Psalm 139

It’s easy to get discouraged.  I had that kind of week.  I tossed and turned and had trouble sleeping.  When I get discouraged, my goals fall by the wayside.

I seek the Lord in the early morning hours to pray for His guidance, wisdom, strength, and joy.  After praying for my family, friends, and others, I turn over my worries and concerns one by one to God.  I earnestly seek His direction and leading for the day.

I ponder the greatness of God.  He is the Master of the universe.  He is the Creator of all things!  Does he care about my little problems in the vastness of space and time and the universe, which are things that I cannot fathom?  Does He love me, even when I don’t feel loved?  My morning devotion today pointed me to Genesis 16:7-14.  In verse 13, Hagar called God, “the One who sees me.”  That verse really helped me.  Then I read all of Psalm 139 out loud.  “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?”  (Verse 7)  “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely.”  (Verse 4)

God, our Creator, knows everything and He sees everything.  My strength is renewed!

Discouragement sometimes comes without warning.  Be willing to pray about it.  I believe that a good spiritual meal of prayer and Bible study will help you push the discouragement aside.  Some fresh spiritual renewal can be just what you need to begin again and move forward with your goals.  It may even help you to get a good night’s sleep!

Today, read Psalm 139 out loud!

Devotion

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  Psalm 139:9-10 (RSV)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.  For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.  Psalm 24:1-2 (NLT)

Prayer:

Lord, you have shown me that you are there when I seek you.  You are there even if I don’t seek you!  In times of discouragement, I have experienced the reality of receiving strength, peace, and joy from you.  I thank you, and I ask for these blessings for those who need encouragement today.  May they be led and inspired by you to build a foundation of daily prayer and study of your Word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

Sparkle

Years ago, I learned a big lesson about goal setting.  Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but later I looked back and realized that the lesson has stayed with me all these years.  The lesson is simple:  your perspective on challenges in your life will determine your goal-setting success.

I was facing an enormous challenge in my job at that time, and I was feeling discouraged and defeated.  Just at my lowest point, my assistant, Dawn, came into my office and smiled as she said, “Now is your chance to shine!”

Dawn’s words changed my mindset instantly.  Her enthusiastic comment and her bright smile were just the encouragement I needed in that moment.  Thankfully, my perspective opened up to see the challenge as an opportunity!  I set goals and with Dawn’s help, we successfully transformed the challenge into an achievement.

I thought about it again today because Dawn sent me a message to remind me to “sparkle.”  I smiled as I remembered her encouraging words long ago that helped me to change my perspective and motivated me to set goals.

You see, a challenging situation presents a fork in the road for us.  We can respond by complaining about it, which leads us down the road of discouragement and defeat, or we can respond by choosing to see the challenge as an opportunity.  When you see the opportunity, you can set goals and begin to achieve something great!

That was a simple lesson I learned long ago, but a very critical one.  Just imagine if Dawn had not come to my office that day and shared her message for me… I surely would have continued down the wrong path, and no goals would have been established to tackle the challenge.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, it was a defining moment in my life, and I thank her for making it happen!

Next time you face a challenging situation, whether at home or at work, look at it as a fork in the road.  Recognize that you have a choice.  Are you going to sparkle and shine, or will you be dull and defeated?  When you choose to see the challenge as an opportunity, and you set goals and take steps to face the challenge, you will definitely Sparkle and Shine!

Devotion

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.  Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the friends in our lives who speak kind words to encourage our hearts.  Thank you for my friend Dawn, who encouraged me and opened my eyes to see a challenge as an opportunity, and helped me to achieve success.  I pray for those who are facing challenges and I ask you to help them recognize the opportunities they have to set goals and achieve success.  Bless them with your wisdom, love, and guidance in their lives, and lead them to seek your will.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

GPS

My husband and I took a driving trip recently.  We have a GPS in the car where we can see the navigation on the screen.  As we traveled, the nav system pointed us in the right direction and showed us the roads and the turns and everything around us.  The red arrow on the vertical line showed us we were moving toward our destination.  At all times, we could see exactly where we were headed.  We knew where we were and where we were going.

As I watched the screen, I had an epiphany.  I was looking for some goal-setting inspiration and this was it!

It occurred to me that the nav system is like goal setting for our lives.  Without it, we could just keep going along, moving around in the big sea of life with no personal goals or direction – just get up, go to work, go home, watch TV, do chores, whatever, while the days and years end up behind us.  Or, we can set goals by plugging something into our personal nav systems and know where we are headed in life!

Well, it may not be the best analogy, but think about it for a moment.  Are you just going for a ride or do you have a destination?  I heard recently that you have 50 percent higher chance of reaching your goals if you actually write them down.  If you do not establish your goals and make a plan, you may end up just wishing you reached your goal (destination), rather than actually taking steps to get there.

This year is half over.  Since half of 2018 is still ahead of you, now is a great time to plug something into your personal GPS.  Set a goal and make a plan.  Get some direction and make sure your red arrow is heading toward your destination!

Devotion

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, help me to set my goals in line with your will.  It is so easy to simply go for a ride, but I want a destination.  I want to accomplish something for you in my lifetime.  I pray for wisdom, and I ask you to guide me on the path you have set for me to take.  Help me to walk intentionally in the Spirit, rather than allow daily distractions to change my direction.  I will follow you, my Creator, who is in charge of my destiny!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski