June 12, 2026 – Enriched
JC – “Let Me help you get through this day. There are many possible paths to travel…. Stay alert to the many choice-points along the way, being continually aware of My Presence…. Thank Me for each problem you encounter, and watch to see how I transform trials into blessings.” See 1 Corinthians 10:10 and Luke 1:79.
Days – “We would see Jesus” (John xxii. 21). I love this that Simpson shares, “My little child came to me once and said: ‘Papa, look at that golden sign across the street a good while; now look at that brick wall and tell me what you see.’ ‘Why, I see the golden sign on the brick wall.’ And he laughed merrily over it. So, if we look a long time upon Jesus we cannot look at anything else without seeing a reflection of Him. Everything which we behold will become a part of Him.”
Power – Philippians 4:13 – “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Joyce reminds us that we need to be mindful of the choices we face because sometimes they not only affect the moment, but can be far reaching: “As you begin to change the things in your life that are unfruitful and causing you problems, the devil will offer you many excuses to stay the way you are. One of the things you can expect to hear in your head is, I can’t help what I think – the thoughts just come whether I want them or not. I can’t help it! While it is true that thoughts come without being invited, it is not true that you cannot do anything about them. God’s Word teaches us to cast down, or refute, wrong thoughts (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). That simply means you shouldn’t allow them to stay in your mind. You can get rid of any thought you don’t want by simply deciding to think on something else.”
Reasons (as to why we do/think/say things) help us understand, but excuses (for what we do/think/say) help us avoid, ignore, put off and ultimately sometimes miss out.
Prevail #163 – Larson, author and podcaster, tells of when a woman from her church who told her she didn’t “have the voice for radio.” The rest of the story: “Later in the day I heard God’s whisper, ‘Don’t you dare hide. Let me see your face. Your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.’ [Song of Songs 2:14] I faintly remembered reading that in Scripture, and my heart fluttered when I found it. I’ve worked in radio now for almost fifteen years. And one thing listeners most often say to me is, ‘I love your voice….’ The church lady was wrong…. Maybe someone has spoken words over you that are untrue. Don’t you dare hide. Listen for Jesus instead….”
Streams – 1 Corinthians 1:5 – “In him you have been enriched in every way.” Through Theodore Parker’s words, Cowman offers an amen to Larson’s experience. “Have you ever seen people who through some disaster [like cruel words being spoken over them] were driven to great times of prayer? And have you noticed that once the disaster was long forgotten, a spiritual sweetness remained that warmed their souls?”
JA – “IF I AM FOR YOU, who can be against you? …Of course, this doesn’t mean that no one will ever oppose you. It means that having Me on your side is the most important fact of your existence…. I am the eternal Victor, and you share in My triumph – no matter how much adversity you encounter on your journey to heaven…. Knowing that your future is utterly secure can change your perspective dramatically. Instead of living in defensive mode – trying desperately to protect yourself from suffering – you learnt to follow Me, boldly, wherever I lead…. Remember: I am your ever-present Help in trouble.” See Romans 8;31 and Psalm 46:1.
JL – “Cherished God, I draw near to You in this quiet moment – seeking to enjoy Your Presence in the present. I’ve learned that trust and thankfulness are excellent allies in this quest. If I wallow in the past or worry about the future, my awareness of You grows dim…. You’ve been training me to communicate with You continually…. In Your precious Name, Jesus, Amen.”
