Don’t let life cause worry and stress you out.

Be still and seek God.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

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God loves us so much, that even as sinful people, He died for us. We deserve God’s wrath and punishment for our sins. Instead, God loved us so much that He gave us His son.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Romans 5:8-9 (KJV)

Think about what He did?

Would you be willing to give up your only son who you love with all your heart for someone who causes you grief and pain? That is what God did for us. There is no one else who has this kind of love.

No one is excluded from God’s love.

All we must do is admit that we are a sinner, believe that Jesus never sinned, died and rose again to take away our sin, and ask Him to save us.There are no test we must pass or hoops to jump through.

We are justified and made free from the penalty of death by Jesus’ blood.

The penalty for being a sinner is death and eternal/never-ending life in hell. God has paid our penalty in full and freed us to have eternal/never-ending life with Him in Heaven.

If you have received God’s gift of salvation, you have no reason to keep it quiet. You must share it with the world. Your family, friends, coworkers, and those you come in contact with each day need you to share with them about Jesus.

God’s gift is the best gift we will ever receive. Don’t let fear of rejection or embarrassment hold you back from sharing this amazing gift.

Teach children about God’s love and salvation with this FREE Bible lesson: http://buildingblocks4life.com/god-is-always-with-you-lesson

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Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

The Lord is my shepherd. What is a shepherd? A shepherd leads a flock of sheep to pasture, tends to them, and watches over them at night. Being a shepherd is dangerous and holds great responsibility.

The Lord God is our shepherd. He leads us in the path of life by giving us His word we can read and through prayer. We cannot always see how God is with us, but we are always in His sight. All of our needs are tended to by God. During the day, at night, and in the hard times, God never leaves us.

We are the Lord God’s lambs. As lambs we are vulnerable and susceptible to danger. I was listening to the story “A Peep Behind The Scenes” by Lamplighter Theater. In the story the girl is given a picture of the Lord as a shepherd. He has bruises and blood on Him from rescuing the hurt sheep He is holding in His arms. This picture illustrates the Lord’s love for us.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)

The Lord suffered and died for us. He gave His blood to rescue us. There are times we need God to rescue us and care for us because we live in a sinful world. Dangers and injuries come from our own doings and from Satan. God is there to pick us up and hold us gently in His loving arms. We can find forgiveness and help through our loving shepherd, the Lord.

Do you feel like you caught in the briers and prickers sometimes? The Lord God, our shepherd knows what is best. He gives us plans in His word to help keep us from being caught. God will help us even if we have wandered away and put ourselves in the briers. He comes to us and softly and tenderly removes the briers that are entangling us.

I shall not want. The Lord God has everything we need. If there is something we need, God can provide it for us. This does not mean we will get everything we want. Our basics needs and sometimes our wants are taken care of when we are living for God. Our shepherd gives to us bountifully. We can take our needs and wants to the Lord in prayer and as the good shepherd He will care for us.

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Wait, wait, wait! Waiting is part of life. It can be drudgery or we can make the best of it. Waiting has benefits. When we wait on the Lord, we can see His power. What does the Bible say about waiting? Watch this video to find out.

God waits on us. He is patient and loving. We can mess up, but He is there waiting for us to come and ask forgiveness. He will forgive and forget.

“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.”

Daniel 9:9 (KJV)

When we are in pain or are discouraged, God is waiting with arms open wide to hold and comfort us.

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Wait on the Lord and see His power!

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The Scriptures are an important tool in growing a relationship with God. We learn, gain endurance, get encouragement and hope from the Bible. A Bible sitting on a shelf cannot help us. We must dig in and study it.

I received a Busy Mom’s Bible published by Zondervan Bibles I really like and thought it would be helpful to someone else. It helps you to dig into God’s word.The devotions, study helps, and reflect and praysections that come with this Bible are useful for men, women, teenagers, and children. This Bible is good way to teach children how to study the Bible. It is also made perfectly to take on the go or carry in your purse. Watch this video I made to see the Bible for yourself.

Dig into your Bible, study the Scriptures, and grow in God today!

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God uses word pictures to teach us important principles. This year we had more snow than usual. I began looking up verses in God’s word that talk about snow. In this video, I share with you what God shares with us about snow and our lives.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV)

“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.

As the rain and the SNOW
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is My word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return to Me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Find unique ways to encourage others in my book and audio set “Paper Towel Encouragements”. You can find it at http://www.lois-graham.com/PTencouraging.html. Get on a roll, encourage others, and help soak up hurts!

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We have many things that we can praise God for. All that we have is from God. He is the giver of everything. Even during troubles, trails, and discouragements there is always something that we can praise God for.

In life there are many obstacles that can easily discourage us. We can look to God for help and give him praise for what we have. Giving praise to God will help us to focus on what is good rather than what is trying to discourage us.

God wants us to praise him continually. Have a spirit of thanksgiving. Let this verse be a guide to you.

Psalms 34:1 says “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (KJV)

How can you praise God?

Through Song

Praise can be made by singing,  playing, or listening to music that uplifts the name of the Lord and turns your focus to the attributes and greatness of God.

James 5:13 “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” (KJV)

Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” (KJV)

Reading Psalms

The book of Psalms in the Bible is an excellent way to read writings of praise. As you read let your heart rejoice. Pick a verse of praise and blessing to share with someone today.

Psalm 34:3 “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (KJV)

By Praying

Pray for others. Thank God for the ways he has helped and provided for you. Ask God for opportunities and ways to help and uplift others. The apostle Paul was an encourager and knew the value of prayer and praise. He wrote Ephesians 1:16 to the saints at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:16 “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (KJV)

Encourage Others

Share verses of blessing or words of how God has blessed with others. Encourage them to look at the blessings God has so richly given.

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.” (KJV)

Isaiah 63:7 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” (KJV)

Listen to:

Ways To Praise God

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=296082&cmd=apop

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I woke up this morning with the song “The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength” in my head.

The joy of the Lord is my strength,

The joy of the Lord is my strength,

The joy of the Lord is my strength,

O, the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Having this song in my head was a wonderful way to stay positive during the day. It gives you a reason to smile. We are not alone on our journey through life. The Lord is an all powerful help in time of need.

This song comes from Nehemiah 8:10 “For the Joy of the Lord is your strength”.

Be excited and find joy in what the Lord has done and will do for you. He is the giver of all things. We can go to him and be strengthened. Cast your cares and disappointments on him.

Smile! God loves you! Find strength in the joy of the Lord today.

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2 Chronicles 14:11 NKJV

This is what Asa King of Judah cried out to the Lord as he faced an army of a million men. He was outnumbered and at a disadvantage. He knew that he needed to get strength and power from the Lord. The Lord heard his cry for help and gave him victory. Not only did Judah have victory but the Lord blessed them with “exceedingly much spoil”.

What are you facing today? The Lord is there for you. Call out to the Lord and ask for help. Then rest in his power. You may not be facing a million men but your problem or need is important to the Lord.  Proverbs 20:22 says “Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

Take your problems, request, and needs to the Lord today. Pour out your heart and rest in his strength.

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