John 16:33
A Tower of Strength and Refuge
In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we don’t need to be left battered by the storms of life. We can find reassurance that God is a refuge in times of trouble through David’s words in Psalm 61:3, “For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.”
A tower is a high place from which we can look at life and see it from God’s perspective. The spiritual tower of prayer is the place from where we can pray, pour out our hearts to God, intercede for others, and quietly listen for His counsel. If we want to experience God’s best, we can. Our Father is a tower of strength and refuge to whom we can go.
With your face set like flint toward heaven, with your pen in your hand, write words of praise to your Father and intercessions for your family, church, nation, friends, and yes, yourself. The Bible is a journal of God’s interactions with man, of people’s struggles, and of God’s faithful interventions and merciful hands. Let His Word speak to you and impart peace to your soul.
Jesus, TOWER OF STRENGTH AND REFUGE, we praise You. When we don’t know how we can get through the next minute, You are our strength and help. Thank You for all the ways You guard and guide us.
In her teaching on John 16, Debbie touches on Jesus’ words from John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Watch her teaching on the subject HERE.
Take Courage
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. We praise You for the peace You give us that is out of this world.
Praise to the Overcomer
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. We praise You for the peace You give us when we trust in You.
I Forgot to Rejoice
A few days ago I was feeling STRESSED! Yes, I had begun my morning in praise and prayer. Yes, I had read my Bible and been blessed and encouraged. But LIFE STILL HAPPENS, doesn’t it. And, life can be stressful. Rather, it is stressful. Jesus said, “in the world you HAVE tribulation.” Not, “may have” tribulation. So how do we handle the stress that accompanies tribulation? Christ’s remedy is for us to REJOICE. “Rejoice?” we might ask. Are you kidding me? I’m stressed. I want to scream. I want the world to stop and me to jump off. Rejoice? And that’s where I was a few days ago. I spelled it out for my sister in a text. “I’m so STRESSED.” My phone rang the next instant. Linda didn’t say “Hi, honi,” like she usually does. There was no small talk. Instead, what fell on my ears were the Scriptures at the end of this post. I encourage you to put your name in the blank and then hear the words as coming straight from Jesus’s heart; because He loves you and is there for you in your stressful situations. AFTER you hear His words of comfort, please click HERE and then share this post on facebook or forward it to your friends. If you’re watching the videos that follow, it will help to get the word out on PRAYER if you click the “thumbs up” in the upper right portion of the video. The reason I’m asking you to share what’s going on with the prayer journal is because God has stirred many people’s hearts to become more passionate and purposefully in their prayer lives. Many have order the prayer journal and we’re all anxiously awaiting a new shipment of the journals so everyone can begin journaling. The reason I’m asking you to share this post is because many people are feeling stress for lots of different reasons. Please receive the encouragement for yourself; then share the reminder that even even in the midst of stressful times, our Lord is with us, He’s on the throne and we can can REJOICE in that. Now, from God’s heart to yours.
Dear __________, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. … practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Heavenly Father, thank You that we can rejoice in You no matter what is happening. Thank You that You are KING, on the throne, and in control.
OVERCOMER
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Our personal problems can seem overwhelming at times. National and international problems may cause us to shake our heads and wonder “what the world is coming to.” But Jesus interrupts our conflicted worries and gets straight to the point. In the world, we’re going to have tribulation, which means “pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress.” Then, He says the most amazing thing. He’s bigger than the world. He’s OVERCOME it. And that is why He invites us to take His hand and take His peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. I praise You for the peace You give me when I look heavenward and trust You.
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.