"Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!" Psalm 24:7–8

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6 esv

Eugene Peterson agrees with the Bible and said, “All true prayer pursued far enough becomes praise. Any prayer, no matter how desperate its origin, no matter how angry and fearful the experience it traverses, ends up in praise. It doesn’t always get there quickly or easily. The trip can take a lifetime. But the end is always praise.”

I thank God that no matter where we are in life, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, God is on the throne. And He is good. And it will all end in praise if you pursue it long enough. 

Great idea for us all today.. all day. At the beach or wherever the Lord leads.. let’s pursue the Lord Jesus with thanks and in praise and biblical worship.

Let the Lord be Lord..daily. God help us with this. 

We each must recognize that when we refuse to risk in a venture of faith that Jesus leads you or me to.. that's when we maximize the opposition and minimize the opportunities before us. 

Man, why jeopardize the potential for exploits that glorify God? 

Remember God's faithfulness. Remember the faith of Caleb. Remember those spies in the Old Testament who went in and saw the Promised Land and had unbelief? Remember all the blessings of your past... recall all that God has done for you. He's still faithful. 

What does God want you to tackle now, what does God want you to accomplish in a life of risk? I say go risk life in the faith zone.. not striving just to remain in the comfort zone, or in that so called safe zone of unbelief.  

Risk takers of faith stay exuberant and upbeat in life. 

Lord, with your help, please guide me to live like Caleb did and conquer all you have for em to conquer, instead of like those other ten spies who could seem to get the doubt out. I don't want their unbelief.  

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

We can do everything with this awe and respect of the Lord inside us this Autumn. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..all he leads me to do. You can too. 

No matter where ya stroll, wander, go or are. Where ya be, or venture out. Appropriate biblical faith and do your very best to...

Yeah, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We've got limited time here. Make use of each day and moment for God's glory. Reminder. About half of the prophecies written in the Bible have already come to pass. True. Nothing prophecy-wise needs to happen before the Rapture of the Church out of here.. takes place. Then more prophecies will be fulfilled cuz the Bible is 100 percent accurate. In relation to these signs of the end times got a question for ya. Is Covid 19 aka Coronavirus one of the signs of these End Times? I believe it is -- I think the Bible calls this plague a birth pain. Please be ready, let’s go up and enjoy heaven and the millennium together.   

No time to freak out, or live uptight with some panic attack. It's time to come to.. or come back to your heavenly Father through Jesus His Son. 

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything every circumstance and situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your specific requests known to God.”  Philippians 4:6  

No time to hyper focus on the circumstances, focus on the Lord and take some smart risks. That's what living in faith is about as the Lord leads you. 

Don’t just attempt to know the Lord, but actually seek after and know Him well. You know, it’s like any friendship, you and I cultivate a relationship by honesty, trust and spending time with Jesus. Sow to friendship with God. 

Then attempt great things for God as the Lord leads you, and expect great things from God. He sure has given me more than I deserve.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3

"Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your..' Deuteronomy 8:17–18

I'm convinced that people need encouragement more today than ever before...otherwise they might start trusting in this world, or in themselves ...instead of in the Lord. Just look around you. Perhaps you do as well -- I pray that the Holy Spirit tenderly helps you. God’s word daily encourages me!

“Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” Deut. 1:38

“But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.” Deut. 3:28

“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,..”  1Thess. 3:1-2

“So they went out of the prison and entered [the house of] Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.” Acts 16:40   

“Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece..” Acts 20:2   

“Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.” Acts 27:36

“..that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” Rom. 1:12

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.” Phl. 2:19

“..that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and [attaining] to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ..” Col. 2:2

Up, gaze and countenance up not down, butter cup!

Hey American, chin up, be encouraged in the Lord. He hasn’t fallen off the throne or been surprised.

Everything remains on track. He keeps all his promises and Bible prophecy will be fulfilled. So many have been with 100 percent accuracy. His plan will prevail despite the proclamations of pundits and the lying media. 

We live in the greatest nation on the face of the earth. We are the people of that nation, with boundless opportunities most of the world can only dream of.  Our opposition has nothing but false witness, fear and lies.  Push back on their lies, they are exposed as weak and shallow.

We are American believers, not better than, but better off and others here can be better off. 
Those evil and violent people who are working against our nation’s interests seem to ..at times.. be thriving in an atmosphere of despair and disenfranchisement. Do not give in to them, or live a spiritually compromised life. Walk with the Lord in victory today. 

Carry an optimistic upbeat spirit in his Holy Spirit, regardless of how challenging the circumstances now are. I cannot explain it, but that makes real success more certain. Stay more focused on the Blesser rather than on the blessings or distractions of life. No time for idols or excuses. 

Do not help sinners keep sinning like a codependent would do. Don’t fuel evil opposition with the power of fear. 

Think and talk clean...edifying. 

Stay if fellowship both upwards and with growing believers. There are healthy churches led by healthy pastors out there -- find your place and help em. Live strong like them, balanced, and finish strong too. Go the distance with Jesus, not out ahead of him in presumption, or lagging behind. With him is better..listening, gettin' honest with. He said he'd meet all your needs. Why look even half to the world or to the worldly people to meet your needs? No, you want to live on-fire with the proper passion inside!  

Be strong right now; choose to seek, to sow to the Spirit and to grow. Be joyous, yes, way happy with Jesus as Lord right now. He rejoices over you with singing! 

Take the appropriate action, you are greatly valued. Do not give in, do not give evil elements an inch of space within your heart.  Advance, take territory today. Let’s take back this country. Not as puffed up know-it-alls, but expect and demand real accountability. Do not worry about being perceived as a jerk about it.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

God said that and he will help you (let him), he can empower you, can equip you, can fully enable you to be doers of his word wisely.   

Fight like men.. men.. not in the flesh, but primarily on your knees in prayer. Act like men. 

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.“ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Quit listening to those who say “can’t” and “won’t” and simply do your part. You still have a part to play so to speak. Let’s grow and advance. 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

If some feel overly comfortable passively sitting in their socially distant box while only complaining about all things that are not right here, or might be not be right.. or, if they prefer to allow themselves to be overcome with dark imaginings simply because what cannot be done is more comfortable than the effort to oversee what needs to be done… well, that ain’t my business. 

They can do that if they choose. And when they are done doing that they’ll still be in the same place. 

Why go backwards, when we can go forwards in love? Give God all the glory, spend some time with him daily. We’ll trust and obey him well, if we know him well. If we spend time with Jesus. I challenge you if I may...

Be real, be a good example, some people are watching you. Witness biblically by life, by clear communication, by life, by deed and yes, with true words. Boldly.. tactfully too. Show respect to all people, be gentle, discerning and kind. 

Protect people out of love. Many won't. They just stand there and won't get involved. Brave Jesus can make us brave as our day calls for. 

Separate yourself from this world’s corrupt system and from those who keep pulling you down. Limit your time with the worldly, with the carnally minded, and with the lukewarm spiritually. That'll help more than just you. 

When they start to pull you on down, just politely get away from them. 

Live on the right side of history no matter how many choose to come down on the wrong side of history. Yes, in the will of God for you. He still loves you and has a good plan...for you. Yes you, he won't forget about you or forsake you. Bible truth cannot be avoided. Fish4souls.org

Phone still in pocket. Smartwatch on arm still at your side. Stop and take a moment to look and listen.

Give some focused attention today.

Make the choice. Many don’t get near enough.. so many people don’t receive much of that at all. There is far more discouragement out there than we even know.

FA, it says.. So sorry about your hurt.. I am hear for you. 

Ever been so weighed down?

Too many live like that, but you can help. Share a verse or two with them after hearing their heart. Share part of your own story if you've had to deal with the same lame thing. 

Listen, touching can be a good thing.. with the right motive and right heart. A teacher at school shouldn’t duh.. but Jesus touched people He cared about. It’s good to get a simple hug from time to time. 

Pay attention to. Intercede for. People grow old fast, and some never get the chance to. Some relationships just don't last forever.. though you'd really like them to. Pray for your friends. How can you say you really love them, if you don't practice the greatest forms of love while they're briefly here? Just sayin'. 

Time is short--you know that! It's sad but some goodbyes are forever. 

Doesn't need to be that way! 

We all must choose and not to choose ..is to choose. Uplift intentionally, instead of tear em down via your insensitive cavalier words, actions, or haughty attitudes.. or by what you feel is just neutral blah, blah, blah ..that simply wastes their more than precious time. Let the media talking-heads do all that endless blahhhhhh.

“Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders!” 12prov.

Give an ear.. a warm instead of an indifferent heart.  “Show proper respect to everyone..”  1 Peter 2:17 

Been put down, or have you been put upwards? What about your buds? Are you an encourager for em, or not so much?

Need the opposite of discouragement today.. kinda need some comfort?

There are times in everyone’s life when we need some encouragement and comfort. That’s one reason why I like reading the Bible, but better than merely checkin’ out a nice book.. God’s love letter to the Christian.. I like goin’ right to the Author of it cuz He so understands me and is the Solution no matter the challenge. Knows exactly.. precisely ..what to say to me, and what I need to do in every situation. He understands you too and is there for you. 

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Psalm 9:9

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”  Deuteronomy 31:6+8

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Two of God’s most wonderful responses to us are, ‘Uh no!.. you've got to be kiddin’, and 'Wait a bit.’ But who likes to hear either from Him? Hey Buckeroo, glance back later on and if your eyes still semi-work you’ll indeed feel like givin’ thanks, Christian. There’s really no such thing as unanswered prayer.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

This world never seems to run out of discouragement and those who traffic in that weirdness, but we know exactly where to run.. when it’s crucial that we do so.. or not so crucial at all. Either way He waits with warmth and open arms. And He wants all of our friends to discover He’s there for them to run to as well. Go tell.    

“We seem to spend more time convincing the saved they can be lost than we do convincing the lost they can be saved.” — Leonard Ravenhill