STAY STRONG IN THE LORD

Discouragement has set in. Have you ever felt that no matter how hard you try at something, it just doesn't seem to be working? You feel like you are doing what God is telling you to do, following His commands, yet your plans don't seem to be working?

My friend, this is the devil working in you. If you truly are following God's word and following what you truly believe He wants you to do, you will succeed. And God will always be with you. 2Chronicles 2:17 says: You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.

God tells us He will give us success if we follow Him. 1Chronicles 23:12 says: Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

My friends, don't be discouraged if things are not exactly going how you had planned. God is with you and will take care of you. Stay strong in the Lord! Just remember the story of Job who was a very righteous man, who after losing everything and suffering from a terrible illness, never lost his trust in God. In Job 42:2, Job says: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."

Don't let anything that you believe is God'w will for you change your plans! Don't let discouragement stop you from doing what you truly believe is God's plan for your life!

CHRISTMAS LIST

I am sitting here today trying to figure out my Christmas list. It has to be so limited this year and I feel so guilty. I just can't do what I have done in the past even though I want to.

Then I started thinking about how truly blessed my daughter and I are. We may not have lots of money or a big house, but what we do have is priceless. We have each other and more importantly, we have the love of God. There is no other gift that can come close to that!

When making out your list for the holidays this year, make sure you have the Lord at the top! He is the greatest gift you can give anyone! Share your love for Him with your family and friends and anyone you meet! You will be giving them a great gift and receive a great gift in return!

"A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked."
Psalms 37:16