Proverbs 31 Womans Devotional - Encouragement for Today

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Encouragement 11-19-04

 


November 19, 2004
Encouragement for Today

Trusting God in All Things
Melissa Taylor, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team

Key Verse

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)


Devotion:

Lately, my faith has been challenged.  Am I following God's will for my life?  Will my children ever quit being sick?  Will there always be some problem to deal with?  Am I going to cry again today?  God, are you there?

While my words may seem like they come from someone who lacks hope, faith, and trust, I bet you can relate to them in one way or another.  Today, I am overwhelmed with concerns for those closest to me, my children.  One is having problems in school.  One won't sleep through the night.  One seems so down on himself.  In addition, one is having health issues that we just can't seem to solve.  Each time the phone rings, my heart pounds because I worry it is yet another problem that will be out of my control.  As my good friend, Renee, says, "So what's a girl to do?"  Fortunately, I can answer that question.

The truth is, many of my problems are out of my control, but I do have faith, hope, and trust.  It does not come from doctors, teachers, counselors, or even my pastor.  It doesn't come from the knowledge I have either.  The trust I'm speaking of comes from the Lord.  If I want to possess it, then I have to ask for it daily.

In the first chapter of James, we are told that if we want wisdom, then we need to ask for it.  God won't resent our asking and will gladly give us all the wisdom we need.  I have found that in order for me to have the peace that can only come from trusting in my Heavenly Father, I need to go to Him for that wisdom daily.  I can't just ask for it once and then depend on it everyday thereafter.  I have to meet with Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and read what His Word, the Bible, has to say.  Then I have to acknowledge that He is in control and put my trust in Him to direct my path.  It is amazing the strength that I am filled with after spending time with the Lord.  It is amazing that I can be filled with faith, hope, and trust even is the worst of circumstances.  That is how I know it is from Him.  It's not possible any other way. 

Are you feeling empty?  It may be because you are giving and pouring out your life to others daily and doing it all in your own strength and ability.  If you find yourself asking, "So what's a girl to do?", then go to God, Who knows you best.  Go to God, the One Who made you.  Go to God and ask, just like Jesus did, for your daily bread.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)  And remember to do it each and every day. 


My Prayer for Today:

God, You know me so well, and You know how I need You today.  I confess that I cannot live a day without you.  I cannot do it on my own.  I need You.  I give to You every area of my life and ask that You would fill me with spiritual wisdom, understanding and the direction You want me to take.  I trust You with my life and the lives of those around me.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Read Colossians 1:9-12 as a personal prayer for yourself.  Then read it as a prayer for others in your life.  Journal these prayers and the other verses contained in this devotion today.


Reflection Points:

Am I depending on "my own understanding" or trusting God with every area of my life?

Did I spend time with the Lord today?

Do I trust God by refusing to live in fear or worry or do I just say I trust God?

God loves me so much.  He wants me to give Him all my burdens, so He can take care of me.


Power Verses:

So we have continued praying about you ever since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.  Colossians 1:9 (NLT)

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.  Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and He will gladly tell you.  He will not resent your asking.  James 1:5 (NLT)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind though Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)


Additional Resources:

Becoming A Woman Who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html

Coming Out of the Dark by Mary Southerland
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/outofdark.html

Stress Busters Tape Set by Mary Southerland
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/stressset.html

Where is God When Bad Things Happen Tape Set by Mary Southerland
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/badthingsset.html



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