“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalms 143:8 NIV

One of the most important things when attempting to reach higher grounds is encouragement! The dictionary defines encouragement as “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope.” The Hebrew used here actually is saying, “God, bring me the summary of Your good news.” WOW! What a way to start the day. Before we started our 30-day journey, I used to read the news headlines. AS you all know, they were less than encouraging. Taking time each day to start with a Word from God’s Word has put things bac into perspective. The word discourage means to “dismay, intimidate, to dishearten or frighten.” That my friends is the exact place Satan wants us to live. John in his Epistle told us that this was happening!

“The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.” 

1 John 2:17 AMP

If our focus is one the world, we will for sure be dragged into the pit of despair and defeat! The warning however comes with the solution to the problem.

“These things I have written to you with reference to those who are trying to deceive you [seducing you and leading you away from the truth and sound doctrine]. 27As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But just as His anointing teaches you [giving you insight through the presence of the Holy Spirit] about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as His anointing has taught you, you must remain in Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him].”

1 John 2:26-27 AMP

Look at the picture John paints for you! You are “anointed,” “full of truth and sound doctrine,” “a special gift,” “full of insight through the Holy Spirit,” “able to remain in Hm.” AMEN! The key to receiving encouragement instead of the world’s discouragement is to “remain in Him.” Remember the words of our Lord and Savior?

“I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” John 15:5 AMP

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]:

John 14:27 AMP

Today, chose to remain steadfast in His love and truth. It is the truth of God’s Word that will set us free not what we see transpiring around us! Let me end with this verse from the Apostle Paul;

“But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:8 AMP

Our Prayer Promise for Power today – Encouragement

Father, today I receive the good news of Your love for me for I have put me trust in You and I will follow the way You would have me go. (Psalms 143:8) I will carry out Your will for me today because Your purpose for me lives forever (1 John 2:17) and I will not be deceived or led away from Your truth, for You have anointed me with insight through the gift of the Holy Spirit living in me, so I will remain in Your love. (1 John 2:26-27) I receive the peace that passes understanding as I remain in You and You remain in me. (John 14:27) Lord, command Your lovingkindness to be upon me in the day and in the night as my prayers are only unto You; (Psalms 42:8) for I have need of endurance so that I may accomplish Your will today and receive Your promises. I profess today that You are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in my time of need so I will not fear even though the world give way, I will trust in You.

(Psalms 46:1-2) In Jesus name…AMEN