encouragement – Page 4

Out Of Our Brokenness…

Jesus says to us, “Place who you are and what you have in My hands. Your broken life. Your story. Your frailty and your failure, your pain and your suffering. Put it in My hands. You’ll be surprised what I can do with it.” Jesus knows that out of our emptiness, He can bring fullness. Out of our weakness, He can reveal His strength.

Dear Jesus, take my “not enough” and make it “more than enough.” Take my pain, my failure, and my frailty, and make it something more.

Except from our daily bread. May you be encouraged.

Pexel Photo credit eberhard grossgasteiger

Nature’s Getaway…

Ever noticed when we want a getaway long or short term we run to Nature?

To the beach,

Camping in the woods,

Boating, scuba-diving and Kayaking

Retreats in solace,

Long Walks in the meadows

Today, take time to look around you. The birds, bees speaks of his glorious creation.

Oh come let us adore him!

Peace

Your Body Is The Temple. Treat It Right….

Your body is his temple.
Treat it right. Exercise. Eat right.
Think pure thoughts.
Breathe
Inhale positivity.
Exhale negativity.
Read the word.
Let it sink in.

The Bible In The Age Of Technology…

Sitting next to me in church, 10 year old RJ whispered (bible in hand)… “nobody brings their Bible to church anymore”. Then he told me to look around. He was right. I did not even have my Bible in hand as Pastor Darryl read the displayed verses on the screen. Mine was in my bag. RJ proceeded to draw the cartoon comic discussion.

No excuses but the Tech era we are living in, most of us use the #bibleapp as our bible reading resource. Convenience at its core, It’s easy to carry around because we always have it on our phones. It’s also easy to share a verse or two to encourage others who cross our mind while reading.

But at times if there’s no WiFi we can experience connection issues if we didn’t download the App.

The risk though… we may end up scrolling to alerts that pop up… Unless we are very disciplined to avoid distractions. Nevertheless I love the convenience of the App.

But yep! I agree with RJ. Very few actually carry the Bible anymore. But let’s not be quick to judge as we rejoice in the convenience it brings while at work, on the move anytime, anyplace.

Join me in this simple challenge to take the physical book with us to church. Even more-so, let’s read our bible and pray everyday.

Blessings overflow to you as you listen while he speaks through the word. It ignites.

Use What Is Left…

Arise, use what is left. So what if your joy isn’t what it used to be? Use what is left. So what if your desire is dampened? Take hold of what is left. So what if your power is almost gone? Seize what is left and be what God said you could be. Don’t let circumstances abort your dream. Release your anointing. ~T.D. Jakes

Those words spoke to me. T. D. Jakes shared instances of biblical characters to shed the light.

Samson after he lost his sight gave what he had left

David with Goliath and his stones gave what he had left

Paul after he was shipwrecked used what he had left to get to the shore …a simple board

So today if you’re going through stuff, take heart. Be courageous and use what you have left to accomplish your victory. Strengthen what remains.

Waiting On God…

You never waste time waiting on God. ~Charles Stanley

On Becoming You…

Sometimes it looks like you’re going nowhere or that you’re headed in the wrong direction. I’m learning that the decision itself is rarely the point. The point is becoming more fully ourselves in the presence of God, connecting with Him and with each other, and living our lives as though we believe He is good and beautiful. The point is being honest about where you are and what you need and then looking around in your own community for people to walk with you and with whom you can walk. I spent years wishing people would support me only to later realize I was waiting around for something to come to me when I was perfectly capable of going out and getting it. I’m convinced God is less interested in where we end up then He is in who we are becoming. Whether we’re employed or unemployed, encouraged or discouraged, filled with vision or fumbling in the fog. More than anything, our Father just wants to be with us. The most common way He shows His “withness” to us is in the actual, physical presence of other people.

Emily P. Freeman,

Hope Shattered A 3-Day Nightmare…

I can only imagine what Saul went through when he was struck blind. Just imagine… a healthy person with a good job going about his business. A hard worker. Diligent in all that he did. Dedicated to persecuting Christians who speak about the lord. Then just like that … in a moment, as in a flash …he was blinded.

I can only imagine the hell he went through. Call 911! Would he ever seee again? Gotta get to the hospital. Where oh where is the doctor? He couldn’t see. He was frantic. So far away from home. Traveling. Who could he rely on to come get him? Moreover, would it not take days for them to get to him? How could he live with this shame? This sudden disability? Without warning, he was blinded.

But God had a Plan

While Paul worried, he also prayed. A strange new thing for him. But he had no choice but to call out to that voice he heard while on the road.

God sent a man. That man was Ananias. He too was afraid because of what Saul the persecutor of Christians represented. It was a risk. But he obeyed and went. God, the almighty took care of the fear of both Saul and Ananias. Saul believed and was healed. In a moment, his sight returned. Suddenly after days of hell, his mission changed. With a renewed sense of purpose he promised to suffer for Christ’s sake.

“Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16

Afraid? Call on Him

Today, if you’re afraid of what’s happening all around you, bask in the knowledge that God always has a plan for what you and I are going through. It’s hard. When you’re going through difficulties whether or not you caused it, talk to him. He will see you through. Always. Just trust him.

Saul, the persecutor. Saul the pursuer, became Paul, the pursued. Indeed God has a sense of humor.

Trust him.

Blessings overflow.

Letter To God…

Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.

Ever thought of writing a letter to God? Many have. Some have actually mailed it. Our Daily Bread shared reports of thousands of letters being mailed to Jerusalem by individuals who seek the lord’s help. They ask for health, wealth, child, and more. If only they knew.

If Only They Knew

If only they knew that the very act of writing a letter to God is actually praying to him. The very act of writing is seeking his intervention. The very act of writing is exactly what’s needed for our Lord, the problem-solver to work in our lives. The very act of writing is spending time in his presence that helps us find the comfort needed for trying times.

Today don’t hesitate to spend time in his presence. Talk. Write. Sing. Do whatever works for you. He will intervene, comfort and answer your prayer.

Blessings overflow.

Purpose…

God has a purpose for everything.

My daughter’s little 8-year old son prays that a cure will be found for the Corona Virus. But each time he prays he ends with words “unless you have a purpose”.

With mouth aghast when I heard it the first time, I asked him to clarify. He said maybe God wants to bring us together or something. I now know he does understand.

I pray that we too will be like him. Simply trusting God for His sole Purpose and plan.

Keep the faith. This too shall pass.

Blessings overflow