The Lifter of My Head

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me?
Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11 (Amp.) Praise is the antidote for our sorrow and pain. In the midst of my difficult days your love still remains. As a result, we can overcome every heartache and challenging season. When circumstance looks like we don’t have a reason to praise, you give us a million and one reasons. When life tries to overwhelm us and our heart becomes heavy or weighed down. In your presence true peace is found. In the midst of our dark days your light shines through. No matter the season we can always run to you. Today, we offer up a praise for your faithfulness. We are grateful for your sustaining power and unmatched goodness. Thank you for all that you have done to heal us and make us whole. We bask in the joy of the Lord, knowing that you are always in control. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Prov. 16:32 (NIV) It is easy to give a quick response without thinking or measuring your words and actions against the will and word of God. It takes spiritual and emotional maturity to exhibit self-control in our responses and reactions. We are all a work in progress and may not get it right every time. However, every day that we live we should strive to grow in the area of developing our patience meter. Today, let us all make a commitment to think before we respond and continuously extend grace and unconditional love. Remember to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and walk in victory. Press Forward! ADaubon

Faith Over Feelings

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Prov. 3:5 (Amp.) There will be times in our life when we don’t see what God has promised. There are seasons when our faith is challenged. Often the circumstances we find ourselves in may be a complete contradiction to what we once believed. I encourage you today to give doubt its walking papers and cling to your faith in God, as if your very life depended on it. When your emotions tempt you to want to give up and throw in the towel, command your mind and emotions to wait patiently on the Lord. When the spirit of doubt and despair offers you a resting place, run towards the shalom of the Lord and rest there. Know that God is working on your behalf, even in your darkest moments. So, when life weighs heavy on your heart and you don’t quite understand, believe God and trust again. Even if you don’t see it, believe it. Even if it seems hopeless, let your hope be anchored in the Lord. He will strengthen you from deep within. As you are going through you are growing through it all. Your faith is being fortified. You’re becoming wiser and stronger. Don’t give up now. God is with you. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon

Fruit Inspection Time

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal. 5:22 (NIV) The fruit that we produce reflects what lies within. Does our fruit bear witness that we walk with Him? We are forever growing but we must be willing to be the light wherever we go. We must be conduits for His love to flow. Let us be reflective this morning and ask God to search our heart and mind. What we believe and what we do must be aligned. Submit to God and continue to desire to be made in His image and likeness. Let us live in such a way that our life will be a witness. Press Forward! ADaubon

Comfort for My Cares

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19 (NRSVUE) Our God gives us a steady mind for the disquieted places and spaces that dwells deep within. Our darkest places are never hidden from Him. He sees all that we go through that is beyond what human eyes can see. He reaches to the deepest part inside you and me. Let’s give Him praise for all that He is has done and will ever do. There is no need to worry, God takes care of you. You will receive joy for your sorrow and hope for tomorrow. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon

Remain Steady In Love

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NLT) Let the Lord fight your battles, because He always wins. If we seek to pay others back we are no better than them. Don’t let the actions of evil doers change what you stand for. Hold on to God’s hand and let Him heal and restore. Don’t let emotions tempt you to seek retaliation. Follow the example of Christ who brings reconciliation. Remain steady in your love for God and others, knowing that He takes care of your enemies. At the end of the day, letting God’s love shine through us is the only way to be. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon

Choose Wisely

Whoever is patient has great understanding but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Prov. 14:29 (NIV) It takes maturity to take a moment and pace yourself before you respond. Often the quick and rapid response is filtered through our emotions in the moment leading to words of regret. It takes patience to pause before you react. Pray for wisdom and understanding before you speak or decide how you will handle a matter. How you respond to a person or situation says more about you than them, choose wisely. Press Forward! ADaubon

Never Alone

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) In the darkest times of our life our God is ever present. Whatever our dark season may be, tribulation, grief, persecution, or the deepest valley – we can rest in the assurance that our God is near. He sees our emotions and knows the depth of our pain. He is faithful to respond and support us throughout our journey. He has the power to save us and restore us. His comfort and grace flows towards us continuously. Know that no matter what you are going through today, God is guiding and covering you through it all. He will lift your burdens and heal your heart. He will protect and direct your steps in the path of safety and security. Be encouraged and remember we are never alone. Our God still sits on the throne. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon

Call For Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matt. 5.9 (NRS) In every situation, we all have a part to play. Each of us will be held accountable for what we do and say. We have a choice to be part of the problem or the solution. Will we stand in the gap for what is right in spite of persecution? Will we add to the fire or try to put it out? Will our life and actions reflect what being a Christian is really about? Decide today what side you will be on. Will you stand on the side of right or wrong? We are called to settle disputes and encourage reconciliation. This is God’s will for His creation. Wherever we are we have a mandate to bring others together on one accord. Even when others have hurt us, we must continue to trust in the Lord. Let us walk in peace, share the love of Christ, and strive to make a positive difference wherever we go. Let Christ reign and His grace flow. Let’s go and grow together. ADaubon