Today's Devotions

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Showcase: Assorted Treats

  • River of Love +

    There's a river of love that runs through all timeBut there's a river of grief that floods through our livesIt Read More
  • I Am Nothing +

    I stutter when I tryTo speak the language of lifeI want to shout out loudBut I just cry insideSometimes it Read More
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SylviaListen to God's Word for you in Romans 15:4. "For everything that was written in
the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

One of the assignments against the people of God is to oppress them by wearing them down (Dan. 7:25). You may have experienced debilitating discouragement. You may feel assaulted and assailed from every side. In the name of the Ancient of Days, you can resist this oppression. Hear God's words in 2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17. "This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"

You can be afraid and discouraged because of the vast army against you, or you can be confident and encouraged because God is with you. He is your hope and your victory in the battle. In His great heart He has a plan for your welfare, to give you a future and a hope. You are anointed with grace to stand with hope, encouragement, and positive assurance of seeing His goodness at work in your life. Run to the joy of the Lord that is your strength. Be blessed with endurance and encouragement as you stand in the One who fights your battles for you.

Look to your Father in heaven in devotion and trust. He is with you when you are discouraged and not at peace. His presence never leaves nor forsakes you. The name of the Lord is a strong tower to which you can run and are safe (Pro 18:10). Hide there in Him from the devourer and the accuser. Hide in Him from heaviness and discouragement. He wants to cover your weariness with His blanket of strength.

You have celebrated His intervention in your life many times and many ways. Be blessed to remember how He has shown Himself strong to you. You are blessed today in the name of the One who gives endurance and encouragement. He will continue to reveal Himself to you.

Jesus rebuked winds and waves, saying "Peace be still." You are blessed by the One who stills the storms (Mark 4:39). Another time, Jesus commanded Peter, "Come to me." Peter stepped out of the boat onto the wind-driven waters, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves, he sank. Whether Jesus stills the storm or invites you to come to Him on the water, you will be steadfast, immovable in Him, unless you look at the tempest. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will come alongside, lift you up, strengthen, and refine you to bring about His sure purposes. You can stand in the rule and dominion of the Prince of peace. Be blessed in His great faithfulness to you that is new every morning.

Be blessed in the name of the One who bids you come (Mat 14:29).

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

  • River of Love

    There's a river of love that runs through all timeBut there's a river of grief that floods through our livesIt Read More
  • I Am Nothing

    I stutter when I tryTo speak the language of lifeI want to shout out loudBut I just cry insideSometimes it Read More
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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Christ is a Great Savior: a review of the movie Amazing Grace +

    Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21 Read More
  • Wilberforce, Hollywood's Amazing Grace, Charlotte Allen +

    William Wilberforce's relentless campaign eventually led the British Parliament to ban the slave trade, in 1807, and to pass a Read More
  • Making Beauty out of Ugly Things: Grace by U2 +

    Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name Grace, she carries Read More
  • The True Nature of Grace and Love: a movie review of the Soloist +

    The 2009 movie The Soloist is based on a book by the same name, written by Los Angeles Times columnist Read More
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