Category Archives: Encouragement

I Have Doubts- Don’t Tell God!

04 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Doubt, Encouragement, Faith

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Dark gut-wrenching times leave you feeling defeated and alone.  Doubts creep in and cause you to question things you never thought you would question.  I know.  I’ve been there.

Jesus’ crucifixion left the disciples feeling defeated and alone.  They had doubts.  Yet they worshiped Jesus when they saw Him.

When you have doubts, don’t run from Jesus.  Run to Jesus.  Worship Him by presenting  yourself to Him, doubts and all.  Let Him speak truth to your doubts.

Jesus spoke truth to the disciples’ doubts. He reassured them of two fundamental things:

  1.  All authority is Mine in heaven and on earth. (I am in control. You are not defeated.)
  2. I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (You are not alone.)

If you’re in a dark doubting place today, believe again that God is in control and that He is with you. Then move forward and do the work God has called you to do.  Matthew 28:16-20

 

 

 

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Jesus is Better than Target

01 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Choice, Despair, Encouragement, Love

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target photo 001I felt alone. The house felt dreary and bleak. The holidays were over.  The kids and grandkids had gone home.  And Dan wasn’t much company because he wasn’t feeling well.

So I decided to go to Target.  I had a return and maybe it would help to get out of the house for awhile.   And besides, even if it didn’t help,  I would still get some things crossed off my ‘to do’ list.  And that always makes me feel better.

Desolation is defined in the dictionary as a state of bleak and dismal emptiness; depressingly empty, joyless; disconsolate and sorrowful as if through separation from a loved one.

Desolation is not God’s plan for us.  We are never alone, even though we may feel alone.  We are never separated from God and His love.  Romans 8:31-39

The Pharisees were desolate.  Jesus wanted to gather them to Himself the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but they were unwilling.  Matthew 23:37-39

I find that when I’m having a blah kind of day, the best thing I can do for myself is run to Jesus. He always gathers me to Himself.  I just have to be willing.  He is much more satisfying than a Target trip.

 

 

 

When Life Throws a Curve Ball at You!

03 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Rest

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I sat in the tiny little waiting room.  The doctor was looking at the results of some medical tests.  I would know soon what the next few months of my life might look like.

As I sat there, I realized there were many unknowns.

  • What journey, if any, was I about to embark upon?
  • Would I be able to continue helping others or would I have to humble myself and receive help from others?
  • Would my daily routines radically change or pretty much stay the same?

As I sat there, I also realized there were many ‘knowns’.

  • Whatever my journey,  the Lord would be with me.
  • Whatever my situation, I would continue to serve others with whatever strength the Lord gave me.
  • Whatever my daily routines, my ambition would be to please the Lord.

You also have unknowns and ‘knowns’.  

Unknowns create uncertainty because they have the power to cause change.  The change may be minimal or radical. The change may be anticipated or a complete surprise. The change may be perceived as good or bad. The change may be desired or dreaded.

But take hope!  Be of good courage!

Unknowns never come alone.  “Knowns’ always come with them.  

‘Knowns’ create certainty!  ‘Knowns’ never change!  

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; 2 Corinthians 1:20

For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  2 Timothy 1:1211987051_990102464384269_1238060120673557229_n

Our ‘known’ is a Person.  It is Jesus.

Rest in the ‘knowns’.  Rest in Jesus.

Confidently say with me, ‘I am His and He is mine.”

The Father Has a Plan!

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Grief, Hope

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Although Christ was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Hebrew 5:8

Christ Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:8

Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; Matthew 26:38a

Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39

Jesus, the perfect holy Son of God, experienced grief beyond description as He approached the time of the crucifixion.  Yet He continued to submit Himself to His Father’s will and plan – His death on the cross. He kept His eyes on His Father at all times.

Life comes at us in mind-numbing, heart-breaking, shocking waves.

  • an absent parent
  • a friend’s betrayal
  • a run-away teenager
  • near fatal accidents
  • painful diseases
  • broken dreams
  • death of a loved one

Unlike Christ, we do not always know what is about to happen.  We do not know all the ups and downs that will be part of the Father’s plan for us.  And that is a blessing.

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What we do know is that if God has brought us to a heart-breaking situation, He will be with us through it all. He will use it for our good. He will mold us and shape us to be more like Him.

Let’s keep our eyes on Him when we don’t understand the what, the when, the where, the how, or the why.  We know the Who.  It is Our Heavenly Father.  And He is working His plan for us and in us at all times.

The Best Thing I Can Say About Myself

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Faith, Fear

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The best thing I can say about myself is, “I’m learning to trust God today.”

Every day is a faith walk!  This is how God intends it to be.

If you’re like me, you may find yourself longing for just one day without concerns, difficulties and struggles.  This day will come but not until we see Jesus face to face.

Difficulties encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do life without Him.  It is for this very personal relationship that Jesus died.

What do we know about faith?

  • Our relationship with God begins with faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Our relationship with God continues and grows by faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Faith pleases God.
  • Faith is a fight – a good fight.

Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith.  He walked by faith when He endured the cross for us, giving us an example of faith in action.  He kept His eyes on His Heavenly Father. Hebrews 12:2

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Is someone you love in trouble? Are you in the midst of change?  Are you feeling anxious?  Are you afraid?

Fix your eyes on Jesus! He is willing and eager to help you. Put your faith in Him – not in your own strength, not in your circumstances, not in your bank accounts, not in other people – but in Him alone. Fight the good fight of faith!

I am fighting the good fight of faith.

  • I have walked away from my career as a CPA to follow God’s call on my life.
  • I am trusting God to guide me.
  • I am trusting God to provide opportunities of service.
  • I am trusting God with my future.
  • I am fixing my eyes on Him.

file000551198693 (1)Faith is assurance of the unseen! Hebrews 11:1

A Month of Mondays

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Heaven, Joy

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I’m in the gut-it-out time of the year for a CPA.  The next three and a half weeks will demand more than I feel like I have to give.  And yes, I have counted the days – 24 to be exact!

As I was headed downstairs to my office after dinner last evening, my husband said, “Where are you going?”  I said, “Down to work.”  He said, ‘That doesn’t sound like much fun.”  I responded matter-of factly,  “There won’t be much fun the next three and a half weeks.”

But do you know what?  That’s not entirely true.  We are expecting a beautiful new granddaughter any day now.  And that is as fun as it gets!  So today as I work through the towering pile of tax returns on my desk, I will spend some time thinking about the wonderful joy to come when our son calls and says the time has come!

Does this not remind you of what God tells us in His Word?  While life may seem like a month of Mondays, we have much joy to look forward to.  God’s Son is going to call us one day and say the time has come!  And instantly we will enter into the joys He has prepared for us! O glorious day!

I love the way 1 Corinthians 2:9 describes the joys we have in Christ – joys we have here and unimaginable joys we will have in heaven.

file2021335717961“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So today as you do whatever you must do, do it heartily as to the Lord. Colossians 3:17

But as you work, look beyond the doing.  Set your mind on things above.  Set your mind on the glory to come. Colossians 3:1-4

Dwell on the pure, lovely excellent, praiseworthy things!  Philippians 4:8

It will bring a smile to your face and lighten the load you may be carrying!

O My Soul!

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

Posted by in Despair, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

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“Why? Why?”, asks David.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?”  Psalm 42:5

Have you ever started out a day feeling great but ended it feeling miserable?  What causes your soul to become disturbed?  What causes you to despair?

If you can determine the source of your despair, you can find a great and magnificent promise in the Word of God that will help restore your hope in God. If you can determine why you are disturbed, you can find grace and peace.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by HIs own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises.” 2 Peter 1:2-4

When we are in despair and our soul is disturbed, we thirst for God.  When tears are present day and night, our soul pants for the living God with more intensity than it does when everything is going smoothly.  Psalm 42:1-3

The awesome truth is that God wants us even more than we want Him. He wants us to share our burdens with Him.  He wants us to come to Him for help.  He wants us to realize how vital He is to our everyday life.   He wants to be the very God of our life.  Psalm 42:8

Do you see the beauty in this?  Can you look beyond your despair to see the One who wants to walk with you and hold your hand through all of life’s difficulties?

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Reach out to Him!  Hope in God once again!  Praise Him for the help of his presence!  Psalm 42:5

Negative Nellie! Debbie Downer!

12 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Opportunity, Words

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file000561944270As my friend and I were leaving the restaurant, she smiled and said,”Boy, were we a couple of Negative Nellies tonight”.  And she was right.  We had just spent the last couple of hours talking about the events that had occurred in our lives over the past year. It had been a difficult year for both of us.  Serious health issues, financial issues, work issues, and family issues including the loss of our mothers.

Walking to my car, I felt disappointed in myself.  How had I let the conversation end on a negative note?  Why hadn’t I brought God into the conversation?  Looking back on the evening, I saw so many missed opportunities.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.  Colossians 4:5-6

Why hadn’t I brought God into our conversation?  It was time for an honest evaluation.

  • I didn’t want to be seen as a weird religious nut.
  • I didn’t want to be seen as a know-it-all.
  • I didn’t want to minimize her difficulties with a ‘pat answer’ from the Bible.

So I said nothing.  But this is also unacceptable.

I want to express my love for my friend but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love with her.  I want to support and encourage her, but even more importantly, I want to share God’s love and encouragement with her.

Making the most of an opportunity only happens when we let our speech be seasoned with grace.   So how do we do this?

Let’s talk about this in more depth tomorrow.  God’s Word has the answers.  It always does!

Encourage Each Other

29 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Faith

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Do you have someone who encourages you, someone who helps you be strong in faith?

Paul was eager to get to Rome for some encouragement.

“For I long to see you…that you may be established; that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”  Romans 1:11-12

We all need encouragement.  When we share how we are learning to trust God, we encourage each other. We help each other become more established in faith.

I received such a special Facebook message from a dear friend last night.  She said, “I know Jesus encourages me but could you please encourage me occasionally?”  My response, “Absolutely!”  I wanted to run right over to her house and give her a hug but I knew we were both already in our jammies and ready for bed.

Look for oppDSCN8260ortunities today to encourage someone. Share a bit of your own faith walk.  It will encourage them.  It will encourage you.