WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The kids are all sick. The washer has a leak and the laundry pile is almost to the ceiling. We missed a check somewhere and now have a notice of the rent payment bouncing. Some folks in the congregation are all out of sorts and are causing waves. One of the young people from our youth group was caught with drugs. A loved-one just got news of advanced cancer; and so on and so on . Does any of this sound familiar. It does to me.

Sometimes we feel a little like David when he wrote: "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying..." Ps. 69:1-3 So what did David do when his soul was cast down and overwhelmed with the problems and circumstances of his life? "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou diquieted in me? hope thou in God; ...I will remember thee....I will praise thee.? Ps. 42:5-6

Remember God! Praise Him for all His care and lovingkindness!

The more we dwell on the negative and difficulties, the more the flesh takes over and we resist the Spirit. My friend, you do have a choice! True it takes real effort sometimes to turn our thoughts to God and on His promises and blessings. But would you rather stay down there in the muck and mire?

Read Ps 46. David says, although the very foundations of our life may be shaken, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." Ps. 46:7 "God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble." Ps. 46:1

God is our refuge. That means He is our safe place, a secure place. He is our help in the time of ANY trouble. We are tempted to say, "Sounds good, but you don't know my situation." That is very true, but almighty God does! He is the King of Kings; He is all-powerful, soverign, merciful and YOUR very present help in trouble. Go to Him. If you don't know Jesus as your Saviour, then pray, confess your sins and ask Him to come into your heart and save you. If you are saved, then talk to your heavenly Father. He wants to hear from you.

- Sandy Hastings
January 29, 2008
If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de