Monday, February 20, 2006
Be Encouraged
Scripture:
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Romans 1:11-12
Saints, how many times have you been in a situation and just wanted to give up? How often have you been on a mission or had a set goal but wanted to call it quits before you got there? Have you ever gotten mad at God because it seems as though he doesn't hear your prayers?
For the past couple of years, I have noticed that more and more saints are going through some trying times. Financially, the situations are so bad that people aren't trying to get ahead; they are just trying to catch up. There have been several couples that I know of who have divorced after being married for over twenty-years.
Finding a full-time job that pays a decent wage is almost impossible if you don't already have one. I know that personally, even with over twenty-years of experience, and all of my credentials, I still haven't found a full-time permanent position.
Then we see death and destruction all around us. Man-made and Natural disasters. Here in Detroit, we have the distinction of being #1. We are number one in unemployment and now we have been ranked as the poorest city in America.
Discouraging, isn't it? But there is one thing that God wants of you. That is to be and stay encouraged. Since the beginning of time, God's people have been faced with adversities after adversities. Death and destruction. Persecution, war and famine aren't things that are new to the body of Christ.
Having, Keeping and maintaining your faith through it all is what God wants for us. We must always remember, this is not God's world. He has a better place for us. A place where there is no death and destruction. No famine. We don't have to worry about bills or anything else for that matter.
Remember, be encouraged, trouble don't last always.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, when we awakened this morning, we realized just how blessed we were. We were able to open our eyes in a warm bed, with a roof over our heads and food in our cupboards. We were not cold and hungry as are the multitudes who have lost homes, jobs and loved ones because of the devastation that has his our southern states. Lord, sometimes it takes a disastrous situation for us to realize just how blessed we are. For even in the midst of our trials and tribulations, we must always remember, that You kept us safe from all hurt, harm and danger last night. Thank You. Someone didn't wake up this morning, but we did. Thank You. Someone doesn't know where their loved one are, but we do. Thank You. Lord, You have said that many are the afflictions of the righteous. We don't claim to be righteous, but we are always striving to be all that You want us to be. Lord, thank You. Father, touch the hearts and minds of Your saints. May we always be there to encourage, love and support one another Just as You and Your Word encourages and supports us. Thank You Lord for loving me. Thank You Lord for keeping me. Thank You Lord for blessing me. But most of all, thank You Lord, for Your Son, Christ the King, in whose name we pray. Amen.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Romans 1:11-12
Saints, how many times have you been in a situation and just wanted to give up? How often have you been on a mission or had a set goal but wanted to call it quits before you got there? Have you ever gotten mad at God because it seems as though he doesn't hear your prayers?
For the past couple of years, I have noticed that more and more saints are going through some trying times. Financially, the situations are so bad that people aren't trying to get ahead; they are just trying to catch up. There have been several couples that I know of who have divorced after being married for over twenty-years.
Finding a full-time job that pays a decent wage is almost impossible if you don't already have one. I know that personally, even with over twenty-years of experience, and all of my credentials, I still haven't found a full-time permanent position.
Then we see death and destruction all around us. Man-made and Natural disasters. Here in Detroit, we have the distinction of being #1. We are number one in unemployment and now we have been ranked as the poorest city in America.
Discouraging, isn't it? But there is one thing that God wants of you. That is to be and stay encouraged. Since the beginning of time, God's people have been faced with adversities after adversities. Death and destruction. Persecution, war and famine aren't things that are new to the body of Christ.
Having, Keeping and maintaining your faith through it all is what God wants for us. We must always remember, this is not God's world. He has a better place for us. A place where there is no death and destruction. No famine. We don't have to worry about bills or anything else for that matter.
Remember, be encouraged, trouble don't last always.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God, when we awakened this morning, we realized just how blessed we were. We were able to open our eyes in a warm bed, with a roof over our heads and food in our cupboards. We were not cold and hungry as are the multitudes who have lost homes, jobs and loved ones because of the devastation that has his our southern states. Lord, sometimes it takes a disastrous situation for us to realize just how blessed we are. For even in the midst of our trials and tribulations, we must always remember, that You kept us safe from all hurt, harm and danger last night. Thank You. Someone didn't wake up this morning, but we did. Thank You. Someone doesn't know where their loved one are, but we do. Thank You. Lord, You have said that many are the afflictions of the righteous. We don't claim to be righteous, but we are always striving to be all that You want us to be. Lord, thank You. Father, touch the hearts and minds of Your saints. May we always be there to encourage, love and support one another Just as You and Your Word encourages and supports us. Thank You Lord for loving me. Thank You Lord for keeping me. Thank You Lord for blessing me. But most of all, thank You Lord, for Your Son, Christ the King, in whose name we pray. Amen.
