Originally published Monday, 17 February 2014.
When you feel that it's time for change, the last thing you want to do is stop and remember.
You want to go.
To move.
I've been attending BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), and I have appreciated the encouraging words from the book of Matthew. The speaker recently said of Matthew 16, "go deeper by remembering." This, I feel is the key to moving forward.
We must look back and remember God's faithfulness to be confident in the present, and hopeful about the future.
Recently I read A Confident Heart by Renee Swope. It was the way she weaved Scripture through each chapter that impressed me most. She reminded me where and in Whom I find my confidence. Today, I wanted to encourage you with three lists that caught my attention in Renee's book.
If you find yourself in the midst of transition or find it hard to believe God's truth about you, be encouraged!
(1) Lord, thank You that You are:
+ Emmanuel: My God with Me (Matt. 1:22-23)
+ El-Channun: The Gracious God (Jon. 4:2)
+ El Hanne'eman: The Faithful God (Deut. 7:9)
+ El Roi: The God Who Sees Me (Gen. 16:13-14)
+ El ha-Gibbor: The Mighty God, God the Hero (Isa. 9:6)
+ El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient God (Gen. 17:1-2)
+ El Sali: God of My Strength (Ps. 42:9)
+ El Olam: The Everlasting God (Gen. 21:32-33)
+ El Elyon: The Most High God (Dan. 4:34)
+ Elohim: God, My Mighty Creator (Gen. 1:1)
+ Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Who Will Provide for Me (Gen. 22:13-14)
+ Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals Me (Exod. 15:26)
+ Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner (Exod. 17:15-16)
+ Jehovah Shalom: The Lord My Peace (Judg. 6:24)
+ Yahweh Tsuri: The Lord My Rock (Ps. 144:1)
+ Jehovah Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
+ Jehovah Shammah: The Lord Is There For Me (Ezek. 48:35)
+ Abba: My Father: My Father (Ps. 68:5-6)
(2) In the shadow of the cross:
+ When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN. "' You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he'" (Isa. 43:10).
+ When you feel afraid, God says: You are REDEEMED. "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine" (Isa. 43:1).
+ When you feel unloved, God says: You are LOVED. "You are precious and honored in my sight, and...I love you" (Isa. 43:4).
+ When you feel forgotten, God says: You are REMEMBERED. "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isa. 49:16).
+ When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE. "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders" (Deut. 33:12).
+ When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE. "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to treat on the heights" (Hab. 3:19).
+ When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED. "You are a chosen [woman], a royal [priest], a holy [daughter], God's' special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Pet. 2:9).
(3) Living in the Security of God's Promises:
+ When I say: I can't figure things out. God says: I will direct your steps. (Prov. 3:5-6)
+ When I say: I'm too tired. God says: I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)
+ When I say: I feel so weak. God says: I'll give you power. (2 Cor. 12:9)
+ When I say: My life is too hard. God says: Let Me help you. (Ps. 91:15)
+ When I say: Life is full of problems. God says: I am working for your good. (Rom. 8:28)
+ When I say: This situation is impossible. God says: All things are possible with My help. (Luke 18:27)
+ When I say: I have nothing to give. God says: I will provide. (2 Cor. 9:8)
+ When I say: I can't do it. God says: Rely on My strength and you can do all that I'e called you to do (Phil. 4:13)
+ When I say: I feel so alone. God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31:6)
+ When I say: I can't take this anymore. God says: I will supply all your needs. (Phil. 4:19)
+ When I say: I'm too afraid. God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2. Tim. 1:7)
+ When I say: My concerns are consuming me. God says: Cast all your cares on Me. (1 Pet. 5:7)
+ When I say: I feel overwhelmed. God says: I will give you peace. (John 16:33)
+ When I say: I can't forgive myself. God says: I forgive you. (1 John 1:9)
+ When I say: I don't have enough confidence. God says: I will be your confidence. (Prov. 3:26)
+ When I say: I'm not strong enough. God says: I am your strength. (Ps. 73:26)
+ When I say: I don't know what to do. God says: I will give you wisdom. (James 1:5)
+ When I say: I feel so depressed. God says: Let My love and faithfulness guard your heart (Lam. 3:21-23)
+ When I say: I'll never change. God says: I am transforming you. (2 Cor. 3:18)
+ When I say: I feel condemned. God says: I will never condemn you. (Rom. 8:1)
+ When I say: I feel worthless. God says: You are precious and loved by me (Isa. 43:4)
+ When I say: Everyone is against me. God says: I am for you! (Rom. 8:31)
+ When I say: I have no goals or purpose. God says: I have goals and purpose for your life. (Col. 2:2)
+ When I say: I feel defeated. God says: You are a conqueror! (Rom. 8:37)
+ When I say: I can't stop sinning. God says: I offer you freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17)
+ When I say: I just want to quit. God says: Be strong and do the work. (1 Chron. 28:20)
+ When I say: I'm nothing special. God says: You are a masterpiece. (Eph. 2:10)
+ When I say: I'm not good enough. God says: You're royalty to Me (Isa. 62:3)
+ When I say: I feel so ugly. God says: I think you're beautiful. (Ps. 45:11)
+ When I say: I'm such a failure. God says: Your destiny is victory. (2 Cor. 2:14)
*Lists taken from: A Confident Heart: Revell, 2011.
[Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography via photopin cc]
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