Encouragement from my quiet time

Graphic from Baptist Bible Hour

 This year I've been following the Bible reading plan which is found in the back of the Feature magazine, a daily devotional guide.  This plan, which was devised by Robert Murray McCheyne in the 1800s, takes one through the entire Bible once in a year and twice through the New Testament and Psalms.  So far I am enjoying it very much.  Yesterday, though, I found some special encouragement in the way the readings lined up with one another and also with my prayer time for that day, so thought I would share a bit with you.

First, I'll share some of the Scripture I was reading.  I have added some italics and bold text for emphasis.

Exodus 8
"And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God."  (verse 10) -- here Moses is speaking to Pharaoh.

"Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."  (verse 19) -- even Pharaoh's magicians recognized God's power, but he wouldn't listen.

"And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth."  (verse 22) -- here Moses is giving Pharaoh a message from God.

Job 26
"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."  (verse 7)  -- Job follows this with more amazing statements describing God's power in verses 8-14.  I won't take time to write them all out, but you might like to look them up for yourself.
"He divideth the sea with His power, and by His understanding He smiteth through the proud.
"By His spirit He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
"Lo, these are parts of His ways: but how little a portion is heard of Him?  but the thunder of His power who can understand?"  (verses 12-14)

Luke 11
"And He was casting out a devil, and it was dumb.  And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered."  (verse 14)  -- this verse, describing Jesus casting out a demon, clearly shows His power.

And, can you believe this one?  Jesus said:
"But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you."  (verse 20).  Exactly the same phrase used in Exodus 8:19!

I don't think my reading them both within a few minutes of one another is a coincidence.  God wants me to be reminded of His powerful hand in my life!

 And then, after reading my Bible portions for the day, I moved on to my prayer time.  Each day I praise God for one of His attributes or for a spiritual blessing He has given us.  Guess what yesterday's was?  Here are the verses and my prayer,  from my prayer journal page:

God, You are ALL POWERFUL

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."  (Luke 1:37)

"O LORD God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven?  and rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen?  and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee?"  (2 Chronicles 20:6)

"Ah Lord GOD!  behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee."  (Jeremiah 32:17)

"Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared Thy strength among the people."  (Psalm 77:14)

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."  (Matthew 28:18)

"Hallelujah! For the Lord God omipotent reigneth!"  (Revelation 19:6b)

Lord, I thank You that You are all-powerful.  Truly, there is nothing too hard for You.  I can trust You to take care of any situation I or other believers may face.  You are a great God!

Hope these little thoughts from my quiet time have encouraged you as they have me.  What encouragement are you finding from your own quiet time?