into Glory. For now, though, remain near Me.

My friendship is your best refuge in the storms of life.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."
1 CHRONICLES 16:11

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
JEREMIAH 31:3

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. . . . But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."
PSALM 73:23–24, 28

Shelter from Fear and Dismay

DO NOT FEAR, FOR I—YOUR GOD—AM WITH YOU.

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Let these words enfold you like a warm blanket, sheltering you from the coldness of fear and dismay.

When trouble seems to be stalking you, grip My hand tightly and stay in communication with Me.

You can trust and not be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song.

My powerful Presence is with you at all times; you face nothing alone.

Moreover, I have promised to strengthen you and help you.

Awareness of these truths can fill you with Joy and Peace.

My righteous right hand holds you up in both good times and bad.

When things are flowing smoothly in your life, you may be unaware of My sustaining Presence.

Should I cease to support you, though, you would quickly fall.

When you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death— keenly aware of your neediness—you gratefully cling to My strong hand.

My right hand sustains you during these times of affliction, enabling you to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

As you endure your trials in trusting dependence on Me, I bless you in the midst of hardship.

I even stoop down to make you great: I reach down—into the valley of affliction—and lift you up into sacred pleasures shared with Me.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

"From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
ISAIAH 41:10

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."
ISAIAH 12:2 NASB

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
PSALM 23:4 NKJV

"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."
PSALM 18:35

Unending Protection

REST IN THE ASSURANCE OF MY SHELTERING PRESENCE THAT KEEPS YOU SAFE.

Let My promises of protection strengthen and comfort you—like huge heavenly bells pealing out ancient, changeless truth.

I want you to take refuge in My Shaddai-shadow more and more, by placing your trust fully in Me.

It is tempting to take shelter in people, money, success, good health.

These are blessings from Me, but you must not rely on them.

Any or all of them could vanish instantly.

The unending protection I offer—refuge in the shadow of My wings—is available to both high and low among men.

In addition, I freely give you the priceless gift of My unfailing Love!

Since I offer you so much, it makes sense to put your trust in Me above all else.

Listen to the psalmist's proclamation:

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Solomon, the wisest of all men, wrote:

He who trusts in his riches will fall.

Whenever you start to feel anxious, let these feelings serve as a warning that you're putting your trust in the wrong place.

You need to stop listening to your worry-thoughts, and instead tell yourself the truth—that I am totally trustworthy.

Then turn your attention to Me, saying: "Lord, You're my refuge. I trust in You and I'm safe!"

"From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
PSALM 91:1–2 MSG

"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."
PSALM 36:7

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."
PSALM 118:8–9

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage." PROVERBS 11:28 NKJV

Anticipate Blessings

REJOICE IN THIS DAY OF LIFE, BEING WILLING TO FOLLOW ME WHOLEHEARTEDLY— WHEREVER I LEAD.

Anticipate blessings as we journey together.

Since I have created this day of life and presented it to you free of charge, I want you to receive it gratefully.

Your natural tendency when you awaken is to assess the day before you, trying to discern how good (or bad) it will be.

You do this almost unconsciously, often basing your conclusions on something as trivial as the weather.

I urge you to break free from this habit so you can be more receptive to Me and My blessings.

Something that can help immensely in this endeavor is a thankful attitude.

If you awaken to find a dark, rainy day, thank Me for the rain.

Having done so, you will be much less likely to grumble about the weather.

Also, remember that I have arranged the conditions of your day.

So you can assume there is much good to be found in it.

Rejoicing will help you find many blessings in this day.

If your circumstances are looking rather bleak, then be joyful in Me—your faithful Companion.

Knowing how much I gave to rescue you from sin, you can trust Me and look for precious gifts I've placed along the path we are following.

In faith, be on the lookout for good things both great and small.

Also, because I am your Teacher, I promise to provide learning opportunities as we travel together.

When you reach the end of this day, stop and look back at the distance we have covered.

Take time to ponder what you have learned and to savor the gifts you have found.

Let your mind dwell on these things as you lie down to sleep, rejoicing in Me and My blessings.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
PSALM 118:24

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am."
JOHN 13:13

Photo Credit JD...thank you! :)

"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."
PSALM 3:5

Do Not Panic; for You Have Fallen but Will Rise Again

THOUGH YOU SIT IN DARKNESS I WILL BE YOUR LIGHT.

Sometimes you need to rest in the shadows.

If you continue pushing yourself—ignoring how weary you are—you may collapse altogether.

Many of My followers drive themselves to the point of exhaustion or utter discouragement, while pretending everything is all right.

Your enemy the devil rejoices—even gloats—when he sees this happening.

He understands the power of pretense to weaken My children till they are easy prey for him.

Do not panic when you have fallen, for you will rise again.

Be content to sit in darkness while I refresh your spirit, mind, and body.

I am as fully present with you when you are sitting as when you are standing or walking.

Look for Me in the shadowy place where you find yourself now.

I want to shelter and nurture you under My wings, where you will find refuge.

While you are relaxing, I will be your Light—protecting, healing, and restoring you.

When My work of restoration is finished, you can crawl out from under My wings: ready to rise again and continue your journey.

My Presence will go with you, illuminating the way before you—strengthening and encouraging you. Hope in Me, My child, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence.

"From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light." MICAH 7:8

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 PETER 5:8

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
PSALM 91:4

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."
PSALM 42:5 NASB

Get Me Through This....

"And so he died for us, and in doing so not only redeemed humanity, but gave us the perfect example of how to deal with suffering.

Today, when we have to face pain in our own lives, we have access to all the strength, peace, and courage that sustained Christ through his Passion and death.

God makes that power available to each and every one of us.

When you say to God, "Get me through this suffering," he will actually take you by the hand and lead you through your pain.

No matter what the crisis, he's willing to walk right through the fire with you, and make sure that you get to the other side without being engulfed and consumed in flames.

No matter how God answers this prayer, one thing is certain:

He will speed up the process of healing and make sure you get through your ordeal with as little emotional, psychological, and spiritual damage as possible.

And this guarantee doesn't apply to only the great cataclysmic misfortunes of life.

It works for the smaller "slings and arrows" of daily living as well.

You shouldn't wait for heart attacks or terminal illnesses or car accidents to ask for God's assistance.

You should say this prayer when you have a toothache; you should say this prayer when your annoying colleague at work won't stop talking to you; you should say this prayer when you're stuck in a traffic jam!

Whenever you have to face any kind of pain, you should say to God:

"Lord, please help me get through this."

And He will."

From " Ten Prayers God Always says Yes to" by Anthony DeStefano

Stay Strong!

Do Not Fear; I Will Help You

CLING TO ME AS YOUR LIFELINE.

You need My help continually, and I am eager to provide it.

Don't be anxious about your inability to obey My voice perfectly.

The most important commandment is to love Me with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Although you can do this only imperfectly, I nonetheless delight in your love—as a mother delights in a crumpled flower brought lovingly by her child.

Moreover, I rejoice in your obedience, though it is flawed, and in your desire to obey Me.

Instead of worrying about the ways you fall short, focus on doing what you can—out of love for Me.

Your awareness of your inadequacy can actually be a blessing:

It protects you from self-righteousness. It also trains you to depend on Me more and more.

When you relate to Me as your Lifeline, I am pleased.

Since I am your Life, looking to Me for help is the wisest way to live.

I created you as a dependent being, and if you don't cling to Me you will grasp onto other things.

This can lead to addictions, destructive relationships, and other forms of idolatry.

So the more you hold onto Me, the better your life will be.

I realize you are weak and your faith-muscles easily tire.

When you feel as if you're about to lose your grip, cry out to Me!

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. "

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

". . . that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days . . ." DEUTERONOMY 30:20 NKJV

"Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."
MATTHEW 22:37–38

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
ISAIAH 41:13

In Storms, An Anchor for your Soul

I AM YOUR RISEN, LIVING SAVIOR!

Through My resurrection you have been born again to an ever-living hope.

It is vital for you to remain hopeful, no matter what is going on in your life.

People put their hope in a variety of things—wealth, power, health, medical treatments—but these are all insufficient.

When storms break upon your life, you can find only one adequate source of help—Me!

The hope I provide is an anchor for your soul, firm and secure even in the most tempestuous waters.

A good way to remain anchored in Me is to whisper as often as needed:

"Jesus, You are my Hope."

This affirmation strengthens you and keeps you connected to Me.

I am constantly working to transform your life.

You need My help continually to keep your hope alive.

I stand ready to help you at all times—during stormy episodes as well as times of smooth sailing.

I am not only ever-living but also more abundantly alive than you can possibly imagine.

There are no limits to what My great Power and Glory can accomplish!

I can change the most "hopeless" situation into outright victory.

Moreover, as you affirm your trust in Me—no matter how difficult your circumstances—I am able to transform you: gradually, lovingly.

Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ(the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 PETER 1:3 AMP

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever . . ."
HEBREWS 6:19

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."
MARK 13:26 NKJV

"Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed."
ISAIAH 49:23B

No Matter the Trials ...

THOUGH I BRING GRIEF, I WILL SHOW COMPASSION.

No matter what trials you are enduring, you can count on My Love and My compassion—neither of which will ever fail.

I can bring good out of everything I allow in your life, but much of what I do is far beyond your understanding.

My children often misinterpret My ways with them.

When adversity strikes, they tend to feel as if I'm displeased with them.

They don't realize that My most devoted followers are especially targeted in spiritual warfare.

The devil and his demonic underlings delight in tormenting those who live close to Me.

When you are suffering and your troubles seem endless, remember I am tenderly present in your afflictions.

Instead of lamenting the way things are, search for Me in the wreckage of adversity.

You will not fail to find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I want you to experience more fully the greatness of My overflowing Love.

As you open yourself to My compassionate Presence, this Love flows into you more freely.

Like new wine, My Love expands within you, increasing your capacity for Me.

Another way to expand this capacity is to let My Love flow from you to others

I am so pleased when you do this that I flood you with more of My living Presence.

As you continue this blessed adventure with Me, I fill you with ever-increasing volumes of unfailing Love.

"Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing Love."
LAMENTATIONS 3:32

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." LAMENTATIONS 3:22–23

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord . . ." JEREMIAH 29:13–14 NKJV

No Time For Worry

AS YOU GIVE YOURSELF MORE AND MORE TO A LIFE OF CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH ME, YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU SIMPLY HAVE NO TIME FOR WORRY.

You may be skeptical about this statement.

It seems you always find time for worrying; it's a beast you've been battling in your own strength for years!

This has been counterproductive: The more you've tried not to worry, the more anxious you've become.

So now you're worrying about worrying!

You definitely need My help in this battle.

Your best strategy is to stop focusing on the problem and put more energy into communicating more with Me.

This approach will help you achieve freedom from all sorts of negative tendencies, including worry.

The idea is to replace hurtful, self-defeating behavior with something wondrously positive—communicating with your Creator and Savior.

Because I designed you, I know how you function best: in rich communion with Me.

As your Savior, I also know how you function worst.

Remember that I died for every one of your sins.

Don't just talk to Me; listen to Me as well.

I speak to you through My Word, My Spirit, My creation.

As you discipline yourself to communicate more with Me—praying perseveringly—you will find your worry-time vanishing.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"
LUKE 12:25–26

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." PROVERBS 12:25

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
PSALM 25:4–5

"Be unceasing in prayer, praying perseveringly."
14 THESSALONIANS 5:17 AMP

Be Someone Else's Miracle

Today's Scripture

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us..."
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

You are Somebody's Miracle

As a believer, God wants to do His work on the earth through you.

You are His ambassador or representative.

You have been given His authority and power.

It's easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realize that you are equipped to be somebody else's miracle?

Every single day, we have opportunities to show God's love and compassion to others.

We can meet their needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement.

Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an eternal harvest.

Today, look for ways to be a blessing to someone else.

When you step out and pour into others, God will make sure that others pour into you.

Let's continue to work together to bring Him glory and build His kingdom on earth!

A Prayer for Today
"Father, thank You for choosing me and using me. Today I surrender every area of my life to You. Show me ways to be a miracle to others so that my life brings glory to You in Jesus' name. Amen."

Take Courage; Be Confident, Certain, Undaunted!

Happy Friday All!!  :)

MY FOLLOWERS MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS.

Nonetheless, the gospel is amazingly good news, because My death as your substitute paid the full penalty for all your sins!

At conversion you began a new life: one that is both an adventure and a Love-story.

Adventure tales are never about predictable, easy situations.

They invariably contain conflicts, adversity, defeats, and triumphs.

Before I died, I warned My disciples about the tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration they would have in this world.

Then I immediately reassured them:

"I have overcome the world; I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you."

In Me you are VICTORIOUS!

Your new life is not only an adventure but also a Love-story.

As you journey toward heaven, your eternal Lover never leaves your side.

I share both your good times and your struggles.

I embrace you in My everlasting arms , helping you extract good from adversity.

I devise creative ways to reveal Myself to you, and I rejoice when you are attentive.

While using My future-knowledge to prepare you for what is ahead, I train you to enjoy My Presence in the present.

When you are struggling deeply, I offer you My Peace.

At the end of your journey, you will be able to look back and see that hardships shared with Me are radiant treasures—full of Love and Glory.

"They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. . . . "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. "
ACTS 14:21–22

'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you." JOHN 16:33 AMP

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." DEUTERONOMY 33:27 NKJV