https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-NHDK3_cdQ
An exhortation, enjoy!
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Encouragement
VLOG – “It’s Worth Waiting For” (Habakkuk 2:2)
Habakkuk 2:1-4
2 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Repeat It!
My sister and I like to run for our exercise. Since we are not fast runners we approach our runs from an endurance perspective. Recently an 8k (about 5 miles) was being held at Norris Dam in honor of the dam’s 80th anniversary. We had not run the course before and didn’t know what to expect. When we got there we discovered that the starting line was at the bottom of the dam and you had to run out the road and then climb uphill until you reached the top of the dam. About 45% of the 5 miles was going to be uphill and then about the 7:30 start time there came a downpour of rain which meant that now our shoes, socks, and clothes were all wet. We began the race in the rain but about the time we reached the top of the dam it had quit. We had to cross the dam and then run about a half mile beyond to the turnaround point. Once we got to the turnaround it was downhill from there which made the last part easier to run but we were still questioning whether it was worth the trip we had made.
If you have ever participated in a road race you know that there are always runners and watchers that try to speak an encouraging word to you when you pass them which helps and they normally have a water station at some point so you can grab a quick drink if needed. But at this race when we got near the end there was a gentleman stationed about 100 yards from the finish line. When we went by, he said, “You’ve got it now, just the length of a football field, you can make it.” We were already determined to finish but his words made us run a little faster. It encouraged us right when we needed it. Several minutes later after the finish line when we were going to our car we came back by the gentleman and he was still at his post saying the same thing to the runners just now at that point. The Lord spoke to me and reminded me that this is probably how many people in the ministry feel. Ministers may feel they preach the same sermon, singers may feel they sing the same song, teachers may feel they have taught this lesson many times before but it is still important because the runners just now finishing the race need to hear the encouraging words. Although he had repeated the words over and over to each runner that came through it was fresh and new and encouragement to them to finish. So if there are days that you feel like you are carrying the same message you carried yesterday just remember it is new to those that you speak it to and that they need to hear it.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
The Power Of Encouragement
Romans 12:3-8
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
– Encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.
– Without encouragement a will with purpose fades unto a state of unrest and unsatisfaction
Hebrews 3:13
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
– Without encouragement, life would soon feel pointless and burdensome. Without encouragement, we can be overwhelmed by the very real pains of our lives. Without encouragement, we feel unloved. Without encouragement, we begin to think that God is a liar or is unconcerned with our welfare. So, the Bible tells us to encourage one another, to remind each other of the truth that God loves us, that God equips us, that we are treasured, that our struggles are worth it.
– Encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen world in a holy way.
– Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loved (see John 13:34-35).
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
– Encouragement gives hope (Romans 15:4).
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
– Encouragement helps us through times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5).
Hebrews 12:5
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
– Encouragement nurtures patience and kindness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
– Encouragement makes it easier to sacrifice our own desires for the advancement of God’s kingdom. In short, encouragement makes it easier to live the Christian life.
Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
– God’s Word is full of encouragement. Pleasant words, indeed.
– And even though at times the words of others may fail us we can have hope in the fact that when our strength is little in tribulation that Jesus steps in for us to God by our faith
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Odd One Out?
Recently I walked into a room with a group of people that I know quite well and found that rather than being greeted I was mostly ignored. Upon the quick realization of this silence I tried to compensate maybe assuming some backwardness or shyness and attempted to initiate the opening dialog of conversation. To my surprise this was met with even more resistance, leading to behavior which went to either diving into their cell phone or to begin talking with other people around them.
Once all this had happened and I had sat down for a minute to gather myself I had come to a newfound realization: I’ve been here before. I remember a time in my life where I felt like the odd man out, always fighting and seeking approval from others by efforts and exploits. I remember a time that without the closure of knowing I fit into the perceptual “popular” crowd that I would have been emotionally affected to the point of depression. The difference from when it had happened in the past and today is that I have something within me that has changed my answer on if I need the popular vote of approval.
Now I realize that if for nothing else this experience of mine has caused me to learn and grow in God even deeper. The demand for attention for a person and the behavior that follows this is mostly called having an ego. An ego is defined as a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. When people live to speak of themselves (or only speak to those for whom they seek approval) and have little interest in others it displays an imagery of pride that we as Christians should not walk in. If we walk humbly with the spirit of God then we find that our behavior is the quite the opposite. In fact, the bible talks about the side effects of each behavior: “for every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that abases himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
You might be out there feeling like the odd one out amongst the world. I am here to remind you that it is okay to be that way. It is normal to be the first person to say hello and to ask about how someone is. It is not only acceptable but actually expected of us according to scripture: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
What I am about to tell you takes time to grow in but is necessary if you are to grow spiritually. You must learn to accept that there are people (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) that will have little or no interest in you or your life. Do not struggle to push your way through to get approval or interest. As Christians our primary goal is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Part of this is learning to take interest in other peoples’ lives before your own. If you can learn to inquire of others and accept never getting to tell anything about yourself then you are taking one of the toughest steps in ministry (death of pride).
Always take the first step in the conversation and show interest in others first. This humbleness opens many doors and shows that your Christian witness is not defined by your ego. If you are rejected in your attempts to demonstrate your love by being engaging then simply walk away in your spirit knowing that you did all that you could to walk and talk as God would have you.
It’s Time For Courage
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Joshua 1:1-9
[1] Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
[2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
[3] Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
[4] From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
[5] There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
[6] Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
[7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
[8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
[9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Fear is a crippling emotion. The Lord never intended for His followers to dread the future. Although we may feel afraid at times, we should never let fear control us.
So why did Joshua need courage?
Joshua had seen how the people rebelled against moses. Now, he was in charge of leading them to take the promised land from skilled warriors.
In the midst of his challenges, God reassured him of His presence. This was and is the foundation that helps us to be courageous today.
So what did God command Joshua about being courageous?
Courage is a quality of mind or spirit that enables us to meet danger, opposition, or the challenges of life with fearlessness, calmness, and firmness. Someone who has courage may still feel afraid – but through the power of God – can act with confidence.
The Lord wanted divine wisdom and not human logic to guide the nation.
God also told Joshua that if he obeyed the law of Moses that he would have success.
The Lord made marvelous promise to Joshua: that no matter what happened He would be with them.
If you have the salvation of Jesus Christ, then you possess the very same fellowship.
Assumption Is Such A Powerful Thing….Be Careful To Pay Attention
Whether we like to admit it or not, there are multitudes of times when we will just fly through life on the simple basis of assumption. Let us say that I wanted to begin starting a list of from when I got up this morning of assumptions I actually caught myself thinking…
Just in a few hours I had found some simple assumptions that had crossed my mind. Things like:
- my car will make it all the way to work without breaking down
- when i am hungry i can acquire what i want to eat from money I possess
- when i hit the power button on my electronics they will power up and start
- if i call my wife she will answer the phone
- if i type in http://www.google.com in an internet browser that it will appear
One of the most wonderful parts about my spiritual life is the level of unwavering trust that I can have in God. There may be more assumptions that we all share together that can let us down, but God never will. Friends may not answer the phone or even respond with the in-season love you are looking for. You may still be waiting on that phone call of encouragement that has still not came. Or you may be a sign-seeker, crying out inside “Lord if that’s you show me”. Irregardless of what we assume there is always a constant that is there for your help: God HEARS the cries of the people! He will NEVER leave you NOR forsake you!
So just remember to not find yourself caught in the world of assumption as it may let you down in the most critical time. What we do have to remember, know and believe is that God is there and aware! All you have to do is lay down your troubles and find the true strength of the Holy Spirit!
Time To Encourage Yourself
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1 Samuel 30:6-8
[6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
[7] And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
[8] And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David and his men were sent to the land of the Philistines. Since most men of fighting age were gone to fight, the Amalektite raiders decided to take advantage of what appeared to be a lack of defense. Upon coming back from one battle David returned to a horrific sight. Everything and everyone was gone and all habitations were destroyed by fire. The men, already weary from the battle with the Philistines walked 60 miles march only to be completely devastated. In their weariness they blamed the person who proposed that they even stay in Ziklag to begin with! But David, being a man of faith and now dealing with an internal turmoil, did the only thing he knew to do. He encouraged himself! He gained strength through encouragement to fight on.
1 Samuel 30:9-16
[9] So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
[10] But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
[11] And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
[12] And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
[13] And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
[14] We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
[15] And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
[16] And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
600 went, they stopped by a brook, or what can be viewed as a temptation to give in and rest from the weariness and loss. Although 200 stayed the rest pursued. And in the weariness of marching on away from the brook God moved the solution in their path in an unexpected time. You see, they would have never got to the enemy without first showing love and charity to the abandoned Egyptian. They were victorious with 400 against thousands! And just when you think they were in the clear, they were presented with yet another internal strife. This was related to greed and selfishness. The argument presents itself as, “now that you have the spoils of victory how do you spread them out?”
1 Samuel 30:23-25
[23] Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
[24] For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
[25] And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
Not everyone is going to win every battle together, but you must remember to divide the spoils of your victory and portion with those who fainted before you in weariness. They seemed to have already forgotten who it was that helped them to get to the fight. We often forget who it is that had to help us encourage ourselves in a conflict of things that were closest and most valued.
In closing remember to have the same approach whether you are facing an outside enemy or an internal strife. Encourage yourself and allow God’s love to prevail and divide charity to everyone! Through and by this people can be drawn to a relationship with Jesus Christ!
Who Or What Makes A Miracle?
Miracles by their definition are surprising and welcoming events that are not explicable by natural or scientific laws and are considered to be divine. When you think about and consider the miracles that have occurred in each of our lives, we often think of why it was a miracle to begin with, right? Maybe you even think about what it was that happened and how miraculous it was…or do you consider the who or whom of the source that brought it to pass?
Some of the greatest miracles that ever occurred in the word of God were when the disparity was great: people that were blind or with leprosy, others that were possessed or overcome with some form of emotion, battles that were won with a few to defeat many, walls that fell down around a city from the unity of the ones who walked about it, etc. All of these marvelous miracles are all sharing a common source and substance that performed it: God of course!
With that said, think about some of your miracles. Is it not amazing to you how that God has been there in each one as the leader, counselor. healer, deliver and provider? It provides great encouragement to me and should to you as well! I thank God for my miracles. I also thank God that I have realized what it takes to move mountains (see miracles happen): Faith in God! Have faith in your source as you pray and serve God and leave nothing to impossible. We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us!
My heart is stirred and my spirit soars in faith to wonder when the next miracle is coming!
It Is Not Just Another Day As Long As You Keep Trying
John.15:9 “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”
One of my favorite things about God is the way He is proven continually through every trial of my life. At the end of my every success, God’s glory shines through. When I am in the middle of something awful though it is hard for me to see the work that is being completed in my heart. As I am striving to keep walking the path for God I have personally came to realize some of the small moments where it all makes sense:
There were many times in the completion of my work in college that I certainly did not see the end for any classes I was going through. At the time I was working against myself simply because I did not believe in my own abilities. There was too much against me for me to handle this on my own. I find that in those times that I chose to put my inability in God’s hands that He became the strength in my weakness. God was the part of me that would encourage me to “keep trying” and to “not give up”. Even as I say this now I can feel such a wind of encouragement speaking to each one that is reading this. I not only made it through every class at that time but came out with high recommendations from those who taught me. It is wonderful now to realize when God’s glory shone in my victory that it entered when I surrendered to that which was attempting to lift and bring life to me.
Here is the bigger picture of it all: the difference between the encouragement of self and of God is that there is a supernatural change that brings you forward past all of your prior and future doubts. God helps you to not have an earthly vision that often projects failure but to have the sight for success. Success is not something that happens with ease; it takes a great work, motivation and belief! Today is not just another day! As long as you continue in the love of God that has been and will be shown in your heart you will be propelled into the success you never thought could be achieved!