Even in Darkness Light Dawns...

GIVE UP THE ILLUSION that you deserve a problem-free life.

Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties.

This is a false hope!

As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble.

Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven.

Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances.

In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark.

That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit.

When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway.

I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

Stay Strong! !!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
    —JOHN 16: 33

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. . . . He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."
      —PSALM 112: 4, 7

Invest in Trusting Me...

EVERY TIME YOU AFFIRM YOUR TRUST IN ME, you put a coin into My treasury.

Thus you build up equity in preparation for days of trouble.

I keep safely in My heart all trust invested in Me, with interest compounded continuously.

The more you trust Me, the more I empower you to do so.

Practice trusting Me during quiet days, when nothing much seems to be happening.

Then when storms come, your trust balance will be sufficient to see you through.

Store up for yourself treasure in heaven, through placing your trust in Me.

This practice will keep you in My Peace.

Stay Strong

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In
God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
    —PSALM 56: 3– 4

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
     —MATTHEW 6: 20– 21

Shepherd. ..

COME TO ME with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me.

Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me.

Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine.

Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.

When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd.

The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything.

Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will.

Though this may feel frightening—even dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will.

Stay Strong

"For nothing is impossible with God."
     —LUKE 1: 37

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
    —EPHESIANS 3: 20–21

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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: 1–4

Do Not Fear

GIVE YOURSELF FULLY to the adventure of today.

Walk boldly along the path of Life, relying on your ever-present Companion.
You have every reason to be confident, because My Presence accompanies you all the days of your life— and onward into eternity.

Do not give in to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living.

Trust Me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them.

Fix your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, and many difficulties on the road ahead will vanish before you reach them.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am holding you by your right hand.

Nothing can separate you from My Presence!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
      —HEBREWS 12: 2

"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

Continue to Thank Me for answers that are on the way....

TRUST ME by relinquishing control into My hands.

Let go, and recognize that I am God.

This is My world: I made it and I control it.

Yours is a responsive part in the litany of Love.

I search among My children for receptivity to Me.

Guard well this gift that I have planted in your heart.

Nurture it with the Light of My Presence.

When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me.   Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart.

Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results.

When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way.

If you keep on stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension.

When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mind-set becomes much more positive.

Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises.

Happy Friday - Stay Strong!!

"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
     —PSALM 46: 10 AMP

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
   —COLOSSIANS 4: 2

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
     —2 PETER 1: 3– 4

A Precious, Unrepeatable Gift. ...

TRY TO VIEW EACH DAY as an adventure, carefully planned out by your Guide.

Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it according to your will, be attentive to Me and to all I have prepared for you.

Thank Me for this day of life, recognizing that it is a precious, unrepeatable gift.

Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense My Presence or not.

A thankful, trusting attitude helps you to see events in your life from My perspective.

A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable.

Expect each day to contain surprises!

Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day.

Be willing to follow wherever I lead.

No matter how steep or treacherous the path before you, the safest place to be is by My side.

Stay Strong!!

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

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
      —1 PETER 2: 21

Slow down. ..

I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU.

When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.

You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged— never give up!

With My help, you can overcome any obstacle.

Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.

One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events.

If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.

Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.

Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Stay Strong! !!

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
     —ROMANS 8: 31

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.
    —PSALM 46: 1– 3 NKJV

"For nothing is impossible with God."
     —LUKE 1: 37