Archive for Encouraging
Shattered Glass Reflects More Light!
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We’re all God’s wonderful piece of art. We all come from different backgrounds and different experiences. Many have amazing stories of triumph yet dreadful stories of failure. We’ve all faced joy filled days and sad nights. But these less than perfect experiences have molded and shaped us into the wonderful people that we are.
Some of the greatest and most loving people are the ones who have experienced hurt, pain and brokenness. They are the ones who have faced many setbacks and disappointments in life and have overcome them. They’re the ones with depth and substance. They are the people who shine the most light in the world.
Know today that the hurts of your past came to make you stronger and better. You sorrows can bring you more joy than you can imagine.
It’s easy to get sour on life. But don’t drown in the bitter waters. Don’t crumble. Don’t get a chip on your shoulder. No, you have to know that you’re better, stronger and wiser than you were before.
God can heal your hurt and your pain. He’s a mender. He’s the ultimate healer. He can restore to you the joy that has been lost.
I’ve heard it said that shattered glass shines more light. You would thing that a whole, perfect piece of glass would be more valuable. But more light reflects Read More→
Your Story Ends in Victory!
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When God is on your side, no one or nothing can ever come against you. As long as you’re on the winning side, you will triumph over all your obstacles.
It’s easy to get soured on life. It’s easy to think that God has forgotten about you. In the midst of storms and difficulties, most have a tendency to shift the focus on the “right now” and forget the end result. But you have to know that your story ends in victory.
Make no mistake, you will have some losses. Everyday won’t be sunshine. You’re going to have some defeats. You may get knocked down, but you won’t get knocked out. You may even lose the battle, but you won’t lose the war. Your final chapter concludes that your story ends in victory.
If you’ll flip to the back of the Bible, you’ll discover that God’s Word promises Read More→
ShareAnd it Came to Pass…
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“…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5
We all go through our seasons in life. Even in the natural, seasons don’t last forever. No, every season has it’s time. The summer, fall, winter and spring only last for an appointed time.
This same concept applies in every area of your life. When you face storms and trials in your life, remember that they’re only temporary. They’re just like seasons, they’re meant to pass away.
All throughout God’s word, it says “and it came to pass…” This is a great reminder that nothing lasts forever. Your storm didn’t come to stay, it came to pass.
You can rejoice in knowing that your dark and cold winters won’t last forever. Rejoice knowing that your obstacles will soon be a thing of the past. On the other side of your mountain is joy, hope and victory. It will all come to pass.
I love how today’s scripture reminds us, weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. But here’s the good news: it’s darkest just before Read More→
ShareHow to Deal with Defeat
Posted by: | CommentsWe all face our set backs, rejections, and disappointments. When we face defeat, we’re tempted to crumble, throw in the towel and give up.
But let me encourage you today, your greatest victory comes when you press through the rejection. Your greatest success doesn’t come through luck. It doesn’t come by chance. It comes by persevering despite the countless defeats you face.
Our God has given you all the talents, gifts and abilities to press forward to do great things. Now, all you have to do is stretch yourself. Defy all the odds. Reach forward into your God-given destiny. I think of many examples of people who went on to achieve great success, despite the number of times they were told “no.”
I’ve completed this week’s inspirational video. In the video, I talk about these great historical figures and how they were all told “no.” However, they pressed on regardless of the defeat they faced. Please see the video below. (If you can’t see the video via email, please click the link below and it will take you directly to the blog post page where you can view the video.)
ShareStuck between a Rock and a Hard Place?
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“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Do you feel like you’re hard-pressed on every side? Maybe you’re perplexed. You may even feel forsaken or struck down.
If you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, know today that there is a rock that is higher than you and I. And this “Rock” can bear all things!
This is no ordinary rock. This is not a rock that causes harm, hurt or pressure. This is not the kind of rock that will weigh you down. No, this rock is the solid rock.
God’s Word uses a metaphor that refers to Jesus as the solid rock- a sure foundation. No matter what storms come, no matter how hard the winds blow, if you Read More→
ShareIgnite the Spark!
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Do you have talents and abilities that are lying dormant? Maybe you’ve been waiting on the right moment to do what you’ve deemed impossible.
God wants you to know that you are qualified. He gave you all the tools you need to do the impossible. All you need to do is ignite the spark.
For some, all it takes is a spark. All it takes is a nudge in the right direction. Well, let me encourage you today. Find that spark that will launch you into your God-given destiny.
If you’re going to fulfill your divine assignment, you’re going to have to fan the flame. Stir up the gifts that are already inside you.
Don’t wait on the “right time.” Don’t wait until everything is in place to soar into your destiny. No, you have to ignite the spark that is within.
No need to wait until you have the right qualifications. Your resume doesn’t validate you. You have a spark on the inside, take a leap of faith. Let your resume catch up with you. In the Kingdom of God, you don’t need qualifications. You don’t need the Read More→
ShareIf You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses)
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“If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don’t, you will find an excuse.” ―E. James Rohn
Every since we were kids we’ve had amazing dreams. For some, being the world’s greatest sports star or big time musician was the ultimate dream. Others wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. For someone else, a firefighter or a teacher was enough to make their future a success.
Somewhere along the line, we stopped dreaming and started making excuses. We’ve allowed discouragement to set in and deter our focus. At some point, many have listened to the naysayers say things like, “that’s impossible” or “I tried that and it doesn’t work.” They would even go as far as to say, “your chances are slim to none compared to the other contenders.” And what’s worse is we’ve made excuses for ourselves.
But if you want it bad enough, you’ll accept no excuses. You’ll stop at nothing. God has given you all the tools to do any and everything you want to do. Tap into those tools. Take your God-given talent and put it to good use for you.
What dreams and visions have you forfeited? Maybe you wanted to be a big time lawyer, but you allowed room for the voices of defeat. Maybe all your life you Read More→
ShareSee Yourself Through God’s Eyes
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In the grand scheme of things, God sees you as whole, equipped and complete. To Him, you are a royal masterpiece of honor, greatness and power. His Word says you’re an overcomer, more than a conqueror and able to accomplish all things.
But too often, we don’t see ourselves through the eyes of God. We see the setbacks and failures. We see the impossibilities but God sees the possibilities. We see our incompetence but God sees our potential. We see our lack thereof and the Lord sees provision. We see no way out, but God has a way of escape.
If you’ll start seeing yourself through the eyes of God, you’ll realize you can accomplish more than you think. Get a vision for who you are in the grand microscope. Focus on the big picture
Sure you may have failed in the past. You may have made some bad decisions. In the natural, you may have some handicaps, but these are the ingredients that make up your success. Some of the most successful people have had the greatest failures.
Realize that you have an advantage. Before the foundation of the world, God ordained that you would do great things. He had a plan for you before you were formed in the womb.
Know that you are the apple of God’s eye. You are His most prized possession. He sees you from the big picture.
I think about how when we travel in an airplane, everything looks magnificent and beautiful when looking down from above. Even the most run-down looking cities with graffiti, torn down buildings and pollution, have a splendid picture of perfection looking down from thirty-thousand feet in the air. From that high up, you can’t see such Read More→
ShareHe’s the Lifter of Our Heads!
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“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” – Psalm 3:3
There is no situation that our God can’t turn around for the greater good. There is no pit too deep that the LORD can’t raise you out of.
We all face our dark days. We all experience doom and gloom. But know today that we serve a God who is the lifter of our heads.
God has the ability to bring joy in the times of sorrow. When you have a hung down head, our God goes to work behind the scenes to comfort you and meet you at the point of your need.
Remember, when you’re at your weakest that’s when God is at His strongest in you. When you don’t see a way, God has a way.
I love how the Psalmist says it. He says, “The LORD is near to to the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit.” If you have a broken heart, our God is a faithful God. He’s the mender of broken hearts!
God’s Word has the awesome ability to speak life, victory and encouragement into your circumstance. Our almighty God is sufficient and He can provide the
ShareJesus the Same Yesterday, Today and Forevermore!
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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forevermore.” – Hebrews 13:8
Have you ever experienced a here today, gone tomorrow type of relationship? Maybe you’ve encountered some failed promises and misunderstandings along the way. Well, the good thing about our God is He’s forever the same. His love towards us never changes.
People may come and go. They may disappoint you, hurt you, upset you, or turn their backs on you. But the good news is, Jesus is unchangeable. His love is unending. Unlike man, He doesn’t compromise His character based on circumstances. He’s not fickle. No He is a steadfast God.
His Word says that His love never fails. God’s love is not based on circumstances. It’s not based on your past or what you can do for him. No, His love is unconditional and it’s forever the same.
The scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. The God we serve was the same when He created the universe. He was the Read More→
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