Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13
I thought I would share this, a friend e-mailed it to me this morning.

The following are some attributes of love and can act as a thermometer for us (based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8):
-Patient.
-Kind and thoughtful.
-Never jealous or envious.
-Never brags or acts proud and arrogant.
-Is not selfish or self-seeking.
-Does not take offense and is not easily provoked.
-Forgives and forgets quickly (does not take into account a wrong suffered).
-Is saddened and grieved by unrighteousness.
-Rejoices in righteousness, truth, and justice.
-Bears all things.
-Believes and hopes for the best in others; believes for good outcomes.
-Endures and never gives up.

As I am preparing for the Christmas Season, I am reminded, it is not only important to prepare with gifts, decorations and food, but to prepare my heart. While Jesus came as a babe in the manger as our Saviour, the Christmas Story does not end there, it continues through the Cross and Jesus' Resurrection. Christ came that we could have LIFE. Not just EXISTANCE.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Changes

Hello Everyone-I hope ya'll don't mind sharing with you some things that are happening...

With all of the changes that are happening for me and I know there are things changing for everyone, life feels a little stressful. As exciting as all of the changes are, the changes have been a bit over whelming emotionally. My list of changes that are currently happening could go on for half of a page, but I am not wanting the focus to be about me and what is happening in my life.

This morning, I woke up and came down a bit earlier than normal to spend some time alone with God. He is so faithful! He immediately reminded me of a book mark our Hands & Feet Team handed out a few months ago so I grabbed it and what an encouragement it was to me this morning! I thought I would share it with you as well...

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. (I always insert my name in the Scripture, to make it more personal...)

- God will reveal His will in His timing.
- The answers will not come until they are needed.
- In the process of change, things may look in disarray or even chaos for awhile until the Lord puts the pieces together to establish the new.- Change can be hard for all involved.
- New people and processes do not diminish the value of what has come before.
- Everything has its season.
- Above all, God is to be glorified.

Isn't it great that no matter what things are changing in our personal lives, GOD always remains the same? He is always there!

Dr Charles Stanley said the following in a devotional...
People sometimes say, "The only constant is change." Fortunately, this isn't true.

There's One who never changes. Jesus Christ always remains the same. What a comfort for believers! But, it's hard to find refuge in someone we don't know well. So let's explore the Lord's actions to learn more about His nature.

Jesus forgave others. He showed mercy, not judgment, to those who recognized their sin. For example, Jesus had compassion on the woman caught in adultery. He stopped her death penalty with a few wise words. Then, instead of pronouncing condemnation, He said her sins were forgiven.

Jesus comforted the hurting. He visited Mary and Martha, who were mourning the loss of their brother Lazarus.Jesus provided for needs. Mark chapter eight records Jesus spending three days healing all kinds of disabilities. Afterwards, He was concerned the large crowd hadn't eaten. He could have sent all 4,000 away to find their own food. But Jesus provided more than enough to satisfy their hunger.

Jesus interceded for His disciples as recorded in John chapter 17. Just before He was crucified, Jesus asked the Father to protect and sanctify His followers, including you and me.

Jesus strengthened believers and gave them power to do God's work. In Acts 1:8, the Lord sent His disciples out to share the gospel. He assured them, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."Jesus still forgives. He still comforts. He still provides He still intercedes. And, He still empowers. What a blessing that we can find refuge in our amazing Lord!
(End of quote from Dr. Charles Stanley)

Thank you for reading this, I know it was LONG. I hope it was an encouragement to you today as well! Have a great day!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Encouragement for Difficult times

Hello! I just returned home from my few days away and as wonderful as it was to be away, I was going through some emotional turmoil. Our family is really going through a VERY difficult season right now. Maybe once we are through this current Character Building Opportunity I can share MORE of a testimony with you, but right now keep us in your prayers.

I know many of you are going through difficult seasons as well, we are NOT exempt from difficult times!

God's Word says, in Isaiah 43:2-3,WHEN (not if!) you pass through the waters, I will be with you;And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.WHEN you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel (Chris or put your name here), your Savior.

You probably know this, but I added the emphasis.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I Lift My Eyes



My dear Sister-in-Law sent me a Fwd. Fwd. Fwd. e-mail and normally I do not read them - but today I did. The poem attached was "nice" but I really enjoyed the image. I do not know where it came from, but it meant a lot to me, so I thought I would share it with you today.
Our family is going through a very difficult time this fall. If you are a praying people, will you please be lifting us up to the LORD?A good friend of mine sent this Scripture to me this morning. I am meditating on this Scripture today. I have a habit of putting my name or the person's name in the place of "you or the place of a location.)

Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
(Chris and her family and you and yours!)
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Thank you for praying! Have a blessed day!