daily-encouragement

God's Provision And Protetion

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:19:22 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 13:

God's Provision And Protection

A missionary was serving as a medic at a small field hospital in Africa.
Periodically he had to travel by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby
city for supplies. It was a two day trip so he had to camp out overnight.
He had made this trip several times without incident. One day however, he
arrived at his destination and saw two men fighting. One was seriously
hurt, so he treated him and witnessed to him and went about his business.

Upon arriving in the city several weeks later, he was approached by the man
he had treated earlier. "I know you carry money and medicine," said the
man to the missionary. "Some friends and I followed you into the jungle
the night you treated me, knowing you would camp overnight. We waited for
you to go to sleep and planned to kill you and take your money and drugs.
Just as we started moving into the campsite, we saw you were surrounded by
26 armed guards. There were only six of us and we knew then we couldn't
possibly get near you, so we left."

Hearing this the missionary laughed and said, "That's impossible. I can
assure you I was alone in the camp site."

The young man pressed his point: "No sir, I was not the only one to see the
guards. My friends also saw them, and we all counted them. We were
frightened. It was because of those guards that we left you alone."

Several months later, the missionary attended a church presentation in
Michigan where he told about his experiences in Africa, including this
incidence of God's protection. One of the congregants jumped to his feet,
interrupting the missionary, and said something that left everyone in the
church stunned.

"We were there with you in spirit," said the man. The missionary looked
perplexed. The man continued. "On that night in Africa, it was morning
here. I stopped at the church to gather some materials for an out-of-town
trip to another parish. But as I put my bags into the trunk, I felt the
Lord leading me to pray for you. The urging was so great I called the men
in the church together to pray for God's protection over you."

Then the man turned around and said, "Will all those men who met with me
in prayer that morning please stand?"

One by one they stood -- all 26 of them!

Author Unknown

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” - Psalm 91:1-4.

Unfolding The Rosebud

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:48:53 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 11:

Unfolding The Rosebud

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher
in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for
him to do; he was inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher
walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told
him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked
in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what
a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF
GOD for his life and for his ministry. Because of his high respect for
the older preacher, he proceeded to Try to unfold the rose, while keeping
every petal in tact... It wasn't long before he realized how impossible it
was to do so. Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the
rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the
following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only God knows, but
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

As we grow in the Lord He, day by day we flourish.

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;” - Psalm 92:12-14.

Tools For Sale

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:03:58 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 09:

Tools For Sale

It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale.
On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection; each
tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of
implements...Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Bitterness, Guilt, Pride, and so on.

Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool, all worn out and priced
very high.

"What is the name of this tool?" asked one of the purchasers, pointing to it.

That is Discouragement", replied the devil.

"Why have you priced it so high?"

"Because it is more useful to me than and of the others. I can pry open and get
inside anyone's heart with that when I cannot get near him with my other
tools. Once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It is badly
worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people know that
it belongs to me."

Discouragement gets the best of us, but it does not have to because we have the
greatest tool to defeat the devil and all his tools of destruction, Jesus Christ. The devil
has no power over you, you have the power to overcome through Jesus Christ.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore
take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:10-13.

Overcoming Sin

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:57:28 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 06:

Overcoming Sin

There are many people in this world that have a problem with sin. They may be good people but
cannot resist the temptation. When we allow temptation to come into our life and follow through with whatever the temptation may be and sin, we are not only sinning against our body and spirit but we are also sinning against God.

We need to remember that in our own strength we cannot overcome sin and the enemy, but we can when we humble ourselves before the Lord and recognize that through the strength of Christ nothing shall be able to overtake us and keep us in the bondage of sin.

The Bible says that people perish for their lack of knowledge, so if they continue in their sin without renewing their mind with the Word of God, sooner or later those people will die in their sin. I want
you to know the truth and not be deceived by the devil to make you think that sin will go unpunished. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

If we want to be victorious over sin and temptation, then we need to crucify our flesh daily, meaning to bring our sinful impulses that come from our physical being into subjection and renewing our mind with the
God's Word, recalling those scriptures that deal with temptation and triumph over sin and the enemy.

There is a person alive that has not been tempted by the enemy, but the difference between the one who follows through with the temptation and the one who has victory, is the fear of the Lord. I don't mean
the kind of fear where God will strike you down for sinning, but the fear of having God disappointed in us for not finding the strength in Him to resist.

We can thank the Lord that even though we fall short and sin, He is more than willing to forgive and receive us unto Himself again washing us from all unrighteousness, once we come to Him and ask forgiveness. I want you to be encouraged and never think you are so bad that God doesn't love you. There is nothing that can separate us from God's love, so don't let people or the devil make you think that you
are beyond redemption or lost your salvation.

Let Jesus be your guide and helper and every time the enemy tries to lure you into sin, stand strong in your faith being determined not to allow the devil to bring any temptation into your life and you will see the Lord deliver you because of your willingness to resist through Him.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:7-10.

A Coincidence

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:04:44 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 05:

A Coincidence?

I was very proud of my daughter Emily. At only 9 years old, she had been carefully saving her allowance money all year and trying to earn extra money by doing small jobs around the neighborhood. Emily was determined to save enough to buy a girl's mountain bike, an item for which she'd been longing for. She'd been faithfully putting her money away since the beginning of the year.

"How are you doing, honey?" I asked soon after Thanksgiving. I knew she had hoped to have all the money she needed by the end of the year. "I have forty-nine dollars, Daddy," she said. "I'm not sure if I'm going to make.""You've worked so hard," I said encouragingly. "Keep it up. But you know that you can have your pick from my bicycle collection" "Thanks Daddy. But your bikes are so old." I smiled to myself because I knew she was right. As a collector of vintage bicycles, all my girls' bikes were 1950's models--not the kind a kid would choose today.

When the Christmas season arrived, Emily and I went comparison shopping and she saw several less expensive bikes for which she thought she'd have to settle. As we left one store, she noticed a Salvation Army volunteer ringing his bell by a big kettle. "Can we give them something Daddy?" She asked. "Sorry, I'm out of change," I replied.

She continued to work hard all through December; it seemed she might make her goal after all. Then suddenly one day, she came downstairs to the kitchen and made an announcement to her mother.

"Mom," she said hesitantly, "You know all the money I've been saving?" "Yes dear," smiled my wife Diane. "God told me to give it to the poor people." Diane knelt down to Emily's level. "That's a very kind thought
sweetheart. But you've been saving all year. Maybe you could give some of it." Emily shook her head vigorously. "God said all."

When we saw how serious she was, we gave her various suggestions about where she could contribute. But Emily had received specific instructions, and so one cold Sunday morning before Christmas, with little fanfare, she handed her total savings of $58 to a surprised and grateful Salvation Army
volunteer.

Moved by Emily's selflessness, I suddenly noticed that a local car dealer was collecting used bicycles to refurbish and give to poor children for Christmas. And I realized that if my nine-year-old daughter could give away all her money, I could certainly give up one bike from my collection.

As I picked up a shiny but old-fashioned kid's bike from the line in the garage, it seemed as if a second bicycle in the line took on a glow. Should I give a second bike? No, certainly this one would be enough. But as I got to my car, I couldn't shake the feeling that I should donate that second bike as well. If Emily could follow Heavenly instructions, I decided I could too. I turned back and loaded the second bike into the trunk, then took off to the dealership.

When I delivered the bikes, the car dealer thanked me and said, "You're making two kids very happy, Mr. Koper. And here are your tickets." "Tickets?" I asked. "Yes. For each bike donated, we're giving away one
chance to win a brand new man's 21-speed mountain bike from a local bike shop. So here are your tickets for two chances."

Why wasn't I surprised when that second ticket won the bike? "I can't believe you won!" Laughed Diane, delighted. "I didn't," I said. "It's pretty clear that Emily did."

And why wasn't I surprised when the bike dealer happily substituted a gorgeous new girls mountain bike for the man's bike advertised?

Coincidence? Maybe. I like to think it was God's way of rewarding a little girl for a sacrifice beyond her years--while giving her dad a lesson in charity and the power of the Lord.

By: Ed Koper

Make Me Like Joe

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 11:07:41 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 04:

Make Me Like Joe

Joe was a drunk who was miraculously converted at a homeless mission. Prior
to his conversion, he had gained the reputation of being a dirty wino for
whom their was no hope, only a miserable existence in the ghetto. But
following his conversion to a new life in Christ, everything changed.

Joe became the most caring person that anyone associated with the mission
had ever known. Joe spent his days and nights hanging out at the mission,
doing whatever needed to be done. There was never anything that he was
asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether it was cleaning up
the vomit left by some violently sick alcoholic or scrubbing toilets after
careless men left the mens room filthy, Joe did what was asked with a
smile on his face and seeming gratitude for the chance to help. He could
be counted on to feed feeble men who wondered off the street and into the
mission, and to tuck into bed men who were too out of it to take care of
themselves.

One evening, when the director of the mission was delivering his evening
evangelistic message to the usual crowd of still and sullen men with drooped
heads, there was one man who looked up, came down the aisle to the
alter and knelt to pray, crying out to God to help him change. The
repentant drunk kept shouting, "Oh God! Make me like Joe! Make me like
Joe! Make me like Joe!"

The director of the mission leaned over and said to the man "Son, I think
it would be better if you prayed, 'Make me like Jesus.'"

The man looked up at the director with a puzzled look on his face and asked,
"Isn't Jesus like Joe?"

What a great testimony it is unto the Lord that people will come to Jesus
because of the great work that Jesus makes in us.

Author Unknown

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work
in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” - Philippians 1:6.

Faith

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:33:57 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 03:

Faith

No matter how tough life may get, let us rejoice in the Lord for His
everlasting love and mercy. We are to thank God in every aspect of life,
even if we have trials that we would rather not have.

I believe praise and thanksgiving in the midst of our troubles is pleasing
to God where He will take pleasure in meeting our every need because
of our steadfast faith in Him.

If you are sick in your body, life up your hands to the Lord and thank Him that
your healing is on the way. If you are in need financially, praise and thank God
right now in advance that He is going to supply all of your needs according to
His riches and glory.

Why should we thank God for something we cannot see? This is showing God
that our faith and complete trust in Him is all we need to have every need met.

Faith is believing that God can do, if we have no faith that God can do everything,
than God is not pleased, we must believe to receive.

As soon as you begin to pray believe God heard your prayer and expect your
answer to be on the way. Jesus says to believe that you are going to receive the
things you've asked for and by your faith; you shall have whatsoever you have asked.

Stand strong on God's Word and believe your answer is coming, don't be impatient
and get angry with God, trust God's timing. Remember, that God will often answer
us in ways we do not expect and when we are ready to handle receiving them.

In the midst of your troubles, praise and thank God that He is on your
side and you already have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- Philippians 4:4-7,13.

Live For Today

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:14:52 +0100

Daily Encouragement For July 02:

Live For Today

Have you ever wished, when a day went wrong
a wish that's quite in vain that it were only possible
to live that day again

You'd start out in the morning with the prayers you should have said
and through the days your actions with tolerance be led

The many little instances that tried your patience, true
if only you could start again you'd know now what to do

You'd kneel and say your evening prayers and thank the lord above
for all the pleasant hours past your heart at peace with love

But since this is a wish in vain and never can be true
there's only one alternative just one thing you can do

To live today in such a way that when tomorrow comes
the memories of yesterday will all be cherished ones.

By Nita Wheeler

We can sit around all day and think of the past and what we should have
done in a certain situation, but instead of wasting precious time the
Lord has given us, it's time to look toward the future with hope and a
dream. It is a waste of time to live in the past for many reasons
but the most important reason is because, you cannot change the past, but you
can change today. As we look forward to our tomorrows God will place a

peace and comfort in our hearts for trusting in Him and not worrying about our
past sins and failures. If God forgave your past then why should you not forgive
you.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:4-7.

The Piano Lesson

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:29:44 +0100

Daily Encouragement For June 29:

The Piano Lesson

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took
the small boy to a Paderewski concert.

After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and
walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the
little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "No
Admittance."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the
mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive
Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the
keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to
the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit, keep playing."

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began
filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other
side of the child and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening
situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was
mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God. He is always by our side turning our little
experiences into much and is constantly whispering in our ears "Don't quit,
keep going." I believe God is always cheering us on to keep going and to never
give up.

Author Unknown

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:
every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
- Philippians 4:11-13.

The Beautiful Design

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:08:20 +0100

Daily Encouragement For June 27:

The Beautiful Design

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would
sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She
informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a
mess from where I was sitting, which was the underside. I watched her work
within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand.

She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you just go about
your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I
will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."

I would ask her why she was using some dark threads along with the light
ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass
and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee."

This I did, only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful picture. I could not
believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy.

Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it does look messy
and jumbled, but you did not see that there was a beautiful pattern forming on
the top, it was a design that I was following. Now that you can see it from my
side you can see the beautiful design on top."

Many times through the years I have looked up to my Heavenly Father and
said, "God, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering
your life." I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled.
The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?" God soon replies,
"My child, you just go about your business of doing My business, and one day
I will bring you to Heaven, put you on My knee and you will see the beautiful
design from My side."

We do not always see the big picture for our lives and so we need to keep
in mind that God is in control and He will use every good and bad thing in
our life to make us stronger and in turn more useful to do His work. Even though
we face problems in life, there is a beautiful pattern performing and one day we
we be able to see the beautiful design on top.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind
of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:16,26-28.