[NOTE: I had written this TGIF message before I read Tina’s Wednesday message. It is amazing how God led us both down a very similar track in our messages this week. Maybe this is because God feels we all need a double dose of this particular message from Him this week!!]
TGIF
I read this daily devotional on June 30 in Jesus Always and it has stuck with me since then, I was just waiting for the right time to share it. Then, I read a second devotional in Jesus Always just the other day on July 12, and I thought the pair of messages together sent a great message to us.
On June 30th, I read: Trust Me and don’t be afraid. Do not be frightened by world events or news reports. These reports are biased – presented as if I do not exist. News clips show tiny bits of world events from which the most important factor has been carefully removed: My Presence in the world. As journalists sift through massive amounts of information, they strain out everything about Me and what I’m accomplishing on the earth.
1 Samuel 30:6 – Also, David was in great distress because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David felt strengthened in the Lord his God.
Even David, one of the great figures in the Bible, felt weak and defeated in his situation in the world at times. Yet David knew that he could always turn to God and find his strength in Him. We, like David, need to turn to Him and trust in Him and in His Word!
Sarah Young continued: Ponder My awesome Glory and Power; delight in My unfailing Love. Rejoice that you are on an adventurous journey with Me and your ultimate destination is heaven. As you keep focusing on Me and enjoying the rich relationship I offer you, fear will subside and Joy will rise up within you.
Exodus 33:14 – And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”
We need to know that He is always there with us and for us, and that we can only find our true peace and rest in Him!
Then on July 12, Sarah’s message took a different approach. She shared: I want you to draw water from the springs of salvation with Joy. These wells are unfathomably deep, and they are filled to the brim with My blessings. The worth of your salvation is inestimable, far greater than all of earth’s fortunes – past, present, and future. When your life in this world ends, you will live with Me forever in a perfect environment filled with dazzling glory.
2 Corinthians 8:9 – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
We need to turn off our TV more often and open our Bibles! We need to get out of our living rooms feeling sorry for ourselves and the pain that we are feeling from the actions of others that negatively impact our lives. We need to realize there are many people out there who are worse off than we are. We need to go visit folks in a nursing home or go to visit a friend that needs encouragement. We need to volunteer somewhere where we can be a blessing to others in need. We need to share the Good News of our risen Lord with others that we meet, both believers and especially non-believers. We need to shine our light for others living in darkness so that they may come into the light as well!
Matthew 5:16 – Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Sarah continued on July 12: The assurance of forevermore-pleasures awaiting you in heaven can help you endure your struggles in this world. I understand the difficulties you’re facing, but remember: I am your Strength and Song. I am strong enough to carry you when you feel as if you can go no further. I even enable you to sing with me – on good days and on bad days. I, your Song, can fill you with Joy!
Isaiah 12:2-3 – Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” 3 Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.
Stay fixated on our God and Creator always! He will provide for us regardless of how our day or week or month is going!
Matthew 28:20 – … behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.