Encouragement for the new year

I've been wanting to say something to you to comfort you or inspire you, but the words just haven't been flowing recently. With this being the last day of 2018, I feel like it's important to leave this very difficult year behind and face the new year with words of encouragement and hope. I'm thinking of you, lifting you up in prayer, and holding you in my heart. I empathize with your pain and suffering and understand the depression and anxiety that results from everything you've been through. I also know that it seems like your suffering is compounded daily by many smaller problems, problems that at any other time would be manageable but are now too overwhelming to deal with. Know that you will get through this, that tomorrow will be a little bit easier, and the following day a little easier still. Once you stare down one problem, the next one will be a little more manageable. You will heal. You'll find a new normal.

The above note is addressed to you, my family, friends, acquaintances:
To you who lost a spouse, a parent, a child, a friend.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 NIV

To you who are facing divorce.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 NIV

To you who no longer have a place to call home.
“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
“O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.” Psalm 10:17

To you who live in poverty, including the working poor, the retired, or the disabled.
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me” Phil 2:12-13
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19

To you who know someone in jail.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

To you who have been abused physically, sexually, verbally, or emotionally.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. Isaiah 42:3-4
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5

To you who cannot speak up for yourself, seek advocacy. Advocates:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

To you who live in a dysfunctional family.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20

To you who suffer from physical or mental pain/disease.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

To anyone and everyone in need of encouragement.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Chronological Reading Plan Week 10

Chronological Reading Plan

Week 10
64. Numbers 23-25
65. Numbers 26-27
66. Numbers 28-30
67. Numbers 31-32
68. Numbers 33-34
69. Numbers 35-36
70. Deuteronomy 1-2

Let your light shine

Let your light shine

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works 

and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Chronological Reading Plan Week 9

I'm running at least 4 days behind on the reading plan. I hope it doesn't mess you up, but you could probably guess that we're continuing through the book of Numbers. Life has gotten very messy for me lately and hopefully, I'll be able to blog about it all soon and everyone will come back to follow along with all of the different things we have going on here. I'm behind in posting the daily bible verses, the chronological Bible reading plan, the "seven degrees of me", and the 7th Hour Prayer Power. The prayer group has been continuing on facebook, but I haven't been able to post to my blog here, because Blogger doesn't have an app that is reliable and I haven't been able to get on my laptop most of the time. Hopefully, my new normal will allow me time to incorporate blogging because I really miss it. Please hang in there with me until I get back on track.
And a belated Merry Christmas to all.

Week 9
57. Numbers 7
58. Numbers 8-10
59. Numbers 11-13
60. Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90
61. Numbers 16-17
62. Numbers 18-20
63. Numbers 21-22

Christmas

Luke 2:1-14 KJV
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Obedience by Faith

If someone says, “I love God,” 

and hates his brother, he is a liar; 

for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, 

how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1 John 4:20 NKJV

Ask seek find

This week we will be praying for ourselves. With our stress-filled, fast-paced lives, it's easy to get caught up on the circumstances without delving into the big picture, like treating the symptoms instead of the disease.

The symptoms may be that my living situation changed, or that I'm too busy or tired to get everything done, or that I'm angry with someone. My prayer might be to remedy the situation or give me more energy, or the ability to forgive this person. None of that was working, and in fact, it seemed to make things worse. Finally, I prayed for what I really needed in this situation: a day of rest and guidance. It's made a world of difference.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; 

seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Our Father is there to help us and He wants us to come to him with our needs. If you remember to share your needs and burdens with Him, it will lighten your load and make you an even brighter light for Christ.