“He meditates on the instruction of the Lord day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Psalm 1:2–3
There is an inexhaustible stream of life and strength. Be planted there.
“Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1:3
Memorize this.
Store it.
Bring it out regularly and look at it.
Never again be content with a tiny Christ.
“My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies.” Psalm 31:15
There is no time of day, nor time in the week, nor time in the month, nor time in the year, nor time in your life when you are so vulnerable to the enemy that God cannot save you.
“Praying in faith does not always mean being sure that the very thing we ask will happen. But it does always mean that because of Jesus we trust God to hear us and help us in the way that seems best to him.”
—@JohnPiper
"Return, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God.” Jeremiah 3:12-13
This is for you who despair that a God would ever have you back.
"You shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory." Isaiah 41:16
For all his works. For all his ways. For all his perfections. He himself will be your joy, your glory. Know this now. Feel this now. It begins in this life. Or never.
Scott Hubbard: “Keep reading your Bible, even when you feel dead to God’s word. Keep crying out to God, even when he feels deaf to you. Keep gathering with God’s people, even when you don’t understand what you’re going through.”
"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist." Proverbs 23:4
“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9
"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Rock. Not shifting sand. Rock. Not blown waves. Rock. Not shadeless desert. Rock. Above the foe. Forever.
“However discouraged you may feel, your flagging heart never lies beyond the reach of Christ. No matter how troubled, how unsettled, how fickle, how disoriented, how despondent, Jesus can handle your ailing heart.”
—@DavidCMathis
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” —Revelation 21:3–4
Picture yourself on the gallows, condemned. In the last moment this reprieve arrives.
"God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” 1 Thess. 5:9-10
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” —Psalm 73:25–26
"Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. . . . Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39, 42
We may join her any time, if we can read, and are hungry for the nourishment and sweetness that comes from his mouth.
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22.
What is this “casting“? It is an act of faith which says, “I will do my duty in this difficult situation and trust you, God, with the outcome. I turn from anxious grumbling to glad acceptance of your decree.”
You may not be well-known or well-liked in this world. You may not be special. You may not have a promising future. But if you are in Christ, you are his. And that changes everything. https://t.co/2wgiWg5Hzt
The Lord can put a panic in a great army so that they are defeated by very few. 1 Samuel 14.15. Therefore, never assume that great odds against you are decisive. They are not. God is. Look to him. Do his will. Be valiant.
Even if you can’t sympathize with other people’s pain, you can still help them in their grieving. If you have nothing to say, sit with them in silence. If you don’t have any answers, you do have tears. Do not look away. Listen. Pray. Fast. Weep.