Encouraging Words

Feeling lost in the shadows?

November 6, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

Whether I find myself in full or partial illumination–or seemingly in the dark, I know that all is ordered by You, and that You will work through all of it to bless me.

Feeling lost in the shadows? God can give you a balance of light and shade. Psalm 84:11, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as my sun and shield

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” —Psalm 84:11

Eternally Shining One,

I learn so much about You from the things which You have created. I sit today, enjoying warm sunlight coming through my window. It provides light upon my page and reminds me of the anointing You place upon that which is done for Your glory.

The light is made lively by the leaves of the tree, through which the sun is shining. The shadows make me think of trials that may momentarily block Your light. Those trials will never completely cut me off from You, but will teach me to appreciate Your light.

I may also see the leaves as tiny shields in the form of trials. If my life were filled with constant light, I can imagine that I would soon wilt. The shadow cast by a trial will cause me to reach the more toward You for strength and sustenance.

So it is, that You order my days with the right amount of sun and shielding, knowing far better than I—which it is I need most on any particular day. So, whether I find myself in full or partial illumination–or seemingly in the dark, I know that all is ordered by You, and that You will work through all of it to bless me.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Afraid of sudden danger?

November 4, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

Even though something may happen unexpectedly, I can be sure that You were expecting it to happen and by Your strength, You will see me through.

Afraid of Sudden Danger? Nothing takes God by surprise. Proverbs 3:24-26, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as my source of confidence

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” —Proverbs 3:24-26

Thou, Strength of My Life,

You are all my security. My hope is completely wrapped up in You. I have lived with You and without You, and I know the difference.

I can walk through anything and stand strong against evil opposition when my hand is being held firmly by Yours. As long as I am one with You, whatever comes against me must also face You. You are unbeatable, so I have no reason to fear anyone or anything.

Nothing can “take me by surprise”, when You are in control of my life. Nothing surprises You, so why should anything surprise me? Even though something may happen unexpectedly, I can be sure that You were expecting it to happen and by Your strength, You will see me through.

Trusting in You completely as my God, I am made totally free from any and all bondage. I can rest assured that You are equal to any situation that may arise. Day or night, You are always on the job and nothing shall by any means overcome me.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Need direction?

November 3, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

You open all of the right doors when my trust is completely in You. I don’t have to force my way into anything. Opportunities come to me freely as a result of Your leading.

Need direction? Keep taking steps of faith. Proverbs 3:5-6, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the One Who orders my steps

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

My Divine Inspiration,

You open all of the right doors when my trust is completely in You. I don’t have to force my way into anything. Opportunities come to me freely as a result of Your leading.

Sometimes I must exercise my faith to go where you seem to be directing—but the blessing which comes when I am obedient, is all the encouragement I need to continue taking more steps.

When I am being led by Your Spirit, things always fall into place. The mountain before me becomes “just more ground beneath my feet”, when I keep walking.

People will not always agree that I am doing Your will. Job’s friends criticized him sorely. I must remember that others are accountable for their actions, just as I must be accountable for my own.

In the meantime, as long as my eyes are focused sharply on You and my ears are listening only to Your voice, I can take confident strides along the path You have well prepared and know that each step of obedience brings me closer to You.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Save

Wondering how your needs will be met?

November 3, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

You have the power to create that which has not yet been created, so that there can be no need unmet.

Wondering how your needs will be met? God can create whatever it is you need. Joel 2:25-26 — Praise Him for His generosity

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be ashamed.” —Joel 2:25-26

Beautiful God,

All of Your ways are right and true. Your hand is continually full of blessings for me. All that my heart desires may be found in You. Your throne is as well established as the highest heaven. you are the possessor of all that exists, and You have the power to create that which has not yet been created, so that there can be no need unmet.

It is Your good pleasure to give generously to Your children. When I need grace, there is not a small amount available, but grace beyond measure—more than enough to cover all the failures of my lifetime.

If it is wisdom I lack … all I have to do is ask. You have promised to give me all I require without question (James 1:5). My need for mercy has not been met temporarily, but has been everlastingly displayed through the all sufficient giving of Your Son as a perfect sacrifice for my sins.

Your love for me will never wear out. I am the bride of Christ and will forever be treated as such.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Can’t see any light in your present darkness?

November 3, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

A light is ever shining that may be seen from the depths of darkness by the one who will but lift his eyes heavenward.

Cant see any light in your present darkness? Look up. Isaiah 55:6-7, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the On Who gives abundant pardon

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” —Isaiah 55:6-7

Eternally Faithful One,

A heart that is ready to seek You will always find You. A light is ever shining that may be seen from the depths of darkness by the one who will but lift his eyes heavenward. The wayward child still has a place in Your great heart of mercy. I never have to fear that it may be too late, or that there may be no way back to You.

Your Word is everlasting and true. You have proclaimed a way of salvation through Jesus Christ, Your Son. There is good news available to every lost soul. You will forgive the minor and the major offender alike. There is no limit to Your love and Your power to redeem.

In my eyes, one sinner may look worse than another, but You don’t see things the same way I do. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There is no human being made by You who doesn’t need saving—and You possess sufficient grace to save one and all.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Thinking of what you have lost?

November 1, 2016 By Christina Cook Lee Leave a Comment

I have received many blessings from Your hand. If I were to count them all, the list would be long. Sometimes, I need to remind myself of those things which I have been given, as a means of comfort against the things I have lost—for that list is also long.

Thinking of what you have lost? In the light of salvation, no losses are permanent. Romans 6:20-23, christinacooklee.com — Praise Him as the Giver of the Greatest Gift of all

“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” —Romans 6:20-23

Blessed and Holy Redeemer,

I have so much for which to be thankful. In my lifetime, I have received many blessings from Your hand. If I were to count them all, the list would be long.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself of those things which I have been given, as a means of comfort against the things I have lost—for that list is also long

I don’t claim to understand Your system, but I know that it works. What You are working out may not always be apparent on the surface. Often, Your ways are hidden, and some things I may not comprehend until the end of time.

As I think of what I have lost, I often begin worrying about what else I may lose.

In this life there is only one gift which carries an everlasting guarantee. That gift will redeem all of the sweet things that have been taken from me. In the light of salvation, no losses are permanent. All that has momentarily disappeared will be eternally restored to me one day when I see Christ.

All photos and design work by Christina Cook Lee.

Encouraging Words

Footer