Encourage

Fellowship

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Today my post is happening in the evening for the first time…why?  Because I spent my morning in fellowship with a brother in Christ.  It was refreshing and brought about an unexplainable peace and joy to my soul.  This is such a critical part of our faith journey…meeting together, discussing life events, listening to other perspectives and encouraging one another.  Don’t put off meeting together with other believers…it is one of many ways we can feed our faith and nourish our spiritual growth.  Amen.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20

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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 waliking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

With God…

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What are you facing today?  What burdens and worries are you carrying in your life?  It is easy for us to get caught up in the problems and the struggles, we also tend to think that others aren’t suffering as we are…friends, the world is a broken place, the whole world and everyone in it is fighting some type of battle.  Just because we haven’t seen it or it hasn’t been shared with us or we haven’t read about it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.  If we try to go it alone and depend on our own will power…we will continue to fail.  With God, we can get through anything…it won’t be easier and the problem won’t magically go away…rather when we believe and we trust in God we will be filled with encouragement and courage.  When we read God’s word a sense of comfort and peace will calm our worries and we can replace our fears with faith.  You will be amazed at what can happen when you walk with God.  Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Encourage Kindness

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We see and hear so much negativity, hopelessness and violence in this world every day.  Sometimes I think the media forgets about all the good people and positive things that happen each day.  I am not saying we should ignore talking about the bad things…we just need some balance in the distribution of information.  I have read a quote in a few different places recently that speaks to the attitude of kindness we all need to remember…

“Every person you encounter every day is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.”

I understand that to say, don’t be so quick to judge another person without knowing all the facts and do not trust any form of media to provide all the information necessary to be informed about an event or issue.  I have stated in the past the Bible is a great instruction manual for life and here are a few encouraging verses…

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

                                                                                                John 14:27

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

                                                                                                John 16:33

May we all find peace and a positive outlook today.