Friday, August 15, 2008

Encouragement

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! Well, it is still cloudy today after a mostly rainy day yesterday. We spent a quiet day at home, because of the weather, but we did enjoy a good visit with our nephew in the afternoon.

It is always good when families can get together.

We managed to take a short, rainy drive through the Park yesterday and saw people scrambling to get to there cars in the downpour. I was caught in the rain on the boardwalk, once, a long time ago, and before I could reach a shelter, I looked like a drowned rat! Glad it was warm! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What do I do when I feel overwhelmed?

Joshua 23:10 Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has provided.

-Be encouraged that the power of God is for us, regardless of the number of enemies against us. God used David to overcome Goliath, Gideon's three hundred soldiers to defeat the armies of Midian, and one hundred and twenty disciples to establish the church in Acts. He joys when working through our weaknesses and limitations.

Colossians 1:11-14 We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enables you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.

Our encouragement comes from what God has done for us. He has given us the power to be patient and persistent and to keep our minds set on the great hope that awaits us. When we remember that we are already free, the problems of this world lose much of their power over us.

Where do I find the strength to keep going when I'm tempted to give up?

Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good, Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Endurance comes from keeping our thoughts on the promise of the harvest, not the problems of the moment.

Philippians 2:12-13 Dearest friends , you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

We do not endure through our own strength alone. God is at work in our lives. He gives us the strength to keep going when we are exhausted and the reasons to keep believing when we are discouraged.

1 Peter 2:20 You get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you.

God sees the injustices we suffer. Just as he was pleased with Jesus' submission to the cross, he is pleased when we put his honor above all else.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis