Encouraging Notes

There have been many times in my life where I trusted in my own strength and power to save me or to gain honor for myself. At those times, I sought the favor of people more than that of God. Trusting is self, and the opinions of others produce slavery and bondage, but trusting in God is the life of freedom and fulfillment!

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:7,8 (NIV84)

Trusting in God for your salvation and honor is indeed the most satisfying and rewarding way to live! Why? Because empowering life is found in knowing you are loved, forgiven, and free! When we trust him, we can cast all of our cares upon him because we know that he cares for us. 1Pet 5:7 Oh yes, there is something profound about being in the valley of the shadow of death and genuinely fearing no evil because you know God is with you! Ps 23:4

Are you putting the full weight of your trust in God today? Now is your opportunity to step into the life of God’s abundant freedom and happiness! God’s kind of life, faith, causes you to be bold enough to confront your fears and leap over previous obstacles and hurdles. Yes, you can start that business, write that book, forgive that person, step into that ministry! The difference between winning and losing in life comes down to your thought life and what you have chosen to put your trust in.

There is no reason to allow fear to rule your life today! God’s word is true, and he will never leave you or forsake you. Heb 13:5 Set your mind on the inspiring truths of God’s word, for they are life to all who find them and health to their whole body! Prov 4:22 May the days of putting your hope and trust in yourself be over! Oh yes! I am praying that this Encouraging Note inspires you to, as never before, live the amazing life of…

DEPENDING ON GOD!

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You have heard of people selling their souls for something this world has to offer. The final result of those who do so is graphic disappointment! According to the Strongs concordance, the Greek word ψυχή or psychē is used 95 times in the New Testament and is usually translated as soul. This word refers to the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, and aversions of our mind, will, and emotions. Sometimes it is even translated with the word life because of its root meaning which speaks of what makes you love being you. In light of that, take a look at this Scripture.

Mark 8:36-37 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

As you know, some people have a lot of money but do not enjoy their life. As you look at humanity closely, it becomes evident that money and things are not the secrets to life. The following Scriptures give us the secret to the abundant life God has offered us.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Abundant life is realized when a person finds Jesus and experiences all that he is! Jesus is the well where extraordinary, wonderful life is found. You can have all the money in the world and hate living! Nothing in this world can genuinely satisfy your deepest needs! A rewarding and fulfilling life is found within an intimate relationship with God!

It is God’s will that your life would be filled with all that He is! Wow! So amazing! Think about it, what in this world is worth losing your soul over?…

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

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When someone receives the love and grace of God, they can never be the same again! Those who experience amazing life of being loved, forgiven, and free get transformed into red hot, passionate Christians! Though not popular, I will say it... Sometimes those who claim Christianity miss the power available in the grace of God. Consider these words of Jesus.

Revelation 3:14-16 To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NIV)

In light of that Scripture, look at what the apostle Paul wrote.

2 Corinthians 5:13-15 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.14 For Christ's love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (NIV)

You don't have to provoke, prod, or push a person who the love of God has touched to go to church, read their Bible, or pray! Like the apostle, Paul said in the Scripture above, "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God." Knowing that you are entirely perfect in the sight of God despite in spite of all mistakes, failures, and sin makes a person feel so loved that they want to go crazy for God! Jesus said, "He who is forgiven much, loves much." Luke 7:47 Yes! The more person recognizes the intensity of the grace and love of God the more they will want to serve him with radical abandonment!

When Jesus returns, I want Him to find me so overwhelmed by his love that my life is a radical display of that love! The body of Christ is in a critical season, and I know the Holy Spirit is calling all of us to a higher place! Because of his goodness, I believe he is speaking to you right now, encouraging you to surrender more fully to his love and grace! I know that as you allow the love of God to overcome you, it will produce a greater passion and intensity in your life! If I get the report that you are acting as if you are out of your mind for the kingdom of God, you can be assured that I know that it is all …

FOR THE SAKE OF GOD

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I’m sure you’ve heard about it low-carb diets like Keto, Paleo, and such. With these diets, you’re supposed to cut out things like bread, pasta, and the like. Though there are benefits associated with such diets, sometimes they can be hard to follow. I don’t know about you, but I have to admit, I like bread! Sometimes it seems as if a piece of bread can make the whole meal. She

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Eat to live, don’t live to eat?” I believe that statement is good advice except for in this particular situation. Take a look at this…

“Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:3 (NLT)

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’” Luke 4:4 (NIV)

“Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “from now on, give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:32-35 (NIV)

John 1:1-14 declares that this very “Word” that Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy chapter 8 is God himself and Jesus Christ. In other words, when you devour the word of God, the Bible, you are partaking of God himself and Jesus Christ! How powerful!

This unique bread can heal, deliver, set free, and prosper every area of your life! God’s word releases the power to bring about true breakthrough for those who will devour it. With this bread, you can eat to live and live to eat! Oh Yes! :-) Come on! Dive in and eat as much as you would like because this bread…

IT AIN’T ANY OLD BREAD!

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When someone lives justified by their own righteousness, they tend to focus on the mistakes and failures of others. They seem to be quick to point out how they are doing it wrong instead of showing them the real answer to right-should living, which is the love and grace of God. This is what Job’s friends were like but look at Jobs’s response.

Job 16:4-5 NIV “I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.”

Many times, when people are making the wrong choices, it is because their hearts are hurt, and they feel rejected. Many times people are in a place where there seems to be no hope for their future. It is at those times when they need you and me the most! This is the time to give them the answer to their woes –the grace and love of God! Jesus never condoned sin but always loved the sinner! In John chapter 8, When Jesus was confronted with the woman caught in adultery, the teachers of the law and Pharisees kept on hounding Jesus with the question of whether they should stone her as the law demands or not. His response was profound!

John 8:7-11 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no-one condemned you?” 11 “No-one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (NIV)

Jesus Christ, the God of all the universe, had nothing condemning to say to her! Wow! How much different he was than many who claim to be his servants today. Am I saying that we should never confront sin? No! But only the love and grace of God can give a person the power to “go and sin no more.” Next time you are near someone struggling or making the wrong choices, I hope you will remember this Encouraging Note and will, like Job,…

ENCOURAGE THEM!

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Have you ever caught yourself doing a good deed, but your heart wasn’t really in it? While man looks at the outward appearance, God is always concerned about the heart. I Love the following Scriptures the Holy Spirit gave to us through the apostle Paul.

Romans 12:9-10: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Wow! God wants us to hate whatever is not motivated by love. God is so concerned about you! He wants you to experience Real Love, and then he wants you to give that Real Love away! The kind of love that God wants us to display does not come from trying hard; it comes from surrendering and receiving. When we focus our efforts on believing and receiving God’s love, his love will naturally become our way of life! This is where extraordinary, wonderful life begins! Consider this; the whole law can be summed up in the word love.

Romans 13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” a and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” b 10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Wow! Remember, you can only give away what you possess! Real love is something you must soak up – it can never be worked up! Are you ready to be a sponge? It’s time to soak up God’s love as never before! It’s time for you to experience the extraordinary life God has intended for you – The Life of…

SINCERE LOVE

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