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These essays are wonderfully encouraging. Happy New Year! His grace abounds, His love is steadfast.
2013: A Year Of The Encourager
"As I read through various blogs and facebook pages I see many people are hoping to have a good new year. It is natural for us to desire to have a better year than what we just experienced, desiring peace and prosperity. But I want to challenge you on something as we stare into the dark abyss of this mysterious brand new year. I challenge you to be determined not to look to what you desire in the new year but instead to desire to make it a good year for other people. I challenge you to be an encourager this year..."
When the Perfect Comes . . .
"Another year is passing away. Thank God. Not only for the massive amounts of unquantifiable grace we have received from him, but also because we are one year closer to the passing away of this partial age and all of its incumbent sorrow and weariness. “When the perfect comes.” Those inspired words stir up deep longings for a time we have never known and yet desperately want."
23 Reasons to Be Joyful (Philippians)
"I am asking the Lord to train me in a pattern of joy. Perhaps this is an area where Christlike growth is needed in your heart and life too. Toward the goal of re-training our hearts, consider the following reasons to be joyful. Let this list be a starting point for you to meditate on the Word of God..."
Enjoy this verse:
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)
May 2013 be the year.
2013: A Year Of The Encourager
"As I read through various blogs and facebook pages I see many people are hoping to have a good new year. It is natural for us to desire to have a better year than what we just experienced, desiring peace and prosperity. But I want to challenge you on something as we stare into the dark abyss of this mysterious brand new year. I challenge you to be determined not to look to what you desire in the new year but instead to desire to make it a good year for other people. I challenge you to be an encourager this year..."
When the Perfect Comes . . .
"Another year is passing away. Thank God. Not only for the massive amounts of unquantifiable grace we have received from him, but also because we are one year closer to the passing away of this partial age and all of its incumbent sorrow and weariness. “When the perfect comes.” Those inspired words stir up deep longings for a time we have never known and yet desperately want."
23 Reasons to Be Joyful (Philippians)
"I am asking the Lord to train me in a pattern of joy. Perhaps this is an area where Christlike growth is needed in your heart and life too. Toward the goal of re-training our hearts, consider the following reasons to be joyful. Let this list be a starting point for you to meditate on the Word of God..."
Enjoy this verse:
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)
May 2013 be the year.
This was encouraging and wonderful. Something to really keep in mind as the new year is upon us. Happy New Year Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anonymous! May God richly bless you in all good gifts this year :)
DeleteAmen! That's so speaking to my heart, because there are so many people I know who are so down, broken, alone, lonely, hurting. People who others, even Christians, who turn away from those people, instead of turning toward them, reaching out to them, being there to encourage them, to comfort them. I have long been someone who strives to comfort and encourage others, because I so lacked receiving that, I still do, so I know how it is. I'm so glad for the people I've met who have comforted and encouraged me, and those who are still in my life, who do, so I know how important it is, and I can't just ignore others in need. I try hard to reach out, to comfort and encourage. Even to those who've wronged me. When I see someone broken, hurting, no matter how mad I may be at them, for wronging me, I feel mercy, and I don't like them to be upset and hurt. So that is a great resolution for this year, to reach out and be encouraging, and comforting, along with the ever important, pointing to Jesus!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your blog, and all those who read it! :)
J.L.
Hi J.L.,
DeleteYou are such a sweet person! I'm glad for encouraging people too. They really helped me along especially when I first came to know Jesus. I couldn't have been any lower then and not have been dead. But they helped me in patience, kindness, and most of all, a willing ear. We underestimate a warm smile and loving-kindness. I think many people were wearily disappointed the Lord did not come back in 2012, and I personally believe encouragement in 2013 will be our biggest challenge for each other. To stay positive in looking for the Blessed Hope, while diligently going about our Father's business until that Day. I can well believe you share His mercy to whomever you are around. I can sense it even through the cold internet :) Happy New Year :)
Thank you so much, that is one of the best compliments I've ever received! I would have responded soon as I read it, but I was too choked up, as I haven't known a life of much compliment, and appreciation, instead quite the opposite. So at times, it hits me hard. Your compliment is especially uplifting and appreciated, considering how cold the internet can be. It's hard sometimes to get a true sense of a person, without being able to see body language, see facial expressions, and without being able to hear inflection in the voice.
DeleteI agree with you too about how helpful it is to show attention and care to others. And some people think you encourage someone's feelings they view as negative, if you show attention and care. I've known people to be extremely cold hearted in response to myself and others, terribly upset, (justly so) and crying.
I also think too there is much disappoint each year that passes, and we are still here. I know that since my latest huge injustice to date, which began 6 years ago, the only one of which it wasn't a one time event, thus negative effects continue, of which the only One who can make a difference now, is God, I have longed even more than ever before, for God to return, which would put a stop to it, though of course it's not the only reason I long for His return. I think also, because we see, hear, we know of the corruption, that it increases each year, and because of all the other things we know are part of the birth pains (earthquakes, natural disasters, nations in distress etc) we feel the intensity, so the urgency intensifies, we wait with such high anticipation, only for The Rapture to not yet be.
It wears on a person, I know it does me. There isn't much by way of physical activities, I can do for Him, due to my circumstances, however, mentally, emotionally, even though I'm not at top performance due to grief and weariness, I give, when I can, as much as I can, even when it's meant forgoing sleep.
I hope your 2013 will be another year of great enlightenment for you and all of us who read your blog, and may you continue to minister to others in need in all the ways you do. God bless you abundantly! :)
J.L.
Encouragement for the new year, but...
ReplyDeletehttp://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/monster-sinkholes-an-indication-that-major-earth-changes-are-coming-along-the-new-madrid-fault
True joy and happiness on this planet is a very rare thing any more. Things are getting worse daily and the vast majority of humanity is completely oblivious.
HI ANonymous,
DeleteI agree that the majority of people are oblivious to the coming apocalypse. I also agree that true joy is rare, but only as rare as true faith. Millions of people who are born again may live in diminished circumstances, but their hearts are filled with the joy of having the true possession: Jesus. I believe it's our job to remain joyful so that unbelievers can see the Christ-likenes in us.
To that end, I need encouragement to remain joyous, and I get it from the Word and from fellow believers. Let's be encouraging in the face of the obvious reality of His soon return. It will stand out to those who dont' knwo where to turn like a beacon.