Encouragement Archives

October 27, 2023October 26, 2023

Our Creator God

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ~ Colossians 1:15-17^NIV

Paul wrote that Jesus wasn’t just the beginning of God’s new creation, being the first to acquire the new eternal, perfect body that we so desire. The body that He received at His resurrection and the body that we will receive at the blowing of the last trumpet on that day when He comes back for us. Not only all of those things but all creation was created through Jesus and for Jesus. We weren’t created for no reason. We weren’t created just to be slaves to sin, fear, anger, lust, etc. We were created for Christ.

We have salvation that the angels in heaven long to even understand or grasp. We are a beloved creation. We are so loved that He spiritually seats us with Him so that we can overcome all things through Him. So that we might be able to fulfill our God-given call.

We weren’t mistakes. He intentionally created each and every one of us with a purpose and call. Not a single one does He desire to lose, but instead, He desires each and every one of us to come to acceptance through Christ Jesus. We are each loved and desired by our gracious Creator.

Dear LORD, thank You for creating me. Thank You for giving me a purpose. Thank You that I’m not alone, even when it feels that way, for You have never left nor forsaken me. Thank You that You’re a good, loving Father who only wants good things for me. Teach me to find those good things and follow Your good path for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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We All Have A Gift

⁴ I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵ For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-7^NIV

Today, the Church is quite divided over spiritual matters. One says spiritual gifts were for a time; another says some spiritual gifts were for a time, while another says all spiritual gifts are for all times. Paul encouraged us that we don’t lack any spiritual gift. So, what does that mean? Paul listed multiple spiritual gifts later on in this same letter. That not only suggests but confirms that we aren’t lacking in any spiritual gift as we wait for the return of our LORD, Jesus Christ.

Spiritual gifts aren’t something God gave to us for just a season. It can’t be. Why? Because those gifts were given for the building up, strengthening, and empowering of His Church. If He took those away, we’re saying one of two things: either He weakened the Church, or the Church is perfect and doesn’t need His help in those areas anymore. Neither of these two things is true. The Devil is still on the earth, running free with much power and authority. He’s not a toothless lion; otherwise, he wouldn’t be someone we have to watch out for. That’s why Peter warned us that the Devil, our adversary, is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

To be on the prowl is to be on the hunt. It’s to seek out prey for food. This isn’t a toothless defeated lion that Peter is warning us of. Therefore, how can we say we no longer have the spiritual gifts that strengthen, build up, and uphold the Church? The very body that he is seeking to destroy. We can’t. That’s a lie from the enemy to weaken his adversary so that he might easier overpower and devour us.

Spiritual gifts, according to Paul and Peter, are given to each person. Paul even tells us to earnestly seek the greater gifts. Why? Because he wants us to be strong and not weak. He wants us to be prepared in every possible way, just as he was so that when we get to the end of our race, we can stand confidently as he did and say,

⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Dear LORD, help me to be like Paul and seek out not only the spiritual gifts you have given me but the greater gifts as well. Help me not to live in fear or doubt that these gifts are for me. Help me to live in the confidence of Your Truth and not the truth of an individual with biases and opinions. I don’t want to follow man, but You and You alone. Show me how to seek out my gifts and the greater gifts. Teach me how to use my gift for the furthering of Your Kingdom. May it be for Your glory and honor and not my own. May it bring You praise and point the world back to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Cry Out Until You Receive

²⁹ As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” ³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” ~ Matthew 20:29-31

During the time of Jesus, the people tried to silence those who cried out to Jesus. They didn’t feel they were worthy of Jesus healing them. They didn’t see their worth. Today’s crowd is even more selfish, for they don’t even want Jesus to come into their city. But the two blind men were not intimidated nor discouraged. They shouted even louder, and Jesus heard them and granted them their heart’s desire. If they had caved under the abusive words of the crowd or decided to wait for a more opportune time, they would have missed their miracle.

Don’t wait, don’t be intimidated, don’t hesitate, and DO NOT BE DENIED; Jesus is passing by; this is your day and your miracle. Just reach out and touch Him, and your life will never be the same.

LORD, turn Your ear to my cry of faith today. Tough my heart, mind, soul, spirit, and body. Grant liberation to me as I cry out to You. Deliver me from all of my bondage and sin. Restore my mind and cleanse me of all evil thoughts and desires. Come to my rescue and help me to become worthy of Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Joy Comes In The Morning

⁵ For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. ~ Psalms 30:5^KJV

If God loves you, He will discipline you, but it’s only for a short time because He loves you. Therefore, His favor lasts a lifetime. His favor will open doors that were once closed; it brings that promotion that was out of reach. It protects that wayward child and restores that broken relationship.

His love is the reason why weeping will only last a night, but when the sun comes up, it brings joy, new hope, renewed mercies, and fresh blessings. Be blessed today, be joyful today, be hopeful and optimistic today; God loves you and cares for you.

Father, we, Your children, come and present to You the offering of praise. Receive it today and leave behind a blessing. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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Be Encouraged By Grace

³³And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ~ Acts 4:33

The Apostles were giving their testimony about the resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ, and grace was upon them all. But I want you to notice; it was not just grace, but great grace that was upon not just the apostles, but upon them all. And through that grace, mighty miracles, signs and wonders, and mighty acts of healing were being performed by the believers.

All the believers enjoyed the grace or the favor of the LORD. I want you to understand that grace or favor is not the same as mercy. Mercy is defined as NOT getting what we deserve. Grace, or favor, is defined as getting what we do NOT deserve.

The favor, or the grace of the LORD, can and will open doors. It can and will heal the sick. Save the lost. Raise the dead. Perform signs and wonders. It will perform miracles. Because of the LORD’s Favorable Grace, the first-century Church moved in power. Without grace, or favor, there is no Holy Spirit, and thus, there is no power.

It is because of this –Favorable Grace– that we can sing:

Let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the LORD has done for us
Give thanks

It is not by man’s might; it is not by man’s power; it is not by man’s intellect, but by God’s grace and God’s favor. When we enjoy the Favorable Grace of the LORD, we don’t need anything else.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Encouraged By Grace.

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A Mother’s Burden

Happy Mother’s Day. The role of a mother can become heavy and burdensome. It can become difficult and tiring to remain a strong, faithful mother as your children rebel and fall into the traps of the enemy. Some mothers have burdens that feel too heavy to carry, while others feel so hopeless they don’t even try to pick the burden up. There is nothing like a faithful mother, but how do you remain faithful when you have the whole world weighing on your shoulders? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he encourages each and every mother in his fiery message, A Mother’s Burden.

2 Samuel 21:8-14
2 Samuel 3:7-8
1 Samuel 18:19
Romans 12:12

A Mother’s Burden

Rizpah and Meraba

⁸The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; ⁹and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord, and the seven of them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest.
¹⁰Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night.
¹¹When David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, ¹²David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, on the day the Philistines killed Saul on Gilboa.
¹³And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. ¹⁴And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. And after that God responded to the plea for the land.

2 Samuel 21:8-14

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