Encourage One Another...

peacechild4 · #51 26th March 2007, 07:28 PM

I am really really glad Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever and that there is no limit to what is possible for us who believe on what He says!!

Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Mark 9:23
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

If God be your partner, make your plans large.

-- Dwight L. Moody

peacechild4 · #52 27th March 2007, 10:35 PM

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Do Not Worry

From Matthew 6

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

peacechild4 · #53 29th March 2007, 01:45 AM

THE POWER OF BLESSING

By Mary Jo Clouse

Many years ago when my daughter, Karen, was a little girl, we had a problem. Every summer Karen would get a bee sting just before we went on vacation so she could not wear her shoes due to the swelling. Every summer we would say, “Next week is vacation, and she will get a bee sting and not be able to wear her shoes.” Sure enough, that was exactly what happened.
After three years of having our negative words fulfilled, my husband, George, and I heard a sermon on angels. The minister who preached it said that each one of us has a guardian angel. About the same time George’s aunt told us: “You are putting a curse on Karen with your mouth. You need to speak positively about your child.”
We repented and asked God to forgive us for putting “word curses” on her. From that point on, George and I changed what we were saying. We blessed Karen with our words and spoke encouragement to her. As we prayed for her and spoke positive things over her, our words dispersed ministering angels to look out for her, and she never had another bee sting.
In addition to receiving bee stings, Karen had had her arm broken two or three times prior to our speaking blessings over her. But after we began to bless her, she never again had a broken bone.
We still use the same principle of blessing we did when Karen was little, although she is grown now and has four children of her own. And there is power in it!
Most of us have never had a father’s blessing, yet, as the Scriptures show, there is power in receiving one. When George and I minister together I often ask him to come up and pronounce a father’s blessing over everyone there who has never been blessed by his or her earthly father. It is amazing to hear the testimonies later of how God reversed the curse when the blessing was released on them.
George begins with the “Father’s Blessing” from Gen. 49:25: “By the God of your father who will help you, and by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb” (NKJV).
Then we add our own words of blessing taken from Deut. 28:1-14: “Blessings of health in your physical body. Blessings of long life as you continue to serve the Lord your God. Blessings of peace and happiness for you and your entire family. You will be blessed as you come in and as you go out. And all that your hand touches will prosper. I proclaim this father’s blessing on you this day in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
A few years ago before the start of a new year, I asked God to give us a key to blessing others. A friend of mine gave me a book called The Prayer of Jabez. I began praying this prayer daily for me and my household.
It comes from verses nine and ten of 1 Chronicles 4, which contains a powerful message: “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, and that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what He requested.”
Jabez chose not to accept the fact that his name meant pain. He asked God His Father to reverse the curse that His mother had put on him when she named him, and God answered his prayer.
God is not a respecter of persons. What he did for Jabez he will do for anyone who asks. Why not resolve to pray a prayer of blessing over you and your family every day? Think about what your home would be like if you caused no pain to anyone in your family the entire year!
And while you are asking God to bless you, make a habit of speaking blessings over others, too, as George and I have learned to do. You may be surprised by the power of your words to bring life (see Prov. 18:21).

Hello,
Permission is granted to reprint the article by Mary Jo Clouse, "The Power of Blessing" which appeared in the March 19, 2007 issue of SpiritLed Woman PowerUp, with the understanding that there is no fee charged and the article will be used as is, with the addition of the following reprint permission line:

"Reprinted with permission from SpiritLed Woman, March 19, 2007. Copyright Strang Communications Co., USA. All rights reserved.

lovehigherthanthelaw · #54 7th April 2007, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by peacechild4

I want to start a thread to encourage each other!!

Originally Posted by peacechild4

For the Word of God says..

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Amen. i love encouragement from the body of Christ!

God bless you

Blessings to all!

There is LOVE & Forgiveness at the feet of JESUS.

peacechild4 · #55 11th April 2007, 12:03 AM

He Is God~
He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

mourningdove~ · #56 11th April 2007, 09:37 AM

Amen.

.

angelwind · #57 11th April 2007, 11:40 AM

Amen!!!!

peacechild4 · #58 14th April 2007, 10:57 AM

By David Silver

The Hebrew word SHALOM is understood around the world to mean peace. But peace is only one small part of the meaning of the word SHALOM. Here in Israel, even though we don't have much in the way of peace, we use the word SHALOM on a daily basis. We use it to greet people with, and we use it to bid farewell to people. However, SHALOM means much more than peace, hello or goodbye.

Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.

Shalom comes from the root verb Shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Sar SHALOM (Prince of Peace) is one of the descriptive names the Bible uses to indicate the ministry and personality of the Messiah: Isaiah 9:6 - The Son of God is completely perfect in all things.
So in essence, when you speak out the word SHALOM - you are not only proclaiming peace, but all the above meanings of the word over that person - that's a mighty blessing!!!
Remember what the word of God says - "there is life or death in the power of the tongue".

We recently heard someone on a Christian TV program say: "No wonder the Jewish people are so blessed, because every time they say Shalom to one another, they are also allowing the full meaning (see above) of SHALOM to be pronounced over them. He humorously proceeded to say that this greeting word would be much more beneficial to the American people if they greeted each other with SHALOM instead of their usual "Hi" or "Howdy" greeting. As Josie and I adapted to life in Israel, we adapted to the SHALOM habit over the "Hi" habit....As Messianic Jews, we are called to bless you and we take that very seriously, by praying for you and by greeting you with SHALOM. Therefore, from now on, when we or someone says SHALOM to you, you should receive it as a tremendous blessing. And bless them back with a hearty SHALOM!"

Numbers 6:24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His face upon you and give you SHALOM. In the name of SAR SHALOM - the Prince of Peace.

peacechild4 · #59 15th April 2007, 08:52 PM

Be encouraged.. God loves you.. and He will move heaven and earth to save you and help you.. He will come to You where you are.. no matter where you are.. and how hard your life is..

The Garbage Dump People

The below story is one of the most fascinating I have ever heard. It comes from a reliable Christian friend. I first heard it last year but was able to document the details only a few days ago. It demonstrates the power of God's love to penetrate even the most closed cultures when His people are willing to lay down all for the Savior and take up His cross. It also demonstrates the outpouring of God's Spirit in these last days.

A missionary couple had been laboring in a certain Muslim country that I will not name for purposes of protection. They had become terribly discouraged in their attempts to share the gospel with the Muslims there, and they were about to quit and go home. However, they first decided to take a few days to fast and pray, asking the Lord for direction and guidance.

To their surprise, during this period of seeking, the Lord gave them this simple instruction, "Go to the garbage dump people." (In my humble experience, whenever God really speaks to us it is usually very succinct -- short, to the point, with few words, very direct. I am always wary of long dissertations purportedly from God.)
The garbage dump people lived on the outskirts of this large Muslim city, the last people group anyone would normally ever want to visit. There are thousands of people there who literally live in the garbage dump. They have no other place to live. They actually comprise a city built on top of all the garbage. "Homes" are typically cardboard boxes. (My friend has photos.) People live off of what they find in the garbage. The stench is described as terrible.

The missionary couple hesitated, humanly not really wanting to go, but they decided that if the Lord was speaking to them they had better obey. (Good idea.)

They soon began an outreach to the garbage dump people. God's anointing was obviously on the effort because after only a short time they had 30-40 people gathering around them for a Bible study in the garbage dump. In less than a year, 800-900 people were gathering every time the missionaries went in to peach and teach, which was three times a week. They soon began to see God's wisdom in this unique ministry. The garbage dump was a totally protected place because no one, including the authorities, wanted to go in there to interfere with what they were doing.
One day, their numbers having reached into the hundreds, they were talking with one of the oldest men of the garbage dump city. They told him that somehow they were going to have to find some shelter so that the assembled people would have some cover from the elements. The old man said, "When I was just a child, many years ago, some of the old people at that time said that there was a cave, and far down into the cave there is a meeting place. I remember being taken in there as a young boy. I think I could take you there again." They agreed to come back and go with the old man.

The missionaries soon returned with friends and flashlights. The old man led them to a back part of the garbage dump with a lot of rock formations. He then took them to the opening of a very large cave. They all entered the cave and walked and walked, for about 45 minutes. Finally, at the end, there was a turn, and then to their astonishment they saw an enormous, incredibly well-preserved theater! It was like one of those in the Roman times we have seen in pictures. It was in immaculate condition, obviously preserved from ancient times by the unusual climate. They discovered there was seating for about 5,000 people!

The missionaries began to use that underground theater as the meeting place and as the church. God began to fill the place with garbage dump people. It was not long before every seat in the whole theater was filled, and it was not unusual for lines of Muslims waiting to give testimonies of salvation to go down both sides of the theater, to the left and the right, all the way to the back. These were all Muslims who had come to faith in Jesus Christ, many of them after a supernatural experience, with Jesus appearing to them in dreams and visions, a phenomenon in Muslim countries we have heard about from other reliable sources. Services sometimes go on for hours.

All this happened because the Father's love through the Holy Spirit stirred in the hearts of two people -- a committed missionary couple -- who said, "yes," and who were willing to lay down their lives, personal ambitions, ego and pride for Jesus, and preach in a filthy, stinking Muslim garbage dump.

I marvel at God's wisdom and how He loves and remembers the lowly.

To Him be all the glory, honor and praise!

ChowdersMom · #60 16th April 2007, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by peacechild4

The Garbage Dump People

Wow. What an amazing story, Peacechild. Thank you.