‘Discouragement’

Do Not Lose Heart

Deut 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Neh 6:9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.

Matt 28:20b And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Gal 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

A discouraged heart is weak and apt to give in and give up. The enemy wants to discourage us so we do just that, quit!

Christ is with us and will not leave us. Be encouraged in this today.

Take some time to pray for someone else who is facing insurmountable odds. Pray we will be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and that we will not sin. Include me in that prayer. Pray for one another.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

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Authority

Matthew 9:1 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” 3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say `Your sins are forgiven,’ or `Stand up and walk’? 6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.

Jesus came from God and came with authority. He has authority to forgive sin, to heal all sorts of disease and deformity. He also has authority to speak peace and strength into you to deal with your situation.

Take a few deep breaths and then take your situation to Him.

1Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Perhaps, pray the Lord’s prayer. That helps me focus my heart and mind on God as the center of life instead of allowing myself or my problem take center stage.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

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Strengthen Yourself

1 Samuel 30:1 Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. 3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. 6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God. (NLT)

Other translations say, “David strenghtened himself in the Lord.” He sought encouragement in the one source that does not change.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So today focus on Him and His faithful promises for your strength.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

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