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Encouraging Em

~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

Tag Archives: faith

What Are You Waiting For? 

24 Tuesday Jan 2017

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

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dream, faith, Fear, purpose

Imagine a child on the edge of a pool, ready to jump, with their father waiting with open arms to catch them. Now picture 20 minutes later and that same child is still waiting to jump. By now the father has said many times over…I’ve got you, just jump already. 

How many times has the Father told you to step out, to jump, because He’s got you? 

What would you do if you knew that you’d be ok in the end? 

I’ve been that child. Full of fear. Intimated by the water. Afraid I’ll drown. Unsure that I would be caught. We all have those fears that hinder our progress. They scream loudly and echo lies in our ears. Sadly, we believe them and have grown accustom to their voices. We no longer challenge or silence them. 

Years ago I was given a dream that I whole heartedly believed. A passion began to stir in me and I walked in the truth that I was someone with a purpose. Along the way life hit me hard. Decisions I made. Other people’s decisions. Situations that came and stayed longer than expected. All of it became more than I could bare and I caved under the weight of it all. 

I stopped believing the dream, I stopped believing I had purpose. 

Have you been there? Are you there now? Can I whisper some truths to you friend? 

That dream, passion, desire, and promise is still alive in you! How do I know? You’re still alive!! All those moments, weeks, and years you feel have been wasted have created depths in you. What the enemy meant to distract and derail you the Lord has used to your benefit. Your God has sown his truths deep in you. He’s changed you. Although you may feel numb, you have transformed through the pain and become strong, beautiful, and a force to be wreckoned with. 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to move closer to the edge of your destiny and put your foot in. Write that story. Go to the gym. Take a class. One step at a time and soon enough you’ll be all in. It’s not easy to overcome what holds us back, but today we need to take a step closer than we were yesterday. It’s a process. It takes time, but I have faith that with God on our side and a promise in our belly we can accomplish anything! 

Not This Time Around 

25 Thursday Aug 2016

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

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faith, forgiveness, God, grace

Today as I was enjoying my breakfast I was confronted with a piece of my past. Why does that sting so much? Makes me just wanna crawl back in bed and stay there. Memories flooding my mind and taking me back to a place that I never wanted to visit again. A place of shame. Guilt. Regret. 

What do we do in these moments when you’re taken by surprise by your own actions? 

Run? Hide? Deny? 

I wanted to do all these things. Instead, I put my big girl chonies on and said “oh heck no, not today!” 

I was reminded that I am forgiven. That I have a choice to do things differently. What once was is no longer. I can’t go back and undo what was done but I can do what I should’ve done then, today. 

Gods mercies are new every morning and today I needed an extra dose. I got it in the form of a gentle soul who whispered grace to me. She reminded me of how far I’ve come. When all I saw was shame she saw me. She echoed the redeeming voice of God. No condemnation. No judgement. 

Couldn’t we all use that? 

Let me be that voice to you today. Let these words bring comfort to your heart. The Lord wants you to know… 

  • You are forgiven.
  • You are not defined by your failures. 
  • You can choose today, right now, to go a different way. 
  • He will give you the grace to hold your head up high. No shame. No guilt. Just freedom. 

Choose today to live in the freedom of his grace. He is kind. He is redeeming your past for his glory and your good! Now go and pass on his grace to someone who needs it! 

Em ❤️ 

I wanna be a Hero! 

22 Monday Aug 2016

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

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defeat, faith, fight, hero, Lies, truth, win

“Don’t buy the lie that you can become a hero without ever engaging in the battle.”

 Lisa Bevere 

Good morning my friends!! If there is one thing I’m passionate about it’s the truth. Knowing it. Believing it. Living in it. Telling it. In my house we do superheroes all day, everyday. Every superhero movie I’ve ever watched {there’s been A LOT, remember I have 4 boys} there was battle. In the end good wins {love that} but never before engaging in war. We will have to fight through the bad days, the struggles, the generational curses, the lies, the shame, the regret, and whatever you may be facing today to earn hero status! Victory is already ours, but we have to fight!! How? Don’t believe the lies of the enemy when he comes charging at you with your past. When he throws darts of shame your way. When he whispers lies of defeat and doom in your ear. Fight back with the word of God that says you are more than a conqueror! You are the righteousness of God! Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! You are loved. You’ve been chosen. We have to arm ourselves with truth to win! We must know it, believe it, and USE it! I want to be the hero of faith in my family, my community, that stands up to lies and sets the captives free…Don’t you?

Detour 

24 Tuesday May 2016

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

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detour, faith, God, purpose

So you’re moving along and out of nowhere you have to be rerouted. Ugh! So annoying! It’s never the easy or quickest way. No, you go over the mountains and through the woods only to come back to where you initially wanted to go in the first place. I recall a story where the Lord took his people through a detour because they would have fought an enemy they weren’t prepared for. The people were tired and needed a rest. Have you ever felt that God could have just did it “this” way instead? It would have been easier, right? But look at what they learned. How he protected them. Provided for them. Miracle after miracle. Could he have protected and provided for them another way? Yes, but this way was part of the transformation of them not their surroundings. In other words, character over comfort. Sure, it wasn’t easy and many died never having seen the promise land, BUT think of those who never gave up. They got there. Prepared. Ready. Different. Changed. Whatever your detour is, it’s for your good. Don’t look around you disheartened. You are being led right where you’re supposed to go. March forward. Enjoy the scenery. Take it all in and trust you’re headed in the right direction!!!  

Let Go 

10 Tuesday May 2016

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

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answered prayer, believe, faith, hope, Jesus, Letting go

I recall a time when I was ok with the idea of being single forever. My track record of finding “Mr. So Not Perfect” was flawless. I was resolved that I could be single and be just fine. Really, I was good. I didn’t tear up watching chick flicks, it was allergies. My heart didn’t long for a relationship, that was heartburn. Nope, not going to that wedding, I have to wash my hair that day. Truth was my defenses were up and I didn’t want to go through what I went through before. My past was a reminder of all that could, would, and did go wrong.  So, I shut my heart up and nearly killed my hope. 

Are you stuck in a past defeat or situation that has left you hopeless for the future? Believing that nothing is going to change? If God, right now, answered your prayers could you believe and receive it, or would you be looking back and not notice all that is right in front of you? 

Well, I’m here to encourage you that it’s not to late to begin to look forward with hope and expectations of good. Our seasons of life will change and when they do we must be willing to let go of the past and embrace the new. If not, we risk forfeiting the blessings and the joy that comes with them. 

God will turn our situations around and when he does I’m gonna be ready!! I choose to empty my heart of painful memories, disappointments, and fears and be open to receive all the good he has for me. Yesterday is gone. Today is a new day, with new mercies. New grace. New blessings. New relationships. New jobs. New opportunities. New doors. New visions. New dreams. We can’t go back. There is nothing we can do about yesterday other than let it go. 

When I am tempted to lose my hope I will remember that I have been married for 18 years to a handsome, funny, brilliant, loving, and perfect guy for me. I would’ve settled for just handsome and loving but God is too good to let us settle for less than his best for us. My husband is a reminder to me that when I let go of yesterday and believe that God answers prayer and is true to his word…I get more than I ever asked for. Dare to believe God. Let go and get ready. I promise you, you won’t regret it! 

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.            

Ephesians 3:20 {AMP}

Plot Twist 

06 Friday May 2016

Posted by encouragingem in Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Prayer, Self Reflection

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changes, encouragement, faith, happy endings, hope, Jesus, Victory

I love watching a good movie or reading a good story. However, I do not like it when there is a serious plot twist and it throws me for a loop. I wasn’t expecting it! Seriously!! Way to change it all up!! 

Oh how our lives can be the same way. One day we are good and the next day BAMM it all changes. No matter what the changes are, good or bad, it takes a minute {or longer} to wrap our minds around what is going on. Adjusting to the change may take a little more time as well. 

I recall our first months in Texas. Talk about plot twist! I could not for the life of me wrap my mind around living in Texas. I mean, we are here, in Texas, but in my mind everything was California. Writing my address took some time for me to put the correct state. Realizing that my friends and family were not as close as they used to be. Knowing that I would have to make new friends terrified me.  

Some plot twist can throw you so far off and if we’re not careful they can destroy us. Like the passing of my dad. Never saw that kind of pain coming; for him or for my family. Some things won’t ever make sense and searching for the why’s will lead us down the road of bitterness. A dark and lonely road filled with shadows and despair. No good dwells there. 

I want to be strong. Resilient. Brave. Ready to face what comes unafraid.  Instead, sometimes I run and hide. Cowardly. Full of fear. A damsel in distress who needs rescuing. Through these past years Jesus has reminding me over and over and over again that if I run to him he can take any plot twist and turn into a story that brings hope, restores faith, and encourages others not to give up. Oh sure, I may have to face the big bad wolf or a wicked witch {hopefully not literally} but never alone or without a victory.  

With Jesus as the center of my story ensures that my ending will be fruitful, purposeful, and more than I ever dreamed or imagined. I may endure loss but he has promised to restore. So, I’ll take the plot twist knowing that it will ALWAYS be used for my good! 

Morning Prayer 

28 Thursday Apr 2016

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

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faith, faithful, hope, Jesus, morning prayer


Lord, we give you this day to do as you will. We trust your heart, your ways, and your plan for our life. You promised that you would finish what you have started in us, so strengthen us to keep hanging on when we feel like we are about to fall. Give us courage to continue to believe your word and promises. Show us your mercy and grace should we blow it today. Remind us God that you are bigger than any issue. Stronger than our weakness and more faithful than the morning sun. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for you to do. We cling to the hope that you are ALL we will ever need. In Jesus name we pray…Amen!! 

Get Ready! 

22 Friday Apr 2016

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

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believe, blessing, faith, favor, God, hope, winds of change

  
I pray a fresh wind would come and move you into the zone of favor and blessing. The challenging parts of life are necessary. They help us grow. If times were always good and easy we would never be forced to dig deeper, trust God, and move out of comfort and into character building. I don’t know what your last season {or current} has been like. If it has been anything like mine, it’s been dry, quiet, frustrating, and lots of growing pains. Good news…we are coming out!!! What lies behind you pales in comparison to what’s in front of you. Don’t stop! Keep going!! God has promised to finish what he started and you’re going to be on the receiving end for persevering! My friends, get ready, get ready, get ready, the wind is about to blow!! 

Morning Blessing 

11 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Prayer

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courage, faith, Jesus, Morning blessing

  
Good morning!

I bless you today with an abundance of favor. Wisdom and discernment will be your guides as you navigate through this day. Things are coming together for your good. You are full of purpose and potential. Today will be one more step towards your dreams as God is blessing your efforts, time, and resources. I bless you with courage and strength to step forward and do hard things unafraid. Nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God!!! You are blessed to be a blessing! Have a great day in Jesus name!! 

Tonight’s Prayer 

10 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by encouragingem in Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Self Reflection

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

faith, Lord, prayer, rest

Father, I ask for calm and peace as I put the day behind me. Let me rest knowing you are in control of what I couldn’t do on my own. Thank you for every victory and blessing that came my way. Lord, I ask as I settle in tonight that you give me a deeper glimpse of your heart towards me. I pray that while I sleep that you would instruct me. Give me dreams and visions that will cause my faith to rise and make me brave. Please cover and protect those I love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

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