Through the looking glass

Encouragement comes in so many different ways. Yes, in the least expected way, reach out, offer the best brew you can! A cup of water given in HIS name will merit ... more than you could ever know.

After so long, I have seen what encouragement really means. There are a lot of ways in which encouragement comes and it is in so many ways to practice. There are times when encouragement means to receive a blessing from the practice of encouraging others.

We are to reach out. We are to do and we are to practice again and again!

Love. Unconditionally.

I do not know about you, but the subject of unconditional love causes me to have deep thoughts and even deeper conversations with the LORD. We are taught in John 3:16 that we were loved before we could ever love and through that love, the FATHER gave us HIS Son for our sake. We are taught, too, that we belong, solely, to the LORD's and that nothing will come between us--Romans 8:35. Now, our relationship with one another is something that we must certainly come to a deep understanding. We are to love one another as Christ loved us and gave HIS life up in exchange for ours as a fragrant sacrifice--Ephesians 5:2. We are to love. Unconditionally. Without reservation.

So, how do we do that? How can I love someone who has injured me deeply or has ridiculed me? How do I love when there seems not to be love at all? Well, it is linked with forgiveness and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS told us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27) and we are to love others because it was given to us before we even knew what love was (Romans 5:8). Historically, the Children of Israel did everything they could to defy the LORD; but, despite the defiance, the LORD sent HIS Son that we could know love through forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 tells us that we MUST be compassionate towards one another and to forgive at all times. If we have grievances with one another, we are to forgive because forgiveness was given to us first through Christ JESUS (Colossians 3:13).

So, are you having just as much difficulty with compassion, love, and forgiveness as I am? Certainly, I have believed that I have been this way towards others and have forgiven, loved and extended compassion. But, then when I pray, the LORD brings to my remembrance faces and names. This is not a way for the LORD to say HE has not forgiven me; rather, it is a learning lesson. As I am reminded of my behavior, I am also reminded that I cannot do anything on my own except through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT and not by myself or I would boast about what I can do outside of the LORD (Ephesians 2:9). I am shown these things so that I may be more humble in my walk with and in the LORD. I do not want to stumble anyone in their walk and certainly, I remember the days where I have been in need and wanted compassion from others. I am given a great lesson about what my role in this life is. I yearn to learn how to live and love unconditionally so that others may see the LORD and not me.

Bless the LORD at all times!

Newness

There are many things that I am sure and of this I am very certain. Things are not the same and despite the difficulties and the hardships, I have one of the greatest confidences--if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation and everything that was known has been wiped away and newness has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is not a new concept. In Isaiah 43:18, the same is said--I can forget the things of the past and to move on to what is new. All these horrible things have been made clean and I can walk in newness. Certainly, I am not given a new body, but I am given so many new things! My life, as I know it, is changed and I have a new purpose and I have new desires. With those new things, comes better choices and willingness to listen to the sweet voice of the LORD as HE guides me to all truth (John 16:13). I can almost say, I have new spiritual ears--when I did not want to listen before because I simply could not hear, I can now. I have a newness of life and with this newness of life come new hope, new dreams, new aspirations. I see where hope is not found in others and it is a good thing to show others what hope is. 

GOD's plans for me

Whenever I have been in prayer, the LORD gives me such encouragement to keep me lifted in hope and peace. One Scripture that HE has reminded me is of Jeremiah 29:11

GOD'S WORD® Translation

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.

In many translations, this passage states, "declares the LORD". This is a strong word used, even if you don't know the Hebrew text, it is strong as though the LORD were standing right next to you, with HIS hands on your shoulders, looking in your eyes, and saying these words as an emotional imperative. HE is saying that HIS plans are laid out and HE knows HE is going to bring those plans into action.

What plans? These are the well thought out deeds to help us in our walk to not stumble, avoid temptation, create barriers against the demons that come to haunt, and to guide you to all places in HIS kingdom to ensure that you are well protected, watched over, and cherished.

We know that our LORD is a jealous GOD and nothing will come in HIS way of keeping you safe and protected. Nothing can separate us from HIM. Yes, even us!

Bless the LORD oh my soul!

Faith comes by hearing

One of the most powerful Scriptures that  I have learned is found in Romans. "So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke." --Romans 10:17. This is a powerful Scripture because this lesson of faith is built upon reading and studying and learning about the  LORD. It does not say how long it will take; rather, it merely states that it (faith) comes when it is heard. This means that the continuous hearing helps to ward off the illness of this humanity--doubt. It is the battle in which we wage upon ourselves--we are to continue to hear and develop our faith. Get to church; listen to those powerful lessons from other preachers and teacher; and, finally, share your faith with others. This builds more faith. This builds upon what the adversary wants to take away from us. The greatest war has been waged and we can fight it with all that we have--the WORD of GOD which is found through the spoken and written WORD. And we know that  this is GOD breathed--it is used to teach, rebuke, encourage and to heal. 2 Timothy 3:16 is the teacher for this. All Scripture is GOD breathed and so we know that it is meant for our benefit and for our help in times of trouble. Remember and do not allow your heart to grow weary. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD that is GOD breathed for our sake. It is the adversary's anti-venom. This WORD, breathed by GOD is steeped in love. Love cannot be defeated.

I am consoled

If for nothing else, I am consoled. I know that the unfailing love of my LORD will comfort me when I am deep in emotion. I know that I have strength from the LORD. I know that I have riches in the LORD. But, things still pull me down. I know that I am consoled by HIS love and by HIS ways. Sometimes my hurt runs so deep and I cannot express my words; but, I know that I am comforted. HIS words comfort me all the days of my life. This is not something that is just garble. When I choose to get into the WORD, pray, and listen to HIM, I know that I can find peace and comfort. I know that HIS rod and staff comfort me. But, when I have believed upon the WORD and have taken a righteous stand and the winds of torment do not stop, I know that I am comforted. What does it take to comfort? What words can possibly be said that could comfort me? How can the healing balm reach to such depths that it is healing to my soul? It is only the comfort that the LORD can bring to me in the days that are so difficult. I am consoled. I know that my LORD has not left me or abandoned me. I know that HE attunes HIS ear to me and inclines HIS heart to mine. HE keeps track of my breathes and my tears and allows me to express my deepest thoughts. But, even more importantly, HE comforts me. The presence of the LORD is my consolation; but, HE does even more. HE speaks to me; HE touches me; HE listens when no one else listens; HE gives me dreams; HE gives me visions; HE gives me hope. I am consoled. (Psalm 119:76). 

Comforted. Promised. Understood. 

Count it all joy

I am reminded about many things today. Always. I am reminded because of how things have been for such a long time. When the trials of this life make me challenged and I want to lash out and return insult for injury, I must say, "count it all joy!". I am to consider this all great and have high esteem in the LORD when I fall into diverse trials and tribulations when I am faced with what I need to do. When I have this confidence that the esteem of the LORD is with me, then I can face all things. This esteem is with me BEFORE I am to experience all trials and temptations so that in that moment, I am able to be victorious. I need to be victorious; not that I need anything out of vain regard, but that in order to be successful through the difficult times, I must understand WHO is beside me at all times. I understand that the event or hardship is meant not to tear me apart; rather, it is meant to create strength in me. This strength is what I can count as all joy and know that it "worketh" for my good. I am to count "it" and meditate upon "it" just as much as I am to meditate upon the WORD. If I do not "count" or "meditate" upon the trial and tribulation in which I am experiencing, then I will not know what to do in the moment that I need to do it. When I look back, the trail and tribulation seems to be smaller and less menacing. So, when the hint of the same comes again, I know through experience that I have gained more than just strength. I have gained wisdom and insight. So, when another trial or tribulation comes, I know that I am not alone. I know that I am more than able to accomplish this. I may not like it; but, I know where my help comes from. (James 1:2; Romans 8:37; Col. 2:3; Romans 11:33; Psalm 121:1-2).

Looking up. Seeking quietly. Knowing more.