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Do Not Be Discouraged

Oct16

Run to the Arms of God

by Sindy Nagel

 

When discouragement beats me down

I run to the arms of God.

He holds my hand and leads me on

Where others have not trod.

 

He gives new strength to my tired bones

And hope to my weary soul.

He makes me of sound mind again

In Him I now am whole.

 

He calls me in His righteousness

To bring new sight to the blind

To release those held in prison

If only in their mind.

 

I will not fear, for I’m redeemed

And called by His new name.

He healed me and transformed me;

I will never be the same.

 

The road less traveled has its bumps

The sailing sometimes rough

But still I will press on for Him

Because He is enough.

 

Inspired by the Word of God:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:6-7)

 


 

Patience is a Virtue

Sep29

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

My child, your heart is in My hands. I hold you close to Me. I know your desires; your longings are pure and holy. I will give you all that you ask for, in due time. Wait for Me. Good things come to those who wait expectantly for the Lord. You have heard Me say, “Ask for anything in My name and you will receive it, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). When you ask in My name, you will receive what you ask for. In the waiting, let your heart overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is patience. Let your countenance be full of joy as you wait upon the Lord. You will receive what you ask for in My perfect timing.


 

Devote Yourself in Prayer

Sep25

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:2-6)

My child, you are the salt of the earth. Make the most of every opportunity to be My witness. Always treat unbelievers with dignity, kindness, and respect for they are My children too. Season your words with grace as you clearly proclaim My message. Devote yourself to prayer and I will open doors for you to enter with My gospel. Be watchful for the opportunities I provide you. Be thankful that I use you to carry out My plan. Work at it with all your heart. Your reward is an inheritance from Me. It is the Lord Christ you serve. I desire that you take My gospel into all the world. Your prayers will unlock new passageways every day. Devote yourself to Me in prayer.

Watch out!

Sep17

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of His possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

You have heard it said, “You are what you eat.” I say also, “You are what you possess.” In this world, a man’s life is about his possessions. However, in the world to come, there is no place for them. Rather than storing up for yourselves treasures on earth, grow your investment in the heavenly realm. Instead of working toward financial wealth, focus your efforts on spiritual richness. The more time you spend laboring to pay for your material possessions, the less time you may spend with Me. Do not build bigger barns to store your abundance, but use your wealth to feed the poor and house the homeless. I extended My rich mercy by laying down My life to save yours. Would you be willing to lay down your rich life to extend kindness and blessing to those who are less fortunate? Are you prideful, greedy, and stingy? Or do you possess an abundance of humility, generosity, and mercy? You are what you possess. Are you in control of your possessions or do they control you?

Join Me in the Dance

Sep13

Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. (Psalm 149:3)

You are my child. I want to spend time with you. If early morning is the only time that works, then get up and dance with Me. I am your dance partner. I want to be involved in your life—all of it. Remember I am with you every moment of every day. Notice Me. Speak with Me all day long. Listen to Me first thing in the morning, throughout your day, and just before bed. Dance is an art form that requires practice to perform well. Practice dancing with Me all day long.

 

Join Me in the Dance

 by Sindy Nagel

 

Dance with Me in the morning

Dance with Me in the night

Dance with Me in the darkness

Dance with Me in the light

 

Dance with Me in the rain

Dance with Me in the sun

Dance with Me in the doldrums

Dance with Me in the fun

 

Dance with Me when you’re happy

Dance with Me when you’re sad

Dance with Me when you’re good

Dance with Me when you’re bad

 

Dance with Me when you’re anxious

Dance with Me when you’re still

Dance with Me when you’re hurting

Dance with Me when you’re well

 

 

Dance with Me when you’re broken

Dance with Me when you’re whole

Dance with Me in your heart

Dance with Me in your soul

 

Dance with Me when you’re weak

Dance with Me when you’re strong

Dance with Me in the silence

Dance with Me in the song

 

Dance with Me in the storms

Dance with Me in the peace

Dance with Me in captivity

Dance with Me in release

 

You may not know the steps

But don’t miss your only chance

To cherish this time together

When you join Me in the dance

 

Take my hand and I will lead you

The dance is more like a walk

A two-way chat between us

When we listen and we talk

 

Spend some time in the silence

Get away from the crowds and noise

Be still and know that I am God

And listen to my voice


 

His Way is Best

Sep7

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48: 17)

You may spend time going your own way, following your own desires. You may enjoy a good life; however, it may not be My best for you. Listen to My voice. I will instruct you and show you the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Hear My words. I will teach you what is best for you, I will direct you in the way you should go. When you pay attention to My commands, you will experience peace like a river. Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Me; trust in Me and I will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before Me and wait patiently for Me. I am delighted in the way I make for you; your steps I make firm. Though you stumble, you will not fall, for I uphold you with My hand. I am with you always. Do not fear the way unknown, for it is not unknown to Me. I will direct your steps. My Word will be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. You know My voice. Listen and follow.

(Also see Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:4-7, 23-24, Psalm 119:105)


 

My Soul Yearns for You

Aug29

My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You. (Isaiah 26:9)

 

My Soul Yearns for You

By Sindy Nagel

 

 

In the dark hours in the mid of night

My soul yearns for You my King.

In the early morning hours of light

For You does my spirit sing.

 

 

And all the hours throughout the day

You are present in my heart.

When I’m uncertain of my way

You show me where to start.

 

 

Your Spirit is my comfort source

My wisdom and my guide.

You lead me through the open doors

And never leave my side.

 

 

My Counselor, my Confidant,

My Mentor, and my Friend.

You speak to my every need and want

When to You, my ears I lend.

 

 

Your still, small voice I long to hear

Throughout the day and night.

I know that You are always near

In my sorrow, joy, and fright.

 

 

You yearn for me, as I yearn for You

You see the void in my soul.

You wait for me to want for You

To fill the God-shaped hole.

 

 

Please come to me, satisfy my need

As only You can do.

Pour into me and lavishly feed

My desperate soul with You.

 

 

I realize, Lord, you are the One

That I long for day and night.

I thank you, Father, Spirit, Son

That I’m always in Your sight.

 

 

You created me to bring you praise

You’re the author of my story.

You’ve saved me in a thousand ways

Forever I’ll give You glory.


 

A Labor of Love

Aug28

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

My dear children, stand firm in Me. There is no power on earth that will overcome you when you remain in Me. Your victory comes through the Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm in His victorious power, in the power of the living God within you. Do not be changed by the things of this world. Be moved by My work. Give yourselves fully to the tasks I give you. When you work for Me, your labor is not in vain. You will bring hope to the hopeless, freedom to the captives, healing to the broken-hearted, sight to the blind, hearing to deaf ears, wisdom to the simple-minded, life to the lifeless, and joy to the downcast. Because My Spirit lives in you, you will do even greater things than the Lord Jesus Christ did. Do not work for riches here on earth. Serve Me with dedicated fervor building yourself treasures in heaven. Serve Me in humility and I will lift you up. Your home is not of this world, but I have prepared a place for you in My eternal kingdom. Leave behind a legacy of faith, a heritage of devotion to Me. I am the Lord, and you are My precious child.


 

All to Jesus, I Surrender

Aug25

By Sindy Nagel

 

In the early hours, as I laid in bed

A famous hymn rang through my head

The words sang out in grand accord

“I surrender all” to Christ the Lord.

 

I pondered what the “all” entailed

A posture I already failed

Required me to submit myself

To my inner Holy Spirit’s help.

 

He asked to set aside my plans

For all the things my time demands

And seek Him first when I awake

To live my day for Jesus’ sake.

 

So willingly I honored Him

Yielded my desires to Jesus’ whim

I gave my day over to the Lord

And all the time I could afford.

 

I asked Him to guide me through my day

To take my hand and lead the way

To carry out His main desire

And live my life for Him, on fire.

 

I offered Him my kids, my Honey,

My home, my job, my time, my money

But the thing He wanted from the start

Was solely my surrendered heart.

 

For if I give my soul, my all

The rest will follow by His call

According to His great design

My heart and His, they will align.

 

When I surrender every thing

My spirit and my heart will sing

In joy I will live out my days

I’ll lift Him up in grateful praise.

 

I’ll wait on Him with bended ear

Until His voice my thoughts will hear

And willingly His voice obey

As He instructs me through my day.

 

I submit to Him my day, my time,

My heart, my will, my soul, my mind

I surrender myself to Jesus’ whim

See I owe my life, my all to Him.


 

 

 

 

 

When Can You Meet with God?

Aug20


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

My child, do you desire time with Me the way I desire time with you? When can you meet with Me? I look forward to sitting with you and communicating with you in two-way conversation. Pour out your heart to me; I am attentive to your voice. Listen to me; I have great plans for you.

When you don’t connect with Me on a regular basis, your soul slowly dries up inside you. My living water will satisfy your thirst. Spend time with Me, and I will give your soul the refreshment it requires.

I am the living God who dwells in your heart. You need not go far to find me. Search your spirit, My Spirit is there too. Do you need rest? Rest in Me. Do you need comfort? I am your Comforter. Do you need counsel? I am the wisdom you seek. Do you need love? I am love.

I created you with a hunger for Me in your heart. Nothing else will satisfy your longings. Do not chase after the wind when I sit on your doorstep. Open your door and let me in. I have everything you desire and all I have is yours. Meet with Me; I will give you exactly what you need. Give your soul its longings and spend some time with Me. I am here, my love.