Inspiration from original Steams in the Desert Volume 1

I still remember the day I was in an old book store in Limerick, Ireland and picked up a new copy of "Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. I could hardly believe my eyes. My mom had first introduced me to this inspiring devotional book years earlier, and here I was, working for American Trans Air as a Flight Attendant, on layover near Shannon, Ireland, in a tiny, store-front book store, holding a book that had helped me to understand God on a personal level when I could not make sense of of anything in my young teen life. Out side it was a cold, gray and overcast day, but with the greenest green grass and foliage I had ever seen. Inside that "doll house" size book store, it seemed the sun rose to shine as if in the middle of an August afternoon in the deep south; bright,joyous and sho-nuff real heat!

As I held a copy of the devotional book my mom had allowed me to read on many occasion as I was growing up and going through the hard places in my life (which she did not even know of); the book that peeled back the truth of God's tender love and mercy in ways that I had never understood, I was amazed. I felt a fresh confirmation that the God I had often put on hold, was indeed "sho-nuff real"! I remember pushing back tears as I read words that comforted and encouraged my soul that afternoon in the same way they had before, with the same intensity and the same warmth and power. I have cherished that book ever since; worn,tearing at the seams and taped up, but remaining powerfully anointed and packed with inspiration and encouragement which is truly from God Himself, touching the deep places in my soul with hope and assurance.

Today I came across a selection that I pray and trust will encourage you, as you continue to press through all that life hurls at you. Take comfort that God's Word is the "sword of the Spirit" which can cut through to the core of any challenge, bringing peace and joy back to replace the places of fear and sadness in your life.

Be IN Courage as you read these awe inspiring words. Stand up and DON'T QUIT!

Streams in the Desert - Volume 1 - complied by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

August 8

Thou art my king, O God: Command deliverance (victories, margin) for Jacob. (Psalms 44:4 RV)

There is no foe to your growth in grace, no enemy in your Christian work, which was not included in your Savior's conquests.

You need not be afraid of them. When your touch them, they will flee before you. God has promised to deliver them up before you. Only be strong and very courageous! Fear not, or be dismayed! The Lord is with you. O mighty men of valor - mighty because you are one with the Mightiest. Claim victory!

Whenever your enemies close in upon you, claim victory! Whenever heart and flesh fail, look up and claim VICTORY!

Be sure that you have a share in that triumph which Jesus won, not for Himself alone, but for us all; remember that you were in Him when He won it, and claim victory!

Reckon that it is your, and gather spoils. Neither the Anakim nor fenced cities need daunt or abash you. You are one of the conquering legion. Claim your share in the Savior's victory.

From Joshua, by Meyer

We are children of the King. In which way do we most honor our divine Sovereign, by failing to claim our rights and even doubting whether they belong to us, or by asserting our privilege as children of the Royal Family and demanding the rights which belong to our heirship?"

(end quote)

Be IN courage!

A David Psalm

1. GOD, my Shepherd! I don't need a thing.

2. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

3. True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

4. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

5. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

6. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

(Author Unknown)

Be IN courage.

Set Apart

From:
Streams in the Desert - July 15


"He went up into a mountain apart" (Matt. 14:23).

One of the blessings of the old-time Sabbath was its calm, its restfulness, its holy peace. There is a strange strength conceived in solitude. Crows go in flocks and wolves in packs, but the lion and the eagle are solitaires.

Strength is not in bluster and noise. Strength is in quietness. The lake must be calm if the heavens are to be reflected on its surface. Our Lord loved the people, but how often we read of His going away from them for a brief season. He tried every little while to withdraw from the crowd. He was always stealing away at evening to the hills. Most of His ministry was carried on in the towns and cities by the seashore, but He loved the hills the best, and oftentimes when night fell He would plunge into their peaceful depths.

The one thing needed above all others today is that we shall go apart with our Lord, and sit at His feet in the sacred privacy of His blessed presence. Oh, for the lost art of meditation! Oh, for the culture of the secret place! Oh, for the
tonic of waiting upon God! --Selected

"It is well to live in the valley sweet,
Where the work of the world is done,
Where the reapers sing in the fields of wheat,
As they toil till the set of sun.
But beyond the meadows, the hills I see
Where the noises of traffic cease,
And I follow a Voice that calleth to me
From the hilltop regions of peace.

"Aye, to live is sweet in the valley fair,
And to toil till the set of sun;
But my spirit yearns for the hilltop's air
When the day and its work are done.
For a Presence breathes o'er the silent hills,
And its sweetness is living yet;
The same deep calm all the hillside fills,
As breathed over Olivet."

"Every life that would be strong must have its Holy of Holies into which only God enters."


Be IN Courage

Just A Minute

I have just a minute with sixty seconds in it,
Forced upon me, can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it. didn't choose it,
But, it's up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it,
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny, little minute...
But, eternity is in it.

- Source Unknown

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
- Psalm 56:3

Be IN Courage!!

Keep Driving

I received the following in an email from a friend. I pray and trust it will inspire and encourage you to continue to keep "driving" your faith through every area of your life.

Be IN courage!

One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm. The young lady asked her father what should she do, he said "keep driving". Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse. "What should I do?" the young lady asked, "keep driving", her father replied.

On up a few feet she noticed eighteen wheelers were pulling over also. She told her dad, "I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible out here, everyone is pulling over." Her father told her not to give up, "just keep driving".

Now the storm was terrible but she never stopped driving and soon she could see a little clearer. After a couple of miles she was on dry land and the sun was out. Her father said "now pull over and get out". She said "but why now?" He said "get out and look back at all the people who gave up and are still in the storm. You never gave up and now your storm is over."

This was a testimony for anyone that is going through something. Just because everyone else, even the ones that appear to be the biggest and strongest give up, you don't have to, because if you keep going on, up ahead your storm will soon be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.

Word to the Wise

"Do not let your conscience get a callous". Be sensitive. "Feel" your life and live it in living color; accepting responsibility for your actions, being aware of your thoughts and hearing your own words, before they leave your mouth. Be present in the moment, focused on your destiny.

Be In courage!

Action Plan

"Don't worry about anything ~ instead, pray about everything.
Tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers."
Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Be IN courage!