Verse: 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Encouragement: 

For us who have felt afraid, have felt that we had to accept lies, for us who have had times when we hated ourselves and feared for our sanity - The Lord God encourages us with the gift of this blessing. 

He understands. He doesn’t want us to be afraid. He says, you are mine, you can trust in Me. He knows how we have been ground down, let Him lift us up and accept confidence from Him. His love will fill us even though we say “Oh Lord, I don’t deserve it.” The days when all our thoughts were so jumbled, nothing made sense, the darkness loomed near us - those days are gone. Give them to Him. 

Respond: 

Even today we face the temptation to give in to fear as we listen to the national news, or face family difficulties. Health issues can be a problem. Let us hold on to this wonderful promise for ourselves. Let us share with others who are struggling. So in conversation when we listen to the hard times our friend is going through, when we know there is no real hope from social services, or the medical profession, when we are ashamed that we have no comfort to offer…expect to hear from The Lord! Pray with your friend. Have faith that Jesus cares and will provide. You might suddenly have a song in your head, or a picture. Perhaps this scripture.. Be brave. We can trust our thoughts - He has given us His Word.

Prayer: 

Thank you Father God. There was a time when we needed to be carried, and you gently held us. Thank you there is a time when you help us to step out in faith and you are still gently guiding us. For good, for bad, for better or worse you have taken us as your own, and we can depend on you.

Verse:

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.

Joel 2:12-13 NKJV

Encouragement

This is the first scripture in Delia Smith’s ‘A Feast for Lent’ which I picked up when I was at the end of myself having had two abortions a year apart. Over the next 40 days, I began to understand God’s love and grace and the extraordinary way in which Jesus came to save me from the judgement that was rightly mine. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and we were all lost, believing lies and living in the passions of our flesh. We were by nature children of wrath, but praise God for His tenderness and compassion towards the broken hearted – He brings healing and freedom to all who receive Him.

Respond:

Maybe you feel like you haven’t fully experienced that healing and freedom yet. If you are weary and have drifted away from Jesus, don’t harden your heart or doubt God’s love and provision. Turn to Him again and confess your sins, forgive as He has forgiven you, and spend time with Him every day if you can, in prayer and bible study. He longs for your whole heart. Fear him, walk in all his ways, love him with all your heart and soul and strength, obey his commands. Rejoice! He has won you and you are His.

Prayer

Father, I thank you that you are all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger and rich in graciousness. Help me to receive this truth in my inmost heart, so that it will free me and rescue me from fear and anxiety and all that keeps me from you. Forgive me for where I have doubted your promises and grown weary of following you, preferring the comfort of the world to obeying your word. I choose to return to you and receive healing and forgiveness. I love you Lord. Amen.

Verse:

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

Isaiah 43:1 NKJV

Encouragement 

We may have become lost and felt because we have hidden our sin or feeling ashamed and listen to lies, that God has forgotten us. He hasn’t. He has formed us, redeemed us, and calls us by name, that's so personal, amazing! What a God. He loves us so much.

Respond

When we start feeling this way, we must remember what God has done for us, and what he has brought us through, healing us and bringing us into freedom. We need to get hold of the Word, and speak it over ourselves, and rebuke the enemy. Fear not, has been written 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year. Take a hold of that. 

Prayer

Father God, I thank you, that you know us each by name. Thank you for coming to rescue us, and wanting to have a deeper relationship with us. Lord Thank you that we don't have to fear, that we can look to you and come to you as we are. Father God, thank you that you are a loving, and generous father who pours out his love on us.

Verse:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV

Encouragement:

 We can look at a situation and think...look oh no there's no way out of here; or there's no one who can help. I've lost all hope. I'm stuck, I'm in a rut.....Help!! 

I would encourage you to look up to your Father, take your eyes off the situation and look to Him. This scripture says ... I lift up my eyes. Look up... that's where your help comes.

Our God is big God... he made heaven and earth. And he can and will help you in whatever situation you're in. Health issues, finance, work... Look up and take it to him in prayer. 

Prayer

Father God, thank you for who you are. Thank you, Lord, that you can deliver us from all things. And Lord I look to you to help me to keep my eyes not on my situation, but on you.  Help me to take your word as it says. Lift up my eyes to hills, whence come my help...help comes from you. Thank you, Lord, that you are my help and I can come to you, put everything down at the foot of the cross, and wait on you.

Verse:

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

Encouragement:

You may have experienced the disappointment of not getting the job you'd hoped for, but later finding yourself saying, "thank goodness I didn't get that job, if I did I wouldn't... [fill in the blank]." These kinds of scenarios have a sort of, "everything happens for a reason" ring, or "everything will work out in the end". But the promise of this verse goes a leap beyond.

God was not just working the situation out for Joseph's good, He was also accomplishing 'the saving of many lives.'

I have experienced situations that might seem impossible for God to turn around for good. Yet I have seen how sharing these experiences with others, God has not just brought healing to me but He has used them to encourage & help others too. Lives have been touched and who knows maybe some have been saved too. Looking back, where has God done this in your life?

Respond:

As we enter a brand New Year; decorations stored away, calendars bare & that list of resolutions fresh on the starting blocks. We can be encouraged that no matter what else is going on, we need not be afraid, but reassured that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. In fact anything intended to harm us, God intends it all for good. He has a purpose for you. Ask Him today what else He might like you to do to share His life giving hope and truth to those around you. Where can you share an encouraging testimony with someone this week?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are Sovereign, You are in control. You never leave us, you are our great friend. it is wonderful to consider how you work all things out for our good. Thank You, what Satan intends for harm You use to bring about life & salvation instead. You are victorious and awesome Lord and we love You. Amen

Verse:

...as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue...

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

Encouragement:

So often, I find this verse in my journal. How many times has Satan got to beat me down with the lie that I'm not good enough, visiting the well of worthlessness, shame, guilt? When the priests came to the brazen laver of the tabernacle, their priestly garments were white in contrast with their faces that reflected through the water. They saw their impurities through this mirror (it was jot bronze but made by mirrors the women brought - Exodus 38:8) 

It is in the true worship of glancing at God, His perfect sacrifice, with true humility... that we can yield by receiving His Love and atonement. 

He has already given us All that we need! Life and Godliness are also 2 things and they are both 'covered'. This is the position of receiving, his goodness and mercy, that we don't deserve by His Glory, that we may shine like Him! 

Respond:

Take a moment to ask God to show you your true heart. If there are areas that stops you from receiving God's love, ask Him to heal you and receive it in faith! Declare that He has given you these and Thank Him for it. 

Prayer:

Lord, Thank you that you have given me everything I need for my life and a life of godliness. Thank you that it is not in what I can do but in who you are - my righteousness, my grace. Help me live a life of true humility, worshipping you with reverence and awe.

Verse:

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. 
Deuteronomy 32: 3-4 

Encouragement:
I love this passage; it has become my go-to for many different events in my life. I have gone to this passage countless times during times of difficulty as well as times of rejoicing.  

I have not used it as a magic chant to make myself feel better, or even in the hope of situations suddenly changing. I have used it as my battle cry against the lies of the enemy, the world and even myself- when complaining or grumbling against the Lord.  

What really stood out to me about this passage is that Moses proclaimed these bold words even though the LORD had been angry with him and had said that Moses would not enter the promised land (Read Deuteronomy 3: 23-29 where Moses makes a plea to God). Moses was able to understand that God was just (fair and right). Even in His judgement He does no wrong. 

We too can say God is great and always just in every circumstance. Even when we receive an unexpected diagnosis, even when we feel lonely, even through struggles with sin and even when He brings judgement, He is good.  

Respond:
Let us pray for the grace to see that He is indeed good, and His ways are above our ways, and to give thanks for His great love and patience for us. 

Again, this should not be a mindless proclamation we use because it sounds good. Ecclesiastes 5: 3 warns us to not be quick to utter anything before God.  

But ponder if you too can boldly say that He is great, that He is your Rock, that His works are perfect, (remember God is sovereign meaning that He has allowed the bad stuff too!), and therefore He does no wrong (and makes no mistakes), that He is upright and He is just. 

Prayer:
Lord, I will exercise faith today.  I know that my feelings are changeable but You are always the same.  I know that my circumstances change but your love is constant.  I will praise and thank that You for accepting and loving me .

Verse:

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 
Psalm 63:3

Encouragement:
What is life? Life is a beautiful gift from God. However, it is also fleeting, it is unpredictable, it is filled with sorrow and struggles, it is up and down. It is here today and gone tomorrow.  

But what about God’s love? It is eternal, it is sacrificial, it is not up and down- we know where we stand with Him, He is not kind today and unkind tomorrow, but it is gentle, it drives out fear, it is unfailing and everlasting, it is far better than life itself! 

But what about eternal life? 

“Whom have I in heaven but you?” Psalm 73:25a. 

Heaven is what it is because of God and His love! 

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:26  

Prayer:
Thank you Lord for the gift of life.  Thank you that You have preserved my life up to this day.  Even through the blackest days you have held me, those days speak to me of your protection.  The many days of joy and happiness speak to me of your kindness, your amazing concern to give good things to your children.  

We cling to life and are sad when those we love come to the end of their lives.  Thank you that we can cling to you who have conquered death.

Verse: 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 
1 Corinthians 1:25

Encouragement:
We are surrounded by the proof of our wisdom.  In the past 200 years so much has been accomplished! The structure of DNA has been discovered which has led to amazing leaps forward in medicine. A man has set foot on the moon and we have seen pictures of our earth from space. We can reproduce music of an amazing quality, everyone can own a smartphone! We are living in an age where knowledge increases almost daily.  But this can give us an unreal sense of our importance.  It can make us feel that God is irrelevant.  Our belief in our 'god given ability' can become an idol which leads us away from our creator. Putting our whole trust in God is the wisest decision we can make.

Prayer:
Lord, pride in our human wisdom can lead us into dark places so that even to kill a baby in the womb seems the best option.  Today we come before you and admit that we need your wisdom which can lead us out of the darkness.  We need your strength to carry us when our strength fails.  This verse is so encouraging because we can have confidence that even though You know how foolish and fragile we are we can depend on your love. Thank you for Jesus who has taken our punishment and  showered us with grace and mercy.  All we need is in You and I worship You

Verse:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all  unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Encouragement:
God’s gift of forgiveness is almost the most amazing gift I have ever received from the Lord! And, once I actually received it and realised that my sins are as far as the east is from the west, it put a massive smile on my face and I knew that I must never again ask for God’s forgiveness for that bad sin because I had already received it! And because I have been forgiven much, I now find I have no difficulty in forgiving others; I just leave those situations in God’s hands and so I also don’t carry the burden of feeling unable to forgive someone else. One good gift from a compassionate God leads to so many other good things!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am overjoyed to have received Your forgiveness for certain awful sins and to know that ‘it’s finished’, so to speak. I will do my best to always be ready to forgive those who sin against me, for we pray: “ Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. Help us to show others that we are all sinners but that we can get rid of the bitterness we feel in our stomach by forgiving others. It’s so very liberating!                                              Lord, I also ask you to help me to be compassionate and to be ready to try and understand when others struggle with this whole issue. In the precious name of Jesus, our Saviour and the lover of our souls, Amen.