Category: Encouragement

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Helping Others

What are your strengths?

Maybe you are a great cook or baker. Perhaps you’re mechanical and can fix everything. Do you have an easy grasp of technology? Are you a critical thinker and have great wisdom in ascertaining the solution to problems?

Now, let me ask this question. Do you ever get frustrated with others who don’t have your strengths? You help them out but then get irritated because they just don’t seem to get it?

I have to admit that was me yesterday…I got frustrated. I don’t think the person I was helping realized it but I was. I had to apologize to them for having a “bull-in-a-china-shop” approach. I was wrong.

Aren’t you glad that the Holy Spirit is a gentle teacher?

We should seek to help others with a patient spirit.

“Even Christ did not live trying to please himself. As the Scriptures say about him, “Those people who insulted you have also insulted me.”[a] 4 Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. Those things were written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us. 5 All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. 6 Then you will all be joined together. And all together you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:3-6 ERV

I have to remind myself that not everyone it like me, thank you Lord!

I have learned much about working with people from the characters of Winnie the Pooh.

Pooh is amicable and is a friend to everyone. He tries to help anyone who has a need. Tigger just wants to have fun and doesn’t play attention to details and sometimes hurts those he loves most. Piglet wants to do what’s right but needs lots of encouragement. Rabbit just wants everyone to get busy, there’s work to be done. Owl has a story to tell about everything and gives lots of advice. Eyore is moody and depressed and has no self-esteem.

I would like to be like Pooh and see the strengths in all my friends and help them in their weaknesses. But mostly I want to be like Jesus and follow His leading.

“So, as a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to live the way God’s people should live, because he chose you to be his. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. 3 You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together.” Ephesians 4:1-3 ERV

Let the Lord show you how to help others today and do it with a cheerful heart!

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Stand Tall

I’m praying that you stand strong and tall today.

While reading in I Corinthians, I found the Apostle Paul’s instruction to us. He didn’t want us to be like the Israelites in the wilderness who complained about God’s provisions and who worshipped the idols of Egypt.

“Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13 You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations. 14 My friends, you must keep away from idols.” I Corinthians 10:12-14 CEV

One of the biggest temptations they faced was discontentment.

We are susceptible to the same temptation. Murmuring because we think things should be better; we’re being mistreated; everyone else has it better than us. They also worshipped idols. We face that same temptation as well. No, not the gold and stone statues that they crafted but the idols of fame, success, pleasure, education, relationships.

Any of these can draw us away for serving the Lord.

However the good news is this. God knows about these temptations and He has given us the power to resist them and escape their grasp. Jesus didn’t come to make us miserable – not at all.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:31-34 CEV

Our Father promised to provide all for the Israelites as they journeyed to their promise land. He still promises to be our provider. God is always present to provide as we journey to our promises land. He promises to never leave us or abandon us.

When we spend time on our knees in prayer our Father will reassure us of His promises. With confidence in God’s Word we can stand strong and tall just like the Apostle Paul said.

Take the Father at His word!

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Building Up!

Each morning before the day has dawned I hear the birds singing in the trees. It’s dark out – we can’t tell if the sky is cloudy or clear, but the tone of the day is set. It’s a day to be joyful and it’s a day to share joy with others!

Someone needs your song today. Someone needs a word of encouragement. Someone needs to be built up.

Yesterday was an ordinary day. Dave and I spent most of our time sitting under the awning and taking in the beauty of our campground. But before day’s end it was a day to encourage; it was the day for a hug.

The lady in the next campsite had a bad day, a really bad day. I barely know her but I really sensed that the Lord wanted me to talk with her, to listen to her heart and to give her a hug and a prayer.

I used to be really timid about doing things like this but when you know it’s God you have to be obedient.

As we sat at her picnic table I listened to her heart. It was aching. I told her I believed in the power of prayer and I would be praying for her. She said she did too. She was facing losing her job but even more than that she had been slandered. I told her the Lord always has a bigger plan and we can trust Him to work things out for our good.

In a few short hours the situation had changed. God had intervened!

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Romans 15:2 NLT

Who can you encourage? Be like those birds I hear singing outside my window. Share your song.

Build someone up!

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Tenderhearted & Forgiving

Some of you have probably figured out that Dave and I are on a summer adventure. We left home recently in our traveling bunkhouse, our 5th wheel trailer. We are in the mountains of Arizona. Yes, Arizona has mountains, beautiful, cool mountains.

These trips away from our home are always times of growth. The Lord stretches me and shows me things in my life that I need to work on. I guess I just see them clearer when I am out of my daily routine. I’m happy to say that some of the things I have seen come to light show me that I have grown more in my faith and my compassion than I had realized. Others, the Lord has shown me I still have a ways to go.

Last night was one of those “I have grown more than I thought” situations. I woke up several times to the sound of a generator. Now for those of you unfamiliar with camping or RV park rules there are always quiet hours when no loud music or generators are allowed to operate.

But instead of getting angry because someone was obviously not following the rules my mind went to kind thoughts. Maybe they’re new to camping and don’t know the rules, maybe they have a new baby and didn’t realize it would be this cold and needed the generator to operate their heater, maybe…just maybe…

Each time I woke I heard the word tenderhearted. Being sympathetic and empathetic are actions of a tender heart. Looking at the cause instead of the action is a tenderhearted perspective. If my heart can be tender toward someone in the campground who I don’t even know shouldn’t I be more tenderhearted when relating to those in my own family and among my close friends and fellow Christians?

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Christ paid the price for our sins long before we ever repented. His forgiveness and compassion aren’t based on our repentance, they come because of His unconditional love. Waiting for someone to say they are sorry before we forgive is selfish and not the way God forgives at all. We need to conform to His way of forgiving.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Exercise kindness, tenderness, forgiveness this summer. By doing these things, we will be an imitator of our Father and an example of His love to the world.

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Encouraged to Be Strong

Encouragement: the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope. (Oxford Dictionary) I like to define it as “to fill with courage”.

Encouraging people with the promises of God’s word is one of my favorite things to do. I know what it’s like to be discouraged, hoping for someone, anyone, to give you a kind word, a smile, a hug or a prayer.

When we’re tired, we become easily discouraged and discouragement leaves us weak, angry, susceptible, emotional and devastated. None of these are what God has planned for our daily lives. He is the Master of Encouragement.

The Lord told Moses several times to encourage Joshua. Joshua would be his replacement. No one knew better than Moses that the Lord had been faithful to keep all His promises and he needed to impress that on Joshua.

“You must give instructions to Joshua. Encourage him. Make him strong, because Joshua must lead the people across the Jordan River. You can see the land, but Joshua will lead them into that land. He will help them take the land and live in it.’” Deuteronomy 3:28 ERV

Joshua had been at Moses’ right hand for the past 40 years and the mantle of leadership was about to land solely on his shoulders. Those three words “make him strong” are what encouragement does.

The Lord just didn’t leave it up to Moses to encourage Joshua. The Lord spoke to Joshua directly.

“…After Moses died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and said, 2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now you and all these people must go across the Jordan River. You must go into the land I am giving to the Israelites. 3 I promised Moses that I would give you this land, so I will give you all the land wherever you go… 5 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you.

6 “Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land. 7 But you must be strong and brave about obeying the commands my servant Moses gave you. If you follow his teachings exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9 ERV

Take a minute to go back and read that again. Unpack what the Lord is saying – I will give you the land, no one will be able to stop you, I won’t abandon you, I’ll never leave you!

Be strong, be brave, follow My teachings and you’ll be successful in all you do. Be obedient, you’ll be successful – be strong, be brave, don’t be afraid. Now, that’s encouragement!

If your tired and weary today; devastated or discouraged look to the Lord. Draw en-couragement from Him and you’ll become victorious. He will encourage you – Be strong, be brave!

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Are You A Small Fry?

Do you understand the meaning of “small fry”?  It was reiterated to me yesterday morning.

Dave and I went out fishing first thing.  It was just after daybreak. The hatch of water bugs was in full harvest.  At first we thought we stepped into a swarm of mosquitos. No, not that. We were in a hatch of what appeared to be small dragon flies.

As they landed on the water’s surface the trout began to boil. It had been a long time since I had seen such a sight.  Everywhere there were ripples, the trout were coming to the surface to feed on the new hatch.

As we cast our bait we hoped there would be one or two trout that chose it over the freshly hatched bugs sitting on the surface of the water.

At shore’s edge, we observed the hunger of the small fry. Did you know that young fish are called fry? 

These little guys, less than 3 to 4 inches long, would come to the surface of the water to feed. Up they’d come, gulp, flip their tails and be gone. 

Does it shock you that I would think of a story in the Bible to relate to this adventure? 

Jesus met Peter, James, John and Andrew on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after they had had an unsuccessful night of fishing. 

“Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” 6 They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. 7 Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t come near me! I am a sinner.” 9 Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” Luke 5:5-10 CEV

This was a net breaking, almost boat sinking load. But what I find interesting is that nowhere is there any mention to the size of the fish. Surely, some of the fish were small fry.

This is so much like Jesus. 

He never makes a distinction between large or small, rich or poor, educated or plain. In fact, Paul says that the Lord uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

This should be so encouraging. 

If you feel like a small fish in a big pond guess what?  God knows you’re there. Are you a small fry?  Not to worry, God has jobs that only small fry can fill.  You won’t find a whale in a mountain lake.

Father, let us realize that you have a specific job for each one of your children. We don’t need to be envious of the bigger fish in the lake. You are willing to use those of us that are small fry!

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Maybe Today

Yesterday Dave and I were traveling through the New Mexico/Arizona mountains. Every time we take this road we are greeted with the most beautiful cloud display and each time I ride silently, enjoying the view.

There’s just something about clouds that I find intriguing. When we lived in Montana I would spend hours taking pictures of the clouds. One year I made a Cloud Calendar. As we would drive from Montana to Iowa each summer I would ask Dave to stop just so I could take one more picture of them.

Mind you I am not a cloud expert and I really can’t tell you which ones are cummulus, stratus or nimbus but I know I am captivated by them. Dave once told me that I would probably be taking pictures of the clouds when the Lord returns.

I think that’s it! I see those gorgeous pillows of white filling the sky and I think maybe today.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the LORD’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the LORD, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the LORD himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV

Will the Lord return today? Will this be the day that the Father says to His Son, go bring my children home to me?

I live expectantly. Maybe today!

That is the hope that we who believe in Christ as our Savior have. In Jesus’ last evening with his disciples he said “I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you to Myself”.

Jesus talked of heaven on many occasions. Once He said the day of the Lord’s appearing will come when life is going on as normal. People will be working, buying and selling, cooking and sleeping. He will come for His own.

Maybe today or maybe not until my life is over.

Whenever that day is, and no one knows except the Father, all of us who have placed our trust in Jesus will be ready. No one needs to be fearful that they will be left because Jesus is coming for all who believe. Not one believer will be left behind.

Maybe it will be today.

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Rougher Than Hoped For

Our son and his girlfriend were recently out on the open ocean in their boat. He told his Dad that the sea was rougher than he had hoped for but they arrived safely at their destination.

Rougher than hoped for.

For some that seems to be a life’s motto. What do we do in the rough seas of life? When we have Christ beside us, traveling with us, piloting the boat, we can have peace. With Christ on board we can be confident that we will be safe regardless of the outcome.

At one point Jesus spoke to the winds and waves and commanded them to cease. The same could have happened for the Apostle Paul when he was in a storm sea but didn’t.

“The storm was so fierce that the next day they threw some of the ship’s cargo overboard. 19 Then on the third day, with their bare hands they threw overboard some of the ship’s gear. 20 For several days we could not see either the sun or the stars. A strong wind kept blowing, and we finally gave up all hope of being saved…But now I beg you to cheer up, because you will be safe. Only the ship will be lost. Last night he sent an angel 24 to tell me, “Paul, don’t be afraid! You will stand trial before the Emperor. And because of you, God will save the lives of everyone on the ship.” 25 Cheer up! I am sure that God will do exactly what he promised. 26 But we will first be shipwrecked on some island.27 For fourteen days and nights we had been blown around over the Mediterranean Sea…But Captain Julius wanted to save Paul’s life, and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to dive into the water and head for shore. 44 Then he told the others to hold on to planks of wood or parts of the ship. At last, everyone safely reached shore.” Acts 27:13-44 CEV

I hope you will take time to read the whole story. It’s amazing!

Fourteen days in a terrible storm, unable to see the sun and the stars for days. This was a prison ship with 276 passengers and crew on board. They were unable to maintain sea worthiness but God gave Paul a word “God will save the lives of everyone on the ship…everyone safely reached shore”. The ship was lost but not one person perished.

Our Father is faithful to protect and to save.

You might feel that you are in the storm of your life. Your ship is breaking apart on the rocks. But…

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

When it’s rougher than we hoped for we can put our trust in the Lord and there we have a place of safety forever!

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If Not For Mercy

Mercy is the word that was forefront in my thinking yesterday afternoon and all through the night. Not the mercy that I should extend to others but the mercy that has been lavished on me.

God is rich in mercy!

How many times have I been the receipient of His mercy? Countless! Many are the times I have failed, knowingly and unknowningly. His mercy is new every morning.

We all have seasons in our lives when we walk away from God. Our ambition leads us on a life of selfishness. Pride, self-reliance, justification, greed, anger, reckless living, bitterness, even low self-esteem all raise their ugly voices and scream for recognition.

Just like the prodigal son who walked away from his father’s house for a better life, we walk away thinking we can have it better on our own than we did living with the One who loves us most. Eventually, we come to the realization that life will be better with the Father. Ashamed and embarrassed we head home. Our speech is prepared.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:20-24 NLT

Those words “filled with love and compassion” are the very essence of mercy. Notice the Father didn’t ridicule or lecture the returning son, He celebrated his return. Here we see both the mercy and the grace of the Father. He didn’t give the son the punishment or chastisement he deserved, mercy. Instead He gave him the blessing and favor he hadn’t earned, grace.

Mercy is life changing!

“But God is rich in mercy, and he loved us very much. 5 We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against him. But he gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) 6 Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with him in the heavenly places. 7 God did this so that his kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of his grace.” Ephesians 2:4-7 ERV

Mercy and grace are God’s gifts to us, gifts of His kindness. Our Father wants us to be constantly aware of His love and forgiveness. This awareness isn’t so He can lord over us, reminding us of our past sins and failures. Not at all. Instead, it changes our hearts to be more like Him and we can extend mercy and grace to those who need it.

Let mercy change your life. Receive it from the Father and then give it to others!

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Do All Things

Dave and I subscribed to several full time rving YouTube channels. We travel vicariously through their adventures and we also have created a list of the sites we would most like to see in our 5th wheel. It’s so refreshing to see the beauty that God has created.

One of the channels is relatively new, Switch It Up. This couple has a real place in our hearts. Not only do they travel to some interesting places but they are open in sharing about their faith and trust in the Lord.

During each segment there will be a time when they said this: Do all the things. They mean Like, Subscribe, Share. In fact, they have a t-shirt with that slogan on it and I purchased one.

That phrase has a double meaning to me. There are a number of verses in the Bible that tell us to do all. I want to be a doer of all the things that the Lord has asked us to do. I’ll share some of those verses with you.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” I Corinthians 10:31 NLT

“Be glad you can do the things you should be doing. Do all things without arguing and talking about how you wish you did not have to do them.” Philippians 2:14 NLV

“I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

“Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 CEB

There you have it. Be a doer of all things!

God has called us to be a light to the world. In our case that involves RVing. Wherever God calls you, wherever He leads you He will equip you to do all things for His glory!

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