For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. -Isaiah 42:10
The verse: The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. –1 Corinthians 10:13 has definitely been taken out of context and misused.
Many people apply the not allowing temptation to be more than you can stand with God not allowing us to endure burdens or circumstances that we are unable to bear which is not at all biblical. I have heard it said many times in life that the Lord will not bring upon us any load or struggle that we cannot carry or handle.
The harsh reality is we do go through unbearable situations that we are incapable of managing.
Why, of course, do some people experience mental breakdowns, and some people try to escape their problems through drugs and alcohol?
Aside from certain individuals having chemical imbalances as a reason for their psychological issues, and certain individuals hooked on narcotics after experimenting for recreational fun, it is mainly because some of them are overwhelmed and some of them are too stressed to deal with pressure and need a way to cope.
Others may take out their frustration with rage and violent outbursts of anger while some take a more tragic turn and commit suicide.
Let’s face it, life is and can be very tough.
Plenty of people may say only the strong survive, and yes, there are a lot of us out there who are strong but to what extent? None of us are invincible to pain or devastation if or when it may hit any one of us, and depending on what that circumstance may appear to be it could come along to crush you, turning your whole world upside down and, maybe even side to side.
You would not know what hit you.
The good news is we are and were never meant to suffer within our own strength. We cannot manage sufficiently alone totally on our own.
I am a very strong person, yet what I came to realize is that there was actually a supernatural strength residing in me. The kind of durability that allowed me to be unbothered and unaffected by things and situations that would ordinarily cause vexation or destruction to average worldly people.
I thought the attributes of my strong spirit all came from my unique nature. In all truth, it had come from God’s holy spirit that had dwelt within me from my youth.
Our stability is obtained through being in step with the Lord. He fights our battles and he genuinely does gives us a peace that is beyond our understanding.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31
Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. -Psalms 105:1
Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. -Psalms 103:1-2
There is always a reason to give thanks to the Lord.
Things that may seem minor to some because it is taken for granted is really so much to be grateful for.
The sneakers, shoes, boots, socks and slippers we use and need for our feet is something to be very appreciative of.
The water from our faucets to drink, clean, and wash up with every day is something to be very appreciative of.
The heat and the electricity to keep warm and to see upon within our home is something to be very appreciative of.
The food that we are able to purchase, cook and eat is something to be very appreciative of.
The bedtime and outdoor clothing to dress and to adorn our bodies in comfort with is something to be very appreciative of.
The people and beloved pets within our lives who we adore and who bring to us joy is something to be appreciative of.
There is a lot to praise God for and we should remind ourselves how fortunate we are for the providence our father in heaven continues to grant to us through his abundant love, mercy and grace.
We serve a wonderful, beautiful and precious Lord who guards us with amazing supernatural power. The power that sustains everything and that gives us life.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -1 Chronicles 16:34
Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. -Psalms 24:8, 10
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. -Psalms 121:1-3, 5-8
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. -Genesis 37:3-4
A lot of jealousy starts within the family. In the case of Joseph, he was favored amongst all the other children by his father and his brothers resented him for that.
To top it off, when Joseph began to have prophetic dreams which foreshadowed a position of authority and rulership then shared these visions, his brothers were even more offended, envious and filled with a seething rage that eventually came to the surface.
Some people have interpreted Joseph’s admission of his dreams to have been made and accepted by him within an arrogant manner. However, in my read through scripture I never perceived the incident that way. It did not appear to be one done under any haughty, boastful, or hubristic tone to me.
I just had a viewpoint of Joseph revealing what he dreamt and his impart being taken out of context or being looked at through his brother’s own distorted conception or erroneous outlook.
I know I have said and shared things with people in my life meaning no harm, no prideful intent, no bragging of accomplishment, just a mention or exchange of instance and ideas. People have a tendency to interpret and draw out their own conclusions no matter how wrong or misguided they may be when interacting and trying to size up others.
Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. -Genesis 37:9-11
With some individuals, they reflect onto others the traits in which they project themselves. Often innocent people get accused and penalized for things they were never at fault or guilty of. Simply criticized and judged over opinions, lack of wisdom/understanding, and subject to mere spite.
Yes, preferential treatment at the expense of another child or other children by their parents is not proper, yet the situation exists within many family settings for many different reasons. Whether or not the circumstances are justified or unwarranted there is a way certain familial relation should be displayed and handled according to ethical behavior.
Siblings as well as other members of the family may get bitter and discontent over another relative’s advantage or fortunate condition.
When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. -Genesis 37:18-19
All of these things happen and take place in the lives of many. We live in a fallen and broken world and everyone does not want to be fixed, made whole, or even realize they need repair.
The only thing we can do is to pray and stay close to God, putting everything into his capable and expert hands. He alone holds the key to locks that only he can open up to set people free.
“Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. -Genesis 37:20-22
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. -1 Corinthians 1:7-9
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. -Galatians 6:9
(The Lord Keeps Us Close Even When We Push Away)
I am an individual who is very comfortable in their own skin, secure, and confident within myself. I do not need to be around others in order to feel good or to be content. I am one who can function and do extremely well while spending time alone. Everyone needs meaningful human contact frequently or from time to time, however, I have always been a loner that preferred to enjoy my own company most of the time.
It is annoying and untrue to hear those who consider or who define some that keep to themselves to put up a wall against others out of some type of hurt or fear of opening up to people when nothing could be further from reality. I hate ignorant generalizations due to others who reflect their own personal experience or account onto someone else.
Everybody is definitely not placing up a barrier they simply may not want to be bothered.
There are just certain individuals who are predominantly the solitary type and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being this way. It does not mean that they are hermits (even some hermits are justified for their anti-social behavior), it does not mean that they dislike all people, and it does not mean that they are troubled, strange, or dangerous in any way. We are all unique.
Nevertheless, I will use the term “wall” as a metaphor for how I once kept the Lord housed off from the home of my rooms by sealing him out among the top ceilings, bottom floors, and side structures of the spaces within my life.
I was angry at God for quite a long time so I put a solid brick wall up against him. One that he came and vehemently knocked down when he had finally gotten ready. He broke through all the concrete of my heart with the violent blows of his compassionate, faithful, unwavering love.
While the Lord made his entrance with a heavy, powerful explosion the blast he demonstrated came with an extreme soft and gentle handling as delicate and fragile as in the cradling of a newborn baby. There was no way I could keep him out of my life as I thought I did; I am grateful that I was not able to within the process.
We can just not easily dismiss God out of our lives through whatever hardships and frustrations once we have decided that we had enough of tribulation not brought on by ourselves.
The Lord will continue to stand guard over our life while he fights to attract and involve himself back onto the throne of our world, especially when there is misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge into his true character on our part.
The Lord is merciful enough to set the record straight by dashing a never-ending effort to grasp at our attention to listen and respond.
You too can restore your fellowship that began with God when you became a “born again” Christian no matter how long or how short time ago that was. When we genuinely become his children, it is for keeps. The Lord is loyal in his promises as it is impossible for him to lie. Those of us who are ultimately kept will to the utmost never be let go.
My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. -Proverbs 3:11-15
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord . Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Be still in the presence of the Lord , and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.
The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.
Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. But the wicked will die. The Lord ’s enemies are like flowers in a field— they will disappear like smoke.
The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.
The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.
The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path. The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.
Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them!
Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future. The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. -Psalms 37:1-40
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:17-18
Never stop praying. -1Thessalonians 5:17
For many prayer is a last resort rather than an initial response. Usually after all accustomed options have exhausted the only thing left to do by those who are desperate is to call on God, even if beforehand they never had or sought out a personal relationship with the Lord.
Some people just speak to God on occasion to fulfill a special need or desire then forget about him and go on with their lives.
As a habit, many adapt to the conditions that they become familiar with and when things become complicated, or need fixing, the first direction in where they run to is what they rely on as it is primarily routine to them.
Prayer is a speed dial that accesses us to God’s phone extension immediately. His line is never busy and he is able to take multiple calls at a time with no delay, interruption, or time limit. Most of all there is no charge the exchange is totally free.
We are to use and take advantage of this offer and special deal constantly throughout the day to deliver and discuss any message of information to God for any reason. Do not forget to thank the Lord for this kind and beneficial gesture along with the other vital, necessary, and generous blessings that he undeservingly hands out to us through his love.
Genuine followers of Jesus Christ know to consult directly through him to the father as the number one priority above all others. Prayer, is our intimate source of communication with the Lord, the immediate action to be taken before, within and after any circumstance or situation.
Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.
When we have faith, we put all our trust in God. So, we do not do like the world or worldly people do, placing hope and trust in the things created instead of the creator who activates everything that he creates.
Know who is truly in control and that the Lord is the only one who is able to completely work conditions out suitably and effectively to his plan.
Prayer is welcomed and encouraged by God always, and for all things.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. -Colossians 4:2
Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. -1 Chronicles 16:11
Daily Inspirations By Miss LaToya Lawrence 