Encouragement...

Encouragement... everybody needs it. I sure do. Regularly. Over the years, I've gathered a few scriptures I turn to and often share with others just for that purpose. Today a few of them came in handy, and I wanted to share them with you...

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have great hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:21-26

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things.” Psalm 71 selected verses

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 62:5-8

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? NO! In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-39

I pray these words from scripture have been an encouragement to you today, and that you'll find someone to share them with. Remember, we have an advocate, a helper, who is lifting our needs before the Father in Heaven when we don't even know WHAT or HOW to pray.

I hope you can pray this prayer today:

Today, Lord, I give myself wholly into your service. I pray you will fill me with your Spirit and through His wisdom and strength, prepare me and strengthen me for everything that I will face today. I pray that I will bring Glory and Honor to you in the way that I face every trial, and in the way that I handle every task, and especially in the way that I deal with every individual who crosses my path. Every moment, remind me to give you control over my tongue, for the tongue is the rudder of this ship, and I want Christ to be the captain of my ship. When I fall, please don’t let the deceiver convince me that all is lost, but I pray you will pick me up and dust me off and remind me of the precious price you paid for my forgiveness. Remind me, also, to be forgiving of those who will be less than perfect with me today. May I reflect Christ more and more to a lost and hurting world today. I pray that in ways large and small, people with whom I come into contact today will be closer to Christ and your kingdom because of some word or deed spoken by you through me today. I am your clay. Mold me today into the very thing you need me to be. I am yours, and will live this day utterly thankful that you are my Savior. May that thanks be evident in everything I say and do. I thank you in advance for your love and protection. I love you, Lord. Thank you for the abundant joy and peace that comes from serving you. In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord… Amen.