Fog

AS YOU LOOK at the day before you, you see a twisted, complicated path, with branches going off in all directions.

You wonder how you can possibly find your way through that maze.

Then you remember the One who is with you always, holding you by your right hand.

You recall My promise to guide you with My counsel, and you begin to relax.

As you look again at the path ahead, you notice that a peaceful fog has settled over it, obscuring your view.

You can see only a few steps in front of you, so you turn your attention more fully to Me and begin to enjoy My Presence.

The fog is a protection for you, calling you back into the present moment.

Although I inhabit all of space and time, you can communicate with Me only here and now.

Someday the fog will no longer be necessary, for you will have learned to keep your focus on Me and on the path just ahead of you.

- From " Jesus Calling " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"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."
—PSALM 73: 23–24

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
—1 CORINTHIANS 13: 12

Assurance

I have always found the passage below to be one of the most comforting, assuring and inspiring messages regarding our Faith and the Promise given to us all - in both good times and in times of challenge.

Happy Advent, Happy Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, and Happy Sunday!

Stay Strong!

"Do not look forward in Fear to the changes in life;
rather look to them with full Hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things;

And when you cannot stand it,
God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at Peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."

- Saint Francis de Sales

Stay Strong!

Believing and Receiving

THIS IS A TIME OF ABUNDANCE in your life.

Your cup runneth over with blessings.

After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine.

I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment.

I delight in providing it for you.

Sometimes My children hesitate to receive My good gifts with open hands.

Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don't deserve to be so richly blessed.

This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from Me.

My kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it's about believing and receiving.

When a child of Mine balks at accepting My gifts, I am deeply grieved.

When you receive My abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice.

My pleasure in giving and your pleasure in receiving flow together in joyous harmony.

- from " Jesus Calling " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
—PSALM 23: 5 KJV

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
—JOHN 3: 16

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
—LUKE 11: 9–10

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
—ROMANS 8: 32

Strengthen you Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically

I GIVE STRENGTH TO THE WEARY AND INCREASE the power of the weak.

You live in a world where weakness is often pitied—or even despised.

People spend vast amounts of time, energy, and money on efforts to strengthen their bodies.

They also use various stimulants to avoid or disguise weariness.

However, weakness and weariness are simply part of the reality of living in a fallen world—and in a fallen body.

I invite you to come into My Presence confidently, with all your weariness and weakness.

I have experiential understanding of fatigue because I lived in your world for thirty-three years.

You can let down your guard with Me and admit how tired you really are.

Take time just to be with Me—basking in the Light of My Love.

As My Face shines upon you, I bless you and give you Peace.

Do not skimp on this time with Me, for I use it to strengthen you spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Lift up wide-open arms, seeking My Presence in the present moment.

Be prepared to receive abundantly—Joy, Peace, unfailing Love.

From " JESUS TODAY " BY SARAH YOUNG

STAY STRONG!

"The LORD gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
—Isaiah 40: 29–31

"The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."
—Numbers 6: 25–26 NKJV

"Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love."
—Psalm 31: 16

When you are Hurting, Come to me for Comfort

LET MY UNFAILING LOVE BE YOUR COMFORT.

Something that brings you comfort should be dependable, and My Love will never fail you.

My soothing Presence is always with you, but to receive the full benefits of this blessing, you need to trust Me wholeheartedly.

Comfort is not only for your blessing but for your empowerment.

When you feel secure in My Love, you are strengthened—and able to do the things I've prepared for you to do.

Love and comfort go together ever so naturally.

When a small child needs comforting, the best remedy is often soothing words and a gentle kiss.

Young children instinctively turn to their parents in such times of need, and you do well to learn from their example.

When you are hurting, come to Me for comfort.

Rest in Me, My child, and enjoy the gentle kiss of My Presence.

Listen to Me as I rejoice over you with singing.

To benefit fully from My comforting words, memorize scriptures that will assure you of My Love.

Remember: I love you always—with an everlasting Love.

- from " Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant."
—Psalm 119: 76

"The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
—Zephaniah 3: 17 NKJV

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you."
—Jeremiah 31: 3 NKJV

Remember My Promise in Times of Trouble

I AM GOOD—A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

I care for those who trust in Me.

Even though you inhabit a world full of trouble, I assure you that I am completely, 100 percent good!

I am light, and in Me there is no darkness at all.

Seek in Me the perfection you have longed for all your life.

Because of the brokenness of this world, you always need a refuge—but especially in times of trouble.

When you are hurting, I yearn to shelter you in My powerful, loving Presence.

So turn to Me in tough times, and you will find Me faithful.

Many of My children fail to receive My help during difficult times because they don't really trust Me.

When adversity strikes, they either lash out angrily at Me or become so focused on their problems that they forget I am with them.

An essential element of trusting Me is remembering My promise to be with you always.

Trust in Me, My child, and I will take care of you.

- From " Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

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

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."
—1 John 1: 5 NKJV

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
—Psalm 56: 3 ESV

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
—Matthew 28: 19–20

Through our Difficulties

LEAN ON, TRUST IN, AND BE CONFIDENT IN ME.

The more challenging your life circumstances, the more you need to affirm—and lean on—your confident trust in Me.

During difficult times, your natural tendency is to rely heavily on your own understanding.

However, your human understanding is not up to this task; it will fail you time and again.

You have every reason to be confident in Me.

I am the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and I am in charge of every aspect of your life.

Because the world is in such a fallen condition, it may seem as if I'm not in control.

I could end all suffering instantly—by destroying the earth and taking My children Home—but I am waiting to bring many sons and daughters to Glory.

So take heart as you live in this broken world, believing that My eternal purposes are being worked out through your difficulties.

Your troubles are part of My majestic Master Plan, and they are achieving an eternal Glory that far outweighs them all!

- From " Jesus Today " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding."
—Proverbs 3: 5 AMP

"It was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
—Hebrews 2: 10 NKJV

"Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
—2 Corinthians 4: 17