Words of Encouragement

When I was a little girl and felt wounded over something that happened (usually because one of my big brothers teased me), Mom or Dad would rescue me. They invited me to crawl up into their laps, where I found solace as they wrapped their arms around me and spoke words of encouragement.

I often did the same for my children when they suffered trouble or mishaps. I’d call them to me, hold them in my arms, and pray for them.

God desires to do the same for us. Through His mercy, He calls us to Him to comfort us in our times of distress. He invites us to share that same encouragement with others who find themselves in difficult situations.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV

Comfort here means to encourage, pray, call near, or invite. In what ways do we find the comfort that we need to share with others?

When I’m filled with despair, worry, or concerns about things in my life, God invites me to read His Word where I find strength, peace, and encouragement. He calls me near as I pray and seek His answers to my questions. To rest in God’s love and His Word speaks to me. I can then share His love with others who need support through prayer and words of hope.

Often, I don’t feel worthy of His calling to comfort others. My words of encouragement may not always express what my heart longs to share. But I’m learning to push through that awkwardness and rely more upon the Lord and His reassurance to me as stated in this blessing.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV

I’m being strengthened as I step out in faith to bless others through what I do and say. I receive this blessing from the Lord and will continue to do my best to offer words of encouragement to others. This blessing is for you too.

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Photo by Niklas Veenhuis - Unsplash

The Waiting

In my blog post, Personal Blessings, I shared how my husband and I have wanted to move back to Tennessee for several years, but we were hesitant to leave our youngest daughter in New Mexico. We believe that God opened the door six weeks ago for our move, when our daughter stated she was ready. Now that we’ve decided to relocate, I don’t enjoy the waiting. I want to hurry back to where the rest of our family lives so we can be together again.

We’d heard stories of offers accepted within ten days when we put our house on the market here in New Mexico three weeks ago. And while the market in middle Tennessee is hot, and they list homes one day and receive an offer within two, we hoped for similar results here. But God has a different plan for us.

After I sent a text to my children in Tennessee expressing my discouragement, I realized I sent that message without forethought. I’d experienced disappointment, not discouragement. I know God is working His plan, and His timing is better than mine. Maybe the home the Lord has for us in Tennessee isn’t available yet. The best thing for me to do is wait and trust.

At the start of 2020, I selected Philippians 4:6 as my verse for the year. I’ve referred to it often.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Verse 7 states the benefit of not worrying but praying instead.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word I selected for 2020 was “trust.” Fits in with my verse, doesn’t it? And appropriate for this year with several travel plans canceled because of COVID-19 and living life outside of any normalcy for the past seven months. Trusting God is the only way to endure these crazy times.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I find peace by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about tomorrow. My focus is on Christ, and I choose to trust Him.

Disappointed, but filled with peace. That’s a good place to be and where I find myself today during the waiting.

What are you trusting and waiting for today?

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All scripture references are from the New International Version.

Photo by Anvesh Uppunuthula - Unsplash.

Benedictions and Farewell Greetings

In previous blog posts, I mentioned that the word bless can signify a prayer of benediction. One of those is Numbers 6:24-26. I love the way it reads in the New Living Translation.

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

You’ve possibly heard a pastor say this or another version of it at the end of a worship service. They are speaking a blessing over you for protection, and for the Lord’s mercy, favor, and peace to rest upon you. Receive these words and hold on to them with your whole heart.

One of my pastors often shared this benediction at the close of a service.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21, NKJV

The writer of Hebrews used this benediction in his closing remarks. Paul, Peter, and John spoke blessings in their farewell greetings to the churches too. These are available for us to pray or speak over others and even for ourselves.

Paul ended his letter in 2 Corinthians 13:14 with this verse from the New International Version.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Christ’s grace, God’s love, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit are ours.

As 2 Thessalonians 3 wraps up, Paul gives this greeting in verse 16 from the New King James Version.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

He’s offering peace and reminding us that the Lord is near.

Here’s my farewell greeting for you today:

May you find peace, joy, and comfort in the Lord. May your walk be blessed with God’s guidance through whatever situations you face today. May you be filled with His wisdom and love.

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Photo by Frank McKenna - Unsplash

Personal Blessings

The Lord poured out a big blessing upon me. Another book released, and for that I’m thankful, but there’s much more!

Twelve years ago, we left Nashville, our two married children, and our grandson. We moved 1200 miles away to Albuquerque, New Mexico, with our youngest daughter. For the past five years we could have moved back to Tennessee, but we didn’t want to pull her away from her high school. After graduation, she had no intention of moving back and leaving her friends, but she said we could leave her. We didn’t feel the time was right to do that.

My daughter asked me why we didn’t move back and let her stay. The primary reason to move was to be together again as a family. If she weren’t with us, that wouldn’t happen.

I’ve prayed over these past several years and asked the Lord to put the desire in her heart to go with us. Living so far away from our two other children and three grandchildren breaks my heart.

Two weeks ago, my prayers were answered. My daughter said she was ready to move back. Praise God! He worked a miracle in her. I’ve prayed and waited for this day for five years. Time for a happy dance.

I love New Mexico, and I’ll miss the view of the Sandia Mountains, the low humidity, and amazing deep blue skies. I’ll experience a personal loss when I leave my friends, Bible study ladies, writer’s critique group, and my chiropractor (God blessed him with healing hands). And there’s almost nothing more beautiful than the pink-orange sunrises and sunsets.

But my heart is in Tennessee. I’ll be home when my ten-year-old granddaughter visits and we make cookies together, my six-year-old grandson crawls into my lap for a story, or my almost adult grandson laughs at hubby’s silliness. Those happy encounters will beat a sunrise or sunset.

God has blessed me above and beyond all that I’ve asked or thought, and I am so grateful.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV

What blessing are you praising God for today?

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Photo by Jp Valery - Unsplash