Good Words for Today

Almighty God, grant that we might not be discouraged even a little bit by the things that happen around us. Grant us grace to keep on praying as we wait for Jesus to come again. Amen.

It is a good thing to come to the end of a hard time and say, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word" (Psalm 119:67). Don't waste your trials. Use them to grow in the Lord.

God’s mercy in Christ is more than enough for all of us.

“Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.”

Lord of all grace, I look to you for the strength I need to keep on going, for without your help I will certainly fall. Amen.

God is moving. Be patient.

Lord, help me to learn from my mistakes so that I won’t have to make them all over again. Amen.

When a loved one dies, we often say we have "lost" them. But a thing is not lost if you know where it is. If they knew the Lord, we know where they are. They may be gone from our sight, but they are not lost. They are with the Lord now and forever.

Generosity starts in the heart, not in the pocketbook. That’s why God loves a cheerful giver. Better to give a little because you want to than a lot because you have to.

“But the Lord sent a strong wind on the sea, and the storm was so violent that the ship was in danger of breaking up” (Jonah‬ ‭1:4‬). Though the voyage into sin may start with a celebration, it always ends with a raging storm. God makes sure of that.

God is not limited by our limitations. Nothing is impossible for him.

How to be used by God: Show up. Hang loose. Trust God. Be alert. (HT Steve Zoller)

If we act the world, talk like the world, and look like the world, why should the world want what we have?

“I send you forth as sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16). If Jesus sends us, and he goes with us, we’re safer among the wolves than if we stayed in the pen.  

When chaos breaks out on earth, perfect peace reigns in heaven.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Note that Jesus doesn’t say, “I have overcome your trouble,” but rather, “I have overcome the world.” Our Lord is telling us, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

“All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”

You will never regret serving the Lord.

What we look at determines what we see. If we focus on our problems, they will fill our minds until we see nothing else. No wonder we complain and mutter and murmur under our breath. But when we focus on the Lord and his goodness, we see our problems in the light of eternity. God doesn’t work on our timetable. Once we grasp that, we will not complain against the Lord.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). This is my favorite one-sentence prayer because it perfectly describes how most of us feel most of time. Admit your weakness, cry out to God, then stand back and see what the Lord will do.

I believe in the perseverance of God and the preservation of the saints. Because God perseveres with us, we are preserved safe through our many trials. Do we persevere? Yes, but only because God first perseveres with us. If he didn’t, we never would and never could.

"Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet."

Only God knows everything. It's okay to say, "I have no opinion about that."

Christians don't fit in, and we never will. We can't serve the world by becoming like the world.

It's one thing to be a fool for Christ. It's something else to be an ordinary fool. Make sure you know the difference.

Lord Jesus, teach us to count our days so we can make our days count for you. Amen.

Thank God for friends who care enough to confront you.

God has prepared the answers for prayers you haven't even prayed yet.