DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a fair and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out --
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, --
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
-- Author Unknown --
Be IN Courage, even the more!
United with you in strength and victory,
With love,
Linda Michelle
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
PEACE
I found this devotion today and I pray and trust it will bless and encourage you.
From Streams in the Desert - 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman
October 20
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
There is a part of the sea known as "the cushion of the sea." It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that on external difficulty or disturbances can reach it. And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
Arthur Tappan Pierson
Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,
From Streams in the Desert - 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman
October 20
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
There is a part of the sea known as "the cushion of the sea." It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred. When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
The peace of God is an eternal calm like the cushion of the sea. It lies so deeply within the human heart that on external difficulty or disturbances can reach it. And anyone who enters the presence of God becomes a partaker of that undisturbed and undisturbable calm.
Arthur Tappan Pierson
When winds are raging o'er the upper ocean,
And waves are tossed wild with an angry roar,
It's said, far down beneath the wild commotion,
that peaceful stillness reigns forevermore.
Far, far beneath, noise of tempests falls silent,
and silver waves lie ever peacefully,
and no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the Sabbath of that deeper sea.
So to the heart that knows Your love, O Father,
There is a temple sacred evermore,
And all life's angry voices causing bother
Die in hushed silence at its peaceful door.
Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,
and loving thoughts rise ever peacefully,
and no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord, in Thee.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
and peace, with love,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, October 7, 2010
FAITH IN ACTION - Living Worry-Free
Whatever our situation, the Word of God holds our answer. We cannot worry and think on the Word at the same time. We can conquer worry by keeping our thoughts set on God's Word.
To do this, we must:
1. Find scriptures that pertain to our situation.
2. Write these verses down.
3. Read these verses aloud - not in a whisper - when we're tempted to worry.
We must speak louder than the voice of fear. As we continually confess these verses, our faith in God will rise and our situation will turn around.
(Original Author Hagee or Copeland)
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
To do this, we must:
1. Find scriptures that pertain to our situation.
2. Write these verses down.
3. Read these verses aloud - not in a whisper - when we're tempted to worry.
We must speak louder than the voice of fear. As we continually confess these verses, our faith in God will rise and our situation will turn around.
(Original Author Hagee or Copeland)
Be IN courage.
United with you in strength and victory,
Linda Michelle
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Woman You Are in God's Mirror. Take Another Look.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
(Psalm 139:14-16)
“…My imposter trembles at the prospect of incurring the displeasure and wrath of others. Incapable to direct speech, he hedges, waffles, procrastinates and remains silent out of fear of rejection.”
“As James Masterson has written in The Search for the Real Self, ‘The false self plays it’s deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us - but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.” End Quote***
For the average human being, the above statement holds a lot of truth, but for those who have come through the trauma of incest or similar acts, we can rewrite the words about hiding behind fear and wanting to please others using our own experiences.
BUT! The good news is as you continue to re-learn who you really are and all you were created to be and to do, you grow beyond mere illusions of who you have thought yourself to be and step into your true identity.
We are not the abuse that that happened to us, but instead we are created in the image and beauty of God. We are the miracle that was and still is; before and after the mess.
We are not the timid, fearful little girl hiding her head under the blankets; instead we are the strong, courageous saint pressing forward, growing in grace and strength, evolving more everyday into the vessel of honor which God created us to be.
We are not the victim being tricked into acts that defy our very nature, instead we are instruments of holiness, encouragement and inspiration, encouraging others through their personal “red sea” by our own testimony and prayer.
We are not the “nothing” we were told we were; instead we are more than a conqueror, more precious than the rarest jewels.
We are eternally the beloved of a Heavenly Father who understands our confusion, can clarify our questions, willing to calm our fears, supply our every need; emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. He is our Refuge and our Strength; a very present help in the time of trouble. He is wonderful, marvelous and beautiful, and you and I were created in His image!
Now pause and calmly think about that!! Selah.
WHO I AM…..
I Am Accepted…
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Cor 6:17 I am untied with Christ and have become One with Him.
1 Cor 6:19-20 I was brought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
2 Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ live in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col. 1:14 I am redeemed and forgiven.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ. I AM SECURE…
Ro. 8:1 I am forever free from condemnation.
Ro. 8:28 I am assured that God works all things together for my good.
2 Cor 1:21 I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Col 3:3 I have died and now my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know God’s work in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim 1:7 I was not given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I AM SIGNIFICANT…
Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 I am sanctified and am one with Christ, so
1 Pet 2:9-10 He is not ashamed to call me His own.
1 Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple, His Spirit lives in me.
2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phi. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me…His Child!
(***from Abba’s Child, The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning, NAVPRESS, ISBN -1-57683-334-8)
Be IN Courage.
Written with love,
United with you in strength and courage,
Linda Michelle
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”
(Psalm 139:14-16)
“…My imposter trembles at the prospect of incurring the displeasure and wrath of others. Incapable to direct speech, he hedges, waffles, procrastinates and remains silent out of fear of rejection.”
“As James Masterson has written in The Search for the Real Self, ‘The false self plays it’s deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us - but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.” End Quote***
For the average human being, the above statement holds a lot of truth, but for those who have come through the trauma of incest or similar acts, we can rewrite the words about hiding behind fear and wanting to please others using our own experiences.
BUT! The good news is as you continue to re-learn who you really are and all you were created to be and to do, you grow beyond mere illusions of who you have thought yourself to be and step into your true identity.
We are not the abuse that that happened to us, but instead we are created in the image and beauty of God. We are the miracle that was and still is; before and after the mess.
We are not the timid, fearful little girl hiding her head under the blankets; instead we are the strong, courageous saint pressing forward, growing in grace and strength, evolving more everyday into the vessel of honor which God created us to be.
We are not the victim being tricked into acts that defy our very nature, instead we are instruments of holiness, encouragement and inspiration, encouraging others through their personal “red sea” by our own testimony and prayer.
We are not the “nothing” we were told we were; instead we are more than a conqueror, more precious than the rarest jewels.
We are eternally the beloved of a Heavenly Father who understands our confusion, can clarify our questions, willing to calm our fears, supply our every need; emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually. He is our Refuge and our Strength; a very present help in the time of trouble. He is wonderful, marvelous and beautiful, and you and I were created in His image!
Now pause and calmly think about that!! Selah.
WHO I AM…..
I Am Accepted…
John 1:12 I am God’s child.
John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.
Rom 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Cor 6:17 I am untied with Christ and have become One with Him.
1 Cor 6:19-20 I was brought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Cor. 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
2 Cor 5:17 I am a new creation.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but Christ live in me. He is now my life.
Eph 1:1 I am a SAINT!
Col. 1:14 I am redeemed and forgiven.
Col 2:10 I am complete in Christ. I AM SECURE…
Ro. 8:1 I am forever free from condemnation.
Ro. 8:28 I am assured that God works all things together for my good.
2 Cor 1:21 I am established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Col 3:3 I have died and now my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Phil 1:6 I know God’s work in me will be perfected
Phil 3:30 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Tim 1:7 I was not given a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power and love. I have a sound mind.
Heb 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I AM SIGNIFICANT…
Rom 11:16 I am holy!
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I am chosen by Christ to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ.
Heb 2:11 I am sanctified and am one with Christ, so
1 Pet 2:9-10 He is not ashamed to call me His own.
1 Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 3:16 I am God’s temple, His Spirit lives in me.
2 Cor 6:1 I am God’s co-worker.
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in Heavenly places.
Eph. 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the work He planned beforehand.
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with boldness and confidence.
Phi. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1 John 3:1 God has bestowed a great love on me and called me…His Child!
(***from Abba’s Child, The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning, NAVPRESS, ISBN -1-57683-334-8)
Be IN Courage.
Written with love,
United with you in strength and courage,
Linda Michelle
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Prayer to Renew Your Health
I came across this today and it blessed not only me, but it was the perfect words to share with a precious sister-friend going through an intense "real-time" trial. It is simply and to the point. I pray this blesses you as well, at the very point of your need. Be reminded that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and must be strong and healthy for you to remain equipped to do all that you are called to do: in your personal life, at work and in your field of ministry service.
Be IN courage....
Prayer to Renew Your Health
by Norman Vincent Peale
Practice this prayer when you need to feel restored. Sit quietly and feel the working of God in the world, in the life around you. Feel His working in your mind. Let go all anxiety, all conflict and let harmony take over. Feel the touch of the Creator on your physical body.
Say these words:
He who creates also re-creates.
I am being re-created now.
The life force is filling me to overflowing.
I am well, healthy, strong.
I thank God, my Creator, my Re-creator.
Health, vigor, energy, has come to me.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Hold on Until the End
Encouragement from Streams in the Desert that has inspired "..wind beneath my wings..." and I pray it does the same for you.
Remember:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(Psalms 30:5)
"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we can have in Him: (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."
(1 John 5:14)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14)
It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."
In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--
and I will wait.
--Washington Gladden
The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half hour. --Selected
Be IN courage.
Remember:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(Psalms 30:5)
"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we can have in Him: (we are sure) that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."
(1 John 5:14)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are made partaker of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb. 3:14)
It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. "Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." "So run, that ye may obtain."
In the bitter waves of woe
Beaten and tossed about
By the sullen winds that blow
From the desolate shores of doubt,
Where the anchors that faith has cast
Are dragging in the gale,
I am quietly holding fast
To the things that cannot fail.
And fierce though the fiends may fight,
And long though the angels hide,
I know that truth and right
Have the universe on their side;
And that somewhere beyond the stars
Is a love that is better than fate.
When the night unlocks her bars
I shall see Him--
and I will wait.
--Washington Gladden
The problem of getting great things from God is being able to hold on for the last half hour. --Selected
Be IN courage.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Healing Scriptures
Whether you are seeking the Lord to heal you spiritually, physically or emotionally these Bible verses will help you find comfort.
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Psalm 41:3
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Psalm 91:15-16
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 73:4-5
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
Jeremiah 33:6
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 55:18
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 6:18
as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle Trainer
James 5:13-15
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Psalm 41:3
The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.
Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Psalm 91:15-16
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.
Psalm 107:19-20
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
Psalm 73:4-5
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Isaiah 38:16
O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.
Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
Jeremiah 33:6
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 55:18
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 40:29
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 6:18
as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
Luke 9:11
But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be IN courage.
Linda Michelle Trainer
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