Archive for discouraged
DO NOT GIVE UP!
Posted by: | Comments“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)
Marriages are the school God uses to teach us how to love no matter what. There’s no better environment for God to use than your relationship with your husband. When you go through seasons of pain and incompatibility, DON’T GIVE UP!
Remember God only gives you circumstances He knows you can handle. You may not think so, but He does and that is all that matters. Do not depend on what you feel today, what you see today, or what you know today…today is temporary. Keep your eyes on God; He can see tomorrow.
Read “Hope for real relationships when disappointed” by Pastor Tom at Saddleback Church!
God Works in Our Marriages Even if We Have Doubts!
Posted by: | Comments“The father instantly replied, ‘I do believe, but help me not to doubt!’” Mark 9:24
We can be honest with God when we have doubts. He knows we have them. The father in this story is replying to Jesus’ 
statement in verse 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Jesus went ahead and healed the man’s son even though he admitted to having doubts.
Everyday I weigh the statements and comments my husband makes and then with my own understanding make judgments whether or not He is moving toward Christ or away from him. This is a trap because Satan also put thoughts into my head and they are always negative. So when I constantly analyze my husband’s spiritual condition on a daily basis I find myself constantly feeling doubtful.
Thankfully, I am able to use my daily quiet time to refocus and refill with God’s promises and this verse in Mark chapter 9 gives me hope that even if I have doubts He will still work His miracles. Memorizing scripture has also been an enormous help when those doubtful thoughts come into my head throughout the day!
-Kristy
God Loves You Inspite of Your Big Mistakes!
Posted by: | Comments“After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.” Exodus 2:12 (NLT)
Doubting that God can use you to make a difference in this world? Feel like you won’t amount to anything? Plagued with guilt from past choices? This verse should wipe out any of those nagging doubts. God knew Moses’ past and still chose to use him to perform amazing miracles in Egypt eventually persuading Pharaoh to set the Israelites free.
Maybe you’re in a heap of trouble because you’ve just done a really dumb thing like buy that car you can’t afford or yelled at your kids for no reason, or used the Visa card one too many times and now you’re drowning in debt. My point here is that even if you are the cause of the trouble you’re in, God can still use you in great ways, too!
Will you decide to let God use your mistakes to make miracles today? If you’re thinking well Moses was probably a confident guy. Nope, wrong again. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush calling him to be the one to lead the people out of Egypt; Moses protested over and over fearing the people wouldn’t believe him and complained he wasn’t good with words.
God already knows your big mistakes, your fears, and your doubts and He still loves you and has a plan and purpose for your future. Hope this encourages you today!
God Is With You Right Now
Posted by: | Comments
If you feel alone or discouraged; I have good news for you today. God is with you right now wherever you are. He can hear you. He can see what you’re going through. He wants to help you!
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover–the place of atonement–is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.’ ”
Leviticus 16:2 (NLT)
Sometimes we forget that God is with us. If God was that close then– just on the other side of a couple of curtains; think for a minute where He is now! Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are able to have the Holy Spirit living in us today! STOP…think about this. Do you understand what I am talking about? I think this is great news!
He’s hearing your prayers, He’s seeing your tears. He cares about your busy schedule today. He desires to let you know…HE…knows your every thought…yes, everything. He wants you to trust He can help you no matter what the challenge or frustration you might be facing today.
“For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.”
Psalm 9:12 (NLT)
Our Thoughts Determine Our Outlook
Posted by: | Comments“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” John 7:37-39 (NLT)
Want to have a better outlook today? Think about this: If we believe in Jesus and have asked Him into our heart; we 
have his holy spirit living inside of us. Think about that. Are you discouraged right now? Are you worried about something? Are you uncertain and concerned about tomorrow? Are you depressed? Are you angry with someone? Chances are that you feel this way because of what you are thinking about. Our thoughts determine our feelings. Our feelings determine our outlook on a circumstance. Ultimately, our outlook on a circumstance determines our reaction to that circumstance.
I often discount positive thoughts because my circumstance seems so dismal and hopeless. We see death, destruction, doom all around and Jesus is telling us to hold on; he sees a miracle just around the corner. We immediately discount his encouragement because we can’t see beyond today.
How do you know what Jesus would say to you about your circumstance? Do these three things every day:
1. Read his word (Good place to start: Book of Matthew –first book of the New Testament)
2. Talk to him about everything you’re facing that day
3. Be quiet and listen
Next time discouraging thoughts flood your mind; stop, ask yourself: “Would Jesus be saying this to me?” If you read his word every day and talk to him every day; you will begin to discern real quick which thoughts are from Jesus and which ones are not.
-Kristy