Category: Encouragement

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:24‬ ‭

We all get discouraged from time to time.  Discouragement is the opposite of encouragement.  If you find yourself discouraged today then today’s Scripture is just for you.

Many people throughout the Bible were discouraged at some point in time.  Elijah experienced a great mountaintop revival and then wanted to die.  

Discouragement is rooted in the fact that things didn’t turn out the way we had planned. We all like good results but sometimes we must endure the hardships which build character in our lives.

The cure for discouragement is quite simple.  You must realize that joy comes from a relationship with God through Jesus.  Joy leads to encouragement.

Be on guard!  Once you have great joy, Satan will desire to steal it away from you. Watch out for the people or things that come after your joy and the things you love.  

Spending time with God will give you the best encouragement.  No one ever comes into the presence of God and walks away discouraged.  God fills our life with peace and hope.

Showing mercy and kindness towards others will encourage your spirit as well.  Forgive those who have wronged you and you will begin to be encouraged.  

Protect your joyful heart, produce faith by spending time alone with God, and practice forgiveness as often as you can.

Pray

Lord, when I am discouraged, help me to find time to spend with You.  Give me faith to see the impossible and a heart to love others the same as You do.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:4

It’s important to understand our position in Christ. As we understand our position it will make a difference in how we live out our daily lives.

When we place our trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, our standing before God changes. We are no longer guilty because Jesus set us free. We went from prisoner to priesthood in the fraction of a second.

Because of the grace and goodness of God, our standing or position is affirmed through the work of Christ. We don’t deserve it nor can we earn it. Jesus satisfied the requirements of God.

The riches of God’s grace gives us a purpose for living. We have a new hope that one day we will be in the presence of God for eternity. Living in Christ makes for a more joyful experience in this life.

Some people consider their accomplishments as a standard of position. For example, if I work hard and earn a lot of money then I can be a person of worth and wealth. Sadly, money will never satisfy our longing of joy.

Jesus makes our life worth living. Being in Christ and abiding in Him satisfies our need of belonging. Everyone has a longing to belong to something. When we find our joy in belonging to Christ, we will live in the understanding of being in Him.

Pray

Lord, You make my life complete. You give me strength and comfort to face each and every circumstance I face. Help me to stay on purpose with Your will.

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But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31

As you read through John’s Gospel of Jesus, there is an underlining purpose and message that John wants every reader to know.  John’s conviction and testimony states there is no other name by which we can be saved.  

John is clear to present the truth of Jesus Christ being our Redeemer and Savior.  It is only through Jesus alone that one can obtain eternal life.

Jesus performed various signs and wonders that we call miracles.  Miracles were a sign for all to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.  The blind were given sight, the lame were made to walk, the dead came alive, but most importantly sinners were forgiven of their sins.  

Jesus’ purpose in coming down from Heaven was to save sinners but the people who encountered Jesus wanted more.  So Jesus gave them miracles to prove to them He was the Messiah.  The problem is, some still didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah.

You may recall Thomas, who was a disciple of Jesus, wouldn’t believe unless he saw the nail print in His hands and put his finger into His side (John 20:25).  And after Jesus allowed him to do so, He said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Today, we don’t need signs or miracles to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and the true Messiah.  We have the written Word of God and that is all that we need.  The Bible reveals to us all we need to know about Him.

Instead of praying for a sign from heaven, just believe that Jesus is all that you need and by believing in Him you have all that you need.

Pray

Lord, You have spoken to me through Your written Word and You have revealed Yourself to me. Let my heart fully understand that You are all that I need. Let my heart and meditation be upon You.