Encouragement

Photo credit Mikayla H. 

 Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. 

Thankful For ...

Day 28

Bibles. I have 3 different translations and I enjoy all of them. 

Encouragement Verse

Here's a little something to encourage you today.

Romans 15:17-19 (NIV) Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done -- by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. 

Encouragement Verse

Whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for men. Since you know that you will receive from the Lord a reward. - Colossians 3:23

The Silent Comforter

You don’t have to know all the right words

You don’t have to memorize all the right verses

You don’t even need to read a book

All you need to be a good comforter is to listen

A good comforter has a touch that says, “You’re not alone”

A good comforter hugs that assures you the storm will not be forever.

A good comforter loves always.

Encouragement

Psalms 90:17 (NIV)
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.

Hannah: One Simple Consistent Act

You remember the story of Hannah? Barren and despised. Sad and desperate. She goes to the tabernacle and prays to God for a son, promising that if God grants her request that she will give him back to God.


So when God gives Hannah a son, she makes good on her part of the deal and gives him back to God. After dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah returns home. But is her work finished? No. Look at 1 Samuel 2:18-19 (NIV) But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.

Think about it. Each year Hannah worked to make Samuel an ephod. She could have easily let Eli take care of the boys clothing. She could have easily taken off a few years off and not worried about the son that she had given up. She could have used the time to make clothes for her family. But why did she take the time to make Samuel an ephod?

She was thankful for what God had done. There’s an old saying that says, “That which we too easily attain, we too lightly esteem.” Hannah was so grateful to God for giving her a son that she continued to give to and love her son even after He had been given away. A grateful heart cannot help but give and give unendingly.

Unlike her rival who had many children, but no love and no peace, Hannah gave out of a heart that was full because of what God had done for her. And year after year she gave and lived for the glory.

One simple consistent act made all the difference in the world.

A Prayer

           Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
    Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)


Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.