Well-Being from the Word: July 2012

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

You’re a Survivor!

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character, and character produces hope...” Romans 5: 3-4, The Bible (English Standard Version)

In most highly-developed parts of the world we aren’t used to having to endure.

Everything is at the push of a button or at a click of the fingers to get a cure.

We expect someone to “fix it now” or to make things turn around at our will.

We don’t want to go through the tough times when we need to learn and be still.

This scripture reminds us we should respond to tough times by rejoicing and to stand.

Enduring builds our character, deepens our faith - knowing that hope is at hand.

Surviving is a basic requirement if we want to stay alive or to endure.

It is not always clear which way to turn, but ask God and he will know for sure!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Monday, 30 July 2012

You were born to shine!

“If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!” Matthew 5:15-16a, The Bible (The Message Version)

It can be hard to compete against the world’s system to showcase who we are.

Many people sacrifice things in order to be a celebrity, famous singer or a movie star.

The thing is we are all designed to carry a bespoke light that only we can allow to glow.

We are not designed to imitate others but instead only ourselves should we show.

This scripture reminds us that we are special and we are designed to shine.

God desires that we put aside fear and that we make a brave decision to cross that line!

God has deposited special gifts and assignments inside of all of us which we have to do.

Stop searching for answers - the talents that will cause you to shine are inside of you!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Friday, 27 July 2012

The Race is not over!

“[Discipline in a Long-Distance Race] Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!...” Hebrews 1: 12, The Bible (The Message Version)

As we live our lives, we are all experiencing this race for life each day.

Some of us walk, some of us jog and some of us run – depending on our mood today.

We may get weary or tired and we may want to quit and turn away from what we face.

Some of us use challenges in life to compete against as we drink God’s grace.

This scripture reminds us that running this race has been done by many before!

They have trail-blazed ahead and they cheer us on – wanting us to achieve more.

God is the ultimate cheerleader, cheering us on through those hills on the track.

My friend, let’s make a decision to push forward by God’s grace and never go back!

Keep running – the race is not over!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Thursday, 26 July 2012

Smile!

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours.” James 1:2-3, The Bible (The Message Version)

It feels itchy and it feels uncomfortable when we are experiencing tests in life.

We fail to see the sunshine - all we see is rain and dark clouds of worry and strife.

Life continues to “push our buttons” and we feel like we want to kick everything down!

How can we be happy in times like these? When all we want to do is cry and frown?

This scripture reminds us to accept tests as a gift and all the while be filled with joy, not pain.

God has a purpose when we go through challenges – so that we exercise our faith again.

People may tell you the opposite and they may try to tell you that you are mad.

But while you go through, smile and stand tall! There is no time to be bitter or sad!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Pain Medicine

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9, The Bible (New Living Translation)

The stress that our lives produce at times can cause us to travel to places of no return.

We run around - feeling exhausted as our bodies go through a stressed-related slow burn.

By the end of a bad day, our heads are thumping and all we want to do is to numb the pain.

We reach for the painkillers or maybe we reach for another strong drink again.

This scripture reminds us that God is the ultimate medicine for any oppression we feel.

Whether the result is a headache, a breakdown, a fever – he is a refuge stronger than steel.

When place our hopes and trust in him, he is ready to shelter us and to give us healing.

God can be our pain medicine and refuge – what a great relief and what a feeling!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Monday, 23 July 2012

Hold On!

“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, The Bible (New International Version)

There are times when we feel like our whole world is coming to an end.

We lose jobs, we lose homes and we lose family members and our best friend.

We try to sort things out so that we can do our best and make it all make sense.

But instead of feeling peace and liberty, we feel stressed-out and tense.

This scripture reminds us that no matter how dark our “valleys” become we are not alone.

God promises to hold us up if we decide to keep ourselves safely within his zone.

We can stay in God’s zone, by choosing to listen, talk, trust and to obey him each day.

Hold on! God is with you to guide you, to love you and to make a clear pathway.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Friday, 20 July 2012

God has counted your hair!

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12: 7, The Bible (New Living Translation)

We seem to be bombarded with messages that we can somehow all be the same.

We begin to believe that we can clone ourselves and become placed under a group name.

The truth is that we are designed to have a much higher value than what people claim.

Our fingerprints are not identical – no matter how much money we have or our level of fame!

This scripture reminds us that we are more valuable to God than we think.

Since he has numbered every hair on our heads, then he can raise us up from the brink!

Let’s carry this promise with us – knowing that we are precious, awesome and rare.

God will continue to watch over us because he deeply loves us and he does care.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Thursday, 19 July 2012

You + Your Heart = Special!

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...” Proverbs 23:7a, The Bible (New King James Version)

There are many avenues and people who attempt to tell us who we should be.

We try to live up to expectations and to live lifestyles that we think people want to see.

Along the way we may compromise and we shy away from who we really are inside.

Honouring what is in our heart seems much easier to dismiss and hide.

This scripture reminds us that what we think and in our heart, that is what we become!

The original you that you are designed to be deserves to exist and then some!

If you believe and think in your heart that you are someone greater than what people say,

then start talking to yourself by declaring greatness and take steps forward today.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Talk to Yourself...

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.” Psalm 42:5, The Bible (The Message Version)

When Life takes a turn for the worst, it can cause us headaches and make us cry.

We go through the “Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda” and taunt ourselves with the question “Why?”

Sometimes people either try to help or they seem to make things worse.

We try to do all sorts of things to “fix it” as we get stressed out – ready to burst.

This scripture reminds us that we can talk to ourselves and choose a different way to be.

Rather than being hostage to our situation or feeling down, we can decide to be free.

God is waiting to help us if we surrender everything over to him to sort out.

Now, let’s sit ourselves down, encourage ourselves and praise God with a shout!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Get a Grip!

“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you peace on every side?...” 1 Chronicles 22:18, The Bible (Amplified Version)

Some of us are stronger than others and so we handle life in different ways.

Sometimes we push through and at times we give in and we worry for hours and days.

They say that “Misery loves company” but who wants to feel down all the time?

“This too shall pass” should be words to help us move on and to feel fine.

This scripture reminds us that God is with us no matter what is going on!

Instead of trying to figure everything out, we should choose to rejoice and break out in song!

God promises to never leave us or forsake us, so with that promise we can be at peace.

His protection, blessings and provision will continue to follow us and never cease.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Monday, 16 July 2012

Protective Peace

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7, The Bible (English Standard Version)

Many people can make many promises about things that they hope to do.

Sometimes it may seem as if what they promise you will save or rescue you.

But when people forget or let us down, we find ourselves in a place of despair.

We wonder what to do or we start to worry because there is nobody there to care.

This scripture reminds us that God’s Peace has a special ability to guard and protect.

He desires that we live a stress-free life and that his peace we should expect.

We may not understand the depth of his peace, but we know that God is there.

His peace and love will ensure that we do not have more than what we can bear.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Friday, 13 July 2012

It’s OK, You’re Forgiven

“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Psalm 130:4, The Bible (New International Version)

Many of us experience some awful things in life and it’s as if the past will not let us go.

People throw things in your face and they try to drag you down (which is hurtful to know).

The past tries to run alongside us and pretend to be a companion of today.

But there is a way to overcome this and to walk in victory and peace every day.

This scripture reminds us that God is filled completely with eternal forgiveness and love.

He doesn’t desire for us to remain being burdened and lost, but to look to him above.

So no matter what you may have done, surrender it all to God and he will embrace you.

God adores you, so be rest assured that he loves you and he forgives you too.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Let it Go!

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.” Matthew 6:14-15, The Bible (The Message Version)

People can surprise us in more ways than one and we wonder what is in their head.

One minute, they kiss you and then the next minute they kick you down instead.

Fighting against what people say and what they do can waste energy and time.

It makes no sense to carry this around on your back and to pretend that this is fine.

This scripture reminds us there is a connection between what we do and what God does too.

So when people do hurtful or spiteful things; pray for them and let go of what they do!

Bitterness and ignoring to forgive has a way of twisting your insides and blocking your way.

God can only move, when we clear the clutter that may be in our hearts today.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

You are not going through this for nothing!

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10, The Bible (English Standard Version)

Why do we go through things that seem to induce every type of stress?

We wonder how things happen and how did life change from simplicity to a mess?

We all do our best to “cope” and we do whatever we can to try and make things go away.

However, dismissing things or feeling down will not do anything to “save the day.”

This scripture reminds us that what we go through is a process for refine who we are.

Instead of being average, God desires that we shine like the brightest star.

However to get to this place of purity, we have to be tested and tried like silver or gold.

Each step we experience is necessary to unleash desires and blessings untold.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Monday, 9 July 2012

God’s Returns Policy

“And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten...” Joel 2:25, The Bible (Amplified Version)

Some of us can go through a long time of testing and it seems that we lose everything too.

We wonder how life can get better and we worry about what we can change or do.

People may have their opinions about how to deal with life and its blows.

But at the end of the day, it is only you left that has to deal with the pain which shows.

This scripture reminds us that God has a way of restoring all that has been lost.

During the hard times, we were being shaped even though our lives were being tossed.

God sees and he knows all that we go through and his promises are always sure.

For what we have lost and suffered from, He will faithfully replace and restore.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Thursday, 5 July 2012

Stand (Don't give up)

“Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11, The Bible (New Living Translation)

Life has a way of throwing out challenges and tests as we travel along the way.

We could be on the pathway to achieving a dream or making significant discoveries for today.

Sometimes we go through very tough times that can cause us to feel worried and down.

Instead of pushing through and staying strong, it seems easier to give up and frown.

This scripture reminds us that we will be tested but we must decide to stand firm.

How God will protect, keep, guide and take care of you – is none of your concern!

The armour of God is the belt of truth and body armour of righteousness with shoes of peace;

carry the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit and the helmet of salvation and troubles will cease.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Wednesday, 4 July 2012

You put your left foot in and then your left foot out...

“[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].” James 1:8, The Bible (Amplified Version)

Indecision can be a stumbling block that hinders our way forward or ahead.

We “Ummm” and “Arrrrrh” and ask everyone else what we should do instead.

Being unsure of the small things create a pathway for being unsure of the bigger things too.

We say “Yes” and then we say “No” while we cause confusion; believing what is untrue.

This scripture reminds us that someone who is always in two minds is unstable.

Instead of moving forward, attaining and gaining we find that we are unable.

Putting your left foot in and then your left foot out can feed confusion and doubt.

Stay committed to positive decisions and dreams – don’t let indecision catch you out!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Don’t Doubt!

“Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6, The Bible (Amplified Version)

Stepping out into the unknown is not the default position that people tend to take.

We are conditioned to feed our insecurities and to bypass our dream - in case we make a mistake.

If we don’t take a leap of faith and trust our instincts that we have deep down inside;

we will find ourselves “doing ok” but not fulfilling our purpose which we chose to hide.

This scripture reminds us that when we leap, we must do so without doubt!

It won’t be easy because all insecurities and oppositions will seem to get louder and shout.

Don’t doubt because you will be tossed and turned like a rubber ring in the sea.

God needs us to step out and do what is in our hearts – we all have a special place to be.

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...

Monday, 2 July 2012

The Force is with you

“God's name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe.” Proverbs 18:10, The Bible (The Message Version)

There are so many events happening in our world, some good and others are bad.

The things that we do to each other can make us happy and it can make us sad.

If we allow ourselves to be afraid all the time, we would stay locked up at home.

Maybe we’d begin to feel so unprotected that we would be afraid to answer the phone.

This scripture reminds us that there is a force of protection and strength wherever we go.

When we connect with God and call on his name, then his protection he will show.

Being cared for and feeling safe, is a part of the package when we trust in God each day.

Don’t be afraid to go anywhere – the force is with you and He’s here to stay!

And now for some musical inspiration and encouragement...