Spiritual Encouragement

Each of us is created by God with similarities and differences. Our internal systems all work pretty much the same, at least in general terms, but we look and sound and act uniquely. This is God’s sovereign and creative plan. Some people prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate. (These are my people.) Others choose summer beach vacations over winter ski vacations. (Again, these are my people.) According to an online survey, 62% of people asked, do not like change. (These are not my people.) I actually like change. I’m your friend who’s always rearranging the furniture and inviting you over to check it out! But even more than freshening up the living room, I embrace change because it represents transition and adaptability. In my mind, it’s the opposite of standard and boring. Here’s what I mean: when the furniture finds a new spot in the room, the transition provides a new perspective.

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Impact

God keeps an eye on us wherever we go. When we get lost he finds us. He sticks close beside us. He does not get busy and forget us. He does not get distracted and lose track of us. As a loving Father he is always mindful of where we are and what we need. He is there for us whenever we need him. In rising flames, pouring rain and as the floods of life threaten to overtake us, he is with us, keeping us safe. What a comfort. What reassurance. What joy! Our God is with us wherever we go. Think of him as a constant companion who always has your best interest at heart. He rejoices with you when you make wise choices and he picks you up when you fall down. He guides you through narrow paths and wide spaces, over mountains and through the valleys of life. He is the all-knowing, supremely wise tour guide for the journey of your life. And the only guidebook you need for this journey is the Bible, his love letter to you that you can read at any moment and be encouraged. Take time to sit with him and read it. As the song says, He is your only hope!

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Impact

Whatever you choose to do, know and believe this: you are an exercise person. You are an intricate masterpiece. You were created with movement in mind, and you honor God when you live as he intended. You also have work to do, so strengthen that body to the best of your ability. It will never matter what you're wearing or if you're curvy or thin. You were made to move. You get to move.

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When you look at yourself in the mirror what name do you call yourself? Failure? Lazy? Ugly? Loser? Pathetic? Unhappy? Hopeless? Too old? Too tired? When you introduce yourself to someone do you say in your mind, “Happy to meet you. My name is nobody."? It’s time we stopped calling ourselves by these inappropriate names. These are not our names. What would happen if we changed our names to the names God calls us?

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Impact

It took a lot of years for me to finally realize that cookies and chip dip weren’t to blame for the extra weight around my middle. Food wasn’t the culprit, but my unmanaged feelings were.

Whether I was anxious about my children’s safety, overwhelmed by my non-stop schedule or feeling lonely because I lacked meaningful friends, those feelings collided, creating a deep, aching pit in my middle. I often felt empty inside and at times, nauseous. It was an awful feeling that I wanted to make go away as much as possible. My solution? Food. More specifically, I tried to soothe my uncomfortable feelings with comfort food. However, that hole in my heart and soul was like a bottomless pit so no amount of ice cream, pizza or any other food could satisfy the emptiness within.

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Impact

What a changed-life story we hear in this song! Listen to the joy in Jordan Feliz’ voice and feel it in the music—he is full of hope because he has found the love of Christ and it has changed his life. He experienced the transformation from being lost to being found. He knows his future is bright, no matter what it holds, because he has the Lord by his side. What about you? Has your life been changed like this—or do you need to recommit or commit for the first time to inviting Jesus into your life? Take action and he will begin the changes that will give you hope. It is just a prayer today. Your brand new day can start right now. Your future is bright, too!

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Impact

Our world can get shaken by many things -- health challenges, loved ones who struggle, financial problems, relational pain—and more. But, as this song says, God does not let us go: he is with us, in the middle of all of our life struggles. He can transform us from worry to trust and fear to faith if we cling to his precious promises, given to us in his love letter the Bible. In the thick of life’s battles we can count on him. We can reach out to him in prayer—even prayers of lament, as David did in the psalms. And like David, after sharing your pain and concerns with God, don’t forget to praise him. Express your trust and your belief. God is the mender of broken people. He is our fortress in the storms of life. He alone is our defense.

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It’s hard to hold on when you feel like you’re about to go under in some area of your life. This song is an encouragement to hold on because God is at work to make you stronger as you withstand the trial. The song guides us to remember that God will complete the work he has started in our lives.

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Impact

Life is full unwanted, unfair moments when we don’t understand “why,” and we feel like we “have nothing left” as this song says. Broken hearts—our own or those of loved ones. Unanswered prayers, causing sadness and frustration while waiting for the answers. It’s hard not to lose hope. But this song gives step one of a battle plan—it tells you what to do when you are in a life-moment as described above—move—keep walking!

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Impact

Who would've ever thought that I would love squats? Not me. Who would've thought that I would be able to work out for a whole hour? Not me. Who could've possibly imagined that I'd one day become an instructor? Goodness, certainly not me.

Yet here I am, with an entirely different life, because God is surprising and kind, and because my friend wouldn't give up.

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