He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:29-31 NASB2020
I’ve been in an intense battle I never thought I’d face. It’s crazy how a diagnosis can alter your normal and create such chaos in every part of your being.
I’ve been a spiritual warrior for years, interceding for countless people along the way. But one thing I’ve come to realize is, wounded warriors must take a break from battle to heal.
It’s more like the seeds you planted are raised up to heaven as a mighty voice on your behalf. You lay down your weapons and others pick them up. It’s such a beautiful picture of how the body of Christ works.
Jesus Himself makes intercession for us. He never leaves us alone. He’s constantly watching over His Word to make sure it’s fulfilled.
So if this speaks to you today and your battle has weakened your defenses, God is raising up others to carry you while you’re weak and weary. He’s renewing your strength.
Psalm 9:10 NASB2020 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.
What happens when you really know someone? You trust them, right? I’ve known God most of my life. Well enough to know that even when circumstances seem to say otherwise, I can trust Him.
I’ve trusted Him with my life, my marriage, and my children. I’ve trusted Him with my dreams and my finances. Most of all, I trust Him with my future.
What’s not known to me is absolutely known to Him. He knows all and sees all. He doesn’t have an obstructed view. I can only see what’s in front of me, but He sees it all. Everything is known to my Father.
Me and you, we have choices. We can choose to wallow in our circumstances or place our hand in His and trust Him that what He promised, He will do. If He said it, He will do it. We can trust Him.
Let go of all disappointments. Shake off all mourning. Let His Word bring you back to the place He longs to be for you. Your refuge. Your fortress. Your deliverer. Your help in time of trouble. Your provider. Whatever you need Him to be, He is that for you.
Shift your focus from what is gone onto what you have. He is worth trusting.
Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid! Psalms 4:8 TPT
I just love this verse. It’s assurance that in the season we’re in, we can live unafraid.
Social media has us watching things unfold in our nation and around the globe that has struck fear in the hearts of people everywhere. Fear is rampant. People are scared to go anywhere or do anything.
What makes this an amazing verse is that we’re reminded it’s because of the Lord that we can lie down and peacefully sleep. It’s knowing that our trust in Him has not been misplaced.
Here’s my decree today; No matter what happens, I will live unafraid. Psalm 91 also says that we will see it with our eyes, but it won’t come near us.
We have to trust God. As believers we must remember that God is greater than evil. Our hope isn’t in man, our hope must remain firmly rooted and grounded in Him.
So join with me in laying off the news and the terrors we’re constantly exposed to and pray. Pray for eyes to be opened and that people see truth. Continue to be light in a very dark world. Don’t allow opinions to sway you. Keep your eyes on God.
So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! Psalms 23:6 TPT
God knew the date of my birth and He knows the date of my death. I can’t change or manipulate anything. My entire life from beginning to end rests in Him because I’ve chosen to trust in Him.
What I choose to do with my life has always been my choice. God isn’t a dictator. He’s my loving Father. I trust my Father. I may not understand His paths or His plans, but I know He’s already ordered my steps and as I walk with my hand tightly gripped in His, I won’t be doing it alone.
So I will not fear. Goodness and love chase me down every day on this earth. And my reward? Spending eternity in His presence.
So you see my friend, nothing to fear. Stay focused on showing love, encouraging others and being who God created you to be. Enjoy your life and live it well.
Romans 1:16 TPT I refuse to be ashamed of the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere!
Why would I be ashamed of the greatest gift I’ve ever received in my life. He gave me forgiveness, power, and relationship with a God who created me.
The forgiveness was all encompassing. I didn’t have to provide a list and fear I’d forgotten a few. Jesus’ blood covered my past, present and future sins. There’s no time line with God. He knew my entire life from beginning to end before I was a thought and forgave me. I’m forever thankful.
The power He gave me I’ve only tapped into. Knowing that the most powerful tool I have is love, challenges me to step up and walk in it, reflecting the love of Jesus to ALL. Not just those who love me back, but the worst of the worst. Love changes everything.
My desire is that everyone may have relationship with God. A deeply personal one. To know Him intimately is to commune with Him at any time, in any situation, good times or bad, times of joy or sadness. His promise to never leave me has remained true since I began my journey.
John 16:33 NASB2020 “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
I encourage you to read all of John 16 to keep it in context, but this particular verse I’ve highlighted, is to put in perspective what we’re seeing and experiencing in our world today.
The only place you’ll experience true peace is in relationship with Jesus. In the world we live in is a promise of persecution, trials and tribulations. But perspective brings us peace.
Our focus cannot be on what’s swirling on social media. Don’t get wrapped up in current events and the hysteria we’re surrounded in. Instead, let’s remember Jesus’ words and keep them on the forefront of our thoughts: “In Me you may have peace.”
Stay current in where God has placed you. Get out of your comfortable, safe place and become the light Jesus told you to be. Stop being afraid of drawing attention to Jesus, trust me, He can handle it. He’s the only way to finish the race well.
Today I leave you with this: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10 NASB2020
Don’t fear losing your life, rather fear losing your soul. You’re an Overcomer.
2 Chronicles 20:5-9 NASB2020 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord in front of the new courtyard;and he said, “Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land from Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, or judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house), and cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save us.’
I was reminded of this story, which we all need to hear, especially if we’re facing an enemy in an unknown territory and don’t know what to do.
First, we cry out to God, remembering who He is and His promises to us. That elevates God over situation we’re facing.
Then we wait to hear Gods response to our prayer, even if it takes a while, we wait for directions.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 NASB2020 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the Lord in your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:18 NASB2020 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.
So the 3rd step is to worship God, thanking Him for His response and His promised outcomes. Do you know that Jehoshaphat was so convinced of the victory, he sent all the singers before the army? Read it for yourself.
The enemies ended up destroying each other and they were left to gather the spoils.
Whatever you’re facing, same God. Nothing is too hard for Him. Begin worshipping Him and thanking Him for His promises. We have a much better covenant and your thankfulness is the beginning of your breakthrough.
Yahweh, our Sovereign God, your glory streams from the heavens above, filling the earth with the majesty of your name! People everywhere see your splendor. You have built a stronghold by the songs of children. Strength rises up with the chorus of infants. This kind of praise has power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you. Psalms 8:1-2 TPT
Oh my. I need to read that again.
I thought only warfare silenced madness. Calling down fire from heaven, kicking Satans butt! Show him who’s boss. But no. Simple childlike worship seems to be the tool of choice.
A reminder of who God is and all He’s done. Getting out of my head and getting my mind on Him. Simple. Childlike. Worship.
Even if all I do is sing that little song I learned in Sunday school all those years ago. “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.”
Sing your song today. Remind yourself of who God is to you. He’s more than everything you’re facing. What a mighty God. Creator of the universe. There’s nothing too hard for Him.
Let the madness melt away and allow His peace and presence to consume you.
But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant.
Luke 2:19 TPT
Have you ever read the Word and Holy Spirit showed you a profound truth that you’d never seen before? Then when you try to share it with someone, they look at you like you’ve grown horns?
You can’t tell everyone just like you can’t make everyone see it your way. Keep those nuggets close to your heart until God releases you to share.
Mary had an angel speak to her telling her the Holy Spirit would impregnate her and she would have a son, Jesus. Angels appeared to announce His birth. If she had spread that around town, the religious people would have stoned her.
The things you can’t share, write them down, keep them close until the day God brings them to pass.
You can’t cast your pearls before swine. They’re too precious for that. Be thankful for those astounding truths. Learn and grow from them. Apply them to your heart and trust in God.
Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand Isaiah 41:10 TPT.
Can I take a moment to break down this verse for you this morning? You’re probably thinking, yeah, that’s a no brainer. I’m not trying to insult your intelligence. I’m a pretty simple person but, sometimes getting a different perspective can shine a different light on it.
Do not yield to fear. Look at that simple word, yield, with me. If you’re a driver, you know that it means to give the right of way to others. I will add that some have forgotten their training! I believe in this verse, it’s saying not to give the right for fear to keep you stuck or distracted.
When we yield to fear, we tend to forget who spoke that: God. Fear is a force that tries to block out the fact that God is a force to be reckoned with. There’s no one greater or more powerful than God.
So when your heart tries to yield to that fear, tell yourself that, He’s always with me. I will focus on Him for He is faithful. He infuses me and strengthens me in every situation. I am held firmly with His victorious right hand.
You just can’t fail when you do what God’s directing you to do. He may direct your steps by closing a door or 4 along the way. But remember your God and place your trust in Him today.
remnantposts by sandy gregory 