5DAY DEVOTION

May 7-11, 2024

Martes: Joshua 1:9

Miyerkules: Deutoronomy 31:6

Huwebes: John 16:33

Biyernes: Romans 8:35

Sabado: Isaiah 12:2

 5 Reasons to Take Strong Courage
Today
When we are discouraged we need to hear someone say, “Take Courage.”
Maybe you are facing an overwhelming situation. Maybe you were recently
been laid off or face an uncertain future. Perhaps you are facing a serious
health challenge. Maybe you’re not facing a life-and-death situation, but you’re
facing several crazy kids who have the gift of frazzling. But at one time or
another we all need to hear God say, “Take courage.” Here are a few reasons
we can:

Because God Himself is with Us

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be

frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go. Joshua 1.9
 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is
the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake
you.” DT 31.6

We can take courage because we aren’t facing our challenges alone. God,
the creator of the universe, the all-powerful One, is right here with us. He’s not
far off and uninvolved. When we don’t know what to do, he does. He’s never
tired, never weary, never takes a break.

Because God Has a Plan for Us

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for
as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must
testify also in Rome.” AC 23.11

God has a plan for each one of his children, and he will fulfill that plan. We
don’t have to fulfill some destiny for ourselves; God is accomplishing his work
through us. And he never fails to complete his plans.

Because Jesus Has Overcome the World

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world.” JN 16.33

Jesus said we WILL have tribulation in this world. We shouldn’t be surprised

by it. If we look at this world only, we will lose heart. But we can “take heart”
and take courage, for Jesus is greater than the world and he has already
overcome it. Nothing in this world can defeat our Mighty Conqueror. And he
has overcome the world for us—for those he redeemed.

Because Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or

distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
(RO 8.35)

or I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (RO 8.38–39)

No matter what we are going through, we can be assured that it hasn’t

separated us from Christ’s love. And if he loves us, we can take heart that he
will protect us, provide for us, guide us, and help us. Nothing in all creation
can separate us from his love. Whether we lose our jobs or our homes or our
health or even our minds, Jesus will hold us in his love and never let us go.
So, take courage.
 Because God himself will strengthen us

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the
Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation.” IS 12.2

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand. IS 41.10

We don’t have to somehow summon up strength from within ourselves. If you

don’t think you have the strength to make it through, well, you’re absolutely
right. You don’t. We don’t have the strength to part the Red Sea or be cheerful
in the midst of kids melting down, but God does. And he will pour his strength
into us.

When you look down from the edge of the cliff, it looks like a long long fall.
Take courage; you’re tied to an almighty immovable Tree. Don’t worry if you’ll
have enough courage for tomorrow. God will give you all the strength you
need for today. And he’s got bags and bags of grace stored up for tomorrow,
a whole warehouse of grace stored up for the future.
 A Grateful Heart

Why are we to give thanks?

We give thanks for several reasons.

I. BECAUSE GOD DESERVES OUR THANKS (PS.100:3-4)

In the fast pace of our hectic lives, have you stopped long enough to consider
the truth of the exhortation of this Psalm? It is a worship psalm. It is an
exhortation to come and shout praise unto the Lord. Why? Because He is worthy
and deserving of our praise. He is holy God. In a day of skeptical faith one would
dare ask, "Why should we praise Him with a thankful heart?"

A. Because He Is Our Provider

Years ago I was taught to fall in love with the One who provides everything I
need. All that I am - is because of my God who loves me. All that I have - is
because He is my Provider. He is my Jehovah Jirah.

The Scripture says, which reads, "Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
but we will boast in the Name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7 May I give you a
paraphrase? "Some trust in brains and some in scheming, but we will trust in the
Name of the Lord our God."

When I read that, I resolved that I would trust God not only for life's necessities
but also for everything. He is my Great Provider.

I thank God for material possessions.

One of the first things I learned is to give thanks for the big things, but especially
for the small things. The material things of this world all come from God.

T. W. Hunt spoke to this issue. One day he was squeezing his toothpaste onto his
toothbrush when it dawned on him he had never thanked God for the toothpaste,
much less his teeth.

I learned early on to thank God for the simple things. I learned to thank God for
my clothes, my furniture, my home, the food I consume, and the cars I drive. Just
look around. Everything comes from above and we are to give Him thanks.

I thank God for meaningful people.

Do you know my life is enriched because significant people have invested in me?
I am what I am because of people who passed my way and saw something in me
worth enhancing.

The story is told of the proverbial turtle on the fence post. The caption reads as
the turtle is speaking, "If you see me on the fence post, believe me, I had help
getting there."

Every one of us has meaningful people who helped us get where we are today. It
may be our parents, a school teacher, a coach, a minister, a co-worker, you
name them. Now here's the question: Have you ever thanked God for bringing
those people into your life? In your quiet time you ought to spend time thanking
God for these people and their investment. Then why don't you get up off your
knees and write them a note and tell them "Thanks"? Thankfulness seems to be
a lost art today.

In 1860 a ship went aground on the shores of Lake Michigan near Evanston. A
young ministerial by the name of Edward Spencer waded again and again into
the frigid waters to rescue 17 passengers. In the process his health was
permanently damaged. Some years later at his funeral, it was noted that not one
of the people he rescued ever thanked him.

Have you thanked the people who have helped you most in life?

B. He Is Our Sustainer
The Word tells us that we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. He is our
Shepherd. He sustains the needs of His flock. The Shepherd Psalm (23) extols
the sustaining ministry of the shepherd. In the morning he would lead them to
pasture and all day he watched over them to meet every need they would have.
If they strayed he went after them. The Shepherd would lead them to food and to
water. The Shepherd would always provide safety for his sheep.

Psalm 23 was written by David when he was fleeing from Saul. He was
wandering from place to place. His life was being threatened at every turn. No
matter the circumstances, his faith was in his Sustainer. So should ours. No
matter the enemy, our Shepherd will meet every need. God deserves our thanks.

II. BECAUSE GOD DEMANDS OUR THANKS (PSALM 100:4)

The psalmist states, We are to come before Him with thanksgiving; His court
with praise. We are to give Him thanks.

The Scripture says we are to bless Him. (v. 4) It comes from the Hebrew word
(baw-rak) that means in our giving thanks we are to adore Him.

A. Adore Him for His Offer of Salvation

His loving kindness speaks of His mercy, His grace. What greater demonstration
for us than the precious Son of God coming and giving His life for us in order to
offer us salvation? I like what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about salvation. (I
Thess.2:13) All you have to do is believe in Jesus, repent, and receive Him. The
Scripture says there is no other Name to be saved other than Jesus. (Acts 4:12)
Say that Name with me: Jesus.

A marshal in Napoleon's army, a man who was devoted and enthusiastically

attached to Napoleon, was mortally wounded in battle. As this man lay dying he
sent for Napoleon.

The poor man thought his emperor could do anything. Perhaps he even sought to
put him in the place of God, so he earnestly pleaded with his leader to save his
life. Napoleon shook his head and turned away. As the dying man felt death
advancing, he was heard to shout out "Save me, Napoleon! Save me!" In the hour
of death that soldier discovered that even the powerful Napoleon could not give
him life.

There are millions of people dying every day and they're calling upon the name of
their companies, the names of their bankers, the names of their lawyers, the
names of their doctors, crying out for them to save them, but there is no one who
can give them life except Jesus Christ.
 B. Adore Him For His Opportunities To Serve (Psalm 100:2)
Serve the Lord with gladness. Listen, could you imagine the impact we could
have if every believer stopped viewing their "service" as a "job" and began
viewing it as a "joy"?

Does God take joyful service serious? Ask Israel. God told them because they
didn't serve Him in gladness and joy, He would see to it they served their
enemies. (Deut. 28:47-48)

God has gifted us to glorify Him. The way to glorify Him is to take your spiritual
giftedness and serve Him through it. The problem is most want to serve Him, but
only in an advisory capacity. Service means we give of ourselves.

In 1878 William Booth's Salvation Army was beginning to make its mark, and
men and women from all over the world began to enlist. One man was Samuel
Brengle left a fine pastorate to join Booth's army. At first General Booth
accepted his service reluctantly and grudgingly. Booth said to Brengle, "You've
been your own boss too long." In order to instill humility in Brengle, Booth set
him to work cleaning the boots of other trainees. Discouraged Brengle said to
himself, "Have I followed my own fancy across the Atlantic in order to shine
boots?" And then in a flash in a vision, he saw Jesus bending over the feet of
rough unlettered fishermen. "Lord" he whispered, "You washed their feet. I will
shine their shoes."

III. BECAUSE GOD DELIGHTS IN OUR THANKS

A. Genuine Thanks Is Pleasing To God
The Scripture tells us, In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

B. Godly Thanks Is Praise To God Ps. 100:4

One of the greatest ways we can show our praise to God is by developing a
thankful heart.