by Gary Hughes | Feb 25, 2021 | Daily Encouragment
I have often found that the Lord will speak to me through a familiar voice like that in my own life. It may be something that a mentor or a pastor once said to me. A teaching or a song comes back to my remembrance at just the right time. It can be so natural that it is easy to miss, and we may not even recognize that it is the Lord speaking to us until things start to change. You may feel that you are just remembering something. Yet later, it is easy to see that it was Him guiding us all along.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.” (John 14:26).
During your day, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and listen for that small “familiar” voice. We have all heard it, but most of us do not recognize Him. The voice that is nudging you to do the right thing is the one. It just may be that the Lord wants to tell you something, and a timely word from the Holy Spirit changes everything.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, please speak to me in a way that I understand and teach me to know when it is You. I really want to know Your voice and to follow You closer. I want to walk and talk with You today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
by Gary Hughes | Feb 20, 2021 | Daily Encouragment
When you pray, tell the Lord exactly what you mean and be specific. It is a personal relationship that we have with Him. Don’t assume that because He already knows about it that it will happen. God knows everything, but everything doesn’t happen. You have a part in this, and you actually need to pray the words. That is why it is called praying. James said that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
I have often prayed something specific and saw God go even beyond the details in my prayer. Your prayers don’t scare Him. For He is not just creative, but the Creator. Yes, He knows our needs before we even ask Him, but I still saw the brother in this story being kissed by the pastor. Be specific in your prayers.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers, and I will try to be more specific. Please build my faith and teach me what I need to know today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
by Gary Hughes | Feb 20, 2021 | Daily Encouragment
If you feel God is telling you to do something, don’t let fear hold you back. You can go so far and accomplish so much if you will just step out in faith and trust Him. Be like the ones that trusted God to take care of them and crossed the river. Our God can do what He said He would do. So don’t give up and lay down your sword in the middle of the battle. See it through to the very end. Those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, I choose to trust in You today, for You are everything to me. Please lead me, and I will follow. Point the way, and I will go. Put Your words in my mouth, and I will share them with others. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
by Gary Hughes | Feb 20, 2021 | Daily Encouragment
February 19
Resurrection: Our New Body
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
What a scene will occur at the sounding of the Lord’s trumpet! The “dead in Christ” will emerge from their resting places all over the earth and soar into the sky; these saints’ resurrected bodies will reunite with their spirits, which will have been residing in heaven with Jesus. Close behind them will follow believers who haven’t yet departed this life—at that moment, they’ll miraculously be changed as they are “caught up . . . to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
The description sounds extraordinary, but in fact, the plan is practical. We’re going to need a body with which to enjoy the new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for His followers. However, earthly flesh and bones will not do. They age, break, and succumb to sin. So God promised to transform our humble structures into glorious bodies like the one Christ had after His resurrection. Common temptations and limitations will be gone. In addition, our physical substance will be altered so that we are not restricted by time and space. Remember, Jesus didn’t bother with doors (John 20:19)! Our new bodies will be suited for the environment where we are to dwell forever—an ageless eternity in which all of our needs are perfectly met.
Each believer will still be him- or herself. Friends and family long separated will recognize one another; our personalities will be unchanged, except that we’ll be absolutely sinless. At last, you and I will be the persons that God intends for us to be. And we’ll be housed in a body fashioned like that of Christ—perfect, sinless, and complete.
by Gary Hughes | Feb 7, 2021 | Daily Encouragment
It all begins with a relationship with Jesus. As you focus on drawing close to God and talking to Him every day, your understanding will begin to grow. You can read the same verse seventy times and not understand it, then suddenly, it will click and make perfect sense. That is when He chooses to reveal it to you. Grow in your prayer life and relationship, and you will also grow in your understanding of His word. What He shares with you depends directly on how well you know Him.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sharing Your wisdom and knowledge with me. My help comes from the Lord, and my eyes are on You. Please grow my understanding of Your word. Guide my steps and help me make the right decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
