promises in darkness

This week I've been blogging about a recent time I felt discouraged and how God has delivered me out of that darkness.  Since it's not a new thing for me but something I continually trust Him to do....I have a set of index cards that have some of my favorite promises for the darkness.  He is so faithful to restore joy and pull me out of whatever mess I'm in!  Today I just want to share some fun upbeat songs and scriptures that have helped me! If you are struggling in some area now, I encourage you to call out to Jesus!! He is the one who will rescue you-He loves you and has a plan for your life!

This song has the words of Philippians 4:13 in a catchy tune!  Great words to remember and believe when I'm down and it doesn't feel like I can do anything. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure because you will not abandon me! Psalm 16:9

But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  Psalm 3:3

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:13-14

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.  For you, oh Lord have delivered my soul from death, my eyes form tears, my feet from stumbling.  Psalm 116:7-8  (This one makes me want to dance and shout!!!)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God.  Psalm 42:5 (This one reminds me that even the psalmist had down days, but trusted in God!)

This song has the words of  1 John 4:4.  God is greater than any darkness I may face!

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:18-19

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

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.  Psalm 94:19

Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter, you will restore my life again...my lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you! Psalm 71:20,23

You have made known to me the path of life!  You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.  Psalm 90:14-15

I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.  Psalm 34:4-5

This song just makes me move!

Thank you Lord for your word!  It's pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the sweet to the mind and healing to the body (Prov 16:24).  Thank you Lord for your faithful promises and for always demonstrating your love in our lives.  Lord I pray that you would use your Word to encourage every reader of this blog today! Let us look to Jesus quickly when life seems tough, the faster we turn to him the faster He helps us!  In Jesus name, Amen. 

 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

There are obviously MANY more encouraging and uplifting scriptures.  I know for me, when I am down I sometimes don't have the desire to search for them-that's why I have written them out on cards.  Some of the verses are found in Beth Moore's Praying God's Word -a wonderful resource for many areas!  If you have a favorite verse that always encourages you....please leave it in the comments for other readers to be encouraged!  Thanks for reading today:)

Spiritual Amnesia

Sometimes it seems like I'm always looking for something to make me happy.  Looking toward something that is coming up instead of enjoying today.  Wanting something I don't yet have that I think will make me happy instead of enjoying what God has already given me to enjoy.  Thinking that if "x" would just change, or "y" would happen, then I would be happy.  Well...I'm done with it!  I am choosing today to rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!!! I will celebrate my life just as it is and as Paul said, will learn to live in contentment no matter what my circumstances.  I have spent too many days wishing for tommorows or longing for yesterdays.  I have spent too many days forgetting the goodness of God-suffering from spiritual amnesia. 

In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan writes about spiritual amnesia in the first chapter.  We are programmed to focus on what we don't have, bombarded multiple times throughout the day with what we need to buy that will make us feel happier or sexier or more at peace.  This dissatisfaction transfers over to our thinking about God.  We forget that we already have everything we need in Him.  Because we don't often think about the reality of who God is, we quickly forget that He is worthy to be worshipped and loved.  We are to fear Him. 

Lord, forgive me for forgetting your goodness-You are good-all the time!  Teach me to trust you and be content with your plan for my life even when it doesn't match mine.  I know your ways are higher than my ways and you have a plan that is far better than any plan I could create in my mind.  Thank you for the Joy that you make available to all who put their trust in You!  Lord fill me with your joy while I'm waiting.  Let my life overflow with the joy of the Lord-be my strength daily!  Let me not suffer from spiritual amnesia-but to constantly remember the sacrifice that Christ paid for me!! How can I keep from singing when I think on the beauty of the cross? Lift my eyes to see your faithfulness when I am discouraged.  Lord your Word reminds us that the thief comes to steal kill and destroy-but You came that we might have and ENJOY life to the full, till it overflows!!! Thank you Jesus!!!! Amen

Joy Will Come

Okay...usually when I include a song/video it's at the end because it's what I was singing while I was writing the blog post. Today the song needs to be at the start of the post...that way if you don't know it, you will hear it as you read because it's central to the post.

This song is so meaningful to me...it is a promise I cling to!  We sang it at church Sunday and I was reminded of a time a few months ago when I woke up with this song and promise in my heart.  That morning as I was trying to figure out how to 'fix things' the Lord brought to my mind John 6:29-The work of God is this-to BELIEVE in the one he has sent.  That morning (and many others) I had to ask myself...DO I really believe?  Does my life show it?  Am I always trying to fix everything or can I rest in God's precious promises to me and just BELIEVE? When we really trust that joy will come...it does!!!

If you've done the Beth Moore Believing God Bible study you will recognize what the Holy Spirit reminded me that morning. When I believe God there will be joy!

• I am believing God is who He says He is!!
• I'm believing God can do what He says He can do (even more than I can imagine!!)
• I am believing I am who God says I am (the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!!)
• I am believing I can do all things through Christ!!
• I am believing that God's word is alive and active in me!!!

You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know Me, believe Me and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.  Isaiah 43:10
Did you see that?  God chose you to believe Him!!!!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20
JOY WILL COME, BELIEVE!!! 

I believe that this joy is for this life, not just when we get to heaven!  I will write more on this soon...but for now, I'll leave you with this reminder from Jesus:
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10

Confidence

I think this will be the last (at least for now) of the series on Boldness, even though there is so much more we could learn from the people throughout the Bible.  I just started reading The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear, so there may be more on it in the future:) 
When I read the story of Esther, I wasn't sure what similarities I would find to the other courageous people I had been studying.  True, Esther was in the right place at the right time (Esther 4:14) but, before she boldly approached the king, Esther was prepared...she and her supporters fasted (Esther 4:15).  She put on her royal robe (Esther 5:1)-she knew who she was!!! Do you know who you are in Christ??? True boldness and courage doesn't come for us...it's from God in us!! Because of Esther's courage, the Jews celebrated (Esther 9:22).  Wow, a whole group celebrating because of the courage of one person....that one person could be you!  You could lead a whole group to celebrate as you are bold and courageous in your life by trusting God!! Joshua led a whole group of people into the promised land-can you imagine crossing the Jordan?  Here's what the Lord said to him-Wow!!!
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses...No one will be able to stand up against you all the says of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:3,5-6,9 (You will be blessed if you make time to read the entire first chapter...for the sake of space I'm just putting highlights!)
Friend, is there a place you need to set your foot...a victory that has been won for you and you just need to boldly step out in an area?  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Maybe you have already stepped out and you are waiting now... 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3.  Friend, if you have boldly stepped out in faith, do not loose heart!  Joy will come!!! I will leave you thinking on these promises from the word :)

• For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.  1 Corinthians 4:20
• Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  Deuteronomy 30:11
• Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25
• For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
• The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17
• I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19

If you have a favorite verse about boldness, courage, etc...please share it in the comments area so that we can be blessed!  Spend some time in prayer today asking God to show you if there are any areas in your life where you need to yield to His power working in you.  He desires to use your life to bring Him glory!  Will you allow Him to make you bold and courageous...will you (like those we've read about today) lead a group in celebration through His power working in your life?  Maybe you have tried to be bold and confident on your own-to lead by your power...go to the throne, we can't do it alone!  Praise be to our Lord Jesus who enables us to boldly approach the throne!!!



When You Really Want To Live-Dayspring Devotional

When You Really Want To Live: "Eucharisteo Jesus, the God-man who came to save me from prisons of fear and guilt and depression and sadness. With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important? 'He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them.' Luke 22:19 In the original language, 'He gave thanks' reads 'eucharisteo'. The root word is 'charis' meaning 'grace.' Jesus gave thanks, eucharisteo, for the grace, and within 'eucharisteo' is also the derivative, chara --- meaning joy. Deep joy -- chara -- is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo -- the table of thankgsgiving. So then as long as thanksgiving is possible -- Joy is always possible. And how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of what He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes to His grace. Charis. Grace. Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving. Chara. Joy. A threefold cord - that might hold a life?
 -Ann Voskamp Excerpt from the New York Times Best Selling One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to LIVE FULLY Right Where You Are. Through Ann's heart-breakingly beautiful stories, she offers a profoundly powerful guide to finding joy wherever people live. Even in the darkest moments, in the midst of everyday challenges, you can discover an ancient way of living that is deeply, fully alive. Joy really is possible. Right now"

Are you enjoying life?

This is from an article I read in Joyce Meyer's magazine.

What about you? Are you experiencing satisfaction and contentment with who you are and what you do each day? Are you taking time to notice and appreciate the everyday experiences that can make your life rich and rewarding? Or are you racing through each day just so you can get to the next one? Do you find things to laugh about on a regular basis, or are you allowing your responsibilities and the pressure involved to keep you on edge?

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


We were not created to merely exist, dreading each new day, praying for strength just to make it through another day. NO, we were created to enjoy every aspect of our lives-every day of our lives.