Several times this week, friends have come to me and asked me to pray for them. Each of them weathering a "storm" in their life, a storm that has them reaching out and asking for prayers. I myself have weathered my own storms in my life this week. Nothing serious...just normal everyday, dealing with 3 little boys type of storms. Even so....a storm is a storm. No matter how big nor how small.
I did a little research...quickly...as my friends were needing prayers and words of wisdom....to find the PERFECT scriptures to share with them to offer them encouragement and support. I have never been on good at knowing exactly where to turn in the Bible for needed scriptures. But Hey...I am learning!
Today, I decided to share my words along with the scriptures I found. I felt led to do so, afterall...we all have storms in our lives at various moments. We could always use encouragement and scripture. If nothing else, as a reminder for how AWESOME our GOD is...how UNCONDITIONALLY HE LOVES US! HE is always there! I don't know about you, but that truly fills me with JOY!
TO MY FRIENDS or anyone else who may come across this and need encouragement:
FIRST AND FOREMOST: GOD LOVES YOU!!! HE MADE YOU AND KNOWS YOU INSIDE AND OUT. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE HE CREATED YOU! THEREFORE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF POTENTIAL!
Psalm 139
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand —
when I awake, I am still with you.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand —
when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Philippians 4
New International Version (NIV)
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
We all face times in our lives when we feel inadequate and that the world would be better off without us. However, you MUST remember that you were created by God. He loved you enough to create you in HIS image and works daily to conform you to his likeness through the Holy Spirit. Genesis 1:26-27 reads:
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God did not make ANY mistakes! He is all knowing, all powerful and He rules over all creation. Read Psalm 139 and remember that God made you fearfully and wonderfully. Also, read Philippians 4 and meditate on the things in verse 8. In verses 11-13, Paul states that he knows how to respond in every situation because Christ strengthens him. Paul also reminds us in Philippians 4:19 that the Lord will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
BE ENCOURAGED!!! You are a child of God and He LOVES you. He HAS A PLAN and PURPOSE for your life that he planned even before you EVER existed (Psalm 139:16).
in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God did not make ANY mistakes! He is all knowing, all powerful and He rules over all creation. Read Psalm 139 and remember that God made you fearfully and wonderfully. Also, read Philippians 4 and meditate on the things in verse 8. In verses 11-13, Paul states that he knows how to respond in every situation because Christ strengthens him. Paul also reminds us in Philippians 4:19 that the Lord will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
BE ENCOURAGED!!! You are a child of God and He LOVES you. He HAS A PLAN and PURPOSE for your life that he planned even before you EVER existed (Psalm 139:16).
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus"
(2 Timothy 2:1).
(2 Timothy 2:1).
Even through the hard times and times you think GOD has forsaken you, He has a plan, even though at times you may not see it for years...it's just HIS way. One of the best things I can tell you is to NEVER give up....To NEVER let go of GOD...pray and pray and pray....worship him and give him your worries and fears and burdens. I can promise you that HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!!! I have learned that the hard way and I can promise you that what I say is true. I am living proof!!
I LOVE Jesus. I KNOW that He is the ONLY WAY to a happy and a fulfilling life. Through him you were given life and through him you can fully experience life. It's a love and joy like no other.
Isaiah 43:2 says that "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."
God is not missing in action when our lives get stormy. God is HERE! Encouraging us. Helping us. Orchestrating every situation and circumstance in accordance with the purpose of His will.
The good news is that in the middle of our own personal storm, God gives us a word of hope! A message of encouragement!
In ACTS 27:22-25 Paul says to the people:
"Keep up your courage, because last night, I got a message from God! An angel appeared to me and said, "Do not be afraid. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you. So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."
Isaiah 41:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Paul had a word from God to help him through the storm. And so do we.
God uses the storms in our lives to get our attention. To make us more receptive to His word. Although sometimes there is nothing we areselves can do, there’s something that God can do.
God cares about our stormy circumstances!!!
And not only does God give us a message of hope for the storm. And a ministry for the storm. But He also gives us a purpose for the storm. GOD always has a REASON! He doesn't MAKE the bad things in our lives happen, the storms per say, but he USES THEM to MAKE THINGS RIGHT in our lives!!! It's not always easy to remember that. We want to ask GOD why He did it or why He allowed it to happen...it's human nature. It's just important to remember that HE LOVES US and our happiness is EVERYTHING to him....so he will use the BAD things to MAKE GOOD things. Our GOD is merciful and LOVING and he wants us to be HAPPY and COMPLETE. With HIM as our #1..we CAN! 2 Timothy 4:18 says that "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack bring my safely to His heavenly kingdom." My message to you is that you can trust God when your life gets stormy. You can trust God when things go unexpectedly wrong. And you can trust God even when things seem hopeless. I pray that you would be receptive to His love for you and to His plan for your life. I pray that you will trust where he lead you to go for he would NEVER lead you astray! I also pray that you would allow Him to still the storms in your life. I will be praying for you and I am here for you!!!!!!! Be strong and be faithful!!!!
God cares about our stormy circumstances!!!
And not only does God give us a message of hope for the storm. And a ministry for the storm. But He also gives us a purpose for the storm. GOD always has a REASON! He doesn't MAKE the bad things in our lives happen, the storms per say, but he USES THEM to MAKE THINGS RIGHT in our lives!!! It's not always easy to remember that. We want to ask GOD why He did it or why He allowed it to happen...it's human nature. It's just important to remember that HE LOVES US and our happiness is EVERYTHING to him....so he will use the BAD things to MAKE GOOD things. Our GOD is merciful and LOVING and he wants us to be HAPPY and COMPLETE. With HIM as our #1..we CAN! 2 Timothy 4:18 says that "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack bring my safely to His heavenly kingdom." My message to you is that you can trust God when your life gets stormy. You can trust God when things go unexpectedly wrong. And you can trust God even when things seem hopeless. I pray that you would be receptive to His love for you and to His plan for your life. I pray that you will trust where he lead you to go for he would NEVER lead you astray! I also pray that you would allow Him to still the storms in your life. I will be praying for you and I am here for you!!!!!!! Be strong and be faithful!!!!
