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Encouraging Word Samples
Dear Friends,
Sometimes we wonder why it is that if we chose to live for the Lord and try to live a good life, why do we have so many problems? Shouldn't I have less problems if I chose to live righteously?
Psalm 34:19 states:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."
This is a profound statement. It is actually telling you and me that even if we live righteously, we will still face many troubles. The difference though is that the Lord will rescue you and deliver you from whatever problem you are facing. He is on your side.
The word form for "deliver" in the Hebrew is a strong word used to get somebody out of a problem when they were in over their head and could not rescue themselves. What are facing today? What kind of trial are you in? What trouble or affliction do you feel overwhelmed by?
Aren't you glad to know that no matter what you are facing, the Lord has promised to see you through! I like how the Living Bible puts it:
"The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one."
Here's for the joy of walking with Him!
Pastor Mark
Dear Friends,
I love to ski. I am not a great skier but I'll go down any slope (with fear and trepidation).
One thing I have discovered while skiing is that if I lean back on my skis, I lose control. The problem is, is that leaning back on my skis feels so natural and comfortable.
However, to ski in control I have to lean forward. This does not feel natural and is even scarier. It feels like I am going to fall only I don't.
This is so much like our relationship with God. Prov. 3:5-6 states:
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Leaning on myself feels so natural and comfortable. However, leaning on God does not seem natural and is very scary. Yet, when I lean on myself and my own understanding, my life seems out of control. But when I lean on the Lord and trust Him, that is when my life is under control (His control) the most. It feels like I am going to fall, but I don't. God won't let me.
Which way are you leaning today?
Here's for a great week "leaning on Him!"
Pastor Mark
Dear Friends,
How do you begin your day? How you begin your day will determine how well you end your day. David made the most of each day because he began it with the Lord. He says in Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.
When he says he 'lays out his request' it means he has thought out what he wants to ask God. He is so confident God has heard Him, that throughout the rest of the day he is looking for the answers to his prayers! No wonder it says of David that he lived a full and enjoyable life.
How do you start your day? Are you harried and already behind by 9:00am? Are you constantly trying to catch up? The most important thing you can do all day is to spend time with the Lord and let Him order your day. Start your day laying your requests at His feet and watch what happens. If you start now, this may be the most enjoyable Christmas season yet!!
Here's for a great walk with Him.
Pastor Mark
Dear Friends,
Growing up, there was a room in our house that I was very comfortable in. It was our parent's bedroom. It was big enough there, that we kids would wrestle, talk to our folks, hang out, and watch TV.
There is a room that God wants you to hang out in and be your favorite room. That's the Throne Room!
The writer of Hebrews says:
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
God wants you to boldly and confidently come to Him with any and every request you have. If you are "hanging out" in the Throne Room, this is easy to do!
Do you need mercy? Do you need grace today? Whatever it is you need help in or whatever need you have, He wants to provide it for you!
Where are you "hanging out" today?
Pastor Mark
Dear Friends,
There are so many things about Jesus Christ to discover. Because He walked this earth, we are now able to see what God is truly like. People flocked to be around Christ.
Mark 6:56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Several things I notice about this:
1. He would go to where the people were.
2. He had amazing powers.
3. He did not turn anyone away.
4. He cured the people who touched Him.
Do you realize, that He has come to you? That He has amazing power available for you? That He will not turn you away and that He can provide whatever it is you need? He loves it when we "reach out and touch Him." He has come to your village today.
Here is for having a great week.
Pastor Mark
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