Encourage

https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/2013/01/
encouraging-bible-verses/

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Encourage is defined as "1. a:: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: hearten she was encouraged to continue by her early success. b: to attempt to persuade: urge they encouraged him to go back to school

2: to spur on: stimulate warm weather encourages plant growth

3: to give help or patronage to: foster government grants designed to encourage conservation

God encourages us by sending people into our lives to aid us in understanding events going in and around our lives." 1

God uses His people to build one another up. One of the Gifts of the Spirit is encouragement. Children of God do this when they tell someone they miss them at church. It only takes a little bit of effort on our part.

We encourage people going through a difficult time by praying for them, by sending them a card, or just by listening to them when they talk.

We went to the grocery store early this afternoon. While there, I ran into a lady from church. I am acquainted with her, we work in different ministries. After she spoke to me, she next said she wanted a copy of my book. She inquired how I was doing with the sales. I told her it was slow.  I came away encouraged by her interest.

When we take the time to politely inquire about someone, we usually find they appreciate being noticed. A dear friend sometimes tells me, “Thank you for noticing us.” This happens when I call her to check on her and her family.

Children of God are called to be encouragers wherever they find themselves.

Prayer: Thank You. Lord for the many things You do to build us up and keep us going. Without your encouraging us, we would not be able to stand for You in this fallen world. Please guide us as we try to encourage those around us. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen 

1. Merriam-Webster online dictionary.https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encourage Accessed Sept 26. 2017/

Our World

http://www.pastorjohnsamencorner.com

In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)

Our World As We See It

As we go through life we become more aware of trouble. It comes to the forefront of each newscast and article in the papers. No one is exempt from hearing of riots, demonstrations, or domestic violence.

Case in point: I attend a small prayer cell on Tuesday mornings. Recently, a member told me I needed to be careful when I left my house. Her daughter heard of a stabbing taking place two blocks from my house.

Then, the television news, reported three people killed in one night. These occurred in our capital city. We read of these kinds of tragedies more frequently than before.

The incident down the street from us was a domestic violence issue. That does not diminish the problem of people mistreating others. The details in the newspaper give us light into the tragedy. There are contributing factors. The victim is in a trauma hospital, fighting for her life.

Those killings come about because of a transgression of the law. A law is overlooked and at least two people confront each other. The situation escalates and one of the principles is killed. This scenario is becoming common place in our world.

 We Need the Lord

 The LORD tells the disciples and us that we will have tribulation. He also tells us He has overcome the world. What does this phrase mean? Simply put, it means that He is always with us no matter the trial.

We need Jesus to guide and direct our every move. God has all things, our movements, behavior, words, and thoughts under His control. Even when we act contrary to God’s ways, He knows it beforehand. It is paramount that we always seek His will for our lives.

When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we give Him carte blanche. He takes us as we are and changes us to resemble Him. We must be willing to allow Christ the freedom to do this.

Who Am I?

http://www.onefaithonechurch.com

what is man that you are mindful of him,

 and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:4 (ESV)

Who am I, Lord, that I should expect things go without a hitch? Who am I, Father, that would want to have all my activities be easy and glamorous? Who am I, Jesus, that I should feel that I can dictate to others what I believe they should do or how they should act? Who am I to remind those around me that they might have wronged me?

I am nobody, I can’t expect things in life to go the way I think they should. I am no one special that all my plans culminate with glorious endings. I have no right to tell people how to tell others how to live. I am not allowed to hold grudges when others choose to look askance at what I ask of them.

And yet, I am a child of God. I have to trust Him for everything. That means I accept all this world throws across my path as I walk with Jesus, especially those things that don’t set well with me.

NOTE:

I started this as I went through a recent ‘down’ time. With the help of prayer, Christian friends, and my doctor, I have overcome what I call these latest speed bumps on my journey with Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus Speaks to Us

http://ubdavid.org.

If I had not come and spoken to them,

they would not have been guilty of sin

but now they have no excuse.

John 15: 22 (ESV)

Jesus speaks these words to the eleven in the upper room. He knows the time for his death is drawing near. Earlier, He said that the world will hate them because of Him. He explained that this hatred stems from the world not knowing the Father.

Then, Christ says an interesting thing; He speaks the words of our focus verse. “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,” Our Savior states indirectly that He showed them the wrong things they were doing. Jesus then states, ”but now they have no excuse.”

If Jesus Christ could say those words then, are they still true today? If Our Savior speaks to us about our sin, are we supposed to make excuses? As I read this, I find the answer is, “No.”

As we await Jesus’ return, we have to be certain we are ready. Each of His children has to ask God to search our hearts. We have to seek His forgiveness and direction for our lives. I believe I have some issues to work on. 

I Am the Vine

http://www.imgrum.org/user/argopariadji

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a]

so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:1-2 (ESV)

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it.

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. 

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. We need to fully adopt a Biblical world view. By walking with Jesus in these ways, we honor God. In return, He will bless us. 

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

https://americangallery.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/
warner-sallman-1892-1968/

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus has told His disciples not to be troubled in their hearts. He advised them to trust in God and in Him. He continued by telling them of the place in heaven reserved for each of them and that He would return for them.

Thomas did not understand and spoke for the others. “We don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way.”

Jesus’ response is our focus verse for today. He identifies Himself as “the way.” Often, I find myself wondering how I should handle certain circumstances in life. Then I remember God can handle anything I face. His way is always best. He is the way to God where we can lay those burdens down.  

Further, He tells them he is “the truth.” There is nothing false in Jesus. Truth is defined as “That which is reliable, trustworthy and consistent with the character and revelation of God.” ¹. In today’s world, we need God’s truth in order to be victorious.

Lastly, Jesus calls himself, “the life.” Apart from God we really don’t have a life. Each morning, we should give thanks to Him for giving us each day. Each evening we should also thank Him for bringing us through that day. When we practice giving thanks for our days and for His guidance, we honor Him.

1.         Guidepost Family Concordance, © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN p 341

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

http://harvestpeoria.org/watch/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

 Do you believe this?

John 11:25-26 (ESV)

                Jesus returned to Bethany because Lazarus had died. When Jesus arrived, Martha heard He was nearby and went to meet Him. She believed that had Jesus been present, her brother would have recovered. In her grief, she voiced her thoughts.

           

            Jesus told her Lazarus would rise again. She responded that she knew her brother would rise again ‘in the resurrection on the last day.’

Jesus then identifies Himself as “the resurrection and the life.” He continues, explaining what that means. Simply stated, it means that, although a believer dies, that believer will live with Jesus. He goes on to state that once a person believes in Him, he or she ‘will never die.’ (He is speaking of the soul of the believer.)

            The Master asked Martha a very pointed question, “Do you believe this?” Martha

Answers with the affirmation that she does believe that this man standing before her is “The Christ, the Son of God.”

            I have heard this passage preached at many funerals. When I hear the question Jesus asks, it sets me to thinking.   Our time on earth is getting short. We need to focus on this question that Christ asked Martha on a regular basis. 

           Things come into our lives that distract us from the journey that God has planned for us. We have the responsibility to live for Jesus and share His love with those around us. Part of that responsibility is that we search our hearts for hidden sin and ask Him to take care of it.