Category: Treasures for the Heart

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 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.

Even when we are in the middle of a storm God can gives us peace. We all have struggles in our lives that cause us to worry or fear. The best way to combat that is to pray with thanksgiving unto the Lord (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Go ahead – tell the Lord what burdens your heart and mind. God cares about you. 

Real peace comes when we trust that God knows what’s best and has everything under control. When you start to worry, stop and pray.

Tears Are A Language God Understands
(Composed by Gordon Jensen, 1971)

Often you wonder why tears come into your eyes
And burdens seem to be much more than you can bear
But God is standing near, He sees your falling tears
And tears are a language God understands.

God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul
He sees your tears and hears them when they fall
God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language God understands.

When grief has left you low it causes tears to flow
When things have not turned out the way that you had planned
But God won’t forget you His promises are true
And tears are a language God understands.

God sees the tears of a brokenhearted soul
He sees your tears and hears them when they fall
God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language that my God He understands.

God weeps along with man and He takes him by the hand
Tears are a language God understands.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Thankful for a Saviour who patiently waits for us to lean on Him. When we feel overwhelmed causing tears to flow from our eyes, all we need to do is to call out to Him (Psalm 61:2-3). He is there all the time waiting to renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31) as we rest upon His precious promises (2 Peter 1:4).

Good morning! Wanted to share an encouragement moment with you. Dezirae & I are doing a Virtuous Woman Bible study for her Bible Class this year. Today’s lesson was about “Keeping eternity in mind when making decisions.”*

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

“Challenge: Determine for myself and my family where I need to draw the line. How much can I handle and still do my best? Realizing that this line will move as my circumstances in life changes, I will seek to do what would MOST please the Lord at this stage of my life.”*

I’ve already had to practice this this week with upcoming commitments. Though I wanted to do them and not let anyone down I chose to pray about it and ask God for wisdom. A few of the commitments I had to back out of because though they weren’t wrong they would’ve done me more harm than good at this stage in my life.

This was encouraging to me. ☺

Let’s remember when making decisions to keep eternity in mind.

*Excerpts from The Virtuous Woman Bible Study Course at www.kjvhearthelps.com

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Taking time to thank God for His daily blessings (heavenly hugs) not only nourishes the soul, but also gives Him glory.

What blessings do we receive daily?

1. The ability to wake up one more time.
2. Hugs from ones we love.
3. A call or unexpected visit from a friend.
4. Spending time with family.
5. The ability to read His Word each day.
6. Enjoying His beautiful creation around us.
7. Answered prayers.

Don’t forget to take time to “smell the roses” and see what great and mighty things (Jeremiah 33:3) the Lord does for us on a daily basis. The Lord truly is good to those that trust in Him.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Ungrateful people tend to complain and are nitpicky about everything.  They complain about everything, never seem to enjoy life, and always want more.  God’s word repeatedly implores us to “give thanks” in all things.  Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 100:4

Developing a grateful heart is an important part in the growth of a Christian.  God’s grace enables all believers to give thanks in all things (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Regardless of the pain or problems we face in this life, each of us has something for which to be thankful.  i.e.: roof over our head, clothes to wear, food to eat, family, life itself.  God is good all the time whether we are willing to admit it or not.

Even in and through our darkest trial, God is working things out for our good and His eternal glory.  By faith, we can have a grateful heart in all circumstances.

Take time to think of all the ways God has been good to you! 

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Thankful that I have unlimited access to my Heavenly Father on a daily basis – most days multiple times.

Christ is our ultimate example as He made the ultimate sacrifice as He was wounded, bruised, chastised, oppressed, and afflicted yet He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:5-7). He sinned not.

Most times the best way is the hardest to endure. Because of Christ’s sacrifice for us, we have the ability to boldly approach the throne of grace in times of need. His throne is where we can find the mercy and grace that we do not deserve in times when we especially need it.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jude 1:22 – “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

While reading the book of Jude this week during one of my morning devotions times, it was an encouragement to me.  It made me think of all the evil reports in the news media, of how disrespectful lots of people are to Pastor’s, the President, or those in authority, and how people are lovers of self more than God. It made me think of how God would not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness because of ONE righteous person.

America still can have hope of old-fashioned revival as long as the righteous are willing to allow the presence of His glory shine in their lives in the darkness around them.  God alone has the glory, majesty, power, and dominion now and forever!  Amen!

Thankful that Jesus is Lord of everything!

Additional Scriptures to read: 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Genesis 18:16-19:24; Jude 1:1-25