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Encouraging others means helping people, looking for the best in them, and trying to bring out their positive qualities.
From Romans 15:2-3: “Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me.'”
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Being a Christian means accepting the terms of creation, accepting God as our maker and redeemer, and growing day by day into an increasingly glorious creation in Christ.
From Ephesians 3:18-19: “I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
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God wants full custody, not just a weekend visit.
From Jeremiah 7:2: “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the Word of the Lord, all you people of Judah, you that enter the gates to worship the Lord.”
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When I am criticized, injured, or afraid, there is a Father who is ready to comfort me.
From Psalm 86:17: “Show me a sign of your favor, so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”
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The Grace of God transcends all our feeble efforts to describe it. It cannot be poured into any mental receptacle without running over.
From Romans 8:35, 37: “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things, we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.”
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Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all times you can. To all people you can. As long as you can.
From Luke 10:33-34: From the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus speaks, “But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.'”
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Maintaining your integrity in a world of sham is no small accomplishment.
From Proverbs 10:9: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.”
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Surprises are part of God’s plan. They remind us He’s still in charge.
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We particularly need to listen to older people and children. They all have stories to tell that enrich the mind and the heart. Children simplify things, often with brutal honesty. Older people bring the perspective of their long years on issues.
From Proverbs 12:15: “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.”
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Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.
From 1 John 4:7: “Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
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