Today’s Reading: Psalm 120-122; 2 Thessalonians 2
“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 NIV).
Do you ever just need encouragement? Sometimes this life can be so hard. Sometimes the smallest word of affirmation makes all the difference in how my day goes. Just as words of criticism can tear me down, words of love can build me up so quickly. It’s so nice to hear that I’m doing something right in such a negative world. I’m so thankful for the family and friends in my life that take the time to remind me of this. Their words and hugs mean the world to me. What about you? Is there anyone in your life that encourages you? Whose heart can you encourage today?
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).
Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Thessalonians. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Lord, Strengthen My Heart
Today’s Reading: Psalm 113, 114, 115; 1Thessalonians 3
Verses to Ponder: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NIV).
Prayer: Lord, today, as in every day, I need my heart strengthened so that I can truly love those around me. My heart feels so weak and human on it's own. Time and again I come to the end of what is humanly possible, and have to depend on you like never before. Time and again I must claim the words you spoke to the Apostle Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). What wondrous words those are. And how often must I come before you and ask you to fill in the gaps.
Please help me as I minister to the needs of my little girl, care for my husband, and be the best friend I can be to those around me today and everyday. Amen.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Tears of a Mother
Today's reading: Psalms 106, 111, 112; 1st Thessalonians 2
“Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:20 NIV).
“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man” (Psalm 112:4 NIV).
“His heart is secure, he will have no fear” (Psalm 112:8 NIV).
When my daughter was born eleven days ago, my husband and I suddenly entered a brand-new word called parenthood. In that moment we were given the responsibility to rear up a sweet little girl, so that she, too, would one day love and serve the Savior of the world. The responsibility is so immense and overwhelming. I’ve cried more tears since this little girl arrived then I’ve cried in years. Many of them were tears of desperation, of second-guessing, of being unsure if we’d made the right decisions already. Many of them were tears of feeling alone, of forgetting how great my God truly is.
In all of the chaos of bringing a new life into the world, I think my heart got a little misaligned. In feeling the great responsibility as caregiver to this little life, my eyes began to lose their focus. In focusing on my emotions, I forgot to trust in the one who gave life to us all.
For when we trust in Him we really have nothing to fear. He is in control of this crazy life we live. He sees the big picture even when we cannot.
And so, as I leave you today to run off and take care of my little girl, I pray for joy in each of our lives. I pray for peace. And I pray that whatever you and I may face today, we’ll face it without fear, because we know where our ultimate hope lies, not in this world, but in Christ Jesus.
“Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:20 NIV).
“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man” (Psalm 112:4 NIV).
“His heart is secure, he will have no fear” (Psalm 112:8 NIV).
When my daughter was born eleven days ago, my husband and I suddenly entered a brand-new word called parenthood. In that moment we were given the responsibility to rear up a sweet little girl, so that she, too, would one day love and serve the Savior of the world. The responsibility is so immense and overwhelming. I’ve cried more tears since this little girl arrived then I’ve cried in years. Many of them were tears of desperation, of second-guessing, of being unsure if we’d made the right decisions already. Many of them were tears of feeling alone, of forgetting how great my God truly is.
In all of the chaos of bringing a new life into the world, I think my heart got a little misaligned. In feeling the great responsibility as caregiver to this little life, my eyes began to lose their focus. In focusing on my emotions, I forgot to trust in the one who gave life to us all.
For when we trust in Him we really have nothing to fear. He is in control of this crazy life we live. He sees the big picture even when we cannot.
And so, as I leave you today to run off and take care of my little girl, I pray for joy in each of our lives. I pray for peace. And I pray that whatever you and I may face today, we’ll face it without fear, because we know where our ultimate hope lies, not in this world, but in Christ Jesus.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 24: Job 38-40; Matthew 15:21-39
In today’s reading we come across a woman who doesn’t fit into the current ministry of Jesus. At the time, he was ministering primarily to the Jews. When she first speaks to Jesus he doesn’t even answer her. He stays quiet, presumably ignoring her cries. It is only after she continually begs him that he heals her daughter. What a beautiful story of persistence. What a beautiful story of faith.
There have been things in my life that didn’t get cured all at once. I still struggle with certain physical ailments to this day, namely chronic migraines. These migraines follow me on a daily basis. I have to admit that I’ve become half-hearted in my prayers concerning them. A part of me has given up on being healed, which isn’t right.
Of course I should learn to accept this “thorn” God has given me (2 Corinthians 12:7), but at the same time, I should never forget that he is a God of miracles.
I want a faith like this Gentile woman, who kept on asking until God answered her. I want to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV) believing that Jesus will ultimately heal me, if not in this world, than in the next.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder that you are a God of miracles. Please help me to never cease in praying for healing.
There have been things in my life that didn’t get cured all at once. I still struggle with certain physical ailments to this day, namely chronic migraines. These migraines follow me on a daily basis. I have to admit that I’ve become half-hearted in my prayers concerning them. A part of me has given up on being healed, which isn’t right.
Of course I should learn to accept this “thorn” God has given me (2 Corinthians 12:7), but at the same time, I should never forget that he is a God of miracles.
I want a faith like this Gentile woman, who kept on asking until God answered her. I want to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV) believing that Jesus will ultimately heal me, if not in this world, than in the next.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder that you are a God of miracles. Please help me to never cease in praying for healing.
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