Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 Nov 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 Nov 2007

In yesterday’s word of encouragement, I wrote this: The power of God, so magnificent that He would be willing to use you and me, to fulfill His plans. This is the truth! I can go on further to say that God has uniquely buried in each of us gifts and talents, despite all our flaws and imperfections. However, today’s word of encouragement is not about our gifts or how great God has gifted each of us. Today’s word of encouragement is to stay the course, set our eyes on God. Sometimes if we are not careful our life’s purpose and growing our gifts and talents can become a distraction. The eagerness to get to the next level or the zeal to fulfill all of life’s purpose in one day!! (This is an exaggeration but I hope you see what I’m trying to say) I don’t know if you ever feel this way, but the moment I capture something, I get so passionate and fired up, but if I’m not careful all this could be a distraction, if I do not set my eyes, fixed them on God. The purpose and plans of God must precede all our other passions in life. I hope we can spend sometime today reflecting on our relationship with God. Does God fit into our life, as though He is secondary? Or are our eyes always fixed on Him? Let’s turn our eyes on God today, call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 4:3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 31 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 31 Oct 2007

The power of God, so strong that He can break down the strongest defenses, make the greatest nations seem like little flies. The power of God, so gentle that He can melt a single broken heart. The power of God, so magnificent that He would be willing to use you and me, to fulfill His plans. To deny, to take for granted, and to reject the power of God is living a life without any aim or purpose. But to be honest what is even worse; to deny, take for granted, and to reject the power of God is simply living a life of emptiness. The word of encouragement today is to find the power of God in your life. If life seems empty and cloudy, for certain a time will come when you will have to make a choice. Perhaps the most important and life changing choice, to trust and give your life to Jesus, or simply to go on living life trying to find the reason why life seems so empty. Will you give everything to find the power of God in your life? Mighty in power! Awesome in wonder! That is our Father. He chose you, He molded you before you were even born, and He gifted each of us before we were created. Emptiness, Cold, and Lonely? Today can change your life, if you’d be willing to find God’s power. Psalm 4:2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 Oct 2007

Everyday we live with the power and potential to make an impact in someone’s life. Today’s word of encouragement is about, “Finding your key”. Each of us holds a key, a key that can unlock the doors of people’s hearts that have been hardened, have been hurt, torn, and suffering. It is a matter of us willing to be that key. The sad part though, we are more concerned with our life and our issues than caring about someone else. Simply put, we all hold this precious key that can unlock pain and hurt in people’s lives, yet we don’t bother because we have our own issues. So where can I find this key? Or, how can I find my key? I wish we could sit back and observe because we are the key. At any given point in our lives, we can rise up to the call, to the plate, to the moment; it is simply desiring to want to be used! Today let us NOT DESPISE HUMMBLE BEGINNINGS, let us not TAKE FOR GRANTED OUR POTENTIAL AND THE POTENTIAL IN PEOPLE, let us be willing to be that key, be that voice, to help others around us that are hurting. Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 Oct 2007

On a daily basis we face numerous battles internally. Most of our battles are fought within our minds. To fight off those thoughts and accusations we equip ourselves with numerous weapons. Constantly some of us face internal blows on our self-esteem, self worth, and sometimes what people think of us can hurt the most. It is a daily reminder to us all, to remind ourselves who we are, and what we are worth. Nothing care tear us apart, nothing can harm our hearts if we know our true identity. The sad part though not many people know who their identity is in. Today’s word of encouragement is about confidence. Self-confidence can be achieved in so many ways, but honestly when it is done through our own means and ways it is not true confidence. Most often when we look at people who are confident we think they are confident because of the impression they give to people, but deep down inside them, they are actually insecure. Picture this, let’s say we are trying to become a body builder, and we want to get the biggest muscles in the fastest way. So we take steroids, see on the outside we may look big and strong, but in the inside our body is rotting away and causing more harm just to look good on the outside. So the question I have for us all, Who are we really in the inside? Proverbs 16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Matthew 18:12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? –let us remember that this is what Jesus will do for all of us, we are of value in God’s eyes! © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 Oct 2007

Dress to impress, looking good, and being image conscious. It is interesting that we live in a day and age where we are conscious of how we look, our weight, and the moment someone says something about how we look we get affect, we get soooooo worked up inside that we start changing. It is important that we keep healthy, fit, and live an active lifestyle; but taken to the extreme that is when we have to start asking ourselves, why am I doing this? I hope and pray that our image does not control us and dictate our lifestyle, because who are we really trying to impress? It is interesting what people will do to get a tan, get a six pack for guys, and weight for women, etc. To me it seems we are more self-conscious about what people will think of us, that in reality it is simply: insecurity. God has promises for each of us, we must claim them, we must hold on to them with our dear lives. If we don’t, we will fall into the trap of the world, who are driven by image, how they look, dress, what kind of car they drive, the list goes on and on. Today, let this be an encouragement for us all, that we are not driven by the world but we are driven by GOD. Let us all remember God’s promises over our lives, and stand secure in how God has designed and created us. John 1:12 I am God’s child. 1 Cor. 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one in spirit with Him. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 Oct 2007

Ephesians 4:26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. What pushes your buttons? What makes you angry? Some of us naturally have a quick temper, it is the slightest thing, the smallest issues and we get all fired up and hot. I know that I am guilty of having a quick temper. The interesting thing about human nature is that the closet people in our lives get the bulk of our anger, temper, and all the other fun stuff because they see the true colors. God’s put these people in our lives, He purposed these relationships, and yet constantly we fight, get irritated, and frustrated at them over the smallest issues. Once again I know that I am guilty of this. Everyday is a test. To say that everyday I will not get angry, I will not get irritated, and I will not show my quick temper to those that I love, Don’t lie to yourself. We have got to accept ourselves and others. We ALL make mistakes! Let us desire the ability to be quick to forgive and learn from our mistakes. Everyday is a test, especially the fruits of the Spirit. I hope on a daily bases and even when we are faced with the test, we would memorize and have these 9 FRIUTS EMBEDED IN OUR HEARTS, MINDS, AND SOULS. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The first fruit is love, how can we say we have all the other fruits of the spirit in us if we first do not love? Let us turn on our alarm, turn on the discernment button that makes us aware when we are getting angry and be quick to apologize and ask for forgiveness. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 Oct 2007

Question: How flexible are you to be able to bouncing back from mistakes and failure? Bouncing back is the ability to move on and not dwell on the past. Bouncing back is the ability to KEEP picking yourself up and not give up. Bouncing back is the ability to not let the world judge you and stop you from fulfilling your goal, your destiny, the plans God has for you. Bouncing back is the ability to look at failure, to look at mistakes and rise to the challenge. We fail, we lose, we make mistakes, but we never give up, we never stop, and most of all we don’t let the world define us. Imagine, you are one in 6 billion, created uniquely by God to the finest detail. Your finger print unique, the number of hairs on your head unique, why in the world would we think that our Creator would create us to the finest detail and leave us to die this painful death, struggle, and fail? What a LIE!!! John Maxwell, someone I look up to in my life wrote this in one of his many leadership books. 1) The devil is not as powerful as God, he can’t destroy us. 2) God loves us so much that He won’t destroy us. 3) So the only ONE who can let you think you are useless, a failure, a mistake, IS OURSELVES. I pray and hope that we would be encouraged today, to turn to God, bounce back, and don’t give up from whatever we are facing in life today. Psalm 18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. Psalm 18:35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Jeremiah 17:8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. IT DOES NOT FEAR WHEN HEAT COMES; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 Oct 2007

Every second our heart beats and without fail we live to see the next day. What is the difference between a person who looks at life with thanks giving and a person who lives for the sake of living? The answer is obvious. It is interesting that we all have hearts that beat and without fail we live to see the next day, but how we chose to live out that day and all the rest of our days make the difference. I pray and hope that we will be able to rewire our minds in a way that is always grateful and thankful, despite the circumstances. People who are always grateful and thankful, there is something about them. It seems that if the worst things are thrown at them they have the ability to overcome, bounce back and grow stronger. Job in the Bible is a great example. So, our heart beats, everyday we go on living, time passes and ticks away, our heart still beats; however, eventually our heart is going to stop beating. When that day comes, I’d like to picture you, yes you reading this today and myself included, grateful and thankful. Grateful and thankful for what? For the life God has given us. Before our time is up, we might get illnesses, cancer, arthritis; we might not even get married, we could get divorced and say why God? We could on the other hand lose our love one without knowing why. We might have children and grandchildren; we could lose our children and ask why God why; we could lose our job, all our money, but in the end this question still remains: Will you still love GOD? Grateful and Thankful, God we seek you right now, and say, “no matter what I’m going through, experiencing in life right now, in my heart I say to you God, that I am grateful and thankful for You in my life. Father, I give You my life, You take control, and I live by Faith not by sight.” Romans 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for good. Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (say right now, declare it to God, “I cannot be separated from the love of God”) © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 Oct 2007

Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Today’s word of encouragement is simple, to love your enemies. In life we can go on living building nothing but enemies, to the point where even if someone tries to bless us, we think there is a motive behind it. There is something about people who walk with bitterness, anger, hatred towards their enemies—deep down they are hurting, crying, and lonely. However, on the outside, they show the world that they are tough, strong, and not easily taken down. Our enemies come in all forms and shapes, at the office, at home, a complete stranger that rubs you the wrong way, or even a voice in our heads that lies to us. The enemy puts thoughts in our heads, for example, “see that person, He is talking behind your back,” when in actuality he isn’t. But there is another option that promises us that we will lack nothing, if we learn to bless our enemies. Today, let us pray for the people that we have conflicts with to the point where we hate them. Instead of condemning them, instead of playing their game, do exactly the opposite. As Proverbs 25:31 says, “If your enemy is hungry give him food to eat; if your enemy is thirsty, give him water to drink.” The next time your enemy talks behind your back, don’t play their game; instead pray a prayer of blessing over that persons life. The next time your enemy steals your ideas and uses it for his/her own advantage, don’t be mad, don’t hate, but bless that person. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 Oct 2007

Feeling alone is one of the most common feelings that the enemy uses to try and pull us away from God. We have not been called to fight alone. Finding true and meaningful friendships, rebuilding family ties and relationships are vital. Why is it vital? Because a cord of three strands woven together, and knitted together cannot be easily broken. It is amazing how people as young as seven years old can feel alone. Please, let us remember, that it is not only you that feels alone. The pressure to do well in school, pressure from their parents, failure, not being accepted by their peers, are the most common feelings in youths these days. The scariest part though is that some kids as young as seven have already thought about committing suicide. If we feel like committing suicide, we need to talk to someone, if you are a parent you need to talk with your children. Today's word of encouragement is more than just feeling alone, but it is the power of accountability. It is hard to share sins that we are battling with, or issues that we are going through. But the reason why we are accountable to people is because, sometimes life's issues and things that we are doing don't seem wrong to us because they are, BLIND SPOTS. Being accountable and open brings peace and rest to our soul , we feel God's love and restoration, and we feel the true impact of meaningful relationships. Today, let us restore relationships and find true relationships that give us the ability to fight together, to be accountable, and relationships that help us grow and not stay stagnant. Ecclesiastes 4:12, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted , but an enemy multiplies kisses. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 22 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 22 Oct 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is dear to my heart. The importance of seeking and discerning wise counsel. The desire to want to learn and grow must never die in us. The moment we lose the passion to learn we will grow stagnant. But, we need to discern wise counsel. There are many people who claim to be wise, but if they do not follow God’s word, honestly it is useless information. In 1 Kings 12:3-15 we can learn so much from the life of King Rehoboam who first asked advice from the elders but then asked advice from his friends. 1 Kings 12:3, “So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: 4 "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." 5 Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then come back to me." So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. 7 They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." 8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. 9 He asked them, "What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, 'Lighten the yoke your father put on us'?" 10 The young men who had grown up with him replied, "Tell these people who have said to you, 'Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter'-tell them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. 11 My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.' " How sad it is in this day and age, that people are seeking for advice, seeking for the truth, seeking for the meaning of life. Let us all be wise today, seek advice from wise counsel. We need discernment because there are many fools who claim to be wise, but deep down they are just simply fools. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee