Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 July 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 1 July 2008

Joy, unfailing joy. Deuteronomy 20:1-4. 1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Do not be fainthearted, afraid, terrified, or give way to PANIC. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. What is your emotional state right now? Are you at peace? Are you in anger? Sad? Hurting? Sick? Tired? Right now the Lord wants to define our lives with the Joy of the Lord. How can we attain joy? Just open your heart and receive it. It is easy to harden our hearts. Sometimes responding in anger feels better than keeping it inside. In my opinion, if the Joy of the Lord is on our hearts we would know how to respond to every situation we face. It is the lack of joy in our lives that makes us respond the opposite. Today, let us find the joy that can ONLY come from the Lord. Joy cannot come from relationships. It cannot be attained through a purchase. It is easy to attain if you believe. Let us open our hearts and let the joy of our Lord enter inside. Psalm 30:10-12 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. © July 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 June 2008

Today’s word of encouragement is taken from Deuteronomy 20:1-4. 1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." For this new week, my series is on: Joy, unfailing joy. Right now, our Lord wants to encourage each one of us through whatever situation we are facing. Worry has consumed our life. Uncertainty has dampened our faith, and many of us are tired. But the word of God says, Do not be fainthearted, afraid, terrified, or give way to PANIC. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Whatever situation we may be facing right now God’s promise to us is clear. WE HAVE VICTORY BECAUSE GOD IS WITH US. An illness of a loved one is no match to faithfulness, prayer, and encouragement. A lost of a child or a miscarriage, is no match to God’s ultimate plan and blessing. Are we giving in to fear, are we faithless? The pain of cancer brings loved ones to their knees, but it is no match to bowing our knees to the Lord for strength. God paid the ultimate sacrifice through suffering on the cross. We have already won the battle through Christ. Today, join me in singing this worship song. I pray and hope it will give you encouragement through whatever you are facing. I’m trading my sorrows I’m trading my shame I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord I’m trading my sickness I’m trading my pain I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord We say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen I’m pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned Struck down but not destroyed I’m blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure And his joy’s gonna be my strength Though the sorrow may last for the night His joy comes with the morning © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 June 2008

What is your journey: Beyond the glory I end this series on our journey in life with this encouragement. Making everyday count without wanting the glory. If we could live each day of our lives focused on fulfilling what God has planned for that day, we would be making an impact to the Kingdom of God. It isn’t about the limelight, or getting recognition for anything. Our journey in life should be simply, wanting to see God’s plans fulfilled. I wonder how many of us actually desire and want to see God’s plans fulfilled. Sometimes I feel that our lifestyle and needs precedes God’s work. Let us all check our hearts right now. It isn’t about the glory or fame. It isn’t about wealth and power. Our journey in life should be about fulfilling what God wants. Deuteronomy 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 June 2008

What is your journey: No regrets Our journey as promised by God is one worth fighting for and living for. Before we leave this earth, it is evident that life will be filled with many ups, downs, twists, and turns. That is why it is vital that God is with us through every turn, through ever twist, downs, ups, and many other surprises. Today’s word of encouragement is about no regrets. No regret is an ambiguous word. However, I believe that God will speak to each one of us right now, and reveal to us what areas in our lives we have not sought God’s forgiveness. We have to let that go. We have to ask God to forgive us, and bring healing to the past so that we can move on and fulfill all that God has for us with NO REGRETS. Matthew 5:13-14 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. The journey ahead is uncertain, No regrets…let’s bring healing to our souls. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 June 2008

What is your journey: Strength and encouragement The journey in life is uncertain. We have no clue what tomorrow may bring. But would we rather live this life negatively or positively. Today’s word of encouragement is a reminder to always remain watchful, to always pour strength and encouragement to people around us. No matter what people around us may be going through, we must always remain a strength and an encouragement to others. In my opinion, one of the greatest gifts that God has given us is having people around us to give us strength through the tough times. They help us draw closer to God when we are tired, and encourage us when we are down, weak, alone, afraid, and defenseless. Let’s examine our mouths this week right now. Have we been an encouragement to people or have we spoken discouragement over people? God has called us to be a light and the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13-14 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. The journey ahead is uncertain, but we have the ability to walk in it positively or negatively. Today, let’s chose the positive. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 June 2008

What is your journey: The steps needed Part of knowing ones journey in life is developing an action plan of actually getting to the end goal. In my opinion it is pointless to always talk about what I’m going to do, what I can do, and what God wants me to do, but nothing ever happens to prove that. Talking is easy. It is easy to impress people with eloquent words about how great you are. But I hope that we realize that talking does not put our words to action. Watch and see, eventually we will start saying, I should have done that instead, I could have been that, I would have been that. Today’s word of encouragement is putting your words to action. If God has given us a specific calling, if God has shown us our journey ahead, then let’s put our act together to get there. Our dreams could be broken and we could have a negative outlook in life because of situations right now. The action plan is simple. Take action God’s way. The one common theme is almost every word of encouragement I have written on is: building a relationship with God, and listening to him. Today let’s do exactly this as we develop an action plan to fulfill God’s plans for our lives ahead. The journey has only just begun. Isaiah 55:11 So in my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 June 2008

What is your journey: The complaining and whining spirit Numbers 14:27 How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. When I think about the complaining and whining spirit, it reminds me of what Moses had to go through when God freed His people from bondage by the Egyptians. Today’s word of encouragement is Enter YOUR promise land. God’s people were in the desert for 40 years, many did not make it to the promise land except for Caleb and Joshua. The one thing that I realized from reading the Word of God is that, many may call themselves God’s chosen but only a few will actually enter the promise land. By title it is easy to call ourselves “God’s chosen people” See I’m a Christian I go to church every Sunday, I don’t steal, I am faithful to my wife, blah blah blah. All God’s chosen people were freed from slavery and bondage in Egypt but what did they do? They spent their entire lives complain, grumbling, and disobey God. Imagine many said from their own mouths that they rather be a salve in Egypt than walk into the promise land. Only a few actually walk in the will of God. In my opinion it absolutely means nothing to God if we carry the title of being called “God’s chosen people”. What matters is what we do about our lives for God’s kingdom. The promise land awaits EVERYONE. Right now in our journey in life, are we just complaining, grumbling, and whining all the time to God about our hardships? There is a promise land for all of us, but not many will enter it. Today, are we ready to journey to the promise land God has given to us? (Deut 1:27-45) 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.' " 29 Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." 32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, 33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. 34 When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 "NOT A MAN OF THIS EVIL GENERATION SHALL SEE THE GOOD LAND I SWORE TO GIVE YOUR FOREFATHERS, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly." 37 Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, "You shall not enter it, either. 38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it. 42 But the LORD said to me, "Tell them, 'Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.' " 43 So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the LORD's command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah. 45 You came back and wept before the LORD, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 24 June 2008

What is your journey: Who dictates and What dictates, YOU Part of our journey in life is recognizing who and what dictates you. Does money dictate your future? Does success dictate your actions going forward? Or could it be your intellect? Maybe it’s your credentials? Age? Marriage? What dictates your life? Today’s word of encouragement is answering these two simple questions. Who dictates your life and what dictates your life. The who. It is either God is in control or He isn’t. The what. The what is circumstances. Are we allowing circumstances in our life to dictate how we live our lives? Our journey has already been made. God says in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Do you believe that the Word of God is true or His promises to us? If we don’t believe then God does not dictate YOU and we will allow frills in life to dictate the What. In my opinion, if God dictates our life, NOTHING can stop us from fulfilling God’s plans. Lack of money, SO WHAT- GOD IS MY PROVIDER. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever (Psalm 111:5) I am not smart enough, SO WHAT- Lord, Your word says that you use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and you chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). Finally, I hope that we would be encouraged today to rebuild our relationship with God. Because the moment we lose God we will lose everything that draws us towards God. If we don’t know the Word of God we will never understand His promises for us. Today, let our journey in life be dictated by God. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 23 June 2008

What is your journey: How hungry are you How hungry and thirsty are we for the things that God has planned for us? Today’s word of encouragement is taken from Mark 13:7-10. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Let’s stop and re-read what these verses say. Now let’s take a look at everything we have done since the point of birth. These questions have to be answered, What have we done for the Kingdom of God? Secondly, has the gospel been preached to all nations? Are we making an impact for the Kingdom of God? This to me is the essential factor that determines ones destiny. If we are uncertain about our future and what God has planned for us, then ask yourself this question what can I do for the Kingdom of God? I believe that God will reveal to you a destiny worth living for. Mark 13:10 says it all. The gospel must first be preached to all nations. The answer is simple, it has not been preached to all nations. So I ask this final question. Is your journey in life, your calling in life, focused on fulfilling this command? I hope that today’s word of encouragement would open the eyes of our hearts. What are we after in life? How hungry are we right now for the things God has? © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com