Encouragement about Encouragement

Hey there, it's Deeds! 💜💛

I'm on the blog today to offer a bit of encouragement about "encouragement."  

To keep it brief, as sisters and brothers in Christ, the command to encourage one another is one among many commands to the body of Christ, the Church.  

There are actually nearly 60 passages of scripture called "one another" passages, wherein unity and oneness of mind, love and strength, help and hope are required of us toward others of the faith.  In this, there is a workable "body," and a powerful testimony to those outside the faith!

When the Lord calls us to encouragement, His words are pretty clear as to the consistency, the intensity and the emergency...

Note...

 "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end." (Hebrews 3:-14 emphasis, mine)

God has a beautiful story to tell in the binding of our Bible.  There is a compelling tale of Creation and the perfection within.  This leads to something known as "the fall," the drastic change from something wonderful and "good" according to corrupted and becoming more corrupt because of sin.  Then (queue the Hero music), God brings about the Redemption plan which comes in and through the Person of Jesus Christ.  This sinless God the Son, does the ultimate work to redeem mankind on the cross and through the resurrection.  Because of this act of love and grace from God, now we have the opportunity to know and love God ourselves, love others, and tell others of the hope that is in Him.  The finale of this beautiful tale is called Recreation.  This is the part where God the Son assumes the throne for all time in a newly made, perfectly developed, eternal realm of glory.  Followers of God from the beginning of time to the end, live here forever.  Dwell here for all eternity, in the presence of the Lord, worshiping, living and loving perfectly - FOREVER! 
Now, this story hold so much more for us and gets unfolded in the pages of the Bible.  When you look at scripture through the lens of the "Story" - HIS story - encouragement, as was meant in Hebrews, is possible and powerful! So,

When you see a crisis in the brotherhood, encourage.

When you see pain, encourage.

When you see growth, encourage.

When you encounter rebellion, encourage.

When there's bickering, encourage.

On and on, the list goes regarding the blessing of one child of God to another.  On and on the list goes of ways and reasons to do so. 

Sometimes, I make encouragement cards for my family (those who would say they are "in Christ") to help them see from scripture the necessity to endure, persevere, take heart, believe Christ, live in grace, love with power, and see the bigger picture.  This is an exercise for me too, to remember God's calling on our lives, and the implications of being His child/follower/ambassador.  And through the filter of this wonderful Story of scripture, I'm encouraged! 

So here's a few examples of the cards I made, but also the scripture from which they're based (I would encourage you to look up each of these to help understand the sentiment!):

God is good, all the time.
 - Romans 8:28
 - Psalm 145:9

 - Psalm 136

Inside the will of God is the only place to be.
 - John 15:7

 - Jeremiah 29:11

 - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When you go through deep waters, God will be with you.

 - 2 Corinthians 4:9

 - Isaiah 43:2-3

 - Psalm 62:6

I am His, and He is mine.

 - Song of Songs 6:3

 - Ezekiel 16:8

 - Isaiah 43:1

God never allows pain without a purpose.

 - Philippians 2:13

 - Hebrews 12:6

 - Psalm 94:12

 - 1 Peter 5:10

 - Romans 5:3-5

Trust in God's perfect plan, even when His answer is wait.

 - Psalm 62:5

 - Titus 2:13

 - Psalm 46:10

I do hope this was helpful and encouraging.  This is something that works mightily in the lives of fellow followers of Christ - this use of scripture in daily living is powerful because the Word is living and powerful!  It divides even the more narrow of pathways in our souls to do that work which cannot be done by any other book, tool, blade, or medicine.  It IS the power of God - in it we find Him.  And, THAT is encouraging.

Much love,

Deeds 

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