Hope | Encouragement for Today

Many of us have routines. I have to laugh at mine a bit. Wait, I have to put on my glasses to be able to see to complete the routine. LOL

I take my anti-fungal for my Valley Fever, put on my compression socks, put on my posture brace, put my rice scarf on my neck, put on my inside Chaco’s, take my supplements for my Fibromyalgia, and allergy medicine.

These old “earthsuits” do wear out. I am proof of that. But, I am grateful that I still have this earth suit too!

But, today did I put on the armor?

The belt of truth?

The breastplate of righteousness?

My feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace?

The shield of faith?

The helmet of salvation?

The sword of the Spirit?

The truth of the matter is this:

It is the only way I can be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power!

What is your routine?

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy

A cord, an attachment….

When you think of a cord, what comes to mind? Is it a telephone cord? (Then you are my age). Could it be a computer cord? (You might be in your 30’s). How about the cord to charge your iPhone? (You are much younger).

What do all these cords have in common? What is their purpose? What do each of them do? They attach to something! The telephone, the computer and the iPhone. All are attached to the power source with a cord. Here is where it gets good.

“Find rest , O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5.

The word “hope” in this verse is “tiquah”, which literally means “a cord, as an attachment.” (Strongs) So our “CORD” or “HOPE” must be attached to GOD alone! A cord is strong. If we hang onto any thing else, it is like hanging on with a thin string.

There seem to be so many people right now without “hope”. They are “hopeless”. But friends, if we have Jesus Christ, we have HOPE. We are attached with a cord to HIM.

My song, or the song that the Father has used in my life for years is “In Christ Alone”.(Shawn Craig and Donald A. Koch, 1991) The words in that song have ministered to me in so many crisis in my life. It would play on the radio at just the right time…always. Micheal English,(http://www.michaelenglishmusic.com) my all time favorite artist, sings it best…

“In Christ alone will I glory …Though I could pride myself in battles won. For I’ve been blessed beyond measure and by His strength alone I’ll overcome. Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands, But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand.
[chorus]In Christ alone …I place my trust ..And find my glory in the power of the cross …In every victory …Let it be said of me …My source of strength, My source of hope ….Is Christ alone
In Christ alone do I glory ..For only by His grace I am redeemed. For only His tender mercy, could reach beyond my weakness to my need. And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more, and to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord!

Dear friends, our attachment is strong, our cord will hold. Our HOPE is in Christ.

~Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy