Dave’s Monday Blast – June 24, 2024
How does our Heavenly Father inspire hope within us? (Romans 15:4 & 5)
From last week and inspired by In Touch Ministries:
1. The Spirit of God encourages us with the Word of God. (Psalm 119:68)
2. God’s Spirit comforts us through prayer. (Philippians 4:6)
New for this week:
3. God encourages us through Christian music. Many hymns remind us of God’s faithfulness and His purpose for trials. Consider these phrases from a couple hymns of old: “How Firm a Foundation is Jesus Christ my Lord…”; “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be they supply; the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” (And hundreds more). There is great comfort in knowing and trusting God’s grace to sustain us in trials and many inspired songs remind of of His sufficient grace.
4. God’s people are another means by which He encourages us. In closing his letter to the Colossians, Paul listed the friends who worked together with him for the kingdom of God. What he wrote about them was, “They have proved to be an encouragement to me” (Colossians 4:1). A godly friend can lift you up when you’re down. This is just one of the many reasons to engage in a local church where you can participate in the body of Christ in a direct and personal way. Not only will you find courage for your own difficult times, but you’ll be there for others when they’re in need. INTENTIONAL men of God know all too well that an ungodly friend has the opposite impact.
5. The Holy Spirit will help you to notice God’s daily blessings. Discouragement keeps us from seeing all the good He provides. But when we consider His endless gifts, our attitude is transformed. Sometimes we need to take our focus away from the troubles of life and shift it to the awesome creation that surrounds us. The wonder of the seasons, for example, or the perfect order of the universe will always remind us that God is great and He has everything under control.
What a comfort to know that the Lord is present and living within you! Actively look for Him and His comfort, and you’ll recognize His love, mercy, and goodness in every situation. We are reminded in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” The peace of God is mysterious, remarkable, and effective. It holds us together in a way that nothing else can. It is a “peace that surpasses all understanding, and it guards our hearts and minds…”(Philippians 4:7).
