Happy Motivational Monday!
I hope that you are refreshed from the weekend. If not, let’s start now. Be refreshed in knowing that you are not alone. You are loved. You are important. You are worthy. I say this because God said so. Believe it and smile.
The Lord will lead you. He himself is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid!” Deuteronomy 31:8
Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. Isaiah 41:10
Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Hebrews 13:5
Okay, I just couldn’t wait too many days to share my bullet points from Saturday and Sunday’s bible reading. I pray that you will be encouraged to dive into God’s word, learn from this amazing and true history book, gain wisdom and knowledge, and take comfort in knowing that God is with you (even when you think you’re alone).
DAY 26 of 2020:
EXODUS 2:11-3:22
- Moses thought no one was watching him when he killed the Egyptian. Just like us, we often think we can get away with something, only to end up paying for our mistake later. Remember that when you think no one is watching you, God is. He is the audience of one that doesn’t miss a beat.
- God isn’t forgetting you in your Tim’s of trouble, He is just waiting on the right time.
- “Who am I?” Whether it’s the Casting Crowns song that comes to mind or words I’ve said to myself…who am I? Moses said these words while protesting to God about a mission God had for him to accomplish. I am sooo guilty of believing God desires for little ole me to accomplish certain missions for Him. We doubt ourselves and our abilities. Who am I? I am a child of God! I am His! I have Him within me! That’s who I am. I should ask myself, “Who am I that I disobey God?” I am worthy. You are worthy. When God calls you to do something, do it. Don’t doubt, be confident that He has a perfect plan and has equipped you for the task at hand. (Speaking to myself big time here.)
MATTHEW 17:10-27
- Right away (verses 10-13), when reading the words “he wasn’t recognize”, Jesus was talking about John the Baptist, but I ponder how many times Christ was presented Himself or an opportunity or someone in front of us and we didn’t recognize that it was Him or from Him. I pray that you and I will have our eyes wide open to God’s revelations each day. Recognize His glorious riches and the opportunities He presents to us to share His love with others. Amen! I’m praying that right now for myself.
- Jesus got so frustrated with the lack of faith the disciples showed. I bet He does with us as well. May we realize the power that is within us…Jesus’ power…and know that we are stronger than we think we are, with God. Go move mountains!
- In verses 22-23, Jesus laid out three occurrences, that will happen to Him, for the disciples: He will be betrayed, He will be killed, but…He will rise from the dead. Are we so different? We hear only the bad, and totally lose out on hearing or seeing the great. Listen to everything God has to say. Don’t just focus on the “don’t”s in life (like I mentioned in the last journal entry), yet take joy in the “do”s.
PSALM 22:1-18
- Verse 1 are the familiar words that Jesus said while hanging on the cross carrying all of OUR burdens, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” David said these words when he was going through great despair. There
- There may be times when you feel all alone and that God isn’t listening. Remember that He said He will never leave you or forsake you. He keeps His promises. Believe that He is with you. We don’t understand His timing, but we can hold true to the fact that through the trials we endure in life, we need to persevere and be strong for He is making us stronger in our faith in the end. Be strong. Be strong in the Lord and never give up.
PROVERBS 5:7-14
- Be wise with you finances and social life. Stay away from people who want to take advantage of you and end up spending your money that you worked so hard for. Listen to the wise advice of others. I think about some adults I know who are caught in or have been caught in this trap of working hard, trying to save, yet unwisely blow too much money of, hmmm…adult entertainment. This ends up/has ended up hurting them in the long run. I pray that you will be self-disciplined with your time, money, and body. If God ain’t for it, don’t do it. Just sayin’. You’ve been warned. You will regret it in the end. Sure, you may have thought you were having fun wasting your money and self on the pleasures of the world, but that is exactly what it is…pleasures or the WORLD and not of God. Stick with Him. He has great plans for you.
DAY 27 of 2020:
EXODUS 4:1-5:21
- Moses protested three times to God (and this is only by verse 1). Stubborn…just like we can be/am. Moses would play the “what if…” game with God. Overthinking situations. Overreacting to things that have yet to happen. That didn’t phase God. Again…God had a plan. He’s got you, friend. Have faith.
- At this point (after reading verse 9 in chapter 4), I’m thinking that God was reassuring Moses via the miraculous signs He was performing, not just doing them to have Moses perform them for the Israelites if needed. Moses needed some convincing himself.
- Oh my! Moses pleaded with God again! (Verse 10). Y’all, I sit here, shaking my head thinking of myself…making excuses why “I” can’t do something, when all along, it’s not me anyhow…it’s God within me doing what he wants me to do. Stop making excuses. When God gives you a job to do, know that He has gone before you and will equip you for everything you need to say and do.
- Guess who kept plies begging God to not use him…Moses…again…verse 13…”I just can’t”
- God empowers us. Praise the LORD!
- Life isn’t fair. No one said it would be.
- When man doesn’t provide for our needs like we expect them to, remember that God does and will. He will take care of all your needs.
MATTHEW 18:1-20
- Turn from your sins. Become humble. See you in heaven.
- Don’t cause others to stumble. There will be a price to pay.
- Temptations are going to come your way. That’s not the sin…the acting on it is.
- Make good choices…remove yourself from those temptatious situations.
- When a believer wrongs you, go to them, confront their wrong against you, and forgive them. This will make for a great start on restoring the relationship instead of bitterness and resentment settling in.
PSALM 22:19-31
- Praise God in the midst of your troubles, and when He rescues you. Praise Him for all to see, giving credit where credit and glory are due…God.
- Seek the LORD and praise Him. Rejoice with everlasting joy!
PROVERBS 5:15-21
- Stay faithful to your spouse. Don’t have sex with anyone but them.
- Ahhh…be captivated by your spouse. Show love.
- Keep your wondering hand to yourself.
- God sees all.
- Have self-control. Don’t be a fool.
It’s never too late for you to start reading on your own. Once in the link provided for reading the Bible daily, you can select today’s date as your start date and get busy. Don’t give up. Don’t think that those old words aren’t relevant to you today or that you’ve already read it before so why again. FRIEND, God’s word is alive and active. Happy reading.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
(I would LOVE to know that you are reading along with me or starting on your own. Please send me an email to [email protected] or commenting below. I know I’m not alone in this, but I sure would appreciate knowing who is besides God. Thanks. You’re amazing.)