A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (September 22, 2017)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
Have you ever been discouraged? I mean really discouraged. So discouraged that you felt like giving up? Are you discouraged today? Do you feel like giving up right now? If you answered yes, I have good news for you today. You do not have to be discouraged anymore, because God has a plan in His Word, the Holy Bible, that tells us how to defeat discouragement.
Discouragement is a combination of fear, depression, and a lack of hope. We could almost call it anti-faith. Discouragement is not from God and He does not want you to have it. When we are discouraged, we do not function in the Spirit realm the way God wants us to. When we are discouraged, it becomes difficult to hear God and easier to listen to the discouraging words of the world.
The world is full of negative reports. It seems that everywhere we go there is someone telling us, “You won’t make it,” “You can’t win,” “God doesn’t want to heal you,” “Faith doesn’t work,” and so on and so on. The world does not want us to make it, but here’s the good news – God does!
God’s words are positive. God’s words are full of faith. For instance, His Word says in Psalm 103:3 that He heals all our diseases and in Psalm 34:19 it says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” And in Romans 8:28, God’s Word says, “All things work together for good to those who love God.”
So, whose report will you believe? Will you go with the world and believe that all is lost? Or will you go with God and let Him fight your battles for you?
Be encouraged. God does not lie. Believe His Word and act on it. Then discouragement will flee.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
