Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional

We are not promised a life of ease. Truthfully, we can expect there to be times when things are just flat out difficult, overwhelming, and stressful. Yet, even so, God offers His joy to us in the thick of it all. We find much encouragement from Psalm 119:143.

What comes to your mind when you think of the word devoted? What are we devoted to? Or an even more important question: what does God want us to devote ourselves to? In Colossians 4:2, we are reminded, even exhorted as followers of Christ, to devote ourselves to something very special.

In Psalm 34, we read of David praying in response to a powerful interaction he had with God that forever changed him. It led to David personally praising God and wanting to communally praise the Lord! May David's example greatly encourage each of us to praise the Lord at all times individually and together.

In God's perfect wisdom, He directs us to help one another from going adrift, from getting calloused toward God and His good ways. This is precisely why we are given clear instruction in Hebrews 3:13.

You and I are two of billions of people on planet earth. Yet, He is so acquainted with each of us that He knows the exact number of hairs on our heads. God now calls us as His followers, as Christians, to be like Him and think of others. Let's reflect on the powerful reminder of this in Philippians 2:4.

May we never forget -- God brought us into being. Each of us takes another breath because He allows it. We belong to Him! God is the "Main Attraction!" We are not. In Psalm 148, we read of our proper response to The Great God of the universe!

We're all looking for that which will bring joy to our souls. This is true because God designed us this way. Sadly, so many never find the true, lasting happiness we are all freely offered. In Psalm 119:1, God makes it clear where we find it!

Prayer is a wonderful gift from God! What power, help, and guidance are available to us directly from God through prayer. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us wisely about what to do!

When we personally come to know Jesus and put our trust in Him as Lord and Savior, a new life begins (2 Corinthians 5:17)! We aren't the same anymore. Yes, how often and how easily we can forget who we are now in Christ. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us of the new spirit God puts in us! Let's not forget.

We know this -- in this life there are many things we can pursue. Certainly it isnt a bad thing to have something in front of us, some good goals up ahead that we are working toward accomplishing. Let's just be reminded and never forget that of all the pursuits before us, none is more important than running after God and His ways!

The truth be told, as Christians, we shouldn't be surprised that trials and troubles come. God uses them, even allows them, for His glory and for our growth.

Can you remember a time when someone said something to you that was exactly what you needed to hear in that moment? Proverbs 15:23 is a reminder from God about the power of words spoken in a timely fashion. This wonderful passage is a reiteration from God to us on the potency of speaking up in the right way and time.

There is a copious amount of talking going on daily about all kinds of issues. What if there was more listening? What if we took more seriously God's eternally wise instructions on being sensible by keeping our mouths shut? How would our world be different. Proverbs 10:19 wisely warns us about talking less.

In God's great wisdom, He gave us two ears and only one mouth. Why do He do that? He alone knows all the reasons, but you can't help but assume that one reason He did that was to remind us that listening is more important than speaking.

Not long after Jesus was born, after the angel announced to some shepherds Christ's birth, and after the shepherds came to see Jesus for themselves, Mary pondered just how special it was what God had done. Let's reflect more on Luke 2:19.

Here's an important question for us all to consider: Do I want to align myself with God or align myself against God? The answer to this question is a matter of humility or pride. Let's look at Psalm 138:6.

Truth be told, most of us wrestle with worry in varying degrees. So, what does God want us to do with worry? What's really encouraging is that God gives us some clear answers from His Word in Philippians 4:6.

We have a God, the God of the universe, who is fully trustworthy! Therefore, we can trust Him always through all the ups and downs of this life. Psalm 62:8 reminds us to trust Him all the time!

Do you ever get worn down from life? Truthfully, we all will have times of weariness for one reason or another. Galatians 6:9 reminds us of our call to keep going in good for the glory of God and good of others!

On this day, at this very moment, let's be encouraged again to remember who is truly in charge. Not us. Not any human being. The Lord alone is on His throne!

Have you noticed how each day can be so different from the next? One day, life can seem so smooth. The very next day can be so turbulent and hard. As Christians, no matter what's going on, we are to choose to rejoice in the Lord.

For every one of us, there will be days in our lives when joy and excitement seem distant, but weariness seems close. So, when we're tired, running on empty in our walk with Christ, what do we do? This is where the encouragement and call to patient endurance is so key!

If someone ever tells you that following God is lame or boring, don't believe it! God knows where we find the real happiness we all long for.

One of the most assuring, comforting, and soul-strengthening truths we can be confident in as Christians is that we are never alone.

Jesus is God in the flesh! Jesus existed before anything else. He is above all, supreme, and first in everything. In Colossians 1:15-20, we read about just how incredible Jesus truly is!