Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 8 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 8 Oct 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is about trust. In the world we live in today, it is one of the hardest things to find, trustworthy people. Integrity is one of the most important characteristics that we all need to build upon in our daily lives. In this life, we may find the greatest athletes, the richest men and women, great companies built upon people; yet despite all the glory, success, fame, and fortune, what would it all amount to if that person achieved all these things in ways that were dishonest? Marion Jones, one of the most famous athletes in history just recently admitted to having taken steroids before the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Many politicians around the world are one of the most corrupted people in the world, doing things in secret, controlling businesses to gain their own wealth while their nation and their people starve to death, and live in poverty. Enron, Arthur Anderson, The National Kidney Foundation, and many more companies and organizations throughout the world have been torn apart because of corruption and lack of integrity. This is a fact, we cannot hide anything. We may be able to fool people, our friends, and family; but we can’t fool God. Proverbs 10:9 says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” In this world, we all have choices. We can choose to walk in righteousness, in honesty, or we can follow the bandwagon. It is amazing that one choice we make, to either walk in integrity or not, can make or break a person. As we face this week, I hope we can find some time to examine our lives, and even our close friends and relatives. Let us be aware that we cannot hide from God. Even our close friends that we may know that are doing things that are dishonest. Let me ask you this, do you think we are showing love to our friends or family members by keeping our mouth shut if they are being dishonest? Psalm 25:21 states, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.” Proverbs 13:6, “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.” © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 7 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 7 Oct 2007

In 1 Samuel 16:7 The Word of God says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." As we head into a new week, let this word be a source of encouragement, especially when we feel inadequate. Remember that God does not look at the outward appearance; furthermore, God does not look at us the way men look at us. People may judge us, and have expectations of how we are supposed to be. Let us remember this statement, “Who defines us, God or man?” If we keep allowing people to define us, most likely we are going to come to a conclusion that this is who I am. However, if we allow God to define us we will realize that our identity is in Christ. We must declare the promises that Jesus has given to us DAILY. Let us be aware of what people say about us. It is important to discern what people say, but it is vital to know that ultimately God defines us and not man. God see’s us for who we are, despite the imperfections, flaws, and sins. God’s love for us is unconditional, how powerful. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 6 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 6 Oct 2007

As nations around us walk in uncertainty and chaos, Myanmar and Iraq to name a few. Lives taken away for a cause to bring freedom, innocent lives, children, and families taken away for this fight. Other nations around us are also facing earthquakes and tsunamis. It is at times like these where many people question God and ask God why? God is in control, God is definitely doing things right now to shake the earth once more. Haggai 2:6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. Today’s word of encouragement is to pray for these nations. What has been robbed from the people of Myanmar and Iraq, decades or God’s blessings have been taken away from them by corrupted people, and God wants to restore His people. Let us pray that Nations who have been blessed abundantly like Singapore, can begin to bless these nations without expecting anything back in return. We may not have a calling to go to these nations to try and help, but we all have the ability to pray and bless these nations. Let us all today not neglect the power of prayer. The voices of God’s people collectively praying, can change, can melt, and can humble the most powerful people and nations. In Lamentations 1:1 the word of God says, “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave.” As I was reading this verse, I just pictured this is what is happening in Myanmar. But I know that as we pray, as God moves in this land, once again God will restore this land, and God will use nations like Myanmar and Iraq to do a great and mighty work. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 5 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 5 Oct 2007

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Today’s word of encouragement is picturing your life as a single strand. Alone, we are weak and vulnerable to attack. However when many single strands are bound together like in a cord, it is not easily broken. God has purposed us all to fight life side by side with people, never to fight alone. If our mentality is individually focused, the road ahead will be a lonely journey. Furthermore, in Matthew 18:20 the Word of God says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Let us today, reexamine our friendships and relationships. Are we spending time with people for the sack of spending time, or are we purposefully spending time with people? There are many activities that we do to have fun and spend time together, watching movies, eat, play a sport, eat, eat, and eat more. Examine your true friendships today, how much time do we spend, praying with each other, building each others character, seeing visions of the future, and encouraging one and another to fulfill God’s plans? These are all important areas of focus in building friendships and this list is just to mention a few. However, it is easier said then done. Friendships take hard work, and effort. Finally, Relationships. Relationships with love ones, takes hard work and effort as well. Love at first sight is only as good as at first sight! We need to work at our relationships. Yes, we may be so in love, but that is useless if together you do not see God’s purpose and destiny together. I pray that we would never give up on the people that God has put in our lives. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 4 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 4 Oct 2007

Comparing and jealousy are the most common areas of insecurity. Today’s word of encouragement is about taking a good look at the people that we surround ourselves with. The people that we surround ourselves with are related to insecurity, because if we are around people who are insecure most likely we are going to turn out like them too. Who has the bigger car, the bigger house, the better job, the nicer handbag, watch, etc? Aren’t there better things to focus on than worldly possessions? Friendships are the key, there are people that we will meet, some of them you look at them and you know that you will accomplish your dreams, you want to fight together in battle with them, and without fail they never seize to stop encouraging you. And there are those that when you look at them, it is as though they want to steal your dreams or they look down upon your dreams. Let us remember that the enemy uses comparison and jealousy to attack us, and to a certain degree even destroy relationships. If we know friends who always compare themselves with each other, and look down on people, let us pray that we can be used by God to make a difference in their lives. If we are the ones getting attacked by them, God is encouraging us today, that He will purposefully bring people into our lives that will grow us and not pull us down. God’s given us friends and families to support and encourage, but it is vital that we surround ourselves with the right people. If the voices that we hear are always putting us down, discouraging, comparing, cutting, gossiping, most likely we will end up talking and acting like them. Friendship is important; they can either pull you up or pull you down. I believe that God is encouraging us today, to not fall into the enemies traps. I pray that this verse will be a word of encouragement for us all today. Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” True friendship will wound us, change us, and stretch us, all for the purpose of drawing us closer to God and strengthening our relationship with God. © Oct 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 Oct 2007

The Word of encouragement for today is to not give up. Don’t give up on people, and especially on things that hurt. God allows seasons in our lives where we go through a lot of emotional pain and hurt. Some of us have lost close relatives, friends, and we simply don’t understand why. The encouragement here would be to let go your hurts and pain, give it to God, and don’t give up trying. Don’t give up on people is vital. Through relationships with people we are bound to hurt and offend people. Sometimes it is a big step of faith to forgive a person. But how we all are wired by God is the capacity to not give up trying; don’t give up forgiving the person that has hurt you. A person may make the same mistake and keep offending you over and over and over again, yet what would God say to us, stop forgiving that person, or keep forgiving that person? On the other hand, we might be the person offending people. The tongue is such a powerful weapon, it is so poisonous that it can destroy nations, and cause wars. If you are a person that walks with a quick temper, and anger is common in your life; today let this be an encouragement to not give up trying to tame the tongue. Don’t give up working on self-control. We have a choice today, to give up or keep persevering, I hope we will make a choice, and say to God, I will not stop, I will not give up, and I will give my all. In James 1:12, the Word of God says to us all, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. I hope that this verse will be a daily reminder to us all, not to give up through the seasons of trials and sufferings. Stand the test! And we will receive the crown of life that God has promised us. © Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 2 Oct 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 2 Oct 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is about receiving God’s blessings. As I was praying for today’s word, I just felt that a lot of us need a miracle from God. Some of us are praying for a new job, praying for loved ones, praying for a new home, praying for a child, and the list seems to pile up. Where is our faith today? Are we fully 100% devoted to giving our lives to God, or is a part of us still living in the world? God is ready to give us a miracle, and it is a matter of where our hearts are, are we desperate, desperate for God? There is a complete difference between being desperate for God and being desperate for the world. Desperation has become one of the fastest growing problems in the world we live in today. People are mentally getting depressed, stressed, worried, and anxious, etc. It is a sad reality that the world is made of people who are miserable, and hopeless. Today, God is encouraging all of us to walk in full obedience to His voice, being 100% desperate for God. Watch before our eyes, all the needs that we have been praying for will be answered by God. When we are desperate for God, we are hearing God clearly and there is peace in our hearts no matter the circumstance. It is easy to know when someone isn’t desperate for God, because when they seek God’s answer, they expect God to answer their needs the way they want it answered. Let us choose to be desperate for God in everything that we do and are going through. God wants to bless us, and answer our prayers. May today bring peace in our souls. © Sept 2007 Shaun Lee