Welcome those of you who are here because of reading my devotion posted at the Proverbs 31 Ministries, "Encouragement for Today." I wrote the devotion that you read in hope's of breathing new life into the importance of each of us spending time with Jesus everyday. Having a busy family life and a ministry to tend to, my life can get crazy. But I've learned when time gets tight and I have to let some things slip, my time with the Lord can not be one of those things. I pray my blog post today let's you catch just a little glimpse of why.
It is very early in the morning. Not many people are stirring yet.
Though my body begged me just to roll over and go back to sleep, my soul was stirring to get up and go sit with Jesus.
Though I can't physically see Him, my heart feels His presence.
I decide to open up my Bible to the Psalms and use the verses I read as prayers to start my day. And the more I pray those verses out loud the less I hear all the nagging things of the world. A beautiful melody of truth starts to rise up and suddenly my worries fade in the light of God's truth.
His perspective on things that are troubling me starts to overshadow my anxiety. Like shade on a hot summer's day, I feel relief in His presence.
I know that He is preparing me for what I will need throughout this day. He is already standing in every minute of my day and He sees what I will face. So, He's equipping me to be able to handle what is ahead of me with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.
In Psalm 81: 10, God instructs me, "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." He will give me what to say today. What to say in happy moments. What to say in aggravating moments. What to say in moments where I feel insecure and what to say when I feel completely confident. What to say in disappointing moments. What to say in response to questions.
He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.
All the words that rumble about in my brain and those that will proceed out of my mouth, Lord, you be the author of those.
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely. So, I ask God to dwell in me richly. I want Him to be what radiates about me. I want Him to be my pretty today.
Not my hair... or the lack thereof. Not my outfit. Not my efforts of adornment. But simply Him and His spirit dancing invisibly about me... shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.
Psalm 86: 11 is what I ask the Lord to give me. "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart..."
Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so that each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth today and not my feelings.
Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.
Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience.
And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, "Great is your love toward me."
You already see all the many ways I will surely fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.
Have mercy, that's amazing.
But what's most amazing is that the God of the Universe, the Savior of the world, would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this.
It is very early in the morning. Not many people are stirring yet.
Though my body begged me just to roll over and go back to sleep, my soul was stirring to get up and go sit with Jesus.
Though I can't physically see Him, my heart feels His presence.
I decide to open up my Bible to the Psalms and use the verses I read as prayers to start my day. And the more I pray those verses out loud the less I hear all the nagging things of the world. A beautiful melody of truth starts to rise up and suddenly my worries fade in the light of God's truth.
His perspective on things that are troubling me starts to overshadow my anxiety. Like shade on a hot summer's day, I feel relief in His presence.
I know that He is preparing me for what I will need throughout this day. He is already standing in every minute of my day and He sees what I will face. So, He's equipping me to be able to handle what is ahead of me with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.
In Psalm 81: 10, God instructs me, "Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." He will give me what to say today. What to say in happy moments. What to say in aggravating moments. What to say in moments where I feel insecure and what to say when I feel completely confident. What to say in disappointing moments. What to say in response to questions.
He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.
All the words that rumble about in my brain and those that will proceed out of my mouth, Lord, you be the author of those.
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely. So, I ask God to dwell in me richly. I want Him to be what radiates about me. I want Him to be my pretty today.
Not my hair... or the lack thereof. Not my outfit. Not my efforts of adornment. But simply Him and His spirit dancing invisibly about me... shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.
Psalm 86: 11 is what I ask the Lord to give me. "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart..."
Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so that each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth today and not my feelings.
Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be.
Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience.
And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, "Great is your love toward me."
You already see all the many ways I will surely fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.
Have mercy, that's amazing.
But what's most amazing is that the God of the Universe, the Savior of the world, would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this.
53 Comments:
Lysa, beautiful! Just beautiful!
Just finished my quiet time with Him. Always rich, always want more. And Psalm 81 says He wants to satisfy us with the finest wheat and honey from a rock! He is good!
Heading to shower while the house is still quiet. Leaving for She Speaks drive to NC in a few hours! Looking unto Him!
We'll see all you lovely southern belles soon! (I wonder if a Philly cheese steak would make the trip there??)
Sharon :)
This is just exactly what I needed to hear today. I feel so nervous I don't know if I could have been still enough to pray this morning, so, I'm using your prayer help get me through this day until I get to Charlotte: "Lord, What Lysa said. Amen." :)
My quiets times have quickly gone from a christian duty to a daily desire. It is like my first cup of coffee...it is daily medicine to my soul and my life. There is never, never enough time in my red paisley chair, my scantuary, spending time with my God.
I leave today!! I have this strange sence of peace and calm this morning. Yesterday was a battle of the mind though. As my husband and I prayed this morning before he left for work (he is feeling quite sad to have me gone for so long), I felt ready...ready to meet God in a new way and hear His voice...His desire for me. "I'm ready to arrive"...in more ways than one. I know God has something special for me to grasp. Praying for you gals!!
In His Graces~Pamela
Great perspective.
Traveling today.... I couldn't resist one last minute blog hop!
I think I may be addicted....
Beautiful.
What is also amazing is that he did the same with me...
met with me and told me that he loved me, and that at the end of the day, all that mattered was that we walked it together.
Our God is intimately involved with each one of us...accesible to each one of us on every occasion, all at the same time. He's incredible! Here's the verse he gave me this morning...
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jeus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen." ~Jude 24-25
And to that I offer my hearty, "Amen." So be it Lord. He's the only one who can do it!
peace~elaine
What a beautiful post! Absolutely perfect!
Lysa - "Mentor" is a big word,and yet in many ways, that is what you are doing, for me & others, from afar. Like a Titus woman (only I'm older than you - do we really need to discuss THAT?), you are teaching the spiritually "younger" ones. Thank you for reflecting God's light, so that we may be lead down the path.
(and I think I'm only one year older....)
Oh Lysa, your readings this morning were wonderful. I too got up early this morning - before 6am - to open His Word and spend time in His presence. Unfortunately, I didn't receive the encouragement my heart longed for. I read verses of God sending lightning; I read from Hosea about times when God tears us and wounds us; I read about finding good in life's bad and dealing with the 'why's' of life - and in one last act of desperation I reached for one more passage and read a commentary on 'saying goodbye'! AGG~ I was so hoping for something a little more encouraging today to help me face the unknowns ahead this weekend.
Holding on to Him and standing in the need of prayer.
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) I have to stand on His faithfulness and the promises He's already spoken into my life!
See you tomorrow!
Joy
As I'm packing my suitcase and stressing over brown shoes or black and other silliness, I so needed to hear those words.
Lysa,
We are certainly communing on the same level this morning. On my blog I wrote about recognizing our Father's voice and the importance of spending time with Him. Much like a baby recognizes their mommy's voice we too should recognize and respond to the voice of our Father. Only through a dedicated and intentional daily pursuit of knowing Him can we develop that "baby like recognition" to bring us the comfort and nurturing we require from our faithful Father.
I prayed for the conference this morning and know our Savior will bless everything and everyone.
Simply beautiful! If only everyone could see that spending time with God can be...well...simple. Just opening your heart and allowing His promises to invade your life. Simple. Profound.
Thanks for the reminder that it will be well worth whatever we have to do/cut/rearrange/??? to spend time with God on a daily basis. I needed to hear this today as I feel as though I'm being pulled in a million different directions and the only thing I really want to do is go deeper with God.
Prayers and Blessings,
Rebecca
p.s. I'm trusting that you and the rest of the P31 staff will take care of my bloggy friends this weekend. May your time together runneth over with God's blessings.
Thank you.
Wonderful today, Lysa. I am stirred.
Please know I am praying for you and all involved in She Speaks this weekend. I attended last year but had a scheduling conflict this year. I pray that God show Himself in a BIG way to each one!!
-Janet Roller
I so needed that encouragement today. Nursing hurt feelings for the past week and trying to press on has made me so weary. I appreciate your encouragement to focus on the love of the Lord so that all the worries of this world will fade away.
I inspired to go read and pray the Psalms aloud, too.
Encouraged,
Krista
I echo many of our "bloggy" sisters....beautiful message today! Thank you, thank you!
See y'all tomorrow!
Lara <><
Yesterday I had my breakdown. Today all I want to do is spend time with God. Thanks for your post.
For those attending She Speaks tomorrow -- Robin @ Pensieve and I are meeting for lunch before the bloggers reception. Everyone is welcome to join us (of course if you're not tied up in the pre-conference!). Follow through to my blog for info.
See every one in Charlotte tomorrow!
Thank you, Lysa. As I sit on my back porch this morning with my Bible and laptop in my lap, I am listening to the birds chirping through all of the trees. It makes me smile to know that God is near. Thanks for your devo.
Love, tammy
This is an amazing Psalm. After i read your blog I looked up Psalm 86 how fitting it is regarding my life right now. Thank you for being faithful to the One who calls us. I appreciate it!
jill
Thank you, Lysa for your words of encouragement this morning. You said it so well and to know I'm not alone in dealing with and balancing the struggles of life is reassuring. Just what I needed! It will take an act of God for me to wake up earlier, but want to give it a try in order to grow closer to Him and allow Him to redirect my thoughts & reactions. Love your hair!!
Cindy
Wonderful, encouraging post today-thanks for sharing your morning with us.
What a great post today. I, too have found that God has to be my #1 piority or things get all confused at my house. He wants us to come to Him early because He deserves our first fruits of the day. It is precious time, well spent! See you at She Speaks!!
I've been thinking about you and your team so much today. I'm praying God will encourage you and equip you and cover this weekend.
Love and much prayer,
Becky
Love not based on performance...a reminder I often need!
Praying for you and the whole ministry team as you head into the conference!
What a beautiful post. I struggle with my quiet time. I have to get up at 4:30 in the morning just to get my kids where they need to be and then to work. I don't get home until 5:45. I try to do quiet time in the evening but it is really a struggle. At that point I am mentally drained and don't really understand everything I read. Does anyone have any suggestions? I crave that time and more understanding of God's word.
Great reminder Lysa! I am praying for you and the other P31 girls as you prepare for tomorrow. I'm sure excitement is building and perhaps some stress too. I pray that you will sense God's peace and calm for the days ahead.
Blessings,
Pearls
Lysa, I really, really like this. I'm so excited to meet you tomorrow! :-)
Thank you so much Lysa! Your devotional has really spoken to my heart. I have been going through so much lately, and the devotional and this blog have really opened my eyes.
God bless you!
Kelly
Thank you for the excellent challenge. I needed that reminder.
Thank you for this incredible, timely reminder.
Hope the weekend exceeds expectations. Wish I could be there but my husband is "between jobs" and it didn't work out financially, so hopefully the next one. Praying for you, Lysa, Deut 32:2 - that your teaching will fall like rain on tender thirsty hearts. For just as this post shows, God's words are no idle words for you, they are your very life. Deut 32:47
Be still my soul! Be still. And know that HE is God!
Thank you so much for this!
Dearest Lysa....
Oh how I have a story for you....Here we are, 3 canadian gals, coming to 'She Speaks'. We headed out from Oshawa this morning at 8:30 and headed to Buffalo for our flight from Buffalo to North Carolina via Detroit...I have no idea why we connected in Detroit but whatever...so we are waiting for our flight and a woman comes on the radio to tell us that our flight is experiencing technical difficulties....a hour later we find out that our plane has been cancelled...and can not get out until tomorrow... So here we sit in Detroit.. (further away than we started!!! )with our armour on...awaiting what God has in store for us!! So one of our travelling partners is suppose to be in the leadership track tomorrow morning..(pre conference) so needless to say Betty will probably not be there...unless your private jet is avaliable to come and get us!!(or if God has some other miracle instore) If not we sit here at the Best Western with our food vouchers and our cute travel bags with some toothpaste and stuff...(since our luggage is somewhere in the USA) but we smile and thank God that we are together having extra time to work on our assignments....and prepare for the weekend we've been waiting for and CONTINUE to wait for....patiently!!!!
God speed!!
Janet Meredith
Eileen Kovack
Betty Reid
P.S. Glad we started a day early!!!
what an amazing way to start the day, thank you for sharing
Awesome - I was just in Psalms, same verse just a few minutes ago. I had tears well up as I read this - how does God continues to lead, and hug me with words and his presence to personally over and over again? Because he is God. I can't thank you enough for your obedience to Him in continunig to press on, it encourages me tremendously. I'll be praying all day today for the team and attendees!
I'm a day late reading this but TODAY is when I needed it most! Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that God loves me "warts and all" and so I shy away from him instead of scooting up close where I should be.
Praying today for She Speaks. I hope that God does wonderful things for each and every one of you there!
God bless you!
Marilyn in MS
Awesome post! It is still so neat to me to hear Jesus calling my name when the rest of the house is still quiet. It means He wants to specifically spend time with ME!!!
Thank you for posting such a sweet reminder!
Pamela in TX
Hi Lysa--
I laughed at your response to the comments about your children at the beach. You are too funny! I have to say, though, that we ate lunch in the same Arby's y'all did last Saturday (I assume you were heading home from the beach and we were on our way) and your family seemed to get along beautifully! I didn't want to interrupt your family time, so I didn't speak, but I just wanted you to know that you are a blessing to so many of us! Thanks for allowing us to share in your journeys of motherhood!
Thank you for the encouragement. Some of the things in my life have begun to lighten a bit and I've started realizing I'm not in my bible as much. My desperate need for God seems to have lessened. I don't want my close relationship with Christ to just fade away (like they have in the past). So today I'm going to reconnect with God and know that I will be refreshed & blessed for being obedient.
Thank you for your honesty.
~ Leanne
How did I miss this when you posted it? This is exactly what I needed to read today. Perhaps the all knowing God we serve knew what day my heart needed this truth sown into my heart.
Thanks friend!
I have to say that this was a wonderful thought to read. Each and every day I normaly have no problem reaching into my heart and knowing as well as feeling what the Lord prefers me to do. However, yesterday seemed to be major test. My s-son age eight was acting up in the store and picking at the other three children, so I I grabbed his arm to hold it as we walked through the store. He raised his fist at me and started to punch me. I released his arm and proceeded in putting our store items back to leave without the things they so needed. apologies began flowing from all four children and did not have a recurrence for the remainder of the time. Yesterday I had a hard time with the fact that the situation occurred because people were looking at me as if I were just plain stupid and I began to feel as though I was not a very good mother. Your words hit the spot becuase you can only do so much teaching and the children are the ones that have the choice of learning. The seed is planted and G-d will do the rest. Sometimes it is frustrating when things go the opposite of what you think they should; however, LET GO AND LET GOD, he is in control and we are not.
Thank You So Much!!!
In Yeshua's(Jesus') Perfect Shalom(Peace) and Love,
Amber
This was such a nice reading. Actually its the most challenging thing for me to get up in the morning and sit and pray but again i will really try and may God help me in accomplishing it. Thanks for the encouragement.
May God bless you and the works of your hands!
Your sister in Jesus,
Frency
Lisa,
That was beautiful!!! I am new on this blog. From reading that message this morning, I felt so calm and at peace. Reading scriptures everyday makes my day. Just to know that God is in control and loving me no matter what . How can I not love him. He is the inspiration . Hearing messages like this is inspiring. Thank you so much for the encouragement.
Quintina
Thank you for the beautiful words of God. I want to follow this model of spending time with the Lord in the mornings. I like how you said it will help to shape my day.
God Bless
Thank you so much, for this is just what I needed to do. Have a quite moment with Juses, now I fill that I can now, Learn how to waite on him and show me how to choose the right words to say..
Hey Joy "Joyful",
I feel like that sometimes too where the daily devotion for that day "in my opinion does not apply to me" but u know I get through it by thinking that God should know why he gave me that one for "today". Maybe He gave you "today" for it to impact you in a week time:)
That is right on time. God keeps confirming His word He is putting in my heart. Thanks be to Him for showing me this site. I really needed this message this morning...I plan on sharing this with a friend..His word must be spread to those who do not or are not able to go to church. God Bless you.
james says: Hi i read your devotional every morning and they help alot. This morning it was very good and believe that it will get me thru this day. I have alot of issues and God is dealing with them all . Thanks for your input and God bless you.
Reading your Encouragement today was God speaking to me through you. I know that God never leaves me, He never forsakes me, and your encouragement today was like striking my forehead with the palm of my hand, like "I should've had a V-8"! a revelation, when you said "not my will, God, but Yours be done." I need to read His word, listen to His voice and follow His lead...not mine. God Bless. Katherine
Great work for the Lord, please any idea on how to help with used computers for the training of disabled out school youth in ghana. God bless you for the good work.
Lysa,thank you so much for this encouragement. So many I too am so busy and the first thing I crunched on is my time with God. Thanks for putting it into propective. You have inspired me to just listen to God and not myself.
Hi Lysa, I almost never miss a single devotional from Proverbs 31 which I receive in my email daily. Today is amazing, though. Prior to reading today's devotion written by you, I was viewing an online preaching by Joyce Meyer entitled, "Its Not About Me". Its about learning to listen to the truth of God's word rather than giving in to the whims of our flesh. And so when I read your devotional, I knew God was trying to reinforce His message for me. Thanks for all that you do and may God bless you even more.
Thank you for sharing this truth. I needed to hear this. I have a problem with getting up and reading my e-mails and putting my devotions off until last. I will try and reverse this action. One thing stood out for me today was that God gives us what to say in any situation. I have always felt that it was just in witnessing to others that He would give me what to say. There are times that I really am at a lose for words and those are the times that I need His words to speak thru me. Thank you. Ruth
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