Encouragement often comes from unexpected places—even my own random ramblings! Skimming old journal notes, I found my faith bolstered and my Christ-perspective strengthened.

Lord, my life is in your hands. King David got it right. “In thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name” (See 1 Chronicles 29:10-13).

Everything God designs for my life is for a purpose. Knowing that, I can keep my joy, no matter the circumstances.

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I awoke this morning feeling stressed and anxious. It seemed the enemy had invaded my dreams, leaving me with an unsettling darkness. Assorted concerns started to bombard my thinking. Shaking off the fogginess of sleep, I remembered I’d put all my worries in God’s hands…because my hands are tied. I can’t do anything but pray. And pray I will!

Out of my feeble hands, Lord, and into your almighty hands. I will trust you, remembering that whatever comes today, I can use it to display your glory and declare your praise.

The feeling of heaviness lifted, replaced by joy!

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Note on my desk: “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8 KJV).

Lord, I only desire that you fulfill your purpose in me. It is because of you that I keep persevering. I don’t want to waste my life. I surrender everything and everyone I love to you. I will praise, trust, and obey!

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Just read Psalm 113:7-8 (NIV). “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.”

You’re never without a plan, Lord. What do you have for me this day?

You’re never without a plan, Lord. What do you have for me this day? Click To Tweet

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Lord, let me hear your voice! After I prayed, my eyes fell on this note to self: “you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:3b-4 NIV).

God’s voice!

Another verse lay before me, one I’d read without paying much attention. “But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him]” (John 3:21 Amplified).

God’s voice!

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Feeling like a failure today. Reminding self God is faithful even when I’m not. Read this in my daily devotional, Streams in the Desert. “The Lord, when He hath given great faith, hath been known to try it by long delayings.”

Another birthday has come and gone, and I’m still in the same place. Have I made any progress in my Christian walk? Found this by Bill Bright in The Journey Home. “Listen for God’s ideas and ask Him to show you how to implement them. Don’t look at the clock or the calendar, but look upon our all-powerful God” (page 162).

Before his death, he was working on eighty projects!

Lord, I only desire that my life count for you…to finish the work you have given me. You know the number of my days. Let me spend them wisely. I surrender and rest.

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With a heavy heart I came into his presence and began reading where I’d left off, Exodus 13 in the Amplified Bible.

“By strength of hand the Lord brought you out” (see verses 3, 9, 14, 16).

“When the Lord brings you into the land” (see 5, 11).

“And when, in time to come, your son asks you, What does this mean? You shall say to him, By strength of hand the Lord brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage and bondmen” (verse 14).

If the Lord is doing it (directing my life) and I have nothing to do with it (his strong hand is capable), why is my heart heavy? Praise him!

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In Leviticus I found this if-you-will-I-will promise. “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them…I will be leaning toward you with favor and regard for you, rendering you fruitful…” (26:3, 9 Amplified). Click To Tweet

In Leviticus I found this if-you-will-I-will promise. “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them…I will be leaning toward you with favor and regard for you, rendering you fruitful…” (26:3, 9 Amplified).

“And I will walk in and with and among you and will be your God and you shall be my people” (26:12).

“I am the Lord your God, Who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that you should no more be slaves; and I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect [as free men]. (26:13).

Yes! No longer enslaved…walking erect in freedom!

Lord, you—and only you—deserve my allegiance. I’m yours. Let my life bring you glory.

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I found encouragement in my own random ramblings. Hope you did as well. Tell me about a time the Lord brought encouragement from an unexpected place. And please share this with your friends!

© Dianne Barker 2019