You are always loved!-Encouraging Messages

[Judy Harder]

May 15

Victim - or victor?
For reading & meditation: Ephesians 1:11-23
"' the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might '" (vv.19-20, RSV)

Permit me to ask you: What will the obstacles and opposition you meet do to you today? Will they make you bitter, or will they make you better? The last word is not with them, but with you. If your own concerns and interests are well and truly "dead", and you are committed to pursuing God's purposes, then the issue is not so much what your circumstances will do to you, but what you will do to your circumstances. The Christian who understands this has the power to say to life - do your worst, I have the resources to take every negative and turn it into a positive. Nothing successfully opposes the believer whose life is hidden with Christ in God. Jesus once faced great opposition in His ministry: "They were filled with madness, and began to discuss with one another what they should do to Jesus" (Luke 6:11, Weymouth). Here was opposition in its most terrifying form. What did Jesus do? Listen again to the Weymouth translation: "About that time He went out ' into the hill country to pray" (v.12). Prayer, that powerful means of communicating with God and controlling, not so much the situation as the outcome of the situation, made Jesus, not a victim, but a victor. One of the major purposes of God seems to be that of producing character in His children. Not their ease, not their happiness - except as a by-product - but their character. And how is character produced? One way it is produced is through overcoming difficulties. So don't groan at the obstacles and opposition that face you today - grow in them. They help to sharpen your character - and your wits!
Prayer:

O God, forgive me that so often I cry to You for tasks equal to my powers. Help me to pray instead for power equal to my tasks. I ask this, not for my sake, but for Yours. Amen.
For further study:

Romans 8:28-37; Revelation 1:5-6
1. What are we through Christ?
2. What should we be doing in life?

[Judy Harder]

What Your Heart Needs to Hear Now
     

Please add mailing@dayspring.com to your address book.  View this email as a web page.  I thought you all might like the email address for this message. I use DaySpring a lot for inspiration. I hope the next week or two will find you here in God's word. I am leaving in the morning and won't be posting till I get back. God willing, I WILL BE BACK! God's blessing to you. You are loved..........I love you....what is best is that God loves you more. Hugs! Judy
 
This Is The Day...
This is the day...
that you get to begin a new week.
This is the day...
that you're loved just as you are.
{1 John 4:18}
This is the day...
you have everything you need.
{2 Peter 1:3}
This is the day...
that victory is yours.
{Romans 8:37}
This is the day...
that God has made.
{Psalm 118:24}
There's never been one like it before and there will never be again. You're in this moment, time, place for a purpose and you've got what it takes to fulfill it.
So to say it like we do in the South...
Go get 'em, friend!

by Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer

For more hope and encouragement, visit Heart to Heart with Holley. And to receive free devotionals for women from Holley, subscribe by e-mail.

 
What the Cross Really Says to Us
Am I loved?
Am I wanted?
Am I worthwhile?
And the cross answers back...
You are loved, really.
{Psalm 103:11}
You're valuable, truly.
{Matthew 10:31}
You're chosen, always.
{1 Peter 2:9}
The cross is the final answer on who we really are...
the exclamation mark at the end of God's declaration of love!

by Holley Gerth, DaySpring Writer

For more hope and encouragement, visit Heart to Heart with Holley. And to receive free devotionals for women from Holley, subscribe by e-mail.

[Judy Harder]

     

Roy Lessin
   

See Jesus

16 May 2011

Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21 KJV

The right focus of our faith will bring Jesus into clear view. To focus on Jesus means to be taken up with Him, to put Him at the center, to listen to what He says, and to see life from His perspective. Faith looks in the wrong direction when it focuses on us, on our problems, on others, on the world, or on the enemy.

We need to turn the eyes of our faith away from everything, anything, or anyone that distracts us from seeing Jesus. As we see Jesus, our faith will not be focused on our sins, but on the Savior; not on our failures, but on the Victor; not on our hurts, but on the Healer; not on our weaknesses, but on the Almighty One; not on our ages, but on the Lord of the Ages; not on our needs, but on the Provider; not on our anxieties, but on the Prince of Peace; not on our circumstances, but on the Shepherd; not on our problems, but on the All Sufficient One who is with you always.

My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
While lfe's dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide.
-Ray Palmer

[Judy Harder]

 

Did you know that when you carry "the Bible", Satan has a headache, when you open it, he collapses, when he sees you reading it, he loses his strength, AND when you stand on the Word of God, Satan can't hurt you!

[Judy Harder]

Pray this...


Prayer to see Jesus

Jesus, I want to see You, for no other face can show me the Father, and no other light can reveal His image. I want to know what it fully means to have the eyes of my heart opened to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to be in awe of Your glory. Reveal to me the grace upon Your countenance, the joy within Your spirit, and the love that moves Your heart toward mine.

Lord, I seek to move closer, to see clearer, and to be drawn nearer to You—where there are gaps in my understanding of who You are, close them; where there are blanks, fill them in; where there is a lack of clarity, bring things into sharper focus.

Jesus, I know that in You there is no lack, for I am complete in You; there is no emptiness, for I am made full in You; there is no fragmentation, for I am made whole in You. Thank You for being the image of God that I can see, the provision of God I can receive, and the light of God that I can follow.

May You find in me a faith that is growing, a trust that is building, and a love that is deepening day by day. Jesus, I wait upon You, come to me; I listen for You, speak to me; I look to You, show me; I lean on You, keep me. I thank You for being the hope of my heart, the joy of my life, and the reason why I live.

Scriptures: Revelation 4:11, John 1:3, Ephesians 1, Colossians 2:9-10, Hebrews 1, 12:2, Philippians 3:8-13

[Judy Harder]

Seeing Jesus


Great Quotes:

In his book We Would See Jesus, Roy Hession reminds us, "We do not need to itemize the Christian life; it is enough to see Jesus. Each aspect of Christian experience is made real in us just by seeing Him. He is both the Blessing we all seek and the easily accessible Way to that blessing. The Lord Jesus has come to take from us every yoke of bondage and to set us free to serve Him in the freshness and spontaneity of the Spirit, and all that by the simple sight of Him which the Holy Spirit gives to the eye of faith. It is enough to see Jesus and to go on seeing Him."

God's Hands


Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God...Psalm 123:2 NKJV

Today is in God's hands and so are you.

His hands are strong and will uphold you;
His hands are great and will enfold you;
His hands are gentle and will embrace you;
His hands are protective and will cover you;
His hands are reassuring and will quiet you;
His hands are powerful and will defend you;
His hands are parental and will train you;
His hands are masterful and will conform you;
His hands are compassionate and will care for you;
His hands are healing and will renew you;
His hands are calming and will comfort you;
His hands are giving and will bless you.

The hands that hold you will never let you down.

[Judy Harder]

God's Hands, Part 2


God's hands are creative

Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 AMP

God's hands are redemptive

Behold, The Lord's hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save. Isaiah 59:1 AMP

God's hands are active

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. Exodus 15:6 AMP

God's hands are supportive

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up. Psalm 18:35 AMP

God's hands are directive

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 AMP

God's hands are curative

And [Jesus] reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed! And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13 AMP

God's hands are positive

As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness (rightness and justice). Psalm 48:10 AMP

God's hands are effective

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! Psalm 118:15-16 AMP

God's hands are affirmative

Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10 AMP

God's hands are attentive

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! Isaiah 41:13 AMP

God's hands are sensitive

Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you. Isaiah 46:4 AMP

God's hands are protective

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28 AMP

God's hands are receptive

And He took them [the children up one by one] in His arms and [ fervently invoked a] blessing, placing His hands upon them. Mark 10:16 AMP

[Judy Harder]

 

Let God Choose
As for God, His way is perfect! Psalm 18:30

Let God choose for you, it will be the right decision.
Let God guide you, it will be the right direction.
Let God plan for you, it will be in the right timing.
Let God measure for you, it will be the right portion.
Let God help you, it will be the right care.
Let God instruct you, it will be the right teaching.
Let God prepare you, it will be the right training.
Let God counsel you, it will be the right perspective.
Let God fight for you, it will be the right outcome.
Let God work in you, it will be the right result.

-Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder and writer

Read more encouraging devotions from Roy on his blog, Meet Me in the Meadow.
LIKE Roy's page to receive his devotions on Facebook.

 
 

A Birthday Blessing
The Lord bless you...
May He bless you with everything that is good and wonderful, with daily strength and everlasting joys

and keep you...
May He keep you safe and protect you in your goings and comings, and may you be kept for every special thing He desires to bring into your life

The Lord make His face shine upon you...
May He always smile upon you, and may His presence be your daily reward

and be gracious to you....
May you be blessed with the beauty of His grace, and may His favor be over you and upon you

the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace...

may His peace fill your life and guard your heart, and may His love keep you in all your ways. Numbers 6:24-26

[Judy Harder]

     

Roy Lessin
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worry, only if...(part 1)
Pray this...
Patience
Fret buster #93
God's Hands, Part 3
God's Hands, Part 2
God's Hands
Seeing Jesus
Pray this...
See Jesus
Worry, only if...(part 1)

Posted: 06 Jun 2011 07:54 AM PDT

God had power, but wasn't Almighty...but He is! Exodus 6:3

God was Almighty, but wasn't good...but He is! Psalm 34:8

God had knowledge, but wasn't wise...but He is! 1 Timothy 1:17

God was just, but wasn't merciful...but He is! Psalm 103:8

God noticed, but didn't care...but He does! 1 Peter 5:7

God was present, but didn't remain...but He does! John14:16

So be at peace!

Pray this...

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 04:14 AM PDT

Prayer for patience.

Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to me. Thank You that the Holy Spirit is the source and the river of Your life being lived in me. Thank You that I can fully and confidently trust in the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, for the Holy Spirit's nature is exactly the same as Yours.

Holy Spirit, I yield to Your control. According to the Word of God that You have inspired, I acknowledge that the impatient demands of my flesh have been crucified with Christ and shall not have dominion over me. I take the control of my life out of my own hands and place it into Yours.

Spirit of God, I receive, by faith, the fruit of Your patience. I turn away from the attitude that insists things must work out according to my timetable, my plans, and my expectations. Bring me into agreement with the ways You work and Your perfect timing in my life. Produce in me a quiet heart and fill me with the fruit of joyfulness as I learn to wait upon the Lord. Work in me, Your beautiful work of righteousness.

Scriptures: John 14:16-17, John 7:38-39, Galatians 5:22,2; Colossians 1:11,3:1-3, James 5:7-8, Psalm 37:7, Romans 8:25, Romans 15:4.

Patience

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 07:28 AM PDT

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Colossians 1:11 KJV

Patience and contentment are very closely related. While contentment frees us from murmuring and complaining, patience frees us from fretting and striving. A contented heart will bring forth thankfulness, and a patient heart will bring forth calmness. You will have a quiet heart when contentment and patience are abiding within.

Patience is the result of a life that is submitted to God's will. We become impatient when we replace God's timetable with our own. It has been said, "With God, timing is more important than time." God doesn't need to hurry up or catch up, because His timing is always perfect. When we become impatient we want to change our circumstances and make things fit into our own schedule. This can quickly open the door to anger and frustration if things don't work out the way we want them to.

Impatience is a fruit of the flesh, while patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. How do we live in patience? It does not come by following a formula or by counting to ten. Patience is produced and maintained in us when we allow the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be in control of our lives. The patience produced by the Holy Spirit will quiet our hearts. The patience of the Holy Spirit does not produce heaviness or frustration, but joyfulness. The patience of the Holy Spirit frees us from the strife of wanting things to go our way, according to our clock and calendar.

Patience is a peaceable fruit of righteousness and is a beautiful work of the Spirit when we see it operating within us and in the lives of others. Today, let the music of the Holy Spirit sing out in your heart, "In Your time, Lord, You make all things beautiful in Your time."

Fret buster #93

Posted: 30 May 2011 04:55 AM PDT

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2 KJV

Believe that you are in His heart and that your interests are in His hands. Have faith in His wisdom to guide, in His love to direct, in His power to sustain, in His faithfulness to fulfill every promise that now relates to your best welfare and happiness. Only believe in God—that all things in His disposal of you and in His transactions with you are working together for your present and eternal good.

–Octavius Winslow

God's Hands, Part 3

Posted: 27 May 2011 07:36 AM PDT

What does it mean to be in God's hands? It means your life is no longer in your hands and you are in a place of His covering, control, and care. His hands brought Israel out of Egypt and divided the Red Sea (with a strong hand and an outstretched arm; Psalm 136:12), and He will keep and deliver you with those same all-powerful hands. It also means that you have found your resting place, your sure place, and your place of deepest contentment.

K. R. Hagenbach wrote, "Without murmur, uncomplaining, in His hand...." There is no room for complaint and discontent in the heart that is at rest in God's hands.

R. Cech wrote, "When we wish things to be otherwise than they are, we lose sight of the great practical parts of the life of godliness....Fall quietly into the hands of God."

Are you frustrated, anxious, troubled? Quiet yourself, you are in the hands of God. As you live in a world of so much uncertainty, discontent, and turmoil it is important to quietly reaffirm each morning that your life and times are in His hands. Every time you allow an attitude of discontent to settle into your heart, your whole disposition becomes troubled and you fail to live in God's perfect peace. 

E. B. Pusey had five practical guidelines to help guard the heart against discontentment:

1. Never complain about anything, not even the weather.

2. Never picture yourself to be under a different set of circumstances than you are presently in.

3. Never compare your lot with that of another.

4. Never allow yourself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is.

5. Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember it is God's, and not yours.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV

God's Hands, Part 2

Posted: 25 May 2011 06:37 AM PDT

God's hands are creative

Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our Potter, and we all are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 AMP

God's hands are redemptive

Behold, The Lord's hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save. Isaiah 59:1 AMP

God's hands are active

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. Exodus 15:6 AMP

God's hands are supportive

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand has held me up. Psalm 18:35 AMP

God's hands are directive

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 AMP

God's hands are curative

And [Jesus] reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed! And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13 AMP

God's hands are positive

As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness (rightness and justice). Psalm 48:10 AMP

God's hands are effective

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! Psalm 118:15-16 AMP

God's hands are affirmative

Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10 AMP

God's hands are attentive

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! Isaiah 41:13 AMP

God's hands are sensitive

Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you. Isaiah 46:4 AMP

God's hands are protective

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28 AMP

God's hands are receptive

And He took them [the children up one by one] in His arms and [ fervently invoked a] blessing, placing His hands upon them. Mark 10:16 AMP



God's Hands

Posted: 23 May 2011 08:26 AM PDT

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God...Psalm 123:2 NKJV

Today is in God's hands and so are you.

His hands are strong and will uphold you;
His hands are great and will enfold you;
His hands are gentle and will embrace you;
His hands are protective and will cover you;
His hands are reassuring and will quiet you;
His hands are powerful and will defend you;
His hands are parental and will train you;
His hands are masterful and will conform you;
His hands are compassionate and will care for you;
His hands are healing and will renew you;
His hands are calming and will comfort you;
His hands are giving and will bless you.

The hands that hold you will never let you down.

Seeing Jesus

Posted: 20 May 2011 04:15 AM PDT

Great Quotes:

In his book We Would See Jesus, Roy Hession reminds us, "We do not need to itemize the Christian life; it is enough to see Jesus. Each aspect of Christian experience is made real in us just by seeing Him. He is both the Blessing we all seek and the easily accessible Way to that blessing. The Lord Jesus has come to take from us every yoke of bondage and to set us free to serve Him in the freshness and spontaneity of the Spirit, and all that by the simple sight of Him which the Holy Spirit gives to the eye of faith. It is enough to see Jesus and to go on seeing Him."

Pray this...

Posted: 18 May 2011 06:47 AM PDT

Prayer to see Jesus

Jesus, I want to see You, for no other face can show me the Father, and no other light can reveal His image. I want to know what it fully means to have the eyes of my heart opened to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to be in awe of Your glory. Reveal to me the grace upon Your countenance, the joy within Your spirit, and the love that moves Your heart toward mine.

Lord, I seek to move closer, to see clearer, and to be drawn nearer to You—where there are gaps in my understanding of who You are, close them; where there are blanks, fill them in; where there is a lack of clarity, bring things into sharper focus.

Jesus, I know that in You there is no lack, for I am complete in You; there is no emptiness, for I am made full in You; there is no fragmentation, for I am made whole in You. Thank You for being the image of God that I can see, the provision of God I can receive, and the light of God that I can follow.

May You find in me a faith that is growing, a trust that is building, and a love that is deepening day by day. Jesus, I wait upon You, come to me; I listen for You, speak to me; I look to You, show me; I lean on You, keep me. I thank You for being the hope of my heart, the joy of my life, and the reason why I live.

Scriptures: Revelation 4:11, John 1:3, Ephesians 1, Colossians 2:9-10, Hebrews 1, 12:2, Philippians 3:8-13



See Jesus

Posted: 16 May 2011 08:56 AM PDT

Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:21 KJV

The right focus of our faith will bring Jesus into clear view. To focus on Jesus means to be taken up with Him, to put Him at the center, to listen to what He says, and to see life from His perspective. Faith looks in the wrong direction when it focuses on us, on our problems, on others, on the world, or on the enemy.

We need to turn the eyes of our faith away from everything, anything, or anyone that distracts us from seeing Jesus. As we see Jesus, our faith will not be focused on our sins, but on the Savior; not on our failures, but on the Victor; not on our hurts, but on the Healer; not on our weaknesses, but on the Almighty One; not on our ages, but on the Lord of the Ages; not on our needs, but on the Provider; not on our anxieties, but on the Prince of Peace; not on our circumstances, but on the Shepherd; not on our problems, but on the All Sufficient One who is with you always.

My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
May thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
While lfe's dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread, be thou my guide.
-Ray Palmer

[Judy Harder]

I Love My Attorney - Be Blessed

   
After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said,
"My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell..."

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. 

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine."

My Lord continued with, "Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me."

"Satan still does not understand yet. This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done."

"I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..

"This woman is free."

"The penalty for her has already been paid in full."

"Case dismissed."

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one." I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"

Christ lovingly smiled and said,
"Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you."
~"Paid In Full"~

If you do not pass this along to 15 people immediately,absolutely nothing will happen.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend, (as I have done here), it will bless you both.
"Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"