Be Encouraged in the Lord welcomes Guest Author Bonnie S. Vaughan. We trust the Lord that Bonnie’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

The lion and the lamb, though two different creatures, will one day lie down together.

In a world of chaos, we sometimes wonder, “How can this world endure?” But as we focus on the Lord, we are full aware that He is in control, and all things will work out as He has planned. Even in our own lives we can have chaos and wonder, “How much longer, Lord?” Yet, He responds with a love that melts our hearts.

Yea, though I (you) walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I (you) will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4 NKJV). Emphasis added….

No matter what life throws our way, God has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. His abiding presence is the blanket we wear, and the fragrance we smell.

Though we may not know what tomorrow holds, this one thing we do: casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (I Peter 5:7 NKJV). It’s in the “casting” that we are able to be free from the burdens that weigh heavy upon us; for in due season we will reap if we faint not.

Just as the lion and the lamb are so different, but will one day come together; our lives are so different without Christ. But when we come to Him, like the lion and the lamb, we will be one with Him, and life’s struggles and heartaches will fade away.

Whatever challenges you are facing, may you find His peace to be the shelter that you run into for safety.

Blessings,

© Bonnie S. Vaughan

www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com

When the seasons of our lives makes twists and turns, it leaves us to wonder how we’ll make it through. When burdens weigh heavy and it seems overwhelming, our sense of trying wants to figure out what’s happened. When situations don’t unfold as expected, causing us to question our faith beyond measure; we long for a way out. When problems continue to invade our lives, we run away in despair without any hope in sight to a place of utter confusion. When all else fails and our prayers don’t seem to get answered, we tend to hide deep within our pain. When trials bombard us we look for the door that leads to the broad path, a path of destruction and wasteland. But our only defense is in Christ, the Lover of our soul.

Many times we face things with a longing in our hearts to know the reason for their existence, yet it’s at these times our peace needs to remain; giving us assurance that God is in control and all is well. No matter the depth of the hurt, the many tears, or the lack of understanding, we can rest assure that our Redeemer lives. He never leaves us nor forsakes us, but continues to wrap His loving arms around us, holding us close to His heart.

So if you’re facing difficulties that are unpleasant at the moment, if the weight of the world is on your shoulders, if others are against you, know beyond a shadow of a doubt that His sacrifice has paved the way for your victory. He offers you the sweetness of His embrace, carrying you beyond the pain of the present, and leading you down the path of comfort.

Come to Him today and allow His kiss to touch your pain, and you will never be the same…ever.

Blessings,

© Bonnie S. Vaughan

http://www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com

Be Encouraged in the Lord welcomes Guest Author Bonnie S. Vaughan. We trust the Lord that Bonnie’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

Hardships can come in many forms and fashions, and we can find ourselves wondering what is going on. But amidst it all, God is working all things out for our good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

At times, our lives may take twists and turns leaving us to lean more and more into the One who knows our frame. Not that we understand it all, but it’s in the unknown that faith is made alive, and we continue to trust even though we don’t have all the answers.

Our focus tends to lean inward and outward causing us to search for reasons as to why the outcome is not as expected. It’s in these times we need to realize and look into the face of the One who holds us close to His heart, and will only allow us to go through what His hand has not permitted. He is faithful and will not lead us astray, but will continue to lead us by His Spirit onto the path that leads to righteousness.

Having had two siblings in less than a year and a half go home to be with the Lord, and yet another one at heaven’s door, can cause questions to arise, wondering if God’s Word is truly what He says it is. It’s not a matter of a lack of faith, or a sense of not knowing in whom you believe, but learning from past experiences of His steadfast love that will carry us through no matter what we encounter or come up against.

His faithfulness is forever etched into our hearts, and we can rest assure even with questions at hand, that He will be our all consuming shelter, friend, companion, and comforter, as long as we continue to allow Him to be the entrance into our every situation and trust Him completely.

It’s okay to have questions not answered; it’s okay to wonder at times where God is; it’s okay to ask Him, “God where are you?” For He is big enough to handle the most difficult questions we embrace, and is more than able to supply our needs even if the answers we desire do not surface.

So let me encourage you to hold tightly to His unchanging hand, and never allow anything to keep you from His presence; the place of sweet rest and peace.

Blessings,

© Bonnie S. Vaughan

www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Lee Gossett. We trust the Lord that Lee’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

Cleanse: We know that Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongues.

PROVERBS 18:21 Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose (MSG).

We can do a better job to guard our hearts and what comes out of our mouths. Just because you think it doesn’t mean you need to say it! Never have I seen such a time of disrespect in the world. Whatever is on our minds, comes out of our mouths. We need to be more thoughtful of the destructive nature of our words and the impact on others.

LUKE 6:43-45 You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the trees. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds (MSG).

Let’s ALL agree today that we can do better in this area to guard our hearts and watch what we say.

LUKE 6:45 Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts. Bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart (CEV).

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Lee Gossett. We trust the Lord that Lee’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

Guidance: In a time where everyone has an opinion about everything, can you trust it? There is only one source for absolute and accurate instruction – that is the Word of God. Life is too important to depend on our own understanding and “will” to get through the difficult decisions that come our way.

PROVERBS 3:5-6 With all your heart, you must trust the Lord and not your own flawed judgment. Always let Him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow (CEV).

If you have a decision to make, what I’ve learned is to STOP and wait until you have peace about it. If you can’t feel peace in the moment, then there is a good reason to delay. It’s important to be “this” thoughtful.

JOHN 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (ESV).

Be Encouraged in the Lord welcomes Guest Author Bonnie S. Vaughan. We trust the Lord that Bonnie’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) NKJV

Within the shadows of our lives we often wonder why we go through things, why circumstances turn out different than expected, and why it seems the Bitter/Sweet Moments of our lives leave us begging for bread. It’s in those times of pain and suffering that God wants us to draw near to Him; the place that releases His very heart-throb. An atmosphere that is all-consuming, and leaves us never the same.

So when you’re facing difficult times, whether physically, emotionally, or relationally, let us never forget to run into the comfort of His arms, allowing His presence to saturate us, His love to envelope us, and His peace to invade us. For when we are focused on His agenda, He ensures that all of our needs are met. What a sweet place to live in.

Father, I pray for everyone who needs your supernatural intervention, that they this day, would receive the answers to their hearts cry…in Jesus Name, Amen.

Blessings,

© Bonnie S. Vaughan

www.bonnievaughan.tateauthor.com

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Lee Gossett.  We trust the Lord that Lee’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

REPUTATION: Have you ever made a bad decision and regretted it throughout your life?

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born ECCLESIASTES 7:1 (NLT).

In other words, we keep getting better and better with time as God lovingly refines (disciplines) us throughout our lives. We are ALL capable of losing it in the blink of an eye.

I thank God for things that only HE knows about me. The truth is it doesn’t matter what others think of you. The only thing that will matter is what God thinks. And, He LOVES you!

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” MATTHEW 25:21 (NIV)!

© Lee Gossett 2015

Be Encouraged welcomes Guest Author Lee Gossett.  We trust the Lord that Lee’s submission will Encourage and Bless you today.

© Lee Gossett 2015