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~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

Monthly Archives: September 2015

Why?! Encouraging Word 9/30/15 

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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blind, helping others, hurt, Jesus, judging

There is a story in the bible {John 9} that talks about a blind man who was blind from birth. The disciples asked “who sinned, was it his mother or father?” Jesus clearly said neither,  but it was an opportunity to see the miracle working power of Jesus.

I wonder what we see today that leaves us asking “whose fault is this?” So many issues. So many hurts. Fact is people are hurting. The man was clearly blind. Did it matter how? I wonder if we stopped trying to find blame and found an opportunity for God to show up and display himself in front of a skeptical world, whose life would be changed? 

What have you looked at lately that bothers you? Maybe some injustice or problem that begs an answer of why. Are you in a position to help? Would you? We won’t always have an answer to the whys, but we can always apply Jesus to every situation. Ask the Lord to show you what part you can play in making this world a better place. Seek out opportunities to show the love and grace of God to hurting people. Don’t judge. Don’t ask questions that lead to pointing fingers, but point them to Jesus instead! 

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Courage…Encouraging Word for 9/29/15 

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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courage, freedom, God, love, silence, speak, truth

   

Good morning friends!! I feel it in my heart that someone needs to know this today!! 

When I was little I heard that children were to be seen and not heard and in order to keep the peace we were to keep quiet. Here’s my thought on that…silence is NOT peace…it’s the absence of sound and how could we ever keep the peace when there was none to begin with?  

I saw and experienced injustice and dysfunction all around me as a child. It created a fear based mentality that crippled me from speaking truth. No matter how bad I wanted to speak up I couldn’t. There was no peace only silence; they are NOT the same. The idea that my words could bring destruction haunted me until I discovered that I was meant to bring destruction to lies with Gods word in me!! God has given us an arsenal, his WORD, to combat the lies of the enemy. Had I known that my destiny was to speak and use my words to tear down lies I wouldn’t have wasted so many years in silence. You see the moment a truth is spoken we have just spoken life. We have declared war over death in an area! I love it!! Our words our powerful!! They can bless or curse. They can tear down or build up. They speak life or death. We choose. We have authority in Christ and the enemy wants to keep us from using it.

The lies from my childhood had caused a lot of damage but those lies were no match against Gods truth. It doesn’t happen overnight but this damage can be reversed!! I’ve had to dig deep and discover what God says about me and my life. What he likes and dislikes. What pleases him, what doesn’t. He longs to shed his light on the dark abandoned places of our heart, the areas where no one is allowed to go, not even us. He longs for us to speak the truth to ourselves even if it hurts, even if we’ve never said it out loud…we need to. It’s time to be seen and heard. It’s time to be free. 

I don’t know where you are today in your journey but I want to encourage you that you are seen and heard by a God who deeply loves you. He wants you to know his heart towards you. He wants to dismantle every lie and replace it with his freeing truth. He wants to be your friend, your refuge, your safe place to hide. He wants you to know you’re safe with him and in him there is real peace. Friends don’t waste another moment in silence and fear. God is waiting and knocking on your hearts door…will you have the courage to open it and let him in and find your voice?! 

Prayer for Today 9-27-15 

27 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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allies, healing, Jesus, prayer

Good morning friends!!

From the moment I woke up I had the thought that I needed to call someone specific to pray with me and then the word “allies” immediately came to mind {I am learning to not dismiss the little things or the little movies that play out in my mind. This is a new concept that has set me free from thinking I am crazy or random}. Leviticus 26:8 said that…Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 

There is power in unity and joining forces with our allies {ally: to join yourself with another person, group, etc., in order to get or give support} is what the Lord is calling us to do, today. He never gives us a strategy that will fail. We must pray from a standpoint of victory and who we align ourselves with matters. We need people who will fight with us in prayer and not let go until victory has been manifested. Go and unite and see strongholds broken, captives set free, the sick be healed, our families be whole, financial stability and abundance to overflow and for God to invade our lives with his presence!!!  

I pray today that we become aware of who is with us and for us; that our allies will be evident and that we have the courage to join with them. I pray a spirit of boldness to overtake us as we pray in unity with one another for where two or more are gathered we know that You are in our midst. We thank you for strategies that lead us into victory at every turn. Open our ears to hear your voice and our eyes to see what you see. Lord let us walk out in the natural what already is in the spirit. In Jesus name we pray AMEN!! 

So Far From Over 

26 Saturday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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Gods word for today, rest, striving

Good morning friends!! I had a dream that I was striving and I was upset at others {in my heart} who had it easier, faster. I woke up singing this song so I believe this word is for you {and me}…whoever you are…wherever you are!! 

  • Lay your head down tonight
  • Take a rest from the fight Don’t try to figure it out
  • Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
  • Cause I know this is not anything like you thought the story of your life was gonna be
  • And it feels like the end has started closing in on you but it’s just not true. 
  • There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold. {chorus…And this is going to be a glorious unfolding. Just you wait and see and you will be amazed.You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over. So hold on to every promise God has made to us And watch this glorious unfolding} Steven Curtis Chapman ” The Glorius Unfolding”

Gods word for us today…I see you. I know it’s hard to see others move forward when it seems like your standing still in time. Quit striving for what is already yours. You will not walk into the next step one moment sooner than my plan allows. I appreciate all that you do but this plan requires your absolute rest in me. This is not laziness but reliance on me. Don’t worry about what’s going on around you. Don’t look at others growth and measure your life by theirs. This is how envy begins. I know you’re weary, frustrated, and even angry. I have so much more for you just trust. I see the end from the beginning and your end is spectacular!! Allow ME to unfold my plan for you!! 

A Little Me Time 

22 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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busy, coffee, guilt, relaxation, rest, self control

   
I’m sitting here in my car sipping on a pumpkin spice latte and not at all feeling one bit of guilt!! I’m a full time mom who homeschools two children while my other son is a freshman in high school and another in the Marines. The past 13 years have been surrounded with endless nights of football practice, homework, and laundry! 

I love my life. I love who I do life with but I need to take a minute and just do nothing! We, moms and dads, need a moment of absolute down time. Even if it’s just sitting in the car {alone} with a cup of coffee. Ya, it might sound silly but I’m at peace right now. There is so much noise in my head in a typical day to make me want to scream! I’m a doer and I enjoy people. I am also my own worst enemy too. Learning to have self control over my to do list and my urge to do things for people has allowed me to rest. The older I get the more I value just a minute of peace and quiet. I hope tonight you can find a minute of quiet time. Put the kids to bed, forget about the dishes {they’ll be there tomorrow} and go flop on the couch and relax. It’s ok! You earned it!! Make you important! Put yourself on your to do list! No one benefits if you lose your peace and go all cra cra on someone all because you ran yourself too hard! Been there and done that 😛 it wasn’t pretty!! Take my advice…a little r and r works wonders!! 

Good night my friends!! 

Detour to Destiny

20 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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destiny, detour, Jesus, purpose, trust

Ever since I was a child I wanted to be a child psychologist. I wanted to sit next to a couch and listen to their troubles. I wanted to contribute to their healing. As time went on I started school and eventually had children and never finished. The desire to become a psychologist diminished and I no longer wanted to do it. Now what?! I was without passion or purpose. I loved being a mom and a wife but I knew there was more for me to do. 

One day I was asked to join a bible study at my church. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join because it was for the older women. I felt like I didn’t belong but I went out of obligation to myself to be involved. Best decision ever!!! It was there that I was given the opportunity to lead prayer and teach a few lessons. It was there that I discovered my passion, my purpose…encourager and teacher. I found my mentor and dearest advocate. She saw me. She loved me. She pushed me. These older women were the perfect environment. It was their wisdom that encouraged me. I wanted to be like them. Mature and full of wisdom. They were unafraid and honest with me. It’s been a learning curve even though it was natural for me there was much to be done to ready me for my future. 

Since then the Lord has had me on a journey to perfect that which he started in me. I wanted to be a psychologist so that I could help heal those hurting including me. I figured helping them would help me. I still want to help people heal but now I’m taking them to the Healer…Jesus. The only way I could ever do that was to experience healing in myself first. You can’t lead people to a place where you’ve never been. Using my life, my story, and my pain has become my favorite thing to do. Sometimes we take a detour in life and it leads right where we were supposed to be all along. It was destined. Designed. Purposed! I pray the road you’re on leads you exactly where you need to be even if it’s the road you didn’t intend to take. I encourage you to stay the course and trust there is a bigger plan for your good at the end. Jesus promises to never lead you where he won’t go. Grab his hand and go…your destiny is waiting!! 

He Promised! 

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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forty, hope, Jesus, promise

  

 Turning 40 was supposed to be a big deal. You know, the big bash with all your family and friends. A big affair! It wasn’t. It didn’t happen the way I wanted. I wanted the balloons and celebration but just like every other major shift I’ve ever had it was suttle and quiet. Our transformation, our purpose {becoming who he designed us to be} rarely looks like what we see on tv or dreamed in our mind…instant, glamorous, with cheers and a crowd. We don’t see behind the scenes…the process. In my late 20’s the Lord had showed me a vision of my future and much like turning 40 I wanted the lights, the party. I wanted the dream…now. I never considered the process but he did. He didn’t need my help planning {I tried}. He rarely does. He takes his time. He likes surprises. He adores our trust. He sees the end from the beginning and knows our potential. We do not. We see time. We see work. We see pain. We see limitations. We see us and he needs us to see him. 

Purpose takes time. Our purpose has a process. Don’t despair. God is too faithful to leave us in a season longer than we have to be there. He promised us a hope and a future. A good one! Believe him! It may not happen overnight but what beautiful flower blooms the moment it’s planted? Just like turning 40 was going to happen party or no party so will your purpose. Whether you see or feel anything happening it’s inevitable because he made a promise!! 

Its Time 

14 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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courageous, healing, Jesus, journey, purpose, strong, thirties

I don’t believe in luck. I don’t believe whatever will be will be. There are no coincidences. God is very purposeful with every detail of our lives. My thirties was a decade of radical change and transformation. I never imagined the series of events that would have led to where I am today. Had I known I would have stepped in and tried to change them. I am comforted in the fact that ALL things work for my good when Jesus is for me. It has taken almost 10 years to heal and recoup from hurts, brokenness, loss, lies, and separations that I never saw coming. I have been given the privilege of being hidden away for a purpose I have yet to see come to pass. My journey has not been easy but I’m so glad I walked it. I now know why God hides things from us. If we knew, we would step in and try to take over, change the script, rearrange a few things, and hinder his intended purpose{don’t lie you would too}. I was a woman living in the muck and mire of my past. I was afraid of a lot of thing but not anymore!! 

Well, today is the last day of my thirties and tomorrow begins a new chapter in the life of Emilie. I truly believe in new beginnings and am looking forward to what this next season will look like. I am grateful that I said yes to Jesus and allowed him to do what needed to be done…healing. There is a time and a purpose for everything. My sincerest prayer is that we all come to the realization that Jesus is for us. His intention is for our good. Don’t resist the healing and correcting hand of God. He is gentle and kind {even if you feel like your dying}. He is full of grace and mercy {even when you feel like you’re failing and far from him}. You are worth the time it takes to become all that he has planned for you! I pray you know the depths of Gods love for you and trust that where he guides is the safest place for you {even though you’re terrified}. Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid for the Lord is with you!! 💞 

He Said What?! 

13 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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enemies, faith, fruit of the spirit, hope, Jesus, love

  


So what is the definition of love? The Lord commands us to love one another {sounds fair}; to love our neighbor as ourselvelf {not so hard} and to love our enemies…What?! Now that is just cra cra!! The bible says love is…patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude; it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

When I consider what the word of God says about love I find that I’m lacking in this area. Loving my enemies is not easy when the they are…my enemy! I want to be irritated! I want to be rude! I’m not kind or patient. It’s easy to love those who are for us but Jesus calls us to the extreme. He was extreme in his love for us to the point of death. I can honestly say I would die for very few people. Looks like I have some growing to do. I’ve only worked on the outside. You know smiling while inside I want to tear them apart; give them a piece of my mind. Faking it in other words but he’s been working on my inside. He wants my inside and outside to match. It’s gonna be a process because dealing with people Gods way is hard when our flesh rules. I want to be loving, patient, kind, and it be authentic. This kind of love is my goal and is only attainable through Jesus. I can’t go at this alone and thankfully he’s promised I don’t have to. He’s promised to be present to help me to do the impossible. I am willing are you?!  

Pep Talk!! 

11 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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fruit, happy, pep talk, prayer

There are days when from the moment you get up the sun has smacked you, the coffee pot hates you, and your clothes have decided to go on strike and not fit! You haven’t even walked out the door and you’re already flustered and irritated. Can I get a witness?! The crazy moments of our lives tend to bring out the monster in all of us. It happens. We’re human, but we simply can’t live day to day grouchy and unhappy. We are in control of our thoughts, actions, and boundaries. Today, I had to stop, drop, and pray. I had to talk to the Lord and then myself. Yes, myself! I said, “Self, you are not going to allow others and circumstances to dictate who you are and how you act” “you are full of fruit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control!” {Galatians 5:22-23} I had to have a pep talk with good ole me. We can’t rely on “things” going well in order to be happy. Go to a quiet place and have a talk with yourself! You set the tone for the day! Be strong and fruity!! 

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