Proverbs 31 Womans Devotional - Encouragement for Today

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Encouragement 01-19-05

 


January 19, 2004
Encouragement for Today
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/

I've Got You Covered
Wendy Pope, Member of the Speaker Team

Key verse:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 (NIV)

Devotion:

Most of us are under the misguided impression that we are in control.  We have all the bases covered.  We can take care of ourselves.  But if a problem should arise that we can't handle, we know that God is there to lend us a hand.  He is, in essence, our "back-up".  What is the saying, "He's just a prayer away?"  It is all a myth and a lie we fool ourselves into believing.

We spend our time planning what we are going to do tomorrow.  Scheduling every minute of our lives, making the most of every opportunity to "get everything" done.  We have become so good at it that we can schedule a Plan B or other options just in case Plan A does not work out.  We watch the weather channel at night to plan what to wear; we pay close attention to five-day forecasts so we can "plan accordingly."  The radio is turned on in the morning to tell us about any traffic problems and to offer alternate routes.

We invest our money in annuities, the money market and the stock market.  We keep our eyes open for an "investment opportunity".  Our financial adviser tells us we need to roll this fund into that fund.  We do it to make our future more secure.

We spend time planning family menus for the week before going to the grocery store so we do not buy anything unnecessary. The sale ads tell us where to go to get the best "deal".  We take a roast out to thaw for tomorrow night's supper.  In the morning, the roast goes in the crock pot to cook while we are taking care of our daily responsibilities.
 

Plan, plan plan!  I am not saying that we should not be good stewards of our time and resources by planning.  What I am saying is that we need to be aware of the greater picture.  Someone else is charge.  It is our responsibility to seek Him and His plan for our life before we carry out our own personal agenda. 

I saw this picture clearly one day when I was feeling quite proud of myself.  You've had those days, when everything goes right.  You are able to make every appointment on time, you manage to run each errand on the list and even spend time with God.  And to make my pride swell even more, I did all of this on a cold, rainy day.  The final stop was the public library after picking my children up from school, yes, in the rain.  Let me tell you, I was feeling good about myself.

We stepped out of the car.  I opened my large umbrella and each child opened their own smaller umbrellas.  It was the perfect sight.  My children have not learned to hold the umbrella straight over their heads, so I held my large umbrella over the two smaller umbrellas to insure that no one would get wet.  My children did not notice that I was protecting them from the rain.  They thought they were managing fine without me.  It was then that I saw the "truly perfect sight".  When I think I have it all covered, He is there - covering me.

My Prayer for Today:

Father, thank you for protecting me, even when I foolishly believe I don't need you.  Help me to rest in your shelter today.  Thank you for the enduring love you continue to give me.  Amen.

Application Steps:

Make a list of your activities for the day.  Examine each one in light of His plan for your day.  Determine if the list can be trimmed and do so.  Thank God for His protection as you carry out your daily activities.

Reflection Points:

Do I ask God for help in my daily, weekly and future plans?

Is following God's plan for my life really important to me?

What do I need to surrender to God's control?

Power Verses:

"Protect me as you would the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings as you hover over me."  Psalm 17:8 (TLB)

"I shall live forever in your tabernacle; oh to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" Psalm 61: 4 (TLB)

"Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence?"Psalm 139:7 (TLB)

Additional Resources:

Who Hold the Keys to Your Heart? by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/key.html

A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/secretbalanced.html

Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/livinglife.html



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