Words of Encouragement
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Truth From The Word... “Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with
confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” The
fear of being rejected is very real in this world. The
heartbreak of failed relationships and lost love are part of the
human condition. But not so with God. For those whose
lives are His will never be cast out from His love. With
confidence we declare His faithful and secure love! |
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Truth From The Word... “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1 NIV) When trouble burst into your life with overwhelming force, fear not! God's persevering strength is in abundant supply. In His sheltering arm you will find strength to face every trial. When trouble comes, remember, you're not alone. God is our "ever-present help."
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Truth From The Word... "Therefore
I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have
received it, and it will be yours.” A minister and his wife prayed 6 years for a child. The doctor said it would take a miracle for her to conceive. One night in prayer the Holy Spirit said to the minister, "your wife will have a child soon.” The minister told his wife what God had revealed to him in prayer. Nine months later she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. We named her Ashley Nicole.
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Truth From The Word... "...We
are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God's love is a powerful weapon! It enables us to win a decisive victory in every situation. It conquers, loneliness, fear, anxiety, depression, devils, worry, threats, rejection, persecution, death, sickness, disease, and anything else that threatens to displace us from this great love of our Father.
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Truth From The Word... "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV) Keep your eyes on the Lord and off the circumstance! For we already know that God is working "all things" (good or evil) to our benefit. Understanding this will eliminate worry and apprehension about tomorrow. Failing to remember this truth will make you a miserable believer.
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Truth From The Word... "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not of works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:9 NIV) Salvation cannot be earned or deserved by achieving any level of good deeds. It is God's gift to all who repent and are born again. Indeed, we are saved and instructed to do good works, but we are not saved because we do good. After 29 years of walking in fellowship with God I have not done enough good to earn one moment in his presence. It is only by God's undeserved favor and faith in Christ that we stand.
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Truth From The Word... "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." (John 3:3 NIV) The
spiritual birth (being born again) awakens the spirit of man with
everlasting life. Without it we will find ourselves excluded form
the kingdom of God. The most important question you will ever
be asked is, "are you born again?"
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Truth From The Word... "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16 30-31 NIV) To "believe" is different than saying, "I believe." Remember, the vast majority of people in the world believe in Jesus, but don't know Him, and have never been born again. James said, "even the demons believe!"
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Truth From The Word... "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NIV) Doing the right thing, and making the correct decision often requires God's impute. Never be afraid to ask the Lord to reveal His wisdom to you. He will never attack your lack of knowledge, or find any fault with you for not already knowing.
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Truth From The Word... "Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21 KJV) Destructive words can destroy your marriage, a relationship, a friendship, and your children. Moreover, they give place to the devil who in the end will destroy you. Instead, speak the words of life, encouragement, blessing, and thanksgiving.
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Truth From The Word... "Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV) Unbelief must be confessed! At the point of confessing it to Jesus, the Lord granted the miracle so desperately needed to restore his son. Is there unbelief in your life? If so, tell it to Jesus.
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Truth From The Word... "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV) The church is not a building, but a body of believers, Christ being the head. Every born again believer needs to be strengthened and encouraged through body ministry. We can not, and should not separate ourselves from the local church assembly. Go to the meeting and be an encouragement to someone in need.
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Truth From The Word... "He restores my soul.” (Psalms 23:3 NIV) There are times in this Christian life we will fall, and fall, and fall. We get up only to fall again. Discouraged, defeated, and battling hopelessness we find ourselves undone. Only the steadfast care of our loving Shepherd can rescue us from certain death. For He values His Sheep and restores their souls. Behold the Good Shepherd comes to rescue His beloved. Help is on the way!
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Truth From The Word... "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb. 12:2 NIV) Looking to Jesus means we must take our eyes off other people, things, and circumstances. Trying to keep one eye on Jesus and the other on whatever... is certain to create unnecessary trouble.
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Truth From The Word... "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7 NIV) Two things that are necessary for every believer, wisdom and understanding. It was James who said, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
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Truth From The Word... "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (I Timothy 1:6) The fire of the Holy Spirit must be kept burning in our lives. He is essential to our effectiveness as Christians. That's why Jesus told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they receive power from on high, the Holy Spirit. Get with God today and invite the presence of His Holy Spirit to burn in you again.
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Truth From The Word... "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelations 2:4) The Ephesians hated wickedness, despised false teaching, endured hardship, and were hardworking. For this they were commended. Unfortunately, the intimate love of Christ was missing. Religion had replaced a real, warm and loving relationship with Christ. Have you forsaken your first love?
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Truth From The Word... "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelations 2:4) The Ephesians hated wickedness, despised false teaching, endured hardship, and were hardworking. For this they were commended. Unfortunately, the intimate love of Christ was missing. Religion had replaced a real, warm and loving relationship with Christ. Have you forsaken your first love?
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Truth From The Word... "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3) Parents, if you want your children to do this, then set an example by obeying your heavenly Father. When your children see your obedience toward God they will be more willing to follow your instructions. Behavior is better caught than taught!
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Truth From The Word... "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) What
pleases God? Faith! Faith that believes that he is God
Almighty, and that he will reward those who consistently and truly
seek Him. Remember, we seek our Lord and King, not things or
rewards. Those are simply blessings given to His children. |
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Truth From The Word... "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NIV) Some
folks are waiting for things to get better so they can
rejoice. We rejoice in the Lord, not our
circumstance! |
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Truth From The Word... "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33NIV) The
acquisition of material goods and financial goals should never be
accomplished at the expense of putting our relationship with Christ
in second place. We have this promise that if we seek the
King, His Kingdom, and His righteousness first, He will supply all
things necessary for our lives. |
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Truth From The Word... Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John14:6 NIV) The way to reach God the Father is through His Son, alone. He is the way, not Buda, Mohamed, Confucius, or any other. Truth and life or found in a personal relationship with Christ. He is the only way! The others are Antichrist.
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Truth From The Word... "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1 NIV) Jesus declared his purpose for coming into the world was to save men from their sins, not condemn them. There is only one false accuser of the church-- Satan. Pay him no mind!
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Truth From The Word... "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:4 NIV) Our most important asset is the Holy Spirit. Without Him we are powerless to be all that God wants us to be. Praying in the spirit edifies the child of God. DO you speak in tongues?
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Truth From The Word... "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 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." (II Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV) Jesus proved his love for us when he took our place on the cross. How then can we resist Him who calls us to live for Him? O that we should decrease that he might increase.
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Truth From The Word... "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:" (Exodus 20:8-11 NIV) The underlying principle of one resting form their work on the Sabbath was to use that time to worship the Lord! That the church should set aside a day to worship the Lord was commonly practiced in the Apostolic church each Lord's Day, (the first day of the week).
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Truth From The Word... "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (I Corinthians 13:1 NIV) Spirituality cannot be measured according to ones spiritual gifts, education, position, or good deeds. It is measured by ones willingness to love others.
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Truth From The Word... "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9 NIV) Sin is a deadly fruit of darkness. To destroy it you must voluntarily bring it into the light. This is the purifying power of confession!
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Truth From The Word... "We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (I Corinthians 8:1 NIV) The dogmatic self-righteousness spirit has no place in the body of Christ. It demands absolute perfection from others while pleading mercy for itself. There is nothing wrong with knowledge. It's the absence of love that is the problem. Knowledge without love breeds a haughty attitude.
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Truth From The Word... "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1 NIV) Persistent prayer moves God to act on your behalf. Whatever you do, don't give up! It's the devils delight to see you lose heart and quit praying.
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Truth From The Word... "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus, but when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:29-30 NIV) Peter saw the wind... Looking at the storm and not looking at Jesus caused fear to grip his heart, unbelief entered, and he began to sink. When facing life's storms we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus and not the circumstances.
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Truth From The Word... "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20 NKJV) Christians have been, and are a people of action. It is impossible to serve the Lord in word only? Therefore, let you light shine!
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Truth From The Word...
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelations 3:20 NIV) Has
Jesus been knocking on the door of your heart? If so,
why not take some time right now and let him in!
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Truth From The Word...
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans
12:20-21 NIV) When we were enemies of the cross it was not wrath, but love that changed our lives. Can you think of at least 2 ways to practice this?
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Truth From The Word... "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2 NIV) Is your mind the devils playground? Is your mind littered with Satan's trash? If so, you need renewal. Start reading the word every night or morning. Spend time in prayer after you read the word, and experience the change.
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Truth From The Word... "And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:6-8 NIV) Jesus challenges us to have persistent faith! It's the only kind that really works!
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Truth From The Word... "The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." (Acts 10:45-46 NIV) The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers. It is evidenced by speaking in other tongues and an endowment of Power! Read Acts 2:1-39.
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Truth From The Word... "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:35 NIV) There is nothing of greater value than your eternal destiny. Look around at the world you have acquired and ask yourself, is it worth missing eternity?
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Truth From The Word... "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." (Acts 20:21 NIV) The message never changes. All must turn to the Lord.
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Truth From The Word... "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV) Jesus is coming soon, and every born again believer will meet him in the air. Are you positive you will be in that number? Read 5 facts that will change your life. Click here.
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Truth From The Word... "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV) When His power is at work within you, nothing shall be impossible! What's truly awesome is that HIS POWER is living in you! Can you feel this power?
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Truth From The Word... "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalms 119:105 NIV) Open the word and study daily to avoid Satan's snares that he hides along your journey. Turn off the TV, go to a quite place, and spend time with your Lord and his word!
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Truth From The Word... "But
do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is
dead?" Faith that does not cause one to do the works of God is not faith at all. Genuine faith produces fruit.
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Truth From The Word... "And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." (Matthew 9:20-21 NIV) It's amazing what God will do when we purpose in our hearts to touch Him!
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Truth From The Word... "All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:4 NIV) When large amounts of tithes and offerings are contributed from ones abundance, it is a good thing. But when a poor struggling woman facing hard times continues to honor the Lord while in need herself, Jesus calls special attention to her selfless act and declares that her two copper coins (worth very little) were the greater gift. "This woman has put in more than all the others."
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Truth From The Word... "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV) God has made provision to rescue you from your sins and declare you righteous in His sight. Turn to Him today!
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Truth From The Word... "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24 NIV) Truth is a rare commodity in this life. But what Jesus promised He will perform.
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Truth From The Word... "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (I Peter 2:24-25) What a powerful truth! Read it again!
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Truth From The Word... "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established." (Proverbs 24:3) Fade's, fashion, and trends are no substitute for a prudently constructed family.
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Truth From The Word... "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8 NIV) The devil is out to destroy you and your family! Don't let him!
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Truth From The Word... "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 NIV) The true mark of discipleship is genuine love (agape). The thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians describes this love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
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Truth From The Word... "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." Revelations (22:12 NIV) Soon and very soon He will return. Will you be ready? If you are not certain, click here.
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Truth From The Word... "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2 NIV) God's angels are all around us, and sometimes appear as humans. Knowing this, we should exercise great care in how we respond to those we do not know.
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Truth From The Word... "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteousness and His ears is attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord are against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12 NIV) Never lose faith in the Lord. Believe the Lord for great and mighty things!
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Truth From The Word... "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (I Corinthians 13:1 NIV) Spirituality cannot be measured according to ones spiritual gifts, education, position, or good deeds. It is measured by ones willingness to love others.
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Truth From The Word... "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:16 NIV) There is within every child of God a true an |