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Daily Dose of Encouragement

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17 NIV

Thurs.-2-300x221Oh what joy the holiday season brings. First Thanksgiving and then Christmas. It is time for reflection. It is a time to consider the things in life that are most important to us. Those things may be family, good health, prosperity. How about love, joy, and peace?

Today, as every day, I give much thanks to our Lord for the life He has given me. My life, like yours, has not been a perfect dream. Some parts of my life have been quite difficult. But, to know Christ is to know that no matter how hard life is He is with us and He loves us. He walks with us through every step of the journey. His love for us is abundantly more than we can ever deserve.

My prayer today is that you and I, even when life is difficult, can find love, joy, and peace in our hearts. I pray we can see the blessings brought by family, good health, and food on the table. These and “every good thing” are gifts from God.  Let’s thank Him for it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

j

Stop this Crazy Thing!

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“Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, …”

Matthew 24:4, NLT

State_Fair_RideMy daughter wanted me to go on a ride with her at the state fair. “I don’t know about that, girlie”, I said. “Those kinds of rides make Mommy’s head feel weird, maybe you should ask daddy”. “Come on Mommy, pleeeeease, just go once and I won’t ask you anymore!”

Hubby chimes in, “You can do it. Go on the ride with her. How bad can it be?” But it wasn’t any ol’ ride; it was a twisting, spinning, and ridiculously fast ride—just the kind my body doesn’t handle well anymore. (Did daughter know that going in, hmm?)  I rationalized the thing. “Maybe this time will be different and I won’t feel lightheaded and nauseous when it’s over. I’m doing it for my girl. I want her to have a good time today so, I’m going to bite the bullet and do it for her!”

It was a standup ride that required you to be buckled with your back to the wall so you’re facing the middle; much like a salad once you’ve spun it and it’s all sticking to the inside wall of the bowl. There was only one other parent on the thing and that should have been my hint to cut and run! I pulled my belt extra tight, just in case. The ride began to spin and I glanced left ever so briefly to look at my daughter’s happy little face, full of joy and anticipation. My hands were so tight around the handlebars that you’d think they were super glued on! The ride spun and twisted and bumped my sore knees up and down, faster, and faster, until I thought I would never make it through that thing! As I faced those wildly happy, screaming, kiddos, and hubby’s slightly sinister, laughing face, on each revolution, I tried to keep a neutral expression to belie my true feelings about the ride. But, I knew they sensed my pitiful fear! I prayed, “Stop this crazy thing, Lord, pleeeease!” When it finally stopped, I couldn’t wait to get out. “Never again!”

Many times we allow ourselves to be led into situations that last too long and get worse before getting better. Jesus warns us not to be misled. He gives us Holy Spirit power to resist temptation and prevent situations where we find ourselves crying, “Stop this crazy thing, I want to get off!”

By grace through faith,

Rita

Jehovah-Jireh

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“And Abraham called the name of that place, The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.’”

Genesis 22:14, NASB

3407962551_66748ef3de_b-750x567Tossing and turning, I fretted about a financial situation. Sleep eluded me in the wee morning hours as tears wet my cheeks. I wrestled to rest…

God will provide.

Suddenly, quietly, this thought eased into my mind and heart. I’ve no doubt it was the Holy Spirit, gently comforting me with this timeless truth.

Jehovah-Jireh.

How long have I understood this aspect of our marvelous God? Years upon years! Yet I still need reminding every so often because I’m, well, I’m human. Life ratchets up, pressures mount, and despite the faith God has planted in me, sometimes I wonder. I worry. I weep.

All the while, God holds me in His tender hands. He knows everything and wisely cares for me–He provides for every need. My elevated concerns and attempts to control matters don’t prompt Him to action. Rather, God provides for me…

because that is who He is.

God’s provision doesn’t depend on our goodness, our adequacy, our labors, our anything. God provides for His children because that’s His nature. Of course, we need to fulfill our responsibilities and work accordingly, but God doesn’t base all of His actions on ours. Sometimes He tests us, which stretches and grows our faith, yet even our level of trust doesn’t dictate His response.

Abraham used Jehovah-Jireh in reference to the Lord’s provision of a ram. You see, Almighty God had commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. So Abraham obediently proceeded to Mount Moriah with Isaac, bound him, and laid him on the altar. Yet through it all he trusted God to provide another sacrifice, and when he held the knife in his hand, an angel stopped him … at the last minute. Abraham released Isaac as his trust in God’s provision became reality.

Dear friend, what need interrupts your sleep or troubles your spirit? God longs for you to trust Him anew, recognizing Him as Jehovah-Jireh. Just as He reminded me of this truth, He’s speaking to you…

Trust Him. He’s got it. The LORD WILL provide.

photo credit: Fulton Ram via photopin (license)