Encouragement Post – Coronavirus Distancing Day 5 (Friday)

Encouragement Post #5: Today (Friday) I am lifting my eyes to the One in Whom I have entirely set my hope. Would you join me in calling out to Him? (I know, :) you probably already have been.) He has given us so many great and precious promises, but He also tells us that we do not have because we do not ask or that we ask and do not have because we have asked with wrong motives so that we can spend it on our own pleasures (James 4:2-3). So today, I am coming in humility to say, "Lord, I lift my eyes to you and know that help can only come from You." When the burden seems heavy, the questions are many, the stresses seem greater... I will say with the songwriter Edward Mote, "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand." That is true and real peace.

Psalm 121
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever."

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 4 (Thursday)

Encouragement Post #4: THIS is what we've been training for!! When
times are good, we stay in the Word and gather up all the wisdom, truth,
and hope we can, so that when our worlds are shaken we will be ready.
This is the time when we prove our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

Trouble is a promise with a capital "T" ...straight from the mouth of Jesus. Only today have I realized just how poignant this passage from John 16:29-33 really is, "His disciples said, 'Now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.' Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.'"

HE HAS already won the victory (1 Cor. 15:57, 1 John 5:4). Stand firm; let nothing move you (1 Cor. 15:58). Let the word dwell [live, take up residence] in you (Col. 3:16). Be filled [and be being filled] with His Spirit [the Ultimate Encourager] (Eph. 5:18, Luke 11:13).