BE ENCOURAGED

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

I see this from time to time on FACEBOOK.

“Anybody got a word of encouragement?"

For all its flaws, FACEBOOK does have a few merits and one of them is whether via a cute "emoji" or via a "kind comment", we can quickly offer a little encouragement.

That is one of our jobs you know. 

You’ve heard it repeatedly in past OFH’s. 

We are to encourage one another!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

But the truth is life can often zap the enthusiasm right out of any of us. 

We all get discouraged; even the GODLIEST have gloomy days. But GOD reminds us over and over again that HIS SPIRIT that lives in us is greater than any discouragement, lie, depression, or gloom that the enemy can throw our way.

In fact, GOD reminds us to tap into that continuously; that we are to encourage OURSELVES in that SPIRIT when life takes us low.

David, the man after GOD’S own heart was a good example of this!

Not many of us have experienced as bad a day as David did when he returned to his home in Ziklag after a journey and discovered that his enemies, the Amalekites, had destroyed or stolen everything that was important to him--and his own men turned against him (see 1 Sam. 30). However, we can imitate his response when we do face difficulties.

As David sat among the ruins of Ziklag and mutinous men spoke of stoning him, he had a choice. David could allow grief and bitterness to conquer him; he could sink into the black hole of depression and give up and quit. Or he could fight back.

But before David could fight, he would have to get his strength and courage back. As David looked around him, he saw nothing but discouraged and downcast men. David had no one to encourage him, so he had only one recourse: He "encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (v. 6, KJV). - Zahnd

We can do the same!

Yes, FACEBOOK friends and cute cartoons are wonderful for a “pick me up” when we are down in the dumps, but nothing compares to the amazing and uplifting hope and power of the SPIRIT OF GOD!

So, let’s not let gloom gain an advantage today!

Remember Jesus has our back today; HE is offering personal encouragement like no other!

Do not let your hearts be troubled. - John 14:1 (ESV) 

Allow HIS HOPE, HIS PEACE, HIS POWER and HIS SPIRIT to pick you up and flow through you to ENCOURAGE YOU.

pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 (ERV)

And BE ENCOURAGED!

I love you all!

Have a blessed day!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE