The Encouragement Thread

[cesty]

There's one vital thing that we need in order to grow in Jesus Christ, and that is encouragement in the Lord! You see, this is something that you just can't get enough of.

We all need to hear it. And we all need to do it!

So I would like to dedicate this thread to the cause of encouraging believers in the Lord.

Please participate by sharing an encouraging word, story, prayer, Bible verse, picture, video, etc...

Let's see if we can keep this thread alive until the Lord returns!

 

[cesty]

I will start this off with a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivIaHyrngws

 

[cesty]

Over 20 views and no one has anything encouraging to share?

Come on people. Life can't be that bad.

Give thanks to the Lord!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzhFyNp3Ja8

 

[cesty]

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was inquiring of the older preacher.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life and for his ministry.

Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact...

It wasn't long before he realized how impossible it was to do so.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day.
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

~ © Bryan T. Burgess ~

 

[cesty]

Were it not for Grace, humanity would be no more. The fact that we are alive evidences that we are Loved...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6_lYk8cfIohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ST5gS-3rU

 

[rmw8855]

 

[nzguy]

Condemnation

Is taken care of at the cross!

We can freely talk to each other and encourage, rebuke and admonish without condemning eachother.. because Christ does not condemn us!

He has forgiven our sins.. past, present and future..

This is how we are able to live free, and in the love of God, because we as Christians are never personally condemned

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

from

NZguy

 

[cesty]

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:6-8 NKJV)

 

[cesty]

Dear reader,

Do you really know that Jesus loves you?

A lot of people say they believe in Jesus, but they question His love for them when things don't seem to be going right with their lives.

Whenever you are tempted to feel this way remember Gethsemane.

Remember Golgotha!

And know that when Jesus opened His arms to the world and allowed nails to be driven through His hands and feet, He said, "This is how much I love you!"

And then He died...

If ever you feel discouraged about your life, Watch the Lamb! And know that you are loved. Know that God has something wonderful in store for you, as Jesus has prepared a place for you in God's kingdom!

Watch the Lamb! Watch the Lamb!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_L0AXVU5Ks

 

[cesty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q

 

[HannahBanana]

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~John 14:27

 

[cesty]

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV)

 

[HannahBanana]

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

 

[cdiller79]

I want to praise God for so much! I praise Him for my church and my new pastor.

 

[cesty]

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3 KJV)

 

[cesty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I2WBRC7gLI

 

[cesty]

From the time that we wake up in the morning, up until we see the light of the next day, and even beyond that, we breathe in the grace of God!

You see, if it weren't for His grace there would be no life.

Therefore, every time you take a breath, know that you are only able to do so because God loves you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY
Now then, will you receive the Holy Spirit and show the world what it means to take in the Life of Jesus Christ?

 

[cesty]

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

What makes this verse so meaningful?

Do you know?

 

[cesty]

Do you appreciate this thread?

I just don't understand why there isn't more participation in it.

How much time does it take to post a thought?

Come on people...

 

[Easyrider]

When the disciples saw JESUS’ Miracle, They Believed!!
The Miracle showed HIS Power over Nature and Revealed
the way HE would go about HIS Ministry--
*Helping Others,
*Speaking with Authority, and
*Being in Personal Touch with People.

Miracles are not merely superhuman events,
but events that demonstrate GOD’s Power.

2 Kings 17:36 . . .
Worship only the LORD, who brought you out
of Egypt with such Mighty Miracles and Power.
You must Worship HIM and Bow before HIM;
Offer Sacrifices to HIM Alone.

Daniel 6:27-NLT . . .
HE Rescues and Saves HIS People;
HE performs Miraculous Signs and
Wonders in the Heavens and on Earth.
HE has rescued Daniel from the Power
of the lions.

Micah 7:15-NLT . . .
“Yes,” says the LORD,
“I will do Mighty Miracles for you,
like those I did when I Rescued you
from Slavery in Egypt.”

GOD Uses Miracles to Rescue Us!!