* To Encourage

 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.
Hebrews 3:12-14 NIV

I want to go on record declaring that I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and His gospel. I have a strong faith. I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the standard by which we are to live. I believe that we will live eternally somewhere and that both heaven and hell are real. 

So, I have hope in the Lord. It's hope - not born of desperation, but rather of relationship, knowing in Whom I have believed and having been witness to His mighty works and amazing grace. I truly believe that God is good even when I don't understand the dark times. Let the believers say "Amen!"

My brother died a year ago. It's been a hard year. I am doing better now than I was 6 months ago, but deep in my heart, I am sad beyond words. I feel as though a part of me has died, too, and in a way, it has. Following his death, a part of my heart seems to have gone dormant. But that's okay; it's just a season. Please know that I am not writing this for your sympathy. I am writing to reiterate these truths. Do not confuse my grief with lack of faith. Do not interpret my tears as signs of unbelief.  Here's what I know that I know. Jesus tells us in John 12:24 that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. There IS coming a time of rebirth.  I'm no farmer, but I understand many seeds = much harvest. 

My brother, Joe, was an encourager! He was the family cheerleader and story-teller and so funny! I miss him so much, but I will see him again. I know this because it's written in God's Word.

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.  

May you be encouraged today.

Prayer:

Father,
          The heavens declare Your glory and I? I can only attempt to echo their praise. Thank You for Your grace and for salvation and for Your mercy, and help us to try to fathom the depth of Your great love...even in the dark times. May the many seeds bring about a great harvest, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Pairing Up *

Note: I know I used this same passage of Scripture yesterday, but it's such a good one that it bears repeating. Also, in looking back through some history, I found this one from six years ago. I had just gotten back from having dinner with my brother, Joe, the one who died unexpectedly last June. He was a great one for motivating people to acts of love and good works! What a sweet time it was that night..It was definitely a divine appointment - one that brought us even closer. I miss him so much, but I know I will see him again. Reminisce with me...

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

It never ceases to amaze me how God deals with each of His children uniquely and yet, corporately, speaking strongly to our spirits. I just got back from having dinner with one of my brothers. Even though it's been a while since we've visited, once we're together and chatting for a few minutes, it's as though we've never been apart. Love is like that. And I believe this particular meeting was a divine appointment.

We went to Pappasito's on 610 - a very popular location. Every loud-voiced person in Houston was there this evening, but when we talked about the Lord, it was as though the noise level was just background noise, rather than being something you had to practically yell above to be heard. Our food and inside visit were good, but when we were ready to leave, we weren't done with our conversation, so we decided to stand outside for a few moments more. But then we got to testifying to each other about what the Lord was up to - how He is dealing with our lives - the things He is doing and drawing us to - it was an hour and a half later before we even knew it. The Spirit of the Lord was strong in that parking lot tonight. And the rain that had been off and on all day and forecast to pour down on us this evening - held off until I was in the car and on my way home.

I was amazed at the things God confirmed in us this night. Through giving thanks and acknowledging Him in all areas of our lives, it was as though God stripped the blinders from our eyes regarding the wiles of the enemy, to keep us divided. Scripture tells us in Matthew 18:19-20, Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Two can accomplish much more than one because we were never called to walk alone.

We have to be about our Father's business. Keep in mind, that we will get much more accomplished when we think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

I heard a story this morning about horses. They did a study about how much weight horses can pull on a load. After hooking up the first horse, it was determined that one horse could pull 250 lbs. Figuring that a pair of horses could pull twice as much, they were shocked to discover that a pair working together could actually pull 1,250 lbs.! Jesus said, Come my yoke is easy... Let's pair up with Him!

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word tells us to be of one mind and one heart and one spirit. We want to yoke up with You so we can accomplish great things for You and in Your Name. Help us to fulfill our purpose in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen