encourage Archives – Sonshine's Journal

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024

10.30.24. Be an Encourager Today!

3 John A Balm in Gilead

The Apostle John is writing to a personal friend, Gaius. His words to him remind us of this hymn: There is a Balm in Gilead. “Sometimes I feel discouraged,And deep I feel the pain In prayers the Holy Spirit revives my soul again” So it is when we need that balm that heals, a friend sends us words of encouragement.

John has learned from others that Gaius is living according to the truth. In fact, John records this phrase twice! How encouraging to know that Gaius “ demonstrates faithfulness by whatever he does for the brothers” and even more so in that he demonstrates that to complete strangers! What a great compliment to receive and how encouraged Gaius must have been at receiving this letter from a dear close friend.

Today, who needs this word of encouragement? Who needs the words of that great hymn: There is a Balm in Gilead? Remember this stanza as you wade through today’s many appointments: “If you can’t pray like Peter,If you can’t be like Paul. Go home and tell your neighbor, He died to save us all.”

Be an encourager today to someone, pray for them, and send them gracious words that are a balm. You are where you are today to edify and lift someone up.

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024

10.8.24. Encourage

2 Cor 7 Rejoicing

What thoughts bring joy to your mind today? For Paul, it was the moment he embraced Titus upon his return. Paul had been despondent at not finding him at the last stop he had made and so did not serve God in that place. But, now, Paul was excited to see his precious friend once again and even more so when he shared the good news from the church in Corinth. A happy heart is good medicine, so the Proverbs author said, and it seems to be true. When we are downtrodden, we are sad beyond measure and nothing anyone says or does draws us out of our doom and gloom. But, let a friend call or a friend drop by or receiving good news, we are moved from sadness to joy.

So it was when Titus returned with good news from Corinth, that Paul was able to share with the Corinthians by letter how pleased he was at this news.

Paul writes “Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus because all of you have refreshed his spirit.” [2 Cor 7:13]

Today someone needs your words of encouragement and your friendship. Take a moment today to speak to that person in writing or by a phone call or by personal attention.

December 8, 2022December 8, 2022

Encourage Another Today!

2Thess 1-3: Paul sends his second message to encourage the Thessalonians. They were facing persecution and tribulation, so he sent them a second message filled with words of encouragement. How thankful Paul was for their endurance because he heard their faith was blossoming. How often is that true! We are in the midst of suffering; in that time, our faith flourishes and grows exponentially! That is what Paul has noted. Their faith has grown, and their love for one another has also increased. Yet, it is in those times we must be on guard because the evil one takes that opportunity to try to undermine our faith with deception and delusional ideas.

Paul wanted to share a simple message with them as he had shared with the Corinthians; “Be firm. Do not be moved! Always be abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” [1Cor 15:58]

Who today needs this message? Who is facing hard times and needs a word of encouragement? Who is facing a difficult time, and yet their faith is flourishing? Praise God for them.

June 9, 2016

Are You Between a Rock and a Hard Place?

hebrews 3 rock & hard place2 Hebrews 3 is a reminder that because of the faithfulness of Jesus, we who have believed all he has said and done are now given a new distinction. We are now called partners and holy brethren. This is amazing! Jesus said, follow me and now we find that we also family members of the Apostle and High Priest, the Son of the Most High God!

The initial Hebrew readers were facing a challenge. We might say they caught between a ‘ROCK’ (pun intended) and a hard place because they did not want to dishonor Moses and yet wanted to follow Jesus. Therefore, the author reminds them that Moses was God’s servant not God’s Son. Moses was a faithful servant “in” the house but Christ was faithful “over” the house. Moses faithfully cared for God’s house, the children of Israel, but he did it as a servant. Christ is faithful as the Son over the house, that is we who are now called holy brethren.

Therefore, holy brethren, beware of drifting or falling away just as the Israelites had done in the desert and ended up doing a wilderness walk for 40 yrs. Beware of hardened hearts and unbelief as a consequence of unbelief. A scary thought straight from God! He swore they would die in the desert and lose the promise of eternal rest. It is vital that we remain steadfast and also to encourage other holy brethren who may be wavering and seeking to return to their old ways–the past. We must reassure each other day after day so that hearts remain teachable and soft.

The consequences of unbelief are eternal.

March 17, 2015

Anointed Believers Encourage One Another

Just as Paul wrote in his first letter to his beloved child in the faith, Timothy, he so again reiterates this love for him by calling him “my dear child.” We may be first generation believers; 2^nd or even beyond but someone modeled a sincere faith for us. We must honor that memory. As long as we are believers we are “children” of the faith and at are in need of a word of encouragement in tough times. Paul’s words to Timothy are as applicable to us as it was to him.

Timothy, and you present day believers, stand fast! Rekindle the gift that was given to you much like one rekindles a fire which is dwindling. Beloved, hold fast to the standard of sound words of the gospel message. Remember that when the Holy Spirit anointed you He did not give you the Spirit of fear but instead His power, love and a gift of discipline or self-control. Just as we saw in 1Timothy, we have been entrusted with the gospel message. We all must protect that good thing entrusted to us remembering that “it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes,” [Rom 1] Lastly, we must never bring reproach upon our Savior who “has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!”

Beloved, you are anointed to go and tell. May our words be sweet like honey to a soul in need of encouragement.

December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!! Be Blessed!~ Be S.M.A.R.T!

2013 has come and gone or soon will be. Many of us looked back and thought about where we had been and what we had accomplished. Some of our past goals were attained but many were left in the dust because resolutions are just that—resolving without measurable attainable points. Psalm 1 and 2 may well be called the introduction to the Christian Guide Book of where we all hope to be at the end of our life. Our new year is just beginning and here is a helpful acronym with practical strategies I have come up as a way to start my spiritual journey into 2014. Be Blessed and Be: “S.M.A.R.T.”

S = I will set a specific goal of seeking wisdom using Psalm 1’s standards of the godly. The godly choose not to follow the advice of the wicked having been trained by practice to be as the Bereans. They check scripture with scripture so that they might be able to discern both good and evil. [Acts & Heb 5] Secondly, they choose not to stand in the pathway of sinners because as the parable of the sower teaches–the seed sown there is plucked up by the birds and is unable to take root. [Matt 13] Thirdly, they choose to not sit in the assembly of the scoffers, those who ridicule and mock the ways of God. Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool (mocked). For a person will reap what he sows,”

Strategy: I once again have decided to use the NT/Psalms/Proverbs reading plan. I chose that from the list offered by bible.org which has 5 from which to choose. I will read daily; share a “seed thought” with someone so that God’s Word takes root and grows. I will also seek to but may not achieve …but that is what a goal is right; so I will attempt again to read a chapter from Proverbs each day of the month along with my daily reading plan. I will maintain my worship schedule of attendance at my local congregation knowing that the world watches what you and I give up and what you and I choose. I am back in BSF and that takes volumes of time but I find it is rewarding …when I put my heart into it. I will be faithful.

M= I will set a measurable goal: How blessed is the one that gleans wisdom from meditation upon the ways of God. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.” [Phil 4]

Strategy: Set a time each day to read and ponder truths. After reading, I will choose one verse that I can think about all day long and better yet I will share the verse with someone and journal thoughts about a truth you have gleaned. What a great idea for Facebook right?

A = I will set an achievable goal and then apply knowing that the way I view life and obey God is a reflection of what I meditates upon. “He takes a text and carries it with him all day long; and in the night-watches, when sleep forsakes his eyelids, he museth upon the Word of God.” [Spurgeon] Joh 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”

Strategy: I will ponder my daily reading; and seek to memorize one verse. I will prayerfully ask God to reveal any sin and seek cleansing; ask the Holy Spirit to show me areas that need improvement; then obey and praise the Lord for answers He has already given me.

R= I will set a realistic goal to redeem the time: After my quiet time of meditation I will seek ways to be His witness Eph 5:16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Strategy: I will actively continue in BSF, and find some other avenue of service…not sure what that will be. The goal is to see and use each one as a divine opportunity to share the love of Christ.

T= I will set a thankful goal that begins in the heart: 1Th 5:18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Strategy: I will write a thank you note to God and one to someone else at least one day a week. I will pray for the note I will send that it will bless another.

What goals have you set? Share them with me …let’s encourage one another.

Blessings to you this new year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

p.s. and oh yes I am going to celebrate on Jan 1 as it is my birthday…