I am strong in the Lord...
Psalms 18:1,2 I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
August 6, 2009
Pressing On
“Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.” Judges 8:4
“Press on, friend. The Bible is full of exhortations to press on no matter what the circumstances. Judy Rice presses on. She wrote me recently, ‘Joni, your daily devotional Diamonds in the Dust, has become my constant companion as I sit in my nursing home and wait for breakfast. I have been in a wheelchair since 1965, having found myself with multiple sclerosis as a very young adult.’
“This young woman lives in a nursing home, sits in a wheelchair, waits for her breakfast, and remains faithful in her daily devotions despite facing an uncertain future. Doesn't her example strengthen your resolve to press on? The Bible makes much of sticking to it when it comes to living with unpleasant circumstances.
“In Judges 8:4, Gideon's troops were exhausted. They were completely worn out, but they kept pursuing the goal. They ended up victorious in battle. The result? Greater glory to the Father. Then there's Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Talk about someone facing unpleasant circumstances! The Lord says in Matthew 25, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.’ But Jesus presses on in the next verse, saying, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ The Lord persevered and obtained salvation for the world. The result? Greater glory to the Father.
“Judy Rice is fighting her own battles, and praying her own prayers about cups of suffering passing her lips. Because she presses on by God's grace, she's in a class with Gideon; yes, even with the Lord Jesus, who welcomes her at His side.
* * * * *
“What battles are you facing? Whatever they are, draw encouragement from Gideon, the Lord Jesus, and Judy Rice and...press on!
Jesus – “If today I feel as though I can't go on, help me to press forward. Thank you for the examples of Gideon and Judy Rice. Most of all, I'm grateful that in you, I find more than an example... I find strength!”
Taken from More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada
What a timely message for me – I am SO tired, and in so much pain that it would be really easy to just give up – and stay in bed. I need this reminder every morning – as I open my eyes and face another day, I can either do it in my own strength (which is pretty puny) – or I can face it with the LORD’S strength (which will never fail me). It’s a choice – I can let the pain and the fatigue claim the day – or I can claim the day for Jesus! It’s not easy – not saying it is – getting up and moving when all I want to do is pull the covers over my head takes every ounce of willpower I can muster – then I have to choose to surrender the day to God to be used by Him in a way that honors Him. So, friend – can you relate? If so, remember that God never calls us to do anything in our own strength – we will only have the victory if we rest in HIS strength. Put your hope in HIM – let Him carry you on “wings like eagles” – and soar above your circumstances in HIS power! How? Start your day in the Word – let His words filter down into your heart! Make the Bible your “Breakfast of Champions!” And – when the day ends, take a few more minutes to be in the Word. Keep your mind set on Him – morning, noon and night!
Psalms 18:1,2 I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
August 6, 2009
Pressing On
“Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.” Judges 8:4
“Press on, friend. The Bible is full of exhortations to press on no matter what the circumstances. Judy Rice presses on. She wrote me recently, ‘Joni, your daily devotional Diamonds in the Dust, has become my constant companion as I sit in my nursing home and wait for breakfast. I have been in a wheelchair since 1965, having found myself with multiple sclerosis as a very young adult.’
“This young woman lives in a nursing home, sits in a wheelchair, waits for her breakfast, and remains faithful in her daily devotions despite facing an uncertain future. Doesn't her example strengthen your resolve to press on? The Bible makes much of sticking to it when it comes to living with unpleasant circumstances.
“In Judges 8:4, Gideon's troops were exhausted. They were completely worn out, but they kept pursuing the goal. They ended up victorious in battle. The result? Greater glory to the Father. Then there's Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Talk about someone facing unpleasant circumstances! The Lord says in Matthew 25, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of death...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.’ But Jesus presses on in the next verse, saying, ‘Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ The Lord persevered and obtained salvation for the world. The result? Greater glory to the Father.
“Judy Rice is fighting her own battles, and praying her own prayers about cups of suffering passing her lips. Because she presses on by God's grace, she's in a class with Gideon; yes, even with the Lord Jesus, who welcomes her at His side.
* * * * *
“What battles are you facing? Whatever they are, draw encouragement from Gideon, the Lord Jesus, and Judy Rice and...press on!
Jesus – “If today I feel as though I can't go on, help me to press forward. Thank you for the examples of Gideon and Judy Rice. Most of all, I'm grateful that in you, I find more than an example... I find strength!”
Taken from More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada
What a timely message for me – I am SO tired, and in so much pain that it would be really easy to just give up – and stay in bed. I need this reminder every morning – as I open my eyes and face another day, I can either do it in my own strength (which is pretty puny) – or I can face it with the LORD’S strength (which will never fail me). It’s a choice – I can let the pain and the fatigue claim the day – or I can claim the day for Jesus! It’s not easy – not saying it is – getting up and moving when all I want to do is pull the covers over my head takes every ounce of willpower I can muster – then I have to choose to surrender the day to God to be used by Him in a way that honors Him. So, friend – can you relate? If so, remember that God never calls us to do anything in our own strength – we will only have the victory if we rest in HIS strength. Put your hope in HIM – let Him carry you on “wings like eagles” – and soar above your circumstances in HIS power! How? Start your day in the Word – let His words filter down into your heart! Make the Bible your “Breakfast of Champions!” And – when the day ends, take a few more minutes to be in the Word. Keep your mind set on Him – morning, noon and night!
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