Fan the flame

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

 Discouragement and trouble can often make us feel very weak.  Sometimes there is not much left but smoke, the fire is dying out.  Yet God is tender and patient.  He works with the bruised so they not break.  He fuels the smoking flax back to flame again.  God will accomplish His purposes, both in the world and in your life.  Are you bruised, just down to smoke?  Run to God, allow Him to comfort and to fan into flame again.

All the way

Isa 46:4  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

 God is concerned about our whole life.  He cares about us from the time we are conceived all the way to our old age and even beyond, into the life to come.  He has promised that He will carry us safely all the way through. 

More than enough

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 We all have needs.  We all have worries about our needs, yet those who know the Lord need not worry and fret.  God has promised to supply all our needs.  Notice we are reminded that God has more than enough to back up that promise.

Don't be afraid

Jer 1:8  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

 There are many things that can cause us to fear. Evil often seems so strong, but we are reminded that we really have nothing to fear.  God is with us and has promised to deliver us.  Let us trust Him more fully and not be afraid.

With singing and joy

Isa 51:11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

 There is a joy that comes with gathering with the children of God. They gather home to spiritual Zion with singing and gladness.  There is coming a day when we will be home, and all sorrow and sadness will be gone forevermore.  Until that day, let’s enjoy the foretaste of heaven in the gathering together with God’s children

If God be for us...

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

 Who or what can stand against God?  Who or what is able to thwart God’s plans?  What an assurance for a believer!  If God is on our side, if God is for us, there is nothing or no one who can keep God from accomplishing His purposes in our life.

Glad!!

Psa 122:1    I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 What a privilege it is to be able to meet together with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!  What a joy to be able to worship God and to feel His Spirit!  Let our hearts ever be thrilled with the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord. 

Solid

Isa 54:10  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

 Our God is more sure, more dependable, than even the creation, the earth, the mountains and hills. All these things may be shaken, may disappear, but God’s goodness and kindness will remain.  His covenant and mercy remains sure.  May our confidence in Him be unshaken.

Good cheer

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 What an encouragement!  We will face difficulties and troubles in this life, but we have this assurance:  Jesus has walked this way before us and overcome all the opposition in this world.  We can cheerfully live this life knowing He will bring us safely through.

Keep your faith

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 Faith is the foundation of our Christian life.  Faith is necessary to be pleasing to God.  Notice here two elements of faith:  We must believe that God exists, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Hold to your faith; keep a firm grip on the truth about God and His goodness.

No good thing withheld

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 The reward for fully obeying God’s commands and following Him completely are enormous.  This passage promises God will be our light, our guide and our protection. He will provide the grace we need. Notice the promise: no good thing will be withheld.  “Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus” 

Not by bread alone

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 We all have worries with our daily responsibilities, making a living, providing for the necessities of this life. Yet there is something even more necessary than these necessities:  God’s Word.  We need God’s instruction in how to live life, and how to know Him and please Him.  This life has an end, but God’s Word shows us eternal life. We are often tempted to neglect our spiritual life for the pressing concerns of this life.  We need to remind ourselves what is really most important.

Call on Him

Psa 50:15  And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

 We are encouraged to seek God in our troubles and difficulties.  As sure as we call, He will deliver.  Let us not fail to glorify God for His care and deliverance. Call on Him; He is faithful to deliver.

Nothing withheld

Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 What an incredible promise!  How can we doubt that a God who so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us?  If He was willing to give His Son, can there be any doubt that He will give us everything else that we need?  Oh that our faith would take hold of this promise in a greater way!   

Preparing the way

Isa 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

 This life can have many unexpected twists and turns .Obstacles may come across our path. We have not traveled this way before. Yet, we have one who goes before us, preparing the way, making a safe path for us. With God traveling before us, preparing the way, we can face the future with confidence.

While we are yet speaking

Isa 65:24  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

 We are shown the willingness of God to answer the cries of His children.  When our heart is turned to God, He answers speedily, while the words are yet in our mouth.  What a faithful God we serve!  Call on Him!

More with us

2  Ki 6:16  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  2Ki 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

 In a day when the forces of evil seem so strong and overwhelming, we need the same admonition given to Elijah’s servant.  We need our eyes opened to the reality of the situation.  Our God still reigns.  Fear not, with God, they that be for us be more than they that be against us.

Trust and obey

Pro 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.   Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 We make great progress in our Christian life when we learn to trust God and follow His ways fully.  Obey fully, trust completely and we can have confidence that God will direct our life.

Our guide all the way home

Psa 73:24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

 What a blessing!  Our God will guide us through this life all the way home to heaven. We can trust Him with each step, each decision, day by day, knowing that He leads us in a path that will bring us safe home to heaven. Stay faithful

No longer under sin's control

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 We live in a time when the grace of God is greatly emphasized, and rightly so.  We are saved by grace, we are living in the day of grace. However, we need reminded that it matters how we live.  The very fact that we have experienced the grace of God should cause us to no longer live under sin’s control.  Let's rightly represent this great salvation.