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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
“Encouragement from the Heart”

Do you offer encouragement to others in your church? Do you try to help those whose hearts are down in the dumps? Do you offer words of encouragement regardless of your own situation? Knowing that God takes care of my every need and helps me each day is sufficient for me. That is what I keep telling myself because there are so many in my church that is less fortunate than I am.
My favorite verse is found in Philippians 4:19 and it says it all. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” With that one verse, I can take on the world and bring encouragement to my church family. Yes, I have faced many trials but God has brought me through them all. All things are possible for God. He can do the impossible and all I have to do is BELIEVE.
There is a young couple in our church whose needs are so great. If you watch them and see how they cope with each day, it is so amazing. The husband cannot work and the wife is the breadwinner so to speak. She tries valiantly to keep the family focused on the provisions the Lord has wrought. She truly is an encouragement to all who know her. Her faith can move mountains but she does not see that. She is humble and gentle. Is she an encourager? I say yes and I thank God for people like her.
I love ACRONYMS. They can say so much and one of my favorites is FOCUS. I read it in a little book and it is so true. If we would just do what it says, we could move mountains. F=Follow O=One C=Course U=Until S=Settled or Complete. Follow one course until settled or complete is so simple but so hard for us to do. We often time lose our focus and take our eyes off God who gives liberally to all who asks and believes. If you ask to be, an encouragement to your church family God will provide all you need to do just that.
One of the greatest encouragers from the Bible is Paul. He faced so many trials but he considered all of it rubbish just to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. To me Paul represents the type of encourager I want to be in my church. Whether he had plenty or not he still gave God the glory. All churches need people who offer encouragement from the heart. People who have that gift are joyous because they have learned to depend on God regardless of circumstance. The road may be rough and tough but encouragement from believers keeps us striving to win the race. How blessed I am to attend a church where you are given encouragement of that nature. Encouragement such as that comes not from man but from God. How sad that all do not know the value of encouragement such as that.

Although my heart may be broken and I am feeling sad and low
I know I have a Savior who truly loves me so.
No matter what the circumstance or how my day may go
I have a Lord who carries me and will never let me go.
He is my Lord and Savior He holds me in His hand.
He offers me encouragement and with His strength,
This tiny child can stand.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
11/15/07
I'd love to read a whole story about the couple in your third paragraph--what an inspiration!

To make your piece easier on the eye, try an extra "enter" between paragraphs.

Great job with the topic on this entry.