Sunday, January 20, 2008

Eternal Encouragement

 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
 
Have you ever felt as though you were at the bottom of your barrel and nothing could pick you up and make things right again?  Have you ever turned to a friend for encouragement but then left feeling just as discouraged as when you came?  Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians gently reminds us that God gives us good hope and encouragement and we should look to His grace to encourage our hearts and give us the strength to go on.  It is still our choice as to whether or not we allow God's grace to penetrate our hearts, minds and souls.  God gives us the free will to choose if we will allow Him to lead us to serve Him through our good deeds and words that He inspires in us.  But God has already given us through His grace "eternal encouragement and good hope," because He gave us the promise of eternal life with Him once we leave this earth through His ultimate sacrifice, the death of His one and only Son.  If Jesus can bear the pain and suffering of the entire world then how can we not allow this encouragement to bubble up from within us?  I know I personally have days where it is all I can do to hang onto this, and some days where this encouragement is fought something fierce with the struggles and stresses that face us over and over again.  However, at the end of the day I am able to face another because I do quiet the battle within and listen to God's still voice telling me that He is in control and He has an awesome plan for my life!  And do you know what else?  If you quiet your heart and mind I know He is trying to tell you the same thing, His plan for your life is awesome!  Please join me in prayer:
 
Father in heaven,
We thank you for Your eternal good hope and encouragement that You have given us through Christ Jesus Your only Son.  Please continue to lift us up, encourage us and grant us the quiet moments with You where we can hear Your voice telling us to keep our chins up because You are with us and You are planning great things for our futures.  Lord, we are so very thankful for all you have done for Summer and Sharon.  We ask that You please continue to grant them what they need most, Your healing and blessings.  We lift up to you also Mike,Deanna and Lauren.  Please grant Mike and Deanna your good hope and encouragement as they await Lauren's birth.  Please grant Lauren Your blessings, healing and extraordinary favor for a healthy and long life.  God we also remember our clergy and ask that You may continue to bless them with messages that inspire and encourage us.  We pray for daily protection and deliverance for our troops and service men and women, they sacrifice so much to protect us and we pray that they know we love and appreciate and support them wholly.  Please also bless and protect every one who reads this message, granting Your favor before them today and always.  We ask that all these things may be done according to Your will and in Jesus name.  Amen.
 
Have a blessed weekend and week ahead!!
Love through Christ,
Niki

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