Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 May2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 May2008

The power of God centered marriages. Today’s word of encouragement is: The power of prayer. 1 Kings 8:28 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. Prayer is vital in any marriage, because it is a key way of communicating with God. Without prayer, we are basically listening to our own voice or the enemies. Focusing on the specifics Without prayer, a marriage is dead. A lack of prayer and you will slowly see your marriage falling apart. We have got to focus on the specifics; it is more than asking God, “God give me a healthy marriage, thank you…amen.” There is power in prayer, and we have to yearn for God’s strength in our marriage. That no one can teach us, we have to desire GOD in order to understand this. God will never fail to answer our prayers. He will clearly guide us, warn us in advance, and protect us. Why would He do this? Because He loves us and would do everything in His power to make sure our marriages stay strong. The only way we can hear God’s answer is if, we are LISTENING. Today, I hope that we would be encouraged to pray for our marriages. Firstly, by focusing on the specifics and not some “weak sauce” prayer. There is power in praying and we have to declare the promises that God has given to us. Secondly, we have to listen to God. If we aren’t listening, then we have to minimize the distractions and find our best time for God in order for us to listen. Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 Apr 2008

The power of God centered marriages. Today’s word of encouragement is: The importance of building strong friendships. In life whether we are single or married it is vital that we build strong God centered relationships with others. These friendships aren’t just people that we choose because they know how to party, or they are fun to be around with. These friendships challenge each other to draw closer to God. They challenge each other to pour love to their spouse, and they are focused on being accountable. NOTHING GOES HIDDEN. God will bring key people into our lives for a reason. Why? Because we were never made to be loners. When we are alone it is easier to be overpowered by the enemy. Today, I hope we would search for friendships that would challenge us to draw closer to God, and would challenge us to work on our marriage. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 Apr 2008

The power of God centered marriages. Today’s word of encouragement is: What defines your marriage. What defines your marriage? I hope we would take the opportunity to examine our marriage and ask ourselves what really defines our marriage. Is it money? Is it “all about the children”? Is it anger, frustration, quick temperedness? Or is your marriage defined by God? A marriage that is NOT DEFINED BY GOD will always face storms. They would not know how to handle it, and eventually they fall apart and get swept away by the storm. Usually insecurity is the foundation of this type of marriage, a lack of trust, and often what was once love, is dead. Anger seems to consume most of their time, causing the couple to get distracted of why they got married in the first place. A marriage defined by God is powerful, because no matter what may be thrown at them, nothing can split this marriage apart. Even at the lowest points, maybe a lack of financial resources, a major illness, but nothing can split their marriage because God is in the center of their marriage. A marriage defined by God, has no room in it to allow the enemy to strike. The devil can try, but the over powering voice is God. Today, I pray that we would not miss out on the things that matter most. I pray that God would be our focal point, may His love be the foundation of our marriages. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 Apr 2008

Today, I embark on a new series on The power of God centered marriages. Today’s word of encouragement is, spending quality time talking. Let’s stop making excuses, which justifies our actions. It is simply asking yourself, how much do I value my marriage? Today, I have a challenge for all married couples. Spend one hour of your time each day. Away from your children, free your mind of all worries, stresses, issues, and don’t talk about work. For the first 30 minutes, simply write down the things that you appreciate most about your spouse, sometimes write a song, and sometimes write a poem, etc. As cheesy as this may seem, in life it is easier to see the flaws in people than the positives. It is time we establish the positives in our marriages not the flaws. Finally the last 30 minutes, I hope you can pray with your wife. Thanking God for each other, pray for your children, pray for God’s protection, and pray what God leads you both to pray about. The challenge here is to re-ignite the fire! Rekindle LOVE. Husbands win your wife over and over again. Wives, I pray and hope that you would feel the security of your family through the leadership of your husband. Marriage is precious, only if it is God centered, God focused, and God purposed. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 Apr 2008

Today, I end my series on: The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about submitting everything to God, especially your marriage. The world is filled with so many broken marriages, which is why I’ve written about marriages again. My prayer for marriages is that you would first submit to God and walk in full obedience to God, which will then flow through our everyday lives, especially our marriages. What goes on in the business world when businessmen travel, it is really the devils playground. Many men think because they are in a different country where no one knows them, they have the freedom to do as they please. Married and unmarried alike! Making the difference starts with you. Today, let us lay the right foundation. Submit to God everything! Surrender everything to God! Start praying for your marriage and for your children (Even if you don’t have children yet, start praying for them—blessings, wisdom, guidance, and that God will be the center of their lifes). Acts 27:22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Let this verse be an encouragement to your marriage. Let it be based upon courage that comes from the Lord. We may face many storms, sometimes hurricanes, sometimes strong currents, sometimes little ripples, and sometimes like stagnant water. Your marriage may feel like a rollercoaster, or dead, but NOT ONE OF YOU WILL BE LOST! Finally, only the ship will be destroyed. The ship is the physical, the worldly desires of your marriage. The enemy will always be there trying to destroy our marriages. Attacking our finances, attacking by words, fighting, and anger. THE SHIP MAY BE DESTORYED, BUT NOT ONE OF YOU WILL BE LOST! © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about finding the light in you. Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Everyday we are constantly fighting the devil. At work, at home, in our head. If we are not submitted to God and walking in complete surrender to God, we will walk in darkness. Today, I pray and hope that Acts 13:47 would serve as a wake up call, to focus our eyes on God again, and not on life’s issues. The devil wants us to walk in darkness, and force us to lose focus on God. BUT WE HAVE BEEN COMMANDED BY GOD TO BE A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, BRINGING SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about now means now, don’t wait. (Acts 9:20) Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. When Paul finally accepted Christ into his life, he did not wait long before being fully used by God. I pray and hope that Acts 9:20, would serve as a reminder to us all that when we submit to God—we walk in God’s power. When we are obedient to God—we will begin to use the gifts that God has given to us in powerful ways. If we say to ourselves, “but I’ve been fully submitted to God and obedient, but I don’t see anything powerful.” I can tell you that we have not fully submitted to God. We are still relying on our own strength. To fully submit to God and be fully obedient to God—we will see the impossible become a reality. Today, I pray that we would be excited to submit to God and walk in obedience, so that we can see God power through our life. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about letting God unveil your purpose (Acts 5:38-39). Acts 5:38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advice you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. Acts 5:38-39 sums up what today’s word of encouragement is all about. Let God unveil to you your purpose. Peter and John were faced with persecution, but Gamaliel, a Pharisee said, For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. Let this be a reminder to us all, that if we are striving for our own admissions in life, we will fail. But if we are doing what God has called us to do, NO ONE CAN STOP US; AND IF PEOPLE TRY TO STOP US THEY WILL BE FIGHTING GOD AND NOT US. I pray and hope that today’s word would be a source of encouragement. There is power in submitting to God and walking in full obedience to God. Do not give up your destiny that God has given to you. If you are faced with persecution remember these verses, for God will fight on behalf of us. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about being attentive to God’s voice. Most often God will bring people into our lives for a purpose and for a reason. God often will challenge us to start a new job, to meet this new person who no one talks to, even marrying the right person. In every situation we are in, we must be attentive to God’s voice. The only way that can happen is if, we are fully submitted to God and walking in complete obedience to Him. I love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian man (Acts 8:26-40). In v26. The word of God says, “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Without question, without stalling, Philip obeyed, now that is what God is looking for. V27. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. You see, we will never know why God would want us to go into the desert, to leave our jobs, to meet this stranger. But if we obey God—we will see his purpose and plan. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian man ends with Philip baptizing him along the road they were traveling on. V36-40. The most important thing to God about our lives is not how rich we will be, or how famous we will be. God is interested in us walking fully obedient and submitted to Him. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 22 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 22 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is about unwavering boldness. Before Jesus was crucified the disciples that followed Jesus closely (Peter, John, and James) lacked faith, they made mistakes, they couldn’t drive out demons, heal people who were blind or the crippled (Matthew 17:18-21), they were seeking their own glory and fame--competing with each other as to who would sit at the right and left of Jesus (Mark 10:35-38), and Peter denied Jesus three times. The disciples lacked boldness because they were depended on Jesus to do everything. Today, are you depended always on your mentor, leader, and discipler? However, after Jesus was crucified, Jesus’ disciples were transformed (Acts 3:1-8). Acts 4:13 “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Peter and John took ownership of their calling; they began to see what Jesus was saying all along. This is a vital point, and I hope we will remember: We have to stop relying on our discipler, stop relying on people to come to our RESCUE. We have to start standing up on our own two feet. Today, I hope we would be excited to walk in boldness, unwavering to our flaws and mistakes. Remember the courage that Peter and John gained after Jesus was crucified. They were unschooled ordinary men. God did not use kings, Pharisees, Sadducees, the famous, the prominent men and women to make the greatest impact this world has seen. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 21 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 21 Apr 2008

The power of submission and full obedience to God. The ability to walk in full submission to God and to be fully obedient to God is tremendously hard to achieve. But that does not mean we can’t. Today’s word of encouragement is breaking into your armor in preparation for battle. Our sin consumes our lives to the point of addiction. We can go on hiding our deepest secrets from people, but God sees everything. From the smallest area of sin, to the biggest, it does not matter. Jesus says in Matthew 5:28, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” We may not be in the physically act of committing adultery, but it is still committing adultery in our hearts if we look lustfully. All of us have been given a breast plate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, and a belt of faithfulness (Isaiah 59:17, Isaiah 11:5). It is time we put them to full use. The enemy prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Are we going to be devoured by the enemy? © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 20 Apr 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 20 Apr 2008

Today I begin another series on: The power of submission and full obedience to God. God Sees everything! The small things that we do, the big things that we do, the small things that we DON’T Do, and the Big things we DON’T DO. In fact God even sees what we are like in the inside: the true you! Behind all the appearances, masks, and façade God is waiting for us to come out of our shells to FULLY WALK WITH HIM. In the Message Bible the word of God says in Luke 16:10-13 Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank. The word of God is simple. We cannot be fully submitted to God and walking in full obedience to God, if we still have our hand in the cookie jar. If we are stubborn today, unwilling to surrender our will to God today, we will never fully walk with God. © Apr 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com