Promises for Troublesome Times

“Often the brightest rainbow follows the darkest storm.”

—Unknown

I hope your Tuesday is not troublesome, but if it is, then remember some words of promise for those following the Lord.

O Lord, I have come to you for protection;

don’t let me be disgraced.

Save me, for you do what is right.

Turn your ear to listen to me;

rescue me quickly.

Be my rock of protection,

a fortress where I will be safe.

You are my rock and my fortress.

For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.

Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me,

for I find protection in you alone.

I entrust my spirit into your hand.

Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

—Psalm 31:1-5

Hello Monday!

Hello, Monday! We are blessed with another day and a start to new opportunities.

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and 
the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

—2 Thessalonians 3:5

The full understanding and expression of love come as we study the life of Jesus, AND he also provides the strength to live it out with patience and perseverance.  Lord, help me to keep moving and in the right direction.

Worship

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.

—Hebrews 12:28,29

Rest

The weekend is looming, and perhaps rest is coming. True rest is found in Jesus. Hear his invitation:

 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

—Mark 6:31

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

—Matthew 11:28

Don’t forget to the worship with others on Sunday–the Lord’s Day. It is a key part of finding rest for your soul.

Honest Walk

Here’s an honest expression of how most of us feel at some point or another.  His faith, in the end, sustains him. It’s about trust when you can’t see with your eyes how/where the journey ends. By faith you trust it will end well because God is good. This allows you to sing in the uncertainty.

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,

with sorrow in my heart every day?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

I will sing to the Lord

because he is good to me.

—Psalm 13

Citizens of Heaven

It’s election day here in Indiana. It’s a good day for me to remember my citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20) and my priority is God’s Kingdom. I also love this country and want to be a good citizen. I found this prayer helpful for today:

Lord, whether limited to issues in a small town or of national concern, the votes cast today. . .will make a difference for the future.
Please bestow your peace upon all who will be voting today. Let your Spirit  imbue these men and women with wisdom in doing what is right.
Please bring patience and strength to all who will be working long hours at the polling places, and let them only be greeted by kindness and calm.
And let your love be upon this country that you have so abundantly blessed, that we may use the bounty you have given for doing good in all things.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

— beliefnet.com

Satisfaction

Life is a journey, and the wise pay attention and figure out things as they go. One of the things to figure out is you will never figure it all out. It’s humbling but also liberating. It puts you in a position to trust God and find peace and joy.

Lord, my heart is not proud;

my eyes are not haughty.

I don’t concern myself with matters too great

or too awesome for me to grasp.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,

like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.

Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—

now and always.

—Psalm 131