Marching Orders to Strengthen You

“March on, my soul; be strong!” Judges 5:21 NIV

I saw this verse years ago in one of Beth Moore’s blog posts. She was sharing scriptures about marching since it was the month of March, and I instantly fell in love with these simple yet powerful words: “March on, my soul; be strong!” And today in the midst of the national emergency we find ourselves in regarding COVID-19, these words take on new meaning.

Just reading or saying these precious words from the Word of God seems to infuse my soul with his encouragement and strength. I think most of us probably feel the need for such encouragement on a daily basis as we face the challenges of life, but there are times when the need for fresh strength eclipses everything else.

Are we faced with a difficult road to travel this month? Yes. Do fear and uncertainty loom ahead? Yes. Are we worried about the pandemic? Yes. And maybe some of us are facing other difficult roads as well. Maybe a continuation of an already difficult journey where no end is in sight.

Whatever the case, let’s allow the breath of heaven—the Word of God—to give us our marching orders and the strength to carry them out. Let’s march on!

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” Psalm 84:5 NIV

*What has God done recently to strengthen you for a difficult road?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by NINXIVICreative Commons License

7 Sentence-Prayers Inviting God’s Power—For Living a Life of Perseverance

My year-long blog series of sentence prayers inviting God’s power comes to an end today with our focus turning to perseverance. A fitting conclusion to help us all face the future and whatever challenges may come our way, right?

Perseverance is that quality, that determination we need to press on to achieve goals or to not give up in the midst of difficult life situations. And we will need it time and again throughout our lives. Some of us, depending on our situations, need it on an on-going basis.

May the following sentence prayers help you stand strong as you call on God to help you persevere. Be encouraged today, friends, and I pray that this blog series has been a help to you. May it bless you now and in the future as well!

7 Sentence-Prayers Inviting God’s Power—For Living a Life of Perseverance

  1. Father, when I’m tempted to give up, remind me of all that Jesus endured and how he pressed on until his mission was completed. (Romans 12:3; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:51; John 19:30)
  2. Lord, empower me to follow your persevering example of love and forgiveness extended to all. (Psalm 89:28; Psalm 136; Lamentations 3:22-23; Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 6:36; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9)
  3. Father, encourage me in perseverance with powerful verses from your Word and give me the wisdom and the self-discipline to hide them in my heart. (Deuteronomy 32:47; Psalm 119:11, 28; Jeremiah 15:16; 2 Timothy 3:16)
  4. Lord, bring people into my life at just the right time to give the encouragement and help I need to not give up. (Exodus 17:8-13; Judges 20:22; Acts 15:32; 28:15; 1 Thessalonians 3;2; 5:11)
  5. Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and on the prize—the goal achieved, the finish line. (Hebrews 12:1-3; Luke 13:32; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:13-14)
  6. Father, protect me from Satan and help me stand firm against him when he tries to discourage and defeat me. (Psalm 31:8; 108;12; Ephesians 6:11, 13-18; 1 Peter 5:8)
  7. Lord, be my source of strength as I persevere in faith, in challenges, and in my life circumstances. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 18:1-2; 89:21; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 2:6-7)

May God strengthen us all to live lives of perseverance for his glory!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

*Which of these prayers speak most powerfully to your needs today?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by pocketwiley, Creative Commons License

Staying Focused

Focus. A word that has extra meaning for me this year.

You may remember that I chose focus as my theme word for 2012 and wanted to apply it in particular to my writing. I’ve reminded myself of it—and the Lord has brought it to mind as well—numerous times so far this year in order to stay on task with my main projects.

I witnessed the perfect example of staying focused not long ago. I got to watch a bird build a nest one morning. The photo above is of that very bird at work. You might recognize the shot from my Summer Photo Fun: For the Birds post.

I had taken my camera outside, hoping to spot a photo-worthy sight. I wasn’t disappointed. I spied a robin building her nest in a neighbor’s tree. Lucky for me, it was on a lower branch that overhangs our yard. Photo-worthy indeed, huh? Amazing to watch and fun to photograph, too.

As the bird worked steadily, I approached more and more closely, unable to believe how close she actually let me get. It was almost as if she had blinders on. Nothing distracted her from the all-important task at hand.

She even seemed to work in rhythm. She flew to the ground, seeking out the next twig or blade of dried grass to include in her newest home, and then with her latest find grasped safely in her beak, she’d fly back up to her nest-in-progress and place it just so, tamping it down and forming it to her specifications. If she gave my interloping presence any thought, she didn’t let it show. She just worked on.

The qualities that enabled my feathered example to finish her project will help me complete my work as well. Steady work, ignoring distractions, finding a rhythm that works, using the best materials, skilled craftsmanship, and perseverance will all work together to help me create written works that can touch the lives of others.

Focus. A quality I need day in and day out. Next time I get distracted or feel tempted to give up on my dreams, I hope I remember my mentor with wings. I hope I remember to work on.

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV

*Where do you need focus right now?

*Don’t miss out on the “Back At It” Giveaway. Deadline to enter is noon Sept. 2.

*The latest issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out earlier this month. It’s still not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!