Encouraging Words Archive

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find;  knock, and it shall be opened unto you."  Matthew 7:7 (KJV) Believe that asking is receiving, seeking is finding, and to him who is knocking, the door is being opened.  People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and decide that God can't be found. But Jesus assures us that our efforts will be rewarded.  I believe that with all of my heart.  We have not because we ask not.  God loves his children and does not withhold any good gift from them.  Try it.  Ask it.  Seek it.  Knock.  You will not be disappointed.  We have seen it time after time.  God loves you.  (oh, and so do I.) "But the fruit of the Sprit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."   Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) These are the nine traits that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer's life.  Jesus is the supreme example of these qualities. These gifts are given by God for building up of the Church. These giftings include serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading, wisdom, and mercy.  There is nothing anyone can do to earn any gift; it is simply given by God to each one of us for the betterment of the church and the church body. These make up the beautiful image of Jesus Christ and we should strive to be in His likeness.  I am asking God today for these gifts to shine in each one of you in this dark, desperate world. I am asking Him to release these gifts in each of you and you will demonstrate them beyond human capability.  I love you all.  Let's make our church in the beautiful image of Jesus. We can only do this through the fruit of the Spirit.  Please pray over these and meditate on them and believe God. Be blessed and be a blessing! "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."   Philippians 4:8 (KJV) Don't let the bad things take over your thinking. Don't spend all your time worrying or thinking on the negative things that satan enjoys hurling your way.  Think on the positive, on the blessings, on the truth, and the just and the honest things in life. Put God first in your thoughts.  He is all good!  Right thinking will always win the battle against worry and depression. Be blessed and be a blessing. "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  James 4:7 (KJV) Submit to God - realize that you need His forgiveness and be willing to follow Him.  Resist the devil - don't allow him to entice you or tempt you.  With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist satan and he will have to flee from you. God has already defeated him and we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. Be blessed and be a blessing. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Anxious—full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous: Anxiety is something that we all have experienced at one time or another in our life. There are some of us that even deal with it daily. But our God says to NOT be anxious about ANYTHING! We are to pray to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts no matter the situation. Whenever anxiety starts to set in just start praying and praising God. He will give you the comfort, peace, and wisdom you need for your situation Stay blessed by keeping God first and giving Him all the praise and glory. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NKJV We spend lots of time and energy thinking and trying to work out what we should be doing in life-in our own lives and in the life of the church too. In relationships, careers, hobbies, or family life, we think about what we want and how we should get it. In all these areas we need to learn how to let God guide us and not lean on our own understanding.  He will guides us in many different way through scripture, common sense, counseling, elders,and signs those are just a few ways we can lean on God.