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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
The gift of Encouragement…
As you already know one of the greatest challenges we face is our Christian walk. Every day there are a multitude of difficulties testing us. There are storms trying to wreck havoc on our lives. There are temptations trying to detour us from our Christian path. The bible tells us that Jesus is our greatest source of encouragement, “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, CEV) And because Jesus lives in our hearts through to the Holy Spirit we too are sources of encouragement to others.
Peter writes about the relationship of encouragement, happiness, and satisfaction we can glean from our daily challenges, difficulties, and temptations, “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well… Dear friends, don’t be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you.” (1 Peter 4:10, 12–14, CEV)
Anyone who has had “the rug pulled out from under them” (and who hasn't) know well how valuable and powerful an encouraging word, a pat on the back, or a “hand out” can be. Encouragement given to someone is like a ray of sunshine on a dark stormy night. Like all gifts the gift of encouragement needs to be received and sometimes that in itself is a great challenge.
This morning during the time I spent in the bible I was encouraged by the following verses from the Psalms and then I thought about each of you. “MAY THE Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you]; Send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion; Remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah [pause, and think of that]! May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. We will [shout in] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.” (Psalm 20:1–5, AMP)
Believe! Anticipate! Experience! Be transformed!
/r/ace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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“I pray that the Lord will bless your life and will be kind to you.” (2 Timothy 4:22, CEV)
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Scriptures marked CEV, “Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.”
Scriptures marked AMP have been taken from The Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by: The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. All rights reserved.
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