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Listen while you read: "Praise The Saviour Ye Who Know Him"1 (Lyrics) |
Deuteronomy 31:6a – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)
Psalm 31:24 – Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (NIV)
Matthew 14:27 – But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (NIV)
My Yorkshire Terrier, Sienna, who weighs five pounds four ounces, was the most fearful little creature I'd ever met when she first came to live with us as a puppy. No one could get near her, and she shook and trembled in every new situation. There were those who thought that she was a hopeless case, but I knew otherwise and began a rigorous course of action.
I took Sienna with me everywhere: in the van, to work, to the gallery, into social settings. Her shaking and trembling did not discourage me nor did I let her off the hook. This was for her own good. She didn't know that, but I did.
Today, Sienna comfortably travels everywhere with me, including long distance trips on the plane. She is calm and poised and able to enjoy life in a way that she never could have experienced if she had not learned to take courage.
God speaks frequently in the Scriptures about taking courage, about being strong and taking heart. He does so because He knows how fearful we as human beings can be. This life is full of scary situations, life-threatening situations, situations which we are all called to face at one time or another. Amidst such times, however, we must choose to remember that we are never alone. Just as I never left Sienna alone amidst all the various situations that I exposed her to, God never, ever, ever leaves us alone. He is right there beside us, as well as within us, and He is able. In fact, "by his mighty power at work within us [He] is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." (Ephesians 3:20 TLB)
So today, be active, be obedient, take courage, if you find yourself in a scary situation. God is with you. He is able, and so are you, because Christ dwells within you, and we can do all things through Him who gives us strength.
Prayer: Father, today, we pledge within our hearts to boldly and obediently take courage when and as we need it. We thank You that courage is always available to us through Your mighty power which is at work within us. Help our trembling hearts and spirits to believe in the truth that You are always with us and are always able amidst whatever we may be called to face, now and forevermore. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 12, 2025: Please keep praying for my daughter. She needs the Lord in her life*** April..." 
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Amen. Have a blessed day Lynne.
Lynne
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Thank you, Lynne, for your devotional prayer which I read this morning. It inspires me as I face a meeting with a parishioner facing medical news.
Thanks for those encouraging words and reminders of the constancy of God!! Your messages are always encouraging and insightful! May this day unfold with joy for you!
A wonderful devotional for all of us. Thanks for writing to ensure us of God’s presence in all things.
Blessings.
In times when God make us walk through the valley of shadow and death, we read His words and gain confidence that the valley has an end and we will get through with His hand surrounding us.
Thank you Lynne:
May the Lord Bless you and keep you, may the make His face to shine upon you, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forever more. Amen
Thank you once again Lynne for your meaningful devotion. I really enjoy how you refer to animals when making a point. The similarities are amazing.
We don’t say thank you enough for all the faithful contributors to this fine Devotional and those who make it happen.
Blessings.
Hi Lynne,
Enjoyed and appreciated your devotional writing. I just returned from visiting my grand daughter who has a 2 month old Yorkshire terrier so I relate with all you said. Also in your line where you quoted Phil 4:13, I relate well. When I had an accident several years ago and the doctor said I would not walk on my own again, that became my daily 10 point prayer and thanks be to our Lord and Saviour I walk well again for truly “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”.
Blessings & thanks,
(B.C.)
Thank you very much for this wonderful message, Am really blessed and I feel like it is my message reminding me to take courage and never give up. For the past two weeks I have been facing challenges and problems. Thank God, as I read this message, it helps me more and more to stand firm and take courage always no matter what, for this a barriers or challenges for me and because He will never leave my side no matter what. Sometimes we think he is far away from us but he is not. He is just beside us, ready to hear and answer our prayers.
AMEN.
Thank you for this message and God bless you for sharing this wonderful message.
One for me today!
Amen to your prayer! Very encouraging Lynne. Your message really spoke to me.
Blessings.
Lynne – How encouraging! And, so important. As we become more intimate with our Lord, we realize how close He really is in our lives. Thanks for this good word.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for your devotional and prayer.
This is powerful.
And thank you for reminding us of GOD’S presence WITHIN us.
Keep writing within his presence.
Hi Lynne,
Thanks and God bless.