Daily Encouragement (1/5/21) "Trust and Confidence"
Published: Tue, 01/05/21
|
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive our Daily Encouragement messages or it was forwarded to you. Don't forget to add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Having trouble viewing this email? Click here.   <Previous Message Web version of this message
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
"Trust and Confidence"
Message summary: Today's message we consider the blessing of trust.
 Listen to this message on your audio player."Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him" (Jeremiah 17:7). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Today's proverb is often quoted for those who are graduating or about to embark on a new path. Jack, a longtime friend, often referred to this passage as his favorite verse. It's also a truth that brings assurance to our hearts no matter what we are going through or where we are on life's journey, young or old. And certainly it is a good verse to consider as we face the transition into a new year. We need to consider the great blessing of trust. Indeed, as Jeremiah wrote, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him" The book of Proverbs is full of wise sayings, many that are easily memorized, that will keep us on the right track as we apply them to our lives. We recall from Bible College the definition of a Proverb is a "short pithy saying." Pithy is listed in the Microsoft Office dictionary system with synonyms such as "terse, to the point, succinct." In an overall sense Proverbs 3:5-6 always speaks to our situation. However there are those acute times when we desperately need the Lord’s specific direction and this verse becomes even more directive and meaningful in our lives. Many of our readers today are dealing with the inconstancies of life such as financial difficulties, problems at work, an unemployment situation, a loved one serving in a military combat zone, a troubling family matter or a major health concern. The present political landscape contributes to many concerns and even anxiety for many of us. We seek to understand these matters before us but often understanding evades us. On the national and international front we see an exponential increase in absolute craziness which seems to defy understanding! This wonderful Proverb has three commands followed by a promise. The Commands: 1) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Trust requires us to have faith and confident assurance that God is working through a matter. It is not in the circumstance or our own heart that we place our trust, but the object of our trust is "in the Lord". Are we to partially trust God and partially rely on our own abilities or wisdom? No! God wants us to trust Him with "all our heart".
2) “Lean not on your own understanding.” I consider the times when I thought I understood a matter, only to find out later I was wrong. When we lean on our own understanding we often get things wrong. We may start to worry, become afraid, grow desperate, make wrong choices, or base our actions on false assumptions which complicates matters even more. Our understanding is always limited, often flawed, and cannot give us an accurate view. 3) “In all your ways acknowledge Him.” In our thoughts, our speech, and our actions may others see that God is the central figure of our lives. Let there be no doubt as to who or what motivates us to do what we do and say what we say. May Christ be preeminent in everything we do. For me it's actually not at all hard to comprehend the meaning of these three clauses, but consistent personal application is another matter! Consider these questions: * Am I really trusting in the Lord with all my heart? * (Or) Am I leaning (relying) on my own understanding? * Am I really acknowledging Him in all my ways (day by day, moment by moment)? The last clause is a great promise leading to confidence and peace: The simple, straightforward promise in the text is that "He shall direct your paths". Our responsibility is to trust and obey. When we do so, we can be absolutely assured that God will direct our paths and that brings peace! We are still working at fully applying this verse. Frankly, we expect to be working on this until we receive the upward call! But we can testify to the veracity of God’s promise. He has directed our paths and we have an assurance that He always will as we trust Him wholeheartedly. Today, early in 2021, we encourage each reader to accept this truth in regard to matters in your life and rejoice with us in His steadfast love and care. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, when I lean on my own understanding I fall prey
to thinking in the natural and limit the work of the supernatural. But when I trust You with all my heart I leave no room for second guessing. Today I want to acknowledge Your presence in every area of my life, family, work, relationships, health, intellect and every other area of my life. You will bring to pass the plans You have for me as I wholeheartedly trust You for all that concerns me and those I love. Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
 "Yes I Will" Video Vertical
Worship
We have been so blessed singing this song in our church this last year. Consider this refrain as you place your trust in the
Lord:
Yes I will, lift You high in the lowest valley
Yes I will, bless Your name Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy For all my days, oh yes I will "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus" Video Casting Crowns
 Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see here to sign up for our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email
subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
 We want to thank all who financially support our ministry. If you would like to make a donation to our ministry see here for more information.
To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376  Please Note: We also provide
this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne
Weber".2020 YTD offerings to Daily Encouragement Net: $23,615.00 (The final 2020 total will not be available till early January due to possible lag in postings) Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and
subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"  |
