Matthew 7:11 ” If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

Have you asked Him?  Yes, God knows your needs better than you can…but have you asked Him for things on your heart?  What keeps you from asking…is it fear, doubt, or indecision?  God wants you to ask, for in James 1:17 it says, ” Every good and perfect gift is from above…”  He’s wanting to give you gifts that are over and above what is necessary or expected…all given graciously and freely from your loving heavenly Father.  All you need to do is ask.

Psalm 9:1 ” I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.”

Some of the best encouragement you can give someone is what the Lord has done uniquely in your life.  God will bring people across your path that need to hear your own story…because they’re in the same situation right now themselves.  By recounting those miracles of God, you not only bless that person, but are once again able to appreciate and thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness.

Psalm 18: 28 “…My God turns my darkness into light.”

When misery shrouds our every move…when darkness and gloom covers over every shred of joy in our life…God is there to wrap us up in His love and mercy.  Like a toasty warm blanket, He envelops us with a peacefulness that is inexplicable, but oh so tangible.  Allow Him today to wrap you up in His tender love, and turn that darkness into light.

Acts 4:29 ” Lord, enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.”

What stops us from witnessing to others?  What hinders us from courageously, confidently, fearlessly sharing the Gospel?  Most times it’s fear…fear of stepping on people’s toes and offending…fear of ridicule and rejection…fear of being called crazy.  But in this verse, the Disciples are specifically  asking for boldness in all those situations.  So our prayers needs to be the  same… for as it says in Psalm 138:3, ” When I called You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted.”

Psalm 90:11 ” Who knows the power of your anger? For Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due You.”

Can any of us really understand the magnitude of God’s wrath when it’s unleashed on mankind?  When we see the devastation of hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, or volcanoes, we see only a tiny fragment of the Lord’s fury and terror.  As it so aptly states in Psalm 76:7,  ” Who can stand before You when You are angry?”

Matthew 6: 34 ” Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

For some of us worrying is a full-time job.  We even like to fret over things  we have no control over – like the weather.  Then we wonder at the end of the day why we’re so exhausted from worrying over dumb things.  Each 24 hour period has enough drama in it…we shouldn’t have to go searching for more.  The Lord told us to cast ALL our cares on Him…let tomorrow worry about itself.

Ezekiel 37:26 ” I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put My sanctuary among them forever.”

The sanctuary…that sacred place where the presence and glory of God resides is much closer than you can imagine.  For if you think about it – your body is that temple, that sanctuary,  if the Holy Spirit lives within you.  That glorious presence, peace, and power of our God resides in you – His sanctuary here on earth.

Ezekiel 34: 26 “…I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessings.”

God’s blessings come at just the right time…not too early, not too late.  The Lord’s favor is like the gentle Spring rains that soak the ground so it can produce a crop. Those showers of blessings  are poured out on our own thirsty souls that we too might be fruitful for Him.

II Chronicles 16:9 ” For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

Who is your reliance on?  If it’s man, you’ll be constantly disappointed.  But the Lord is ever there for you, supporting and encouraging … always present to be your cheerleader and confidante.  And the result for you…a soul at peace in all situations.

Job 12:13 ” To God belongs wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.”

Even through his suffering, Job was keenly aware of the Lord’s awe-inspiring  strength, might, and insight.  Elsewhere in Job 9:4 he declared, “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast.”  One cannot but agree with that statement…our Lord is all-knowing, His power limitless and infinite.