Archive for Encouraging
When the Rubber Meets the Passion
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Something amazing happens when we seek out to pursue our dreams. Anytime something is new and fresh we go after it with passion, enthusiasm, and desire. But what happens when the fire dies? What happens when the passion that was once there subsides?
For many, a number of things happen. Some abandon their dreams. It gets old and stale. Some get lackadaisical and lose their way.
But let me encourage you to rekindle the flame. Stir up those gifts that you’ve allowed to lye dormant. Relight that fire.
You may be familiar with an idiom that says, “when the rubber meets the road.” It’s defined as the moment of truth. This is the point that determines if you’re in it to win it.
The same principle applies to our dreams. I give it a different twist. It’s when the “rubber meets the passion.” This is the moment when you make a decision that no matter how hard it gets, you’re going to go on to pursue your God-given destiny. It’s the Read More→
He’s the Supplier of Your Every Need!
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We serve a God who knows our every need. Your desires may be outside of the will of God. Your wants may limit God’s plan for your life. But in the end, God’s will for your life will prevail.
Too often, we get focused on our wants and desires. But God is in control. He sees the big picture. He knows how to align everything to fit our ultimate need. And He sets everything accordingly.
Philippians 4:19 says “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Notice it doesn’t say that God shall supply your wants. It doesn’t say that He’ll meet your desires. No, it says that He will supply all your needs.
Your needs are above your desires. You may desire a huge mansion on a hill. But to a homeless person, a simple warm dwelling is enough to suffice. You may Read More→
ShareMaster Fix-It (He Always Fixes It)
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The God we serve isn’t just Mr. fix-it, He’s Master Fix-it. Whatever you need, the Lord can fix. There’s nothing too hard for God.
He’s more than just equipped. He’s an Ephesians 3:20 God. He’s able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think.
I think about how our natural father is the one we run to when something needs to be fixed. I can remember being a young child and if my favorite toy broke, I’d carry it to my father and he would fix it. If something broke around the house, I may have tried to fix it on my own. I put all my hard energy into trying to fix it. But somehow dad was always able to fix it.
I can even remember how when I got my first car and the first time it broke down, I was discouraged. I felt helpless. I felt like I was in over my head. But dad Read More→
ShareUtilize the Gifts on the Inside!
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God has given you everything you need to do anything you set your mind to do. The seeds of greatness are on the inside. The talents, gifts and abilities are lying there waiting to be used. All you have to do is fan the flame. Stir up the gifts that God has placed inside of you!
Every time you say “I Can’t” or “I don’t have the talents or abilities”, you’re shortchanging yourself. You’re limiting God. You are wasting those precious treasures that the Lord has placed there on the inside.
When you let those gifts go to waste, it’s like having a million dollars in the bank and only using a small percentage of it.
You’ll be surprised at the strength, the talents, the courage and Read More→
ShareRelight the Fire!
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Our passion, zest and zeal is what drives us. It’s the fire that we have on the inside that catapults us into our God-given destiny.
When God placed seeds of greatness on the inside, He instilled this passion. He instilled the fire and the motivation for you to go on and achieve great and mighty things.
Somewhere along the line, many have lost their passion. They’ve lost the drive to do what they once loved. They’ve given up on all their dreams.
But let me encourage you today, don’t lose that fire. Don’t lose the zest and the zeal that God has placed inside you. Go back to your first love.
Maybe you were born to be an artist. And somewhere along the line, you’ve lost the desire, the passion- the motivation. Reflect on what you once loved about art. You see, there was something there deep down inside that once caused you to Read More→
ShareEncourage Yourself in the Lord… (tell them talk to the hand)
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Too often, we’re looking around us for validation. We’re looking for someone to affirm who we are. We’re looking to be accepted, loved and appreciated.
But we’re not always going to find encouragement from others. We’re not always going to find an uplifting word. In fact, sometimes it’s the other way around. There are times when others will bring stress to your day.
That’s when you have to dig down deep and encourage yourself in the Lord. Tell yourself that you are blessed and highly favored. You’re wonderful and fearfully made. Tell yourself that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
When you get a false and negative report from a critic, do yourself a favor and pay it no mind. Let it go in one ear and out the other.
I remember years ago when the “cool” term used to be “talk to the hand.” Friends, the term may be out of style. It may not be the “hip” thing to say, but the Read More→
ShareThe Seeds are Going In
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Every good deed you do counts. Your friends may not see them. Not even your family, the ones who are near and dear to you will see every single act of kindness that you extend. But the one who really matters, the most high God, the creator of the universe sees every seed that you sow.
It’s easy to think your actions don’t matter. It’s easy to think, “I’ll never come into my harvest.” “I’m not seeing the fruits of my labor, it’s pointless.” But let me encourage you today. Your good works count for something. Everything you do is a seed that goes into the ground, get’s watered and produces a harvest.
You see, God is watching your efforts. He’s keeping a detailed account of everything you’ve done since the day you were born. In fact, even before you were born, He knew your every move.
So be encouraged today. Keep working hard. Keep pressing forward into your God-given destiny. Your hard work matters. The world may not see it. But God sees Read More→
ShareLet it Bounce Off
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It’s easy to get down in the dumps when you get a bad break. If you get a false report from a critic or a naysayer, don’t let it take root. Don’t let it sink in. No, you’re going to have to let it bounce off.
In life, we’ll face all kinds of ups and downs. But the best thing you can do is go forward regardless. Don’t focus on the bad apples in life. If an enemy sends negativity your way, let it bounce off.
If a hater is under the influence of “haterade” and is sending hate your way, let it bounce off. Stand bold and tall. Tell your haters, “don’t hate, congratulate”
If fear, doubt and uncertainty come knocking at the door, tell them go away. Don’t fall prey to their tactics, let them bounce off.
You see, God has given you everything you need to bounce back from set backs and disappointments. Your story ends in victory.
Don’t focus on the bad seeds of life, instead let the good ones take root. You can bounce back from a bad day. You can bounce back from a closed door, failed Read More→
ShareWhen You’re Down to Nothing…
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When it seems like you’re on your last string, know that God is behind the scenes working. You may not know what He’s preparing for you. You may not know His plans. You may not know the details– the how, the when, the where and the who, but just know that God is up to something.
He has the master plan in place. Get your hopes up. Get your faith up. Get your joy back. Your struggles, trials and disappointments all work out for your good and in due time you will come into your harvest.
It’s easy to get bitter, soured on life and discouraged. It’s easy to look at the circumstances surrounding you. But know that our God remembers us in our low estate.
A wise person once said, “when you’re down to nothing, God is up to something.” Don’t focus on the sorrows, look forward to the joys of tomorrow. Don’t look at Read More→
ShareWhen Life Gives You Rocky Roads…
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Not every pathway in life is going to be a smooth one. Sometimes you’re going to face some crooked places.
In the roadways of life you’re going to face a few potholes, speed bumps, detours and uneven lanes. But if you’ll press through the setbacks, challenges and obstacles, you’ll come into the victory that God has for you!
Life is full of rocky roads. You may come into some valleys and rough places along the way. You may stumble along some road work and constructions sites. But don’t throw in the towel. It’s easy to get impatient, disappointed and lose hope when things don’t go your way. But we serve a God who makes the rough places plain. He makes the crooked places straight.
There is no road too rocky that our God can’t smooth it out. You may be tempted to lose joy and get doubtful. But don’t lose faith, your setbacks are only meant Read More→
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