InstaEncouragements Blog

Sweeter Than Honey: Let His Glory Shine!

5/17/2022

David writes #Psalm 57 after he flees from Saul and is hiding from him in a cave. David wants #God’s glory to shine over all the earth. David is once again pleading for God’s mercy when he makes this statement: “for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (57:1). David is hiding in a cave waiting for the storms of destruction to pass by. Are there storms in your life today that you need to take refuge from? #devotional

From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed:

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12).

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!

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Sweeter Than Honey: You Are Not Forsaken

5/10/2022

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In #Psalm 37, David reminds us that #God will not forsake us. He writes, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his #children begging for bread” (37:35). He reminds us to #trust the #Lord, do good, #dwell where He has placed us, and be #faithful. We are to delight ourselves in the Lord, and when we do, our steps will be established. We’re to commit our ways to Him, and be still, waiting patiently for His leading. #Biblestudy #devotional #truth #faith

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14 Things God's Love Letter Says About You

5/6/2022

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His Love Letter to you truly is just that, friend--a love letter! Every word of it is true and inspired. It's powerful! #Hebrews 4:12a tells us

We've talked so many times of the Bible, God's Word, the Living Word being God's Love Letter to us. It's a beautiful visual when we look at His Word in that light, isn't it!?

His Love Letter to you truly is just that, friend—a love letter! Every word of it is true and inspired. It continues to stand the test of time. It's still relevant to our everyday lives today—even the Old Testament.

It's powerful! Hebrews 4:12a tells us "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..."

It accomplishes its purpose. Isaiah 55:11 tells us "So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

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Sweeter Than Honey: In The Shadow of Your Wings

5/3/2022

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In chapter 17 of Psalms, we find the first prayer of David. He asks the Lord to hide him in the shadow of His wings. David is looking for protection from wickedness and from his enemies. David’s enemies most likely were real men who were out to destroy his reputation or kill him. We probably don’t have people who want to kill us today, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have enemies. When I read David’s prayer, I think of the enemies I need to pray to God for protection from--mainly the enemy of sin.

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4 Things to Remember When Life Feels Ordinary

4/29/2022

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"Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Theodore Roosevelt’s words are undoubtedly truer now than when he first wrote them over 100 years ago. For so long, man could only compare himself and his life with those he could observe in his relatively small sphere of life. But now we have access to view and compare ourselves with the lives, accomplishments, and experiences of millions across the globe with a touch or swipe of a finger. Our ability to create discontentment and restlessness within ourselves has grown exponentially with the advent of newer technologies. And even though we know that what we see presented to us on social media platforms is often crafted and curated in such a way that it lacks true reality, we can still find ourselves feeling disappointed and somewhat underwhelmed by our present circumstances, which invariably do not measure up to those we see around us.

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Sweeter Than Honey: Using Our Time Wisely

4/26/2022

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As I read Proverbs 22-24, I am struck by the words to the wise about how we are to use our time. In Proverbs 22:13, I see a worrier, a person who is hunkered down in their comfort zone and afraid to venture out into the unknown because of potential dangers. I've often said, “Good things are waiting for you, friend, just outside your comfort zone--things you never dreamed possible. And the best thing is, God is waiting to meet you there!” It's the truth, friend! #Biblestudy #devotional #goodreads

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How Can I Know the Will of God?

4/22/2022

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Does it ever feel like you’re grasping at straws to figure out what the will of #God is for your life? How can you and I determine the will of God for our lives, both in the big decisions of life as well as the everyday decisions? I remember my dad telling me that 95% of God’s will is found in God’s Word. I was worried about the 5% concerning when, where, how, and with whom I would live out that will of God for my life. #Godswill #willofGod #Bible #Biblestudy #Scripture #Jesus #lifechoices

I remember when I was a teenager, and I was wondering what God wanted me to do with my life. I heard people say that I should be doing the will of God. But at the time it felt like I was grasping at straws to figure out what the will of God was.

I listened intently to the preaching and read my Bible looking for that big flashing sign that would say this is the will of God for you! But I never found that. Instead, I found simple steps of obedience in God’s Word that pointed to His will for my life.

I remember my dad telling me that 95% of God’s will is found in God’s Word. I was worried about the 5% concerning when, where, how, and with whom I would live out that will of God for my life.

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