Encourage

Hi, I hope you have missed me! All five of you who read this blog,ha. Life has been a little crazy and I have failed at keeping this site updated on regular basis, which may be why I don't have very many readers. Anywho, I am here today.

I think most of us have gotten back into some what of a normal routine with school, athletics, etc. Soon we will start back up Fall Bible Studies as well. I would like to encourage you to add something to that.....
I know you are thinking yeah right like I have time for one more thing, but this will be as much for you as for someone else.

Here it is, be an Encourager.I'm certain you probably already are, but I think I mean more by it than the word on the surface means. We all (especially women)need someone that holds us accountable in our christian walk, someone that is there on those days when we just don't feel we can live out who we are called to be. Be that one special person that can be called on to lift their spirits when times are tough, someone to laugh with when times are fun, and someone to cry with when its not so fun. How is this for you? Because you need to find someone to be that person for you as well. Maybe its more than one person.

Here is some scripture that I thought spoke of this:

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).

Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

I hope all of us will reach out to someone today and encourage them.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret

Live By Faith (Part 3) & Other Tidbits

Hi Sweet Friends! Let me start by telling you how blessed my Thursday was last week. My replacement cord for my computer came so yay I am back! The air conditioner was fixed Praise the Lord on Wednesday it was 90 degrees upstairs! And, we finished the guest bath downstairs! It looks so pretty I may even post a picture soon, since I did show it all torn out and Greg looking under the house. I also had dinner and a movie date with my husband that evening. So, I am a bit happier and relaxed now.
So, on with our topic.....

If you remember when we ended the last post I told you we would be discussing Hezekiah. Hezekiah became king of Judah during a very tough time for Israel. The Northern part of Israel had already been captured and now Judah was next on the list. Hezekiah had all good intentions to do Gods will, but when times got tough he became weak and his faith that God was in control began to fail. In walks a wise one, Isaiah, and gives Hezekiah a good talking to. Isaiah reminds Hezekiah that he needs to look to God for his strength not his men or the horses. You can read all of this part of the story in Isaiah 31. It was easier for Hezekiah to put his faith in what he could see and was tangible.

2 Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith not by sight". By the time of the attack Hezekiah's faith had grown and he told his men in 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. If we are focusing on God he may give us a gentle reminder or something tangible that reminds us he is in control and hasn't forgotten you and this can be so sweet. Other times I bet you, just as I, can look back at trials in your past and see that God was right there in control the entire time.

Isn't it amazing how we can find such great wisdom from these individuals in the Old Testament? Lets write this down and keep it where we can see it all week:
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”- Psalm 119:114. Then lets live it!

I hope you have a great week.

Sweet Blessings,
Margaret