Encouragement for Today

When Faith Struggles

Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:3-4 (NIV)

Devotion:

My faith struggles. It occurs most often when something happens in life that is beyond my understanding. My faith plunges to below sea level depth when I witness a natural disaster, a family tragedy, or another Christian's failure. In my humanness, I cannot comprehend the "Why?"

Regardless of my stinkin' thinkin,' God is faithful. Scripture states the following three truths explicitly throughout the Bible.

God is faithful.

"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT)

God always works in our best interests.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP)

God's ways are beyond our understanding.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).

So what do I do when my faith plummets? I need to look to the truth that is deeper than my human reality. I need to acknowledge this fact - my faith can only grow when I have to trust God without the benefit of understanding every aspect of His divine will. I also need to realize that faith fluctuates and I am not the only one that struggles with the issue of doubt.

A biblical example of a person who struggled with his faith is the disciple Thomas. Thomas spent three years with Jesus. He watched the Lord perform miracles. But still his faith floundered. Jesus never gave up on Thomas but kept encouraging him to believe and to trust.

So when my faith struggles to stay afloat in a sea of doubt, I will look to Jesus for support. I will readily admit that I do not understand the why of the situation. And I will accept that it is part of the process of growing my faith. I will hold onto our Key Verse as a faith preserver. "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4, NIV).

If your faith is struggling today, join me in the journey of faith. We can walk in encouragement together knowing we are persevering and maturing and that one day our faith will be complete, not lacking in any area.

Dear Lord, at times my faith struggles. Help me to hold onto the truth of your Word. Allow me to remember my faith is in a state of growth in every circumstance. Grant me strength in my faith so that it may persevere and mature. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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Last night,my car broke down at Nilai mamak stall..caused by flat car battery..this whole incidents doesn't upset me at all, what more disappointed was my close friends,straight away called our friends,to fetch them back,not even thinking of helping me. When he came,me and 2 other friends were pushing my car, trying to jumpstart the car so that we able to drive back to college..I was wondering,all this years,this is the attitude towards me when I am in trouble..very disappointed indeed..lucky for me,I am graduating by sept,and I am leaving this college,I am quite sure would not come back to this coll anymore..the friendship ties just broken with such childish attitudes.

Encouragement for today

Air Carrier lossess expected to total $9Billionn in 09'

Global airlines may post lossess of $9B in 2009 because of low demands and pooryields amid a global economic slump and the spread of H1N1 flu virus, the International Air Transport Association said.

The forecast, presented by the body representing some 230 airlines world-wide, is alomst double the $4.7B estimated in March.

Asian- Pacific are likely to be worst performers this year and expected to report losses of $3.3B,followed by European carriers, which are forecast to post losses of $1.8B.

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Encouragement for Today

21^st Century Community

"Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away."

Proverbs 27:10 NKJV

Devotion:

When I moved to Charlotte, it was one of the loneliesttimes of my life. I was pregnant with my third child, in a new city with no church and no close friends. When Madi was born, I quickly realized just how badly I missed my small group back in Davenport, Iowa. There were no hospital visits from friends, no meals from my group and no play dates for my other two children from friends who wanted to help. These were all things I had experienced with my second child; I realized just what they meant to me when I no longer had them.

With email and internet, community has taken on a new meaning. Some ministries have "online communities" and bloggers everywhere have friends all around the world. Technology has done some amazing things for us when it comes to friendships.

But what happens when you need a friend to hold you? To come and lay hands on you and pray for you? To bring you a meal for dinner because you are sick? It is at times like these that we need the kind of community that comes from neighbors and those who live nearby.

Recently, a dear friend called me and said, "Lynn, can you come over?" She didn't need to say any more. My friend wasn't physically sick; she was heart sick. I was there within 20 minutes. Later on that day, supper was there for her too. These are the types of friendships that we need and can depend upon day in and day out. You just can't fully get that when your community doesn't live in your community!

Proverbs 27:10 encourages us, "Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." When I was growing up, I remember my mother having a friend over some afternoons for coffee. They didn't have to make an appointment on their calendars to meet at Starbuck's a few weeks down the road.

 

Sometimes, I wish I lived in those days of a slower pace of life. Obviously, I don't, but I can still invite a friend, spur of the moment, to come over for tea and chat about the important and not so important things in life.

Far away friends are great; I am so thankful for each and every one that I have. But in the middle of our fast paced, email raced society, let's not neglect our relationships that are right outside our front door. A friend when in need is a friend indeed!

 

Dear Lord, help me to slow down enough to embrace the friendships you have placed in my life. And if I am lackingtrue friends, please open my eyes to those in front of me who would be just that. Not only may I find true friends, Lord, but make me one as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

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Encouragement for Today

1) Do not smoke after a meal! Experiments from experts prove that smoking a cigarette after a meal is comparable to smoking TEN cigarettes (Chances of Cancer are higher).

2) Do not eat fruits immediately after meals. It will bloat your stomach. Therefore have your fruits one or two hours before or after your meal.

3) Do not drink tea after a meal as tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hardened; making it difficult to digest.

4) Do not loosen your belt after eating. Loosening the belt after a meal can cause intestinal problems.

5) Do not bathe after eating. Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thereby causing the amount of blood around the stomach to decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

6) Do not walk after a meal even though you have heard people say that after a meal, walking a hundred steps will make you live till 99. Walking immediately after a meal will make it difficult for the digestive system to absorb the nutrition from the food we eat. Wait at least an hour after your meal and then walk if you want to. 

7) Do not sleep immediately. The intake of food will not be able to digest properly thereby leading to gastro-intestinal problems.

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Revenge of Animals

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Encouragement for Today

Believing is Seeing

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'." John 20:29 (NIV)

If you think about it, we believe without seeing every day. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. Even though we may see the broadcast, we did not actually witness the events.  We listen to the gossip of others and believe their words to be fact. 

 

However, when it comes to believing that God is God, and that the Bible is holy and true, many people struggle.

 

Why is it that we have a much harder time believing in a sovereign God, than we do a story on the news or from a friend? Why is it difficult for some to comprehend and believe that God created the universe, is in control of everything, and ordains life?  

 

DOUBT.

 

Doubt is an incredibly powerful weapon that the devil uses to attack the minds of those whose faith is weakened due to struggles in life, feeling distanced from God, or who have never truly known the Savior.

 

Doubt occurs when we begin to think we have to see God to believe in Him, and when our faith is dependent on what our eyes can see.

 

But faith is not something we can see. There is no visual evidence. The official definition of faith is a "firm belief in something of which there is no proof."

 

Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.

If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary. Jesus would forever be trying to convince us that He is the Holy One through signs, wonders and miracles. Our faith would always be teetering on the edge, and likely decline as soon as we felt the need to see just one more example of proof of His existence, His sovereignty, or His power. If we could see Him, we would probably never truly believe in Him.

Faith only comes by hearing God's Word, and believing it - no matter what - without a shadow of a doubt - without needing constant visual proof.

 

The cold hard fact is that we live in a world that thrives on proof.  As a result, Christians will face pressure to doubt that God is real and alive.  We will face opportunities to turn away from God and believe in other religions, which may seem trendier, more appealing or visually legitimate. We will face ridicule for believing in the unseen.

 

But that is where true faith comes in. Faith that is not swayed by new ideas, impressive people, or eloquent preaching.  Faith that will not die because something easier comes along.  Faith that is based on the belief that He was, is and will be the Savior of the world. Faith that can withstand the pressure of difficulties in life.

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV).

We can't see God, but we can see His activity in our lives...if we believe.

We can't see God, but we can see His power working within us...if we believe.

If you ask me, we see what we want to see. We choose to believe...and then, we see.

If you have felt lured to doubt God's presence, power, and omnipotence as a result of listening to false teachings, being persuaded by others, or dealing with doubts that have been planted in your mind by those who don't believe because they cannot see, pray for God to remove those doubts today.

If you have been doubting God's existence because you cannot see His activity in your life, pray for Him to open your eyes to see His divine intervention. Pray for Him to saturate your life so powerfully that you cannot doubt that He is at work. Pray for Him to make His presence known to you. 

If your heart desires to believe, your eyes will see the truth.  Your faith will result in vision.

 

Dear Lord, impart in me an unshakable faith.  Forgive me for any doubts. I love You and believe in Your sovereignty, forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Encouragement for Today

Encouragement for Today

Father, Comforter,Disciplinarian

"...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 40:31 (NIV)        

Devotion:

Have you ever opened a book and read a passage and been amazed because it was exactly what you needed to hear?  And you felt like it was written and sent just to you on that day at that moment? Some may call it a coincidence, but I call it a gift from God! 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Father. I can trust Him and count on Him to keep His Word.  My heavenly Father is always with me, something my earthly parents can't be.

 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Comforter.  My foot may hurt and my emotions are unbalanced. I don't feel very comfortable at the moment, but I am comforted.  My Comforter supplies me with the love, peace, and hope I need to know I'm going to be okay.

 

I have hope in the Lord because He is my Disciplinarian. I have to admit, this isn't my favorite characteristic of Him. But I know without it, I'd be out of control!  I need a strong hand to guide me and keep me in line. I actually feel safe and secure because my Father disciplines me.  I know it is through that discipline that I am strengthened. I also know He disciplines me because He loves me.

 

I may be weak today, but what a great place to be. It draws me closer to the One I need most. My Father, my Comforter, my Disciplinarian.

Dear Lord, I have found my hope in You!  Thank You for being there to provide for me as my Father, Comforter, and Disciplinarian.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps: 

If you are exhausted, drained, and ready to quit, read Isaiah 40:28-31. 

Rest in knowing that the Lord will renew your strength.

 

Reflections: 

Where do I go for hope and comfort?

 

Maybe I need to have more time with God today.

 

Power Verses:

Isaiah 40:28-31, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; and his understanding no one can fathom. He 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 an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk, and not faint." (NIV)