Monday, June 18, 2018

Ten Scriptures, Songs, & Some Thoughts To Encourage You In Uncertain Times

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
I Thessalonians 4:16-18
(KJV)

I will never forget a particular time of prayer in early 2015.
Praying is a natural, many-times-a-day occurrence for me.
I find that the older I get and the longer I serve Jesus, the more I need to pray.
So, for me to say I remember an individual moment spent at the feet of Jesus may sound odd, especially to those who know me well and are familiar with my daily routine.
But, there are moments in prayer that are profound—that shake you to the core and leave a lasting, indelible mark, changing the course of your life forever.

That prayer was one of those kinds of prayers.
We were in the beginning stages of that dreadful identity theft nightmare —the one that turned out to be one of the biggest turning points of our lives.

As I prayed, I heard God whisper,
"I am a jealous God.
I want to be your all in all."

I sat there, speechless.
Wasn't He that already?
Hadn't I been serving Him since I was a little girl?
Hadn't I made Him Lord of my life and surrendered all to Him at that little spot on Buena Vista,
where I wholeheartedly handed Him the reins?
What, in my life, could be competing with Him that would provoke His jealousy?

I have pondered His words, "I want to be your all in all," as, over the course of the time between that day and this, He has repeated them to me time after time.

I realize now, looking back on the time God spoke those words to me in 2015 that I had no idea of what was coming up ahead, and how one at a time, He would ask us to cut the shorelines to everything that we have depended on to keep us "safe"— the things that were competing with Him as our source.

So often, I reflect upon Ezekiel 47:3-5,
"Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep.  Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep.  Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep.  Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through."  (ESV)

In this post, I talked about how God has called my little family and me out of the boat into deep waters.
Events since the writing of that post have plunged us into even deeper waters that are over our heads, and we can no longer feel the ground beneath our feet.
As I was praying this morning, it hit me that the only thing we are standing on right now are the promises of God.

When life takes uncertain turns, and we find ourselves in such unfamiliar territory,
it is easy to become overwhelmed and even terrified.
Today, I wanted to share ten Scriptures and encouraging songs that are ministering to me right now.
I truly hope they bless you as much as they are blessing me!


"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Isaiah 41:10
(KJV)

If you are facing uncertain times, pray, my friend.
Pray now.


Pray Now ~ Karen Peck & New River

"And the LORD shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."
Isaiah 58:11
(King James 2000 Bible)


Grab Your Umbrella ~ The Talleys

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5,6
(KJV)


All My Hope Is In Jesus ~ Crowder w/Tauren Wells

"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
Isaiah 48:17
(NIV)


Until Then ~ Pap & Paul Wilson

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 15:57
(KJV)


"I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:  and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel."
Isaiah 45:2,3
(KJV)


"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Deuteronomy 31:6
(KJV)


"Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began."
Psalm 139:16
(Christian Standard Bible)


God of All My Days ~ Casting Crowns

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left."
Isaiah 30:21
(King James 2000 Bible)


Broken People Like Me ~ Old Paths

"My times are in Thy hand."
Psalm 31:15
(KJV)



Take courage, my friends!
God is winnowing our paths, sifting out the things satan tries to inject that are contrary to His Divine will.
He sees you.
He hears your prayers.
He is for you.
He loves you so much!
So, do I.
I am praying for every person who will ever read this.
Look up!
Our Redemption draws nigh!

18 comments:

  1. Hi Cheryl,its Su Ann. I appreciate this post. I am saving it and sending it to my friend, too. Thank you for sharing this with us. God loves you!

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    1. Dear friend, thank you ever so much for saving and sharing this post. Your support and encouragement and friendship are precious gifts. I am praying for you faithfully. Keep encouraged!

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  2. What awesome verses that are a blessing to read again and again. Thank you dear friend for sharing them.

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    1. Oh, I am so thankful you enjoyed the verses! YES, I could just read them over and over...God's Word is so precious and never grows old. I am so thankful for you and your presence in my life, dear friend. God bless you abundantly! Will answer your email soon, Lord willing. :) Praying for you!

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  3. I always love how you are so deeply honest with us, Cheryl, and share your precious verses and songs that are so meaninful to you at the present time in your life. I'm praying for you, too!

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    1. Oh, how kind your words are, dear friend! Thank you so much. I trust God you are doing well. I am praying for you and sending hugs and much love your way!

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  4. Oh Cheryl! What an incredible collection of songs and scripture! It seems that the Lord keeps us on a "white water raft adventure ride", life with Him is never dull at all! I know that whatever He brings us to, He will take us through! Praying always for you sweet friend!!!

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    1. I am so thankful you enjoyed the songs and Scripture verses! You are the second person who mentioned the word "through" to me tonight. Another dear friend emailed me and said the key word is "through"...oh, that meant so much to me! God doesn't bring us to the hard places to leave us there, but to take us through. That gives me so much hope! I so appreciate your prayers! I am praying for you, too, and hope all is well in your world. Sending hugs and blessings your way!

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  5. "I am praying for every person who will ever read this.
    Look up!"....Thanks. Right back atcha :)

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    1. Thank you ever so much! Many blessings to you. :)

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  6. Many of these verses are some of my favorites! Love this: "I want to be your all in all." I'm glad God is jealous for our love.

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    1. Me, too, Lisa! His jealousy shows how deeply He loves and cares for us and longs for communion with us. He is such a wonderful Lord! So thankful for your visit and kind words. God bless you!

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  7. As long as we live our Father guides us into deeper relationship with Him and into wisdom for His glory and the benefit of others. You are doing and being just that in your ministry.

    Thanks for always being the helpful encourager to many. We're blessed to have you!

    Love that Casting Crown's song.

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging, kind words, brother. I so appreciate your prayers and support. I love that song, too!

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  8. Thanks, Cheryl, for these great verses and songs, several of which I know and love! Love, Julie

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet visit and kind words! I just got your email and will try to write you back soon. Much love to you!

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  9. What a great encouraging post! Thank you for letting us be part of it : )

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    1. Thank you ever so much, Tipper! Your support means so much. :)

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