April 19: DARKNESS FELL, HIS FRIENDS SCATTERED…

Affirmation: I am blessed, grateful and abundant.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬~~~~~

Ponder, Practice: Today practice all 6 verses of Psalm 23. You could read about the work of shepherds and the tools they use to guide, protect and nurture the sheep. Then look at your life for times when Jesus has been a shepherd in your life.

1“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ‭‭Psalm‭ 23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

~~~~~

Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate Gratitude and Joy. 

Let go of scarcity and fear of the dark.

Cultivate Intuition and Trusting Faith.

Let go of the need for certainty.

Live wholeheartedly in the dark and uncertain spot you may be in. Be sure that you practice gratitude and Joy, and intuition and trusting Faith.

~~~~~

Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Active Decision 

3. I AM A PERSON OF ACTION. I am Resilient 

I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. I will create a habit of lively behavior.

I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits.

I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now. I am resilient. 

~~~~~

Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

April 19

DARKNESS FELL, HIS FRIENDS SCATTERED, HOPE SEEMED

LOST-BUT HEAVEN JUST STARTED COUNTING TO THREE. 

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 

ISAIAH 60:2 

It was a dark and lonely Friday. One of Jesus' close confidants handed Him over to those who wanted to kill Him. The rest of His friends scattered when it looked like their lives might be on the line too. He was taunted until He ran out of breath. When He died, thunder crashed, and the lights went out on earth. Perhaps in the whole universe. 

Much like stars unseen until the darkness falls, hope flickered out among Jesus' friends. Only then did we get a glimpse into the heavens with the women at the cross. His mother and His precious friend, Mary, sat weeping and pray­ing, holding each other as they mourned. These women awoke before dawn Sunday morning so they could take incense to the tomb where Jesus lay. These women were still searching for the Savior. 

The hope they showed with their consistent presence whispers the side of the story so many miss: the time in between miracles. This is where most of our lives are lived. The last miracle almost forgotten and the next one merely hoped for. These women were counting on Jesus to surprise them, even if they didn't know when or where or how. They knew it wasn't the end of hope. They lived in anticipation in those moments of despair. They knew they were in the middle of a story, and they were the first to see Jesus at the tomb on Sunday morning. 

When heaven started a countdown to the resurrection, Mary Magdalene and the mother of Jesus were counting on Jesus to show. Hope doesn't go to sleep just because it's dark outside; it lights a candle and stays up waiting for the rest of the story. Are you living in anticipation of God surprising you? This is the place where God meets us with the power of the resurrection. It's in the dark places. He finds us in the places between the miracles. 

In what ways is God surprising you in your life right now?