TODAYS INSPIRATION: ENCOURAGE YOURSELF…

As you read this, I suggest you have a look in the mirror. Tell the person staring back at you that they are beautiful, fearfully, and wonderfully made, tell them that they were chosen and set apart. Let them know that they are the child of a King. Tell them that their life has a purpose and no weapon formed against them will prosper. Look at yourself and know that you are that person and you are looking at a miracle! You do not have to believe me; this comes from God who cannot lie. We can choose to believe what the Word says, or we can believe what the world says. Knowing who we are and Whose we are, determines how we live our life, now and for eternity. 

“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1) 

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14) 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;” (Peter 2:9) 

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me,” saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17) 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) 

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me,” saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17) 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) 

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) 

Believers should always be quick to encourage one another. We should keep ourselves lifted and encouraged as well. How can we encourage someone else if we are feeling discouraged and hopeless ourselves? It is impossible to pour out of an empty cup. In these troubling times it is easy to get discouraged, but the promises of the Lord give us hopeful expectations. The waiting can be hard, and the pain is real, the hurt is real, whatever the situation or circumstances you may be going through is real. But God is realer. (I made that word up) But you get it, He is bigger than anything we may be going through. We know that God is going to show up, we may not know when, but we know His timing is always perfect. We know that He will never leave or forsake us. And we know that no matter what it looks or feels like, God is in control. We may not see Him working but He is always working on our behalf.  

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) 

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14) 

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1) 

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8)  

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3) 

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26) 

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (1 Corinthians 1:20) 

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) 

If there is an area of death in your body, the Lord says to you in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life”. If doctors have told you that you may die, the Lord says in Dueteronony 30: 29, “I am your life and the length of your days”. If you are feeling overwhelmed and fearful, the Lord says in Genesis 15:1, “Do not be afraid. I am your shield”. Whatever you may be dealing with, physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially, and you are feeling weak and discouraged, the Lord declares to you in Exodus 15:2, “I am your strength and your song”. Remember the promises of God and be encouraged! He sees our heart and knows when we are hurting. Even when we do not have the words to cry out, he hears our silent cries for help. And we can be confident that help is on the way. We may not know how, when, or where, but we can be certain that God is our way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, and our light in the darkness. And while we wait for His perfect timing, the Holy Spirit is within us to comfort, uplift and encourage us. He constantly reminds us of who and Whose we are. Remember the promises of God and be encouraged so that you encourage others. Love and Blessings…   
 
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-8)