Paul has instructions for the Believers with specific “Do’s and Don’ts” for living in expectation of Christ’s return and looking forward. We, as children, are blessed with a unique family relationship in which we have been enlightened of God’s Ways. We are aware of His Light, and we are to live in the light of His truth. “For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.” I Thess. 5:5 Paul lays out the instructions as a military leader gives out commands for the soldier at his post. …
Encouragement
Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 The trials and tribulations discussed in a previous session can take a toll on a person. Sometimes, we openly share our difficulties with friends, and other times they may be hidden away for no one to recognize. As Christians, it’s our duty to encourage one another because we never know when someone carries a heavy heart. Hebrews 3:13 gives another reason to build up our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Being saved does not make us immune to sin. We still continue falling into temptation, and even as Christ always gives us the strength to overcome …
The Broken Pot
I read this story about 18 years ago, I don’t know who wrote it but it immediately became a big part of my testimony as I could totally relate to it. Once upon a time there were 2 clay pots. These were no ordinary pots for they could talk. One was beautiful and exquisite and the other had several major cracks in it. The beautiful pot would taunt the broken pot every day. It said things like “I don’t know why they keep you around here. You are ugly and broken and can’t even do what a pot is supposed …
I Pray
Pray Continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) My mom sent my husband and I two t-shirts last summer that read: “I PRAY“. I was not aware of its significance then, but wow have things changed since last summer. This t-shirt with just two simple words are so meaningful now and I am not sure if she knew what God was going to do through me but the words on this t-shirt have …
Receiving Encouragement Requires Courage
“If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.” Judges 6: 10-11 Do you see the irony here? If you’re afraid with only 300, take just one and sneak up into harm’s way. God is offering to reassure Gideon, but even the means to receive the reassurance requires an extraordinary step of faith. If caught, surely they would be put to death and …
The Power to Encourage
Encouragement is powerful. It’s incredible. It inspires, it motivates and it lifts people up. On the other hand, discouragement is just the opposite. It put people down, it hurt and injure them. And for some, it stop them in their tracks and keep them from moving forward. In the book of Acts we are told of a man by the name of Barnabas. While there are many aspects of his life, it is specifically noted in Acts 4: 36 that he is called the “Son of Consolation.” However, Barnabas was certainly good at “lifting another’s spirit”. Consequently we see …
Together is Better
I’ve talked about teams before; being connected to people, having the same interests, the same goals. Our current environment has forced us all to alter our lives to a new normal. We have been asked to stay home to prevent the spread of this virus. To some, staying home, getting back to our family, is a wonderful thing. A time to reflect and continue our continuity within our family unit. It’s always been God’s desire for us to be together. In the Bible, it tells us that we need each other. Together is better, but unfortunately there are broken families, lives …
Encourage One Another
The last few years have been an incredible time of growing and learning in my faith journey. I have learned so much that I want to share with other women to encourage and inspire them in their lives. Women are just such incredible people! We are CEO’s and writers and architects and teachers and wives and moms…and most of us, no all of us, will have struggles, uncertainty, tragedy, and hard times. We all have good days and bad days, hard seasons and seasons full of happiness. It is in those hard times we especially need each other. Support, a …
Praise God for His Facts
While visiting with a friend last night I realized they are going through a rough time. The first response to this awful news was to commiserate with them. I felt the panic and pain. We discussed it. I sent prayers upward on their behalf. About halfway through the conversation God spoke to my heart. And I began to talk about God instead of the problem. Faith rose up in me and as I spoke the TRUTH over my friend she too had faith rise up in her. The talk went from wringing of hands to praising the Lord. By …
Can Anything Good Come From There?
Nazareth was not considered the village of fame. It was a small obscure village hidden in the hills of Galilee with nothing happening. There weren’t any buying and selling routes running through it, so it had no commercial value. It was a community off the beaten path, being the ideal place for many outcasts to make their home. The reputation of the town was so bad that when Philip told Nathanael he had found the Messiah‚ Nathanael’s immediate response was‚ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Instead of arguing against Nathanael’s protest, Philip simply answered, “Come and see.” …
Lord, Help Me Be A Friend…A Poem
Lord help me to be The friend that You’d have me to be, To pause, to think, to listen, Before I even speak. Help me to love more, pray more, Lend a helping hand, Encourage, lift up, And be there to understand. Use me Lord Jesus, And forgive me when I err. I want to be like You, And always be there… To be a blessing to someone today, To praise You , give You glory, And magnify Your name. Ruth Basquez
What Is A Friend?
In His Quietness Proverbs 17:17a (NIV) “A friend loves at all times…” I Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) “Love is patient, Love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always hopes, always perseveres.” I’m so thankful for the friends that God has given me. Do you know that if you have one or two true friends in you life you’re considered blessed? I feel …
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