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Encouraging Em

~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

Tag Archives: God

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 ❤️ 

Remember…You’re a Force to be Reckoned with! 

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

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

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encouragement, God, strong, Victory

This past weekend we went to the movies. I usually don’t watch these kinds of movies, my vote was for Dory!! However, during the movie the Lord began to show me some things. I saw a new generation of women rising up and taking their place. I saw the misfits and discouraged in their callings and gifts coming forth to realize they’re not crazy but in fact have a purpose. He showed me how we cower because of pressure and try to become what the world wants and in the process forfeiting who we are. Others have intimidated and used our gifts for their own gain and my heart was stirred as I watched women be degraded, silenced, and pushed aside. I’ve been one of them! Silenced by fear and rejection. Pressured to change who I am. Intimidated and used by those whom I loved and respected. Pushed so far into a corner, I lost myself that is until Jesus said enough is enough! Oh ya! Go get em Lord! It’s time we realize who we are, why we are here, and be brave enough to walk it out. I won’t rest until every women knows the value they hold in Jesus. You are not a mistake, stupid, useless, helpless, too far gone, ugly, fat, too old or young. You were created with a purpose! Your past is just that, the past. I know it hurt. Heck, it darn near killed you, but let it serve as a reminder that YOU ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH! You’re still standing! God is for you! Take heart and move forward with courage, power, and a God who never loses!! 

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!!!  

Don’t Stop! 

25 Monday Apr 2016

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

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change, Chaos, faithful, God, hope, Lies, Progress


Don’t be distracted by the chaos. The shifting of your current situation may leave you shaky and unsure. We tend to question and even retreat because transition can be messy. DON’T STOP GOING FORWARD!! Don’t believe the lies that are trying to stop your progress. Yes, you heard right. Yes, this is for your good. Yes, God is going before you. No, you are not making this up. No, you are not crazy. No, God can not fail you. Where we are going into this new season is filled with promise and advancement. Don’t be taken hostage by lies and fear. What you see now, the shaking, the mess, is only an indicator that the new is coming! Steady your hearts and minds on the faithfulness of God to get you to your destination!! 

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!! 

Today’s Declaration 

20 Wednesday Apr 2016

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

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Declaration, God, hope, life, Restore

  

I declare today that the breath of God is breathing life over you. Lord, breathe life into every dry, dead, and dormant place. Revive the hopeless! Restore the broken-hearted! I speak to every dead area and say “LIVE!!” You will live and not die to declare the works of the Lord!! Abundant life! Joy! Peace! Provision! Healing! LIVE!!! LIVE!! LIVE!! Breathe your breath God, now breathe!!!

Favored Club 

19 Tuesday Apr 2016

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

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favored, God, God's will, wise

I don’t want to follow after needless things or purposes. I don’t want to be like the world, that’s not my goal. It’s no secret that I’m a little bit different {hold your laughs😉}. I can honestly say there was a time I so desperately wanted to be apart of the crowd. You know that crowd…we all have one {or two}. The fancy purse club, the hot wives club, the big house club, super skinny chick club, church leader club, to name a few. It’s ok to want to be accepted but it’s to what lengths we’ll go to is the problem. When I decided to seek God’s best for me it revealed just how lacking I was in areas I never knew and guess what…none of it could be fixed with things or titles. At times it left me the odd ball out. Even the crazy foolish one. Following Christ’s best for us will often lead us to quiet, narrow places. We might look crazy. Sound foolish. Act strangely according to the worlds view. The word says when we do this {follow Christ’s will} we are considered wise {1Corinth. 1:25}. It doesn’t matter what the crowd thinks just so long as God looks at me and is pleased. To me, that is the best club to be in…the favored club!!

Unchanging and Truly Good. 

17 Thursday Mar 2016

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

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change, faithful, future, God, good, plans

  
I am comforted with the truth that God never changes. He is not moved by society, fads, or circumstance. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter what has changed in our lives we can stand behind the truth of his unchanging ways. He is faithful, merciful, and truly good. There is no error in him or his ways. Stand firm today in your faith knowing God is STILL for you despite all the changes around you!!!!

 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?        Numbers 23:19  

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].   James 1:17 

Thank you God that you never change. My future is secure in your constant love and consistency. Your faithfulness leads me in good paths. The plans and purposes you have for me haven’t changed because my life has. I am in good hands. I am safe. I am yours! 

Homesick 11/6/15 

06 Friday Nov 2015

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

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faith, God, homesick, hope, journey, promises, trust

Happy Friday y’all!! 

Today I am feeling homesick. There are moments that this journey wears on me. I get tired and I miss the comforts of home. I miss my family. I miss my friends. Not everything was perfect but I had a comfort zone {don’t we all} and I would have never left except to be obedient to the Lord. 

Sometimes our obedience leads us on a journey to lonely places. I recall the story of Abraham. The Lord called him out to a place where he had never been. He just went. He gathered his family and went. He didn’t have a plan. He had faith. He trusted blindly. This decision of obedience will always cost us. We will lose some things, some people too. We will leave things and people behind. We will take a huge risk in the hope of God being faithful. 

In Hebrews 11 it tells us there are rewards for such faith. It’s the hall of faith. What a list of amazing people doing extraordinary things for God. These were everyday people like you and me. They got homesick. I’m sure at times they wanted to go back {the Isrealites did}. I sometimes want to too but on days like these when home seems so far away I choose to remember everything God said and did. I take my tears to Jesus and he comforts me with hope. Hope for all he is going to do even though I don’t see how. I am comforted knowing that I am not the only one who took a risk and left home. I am encouraged that like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and all the others who have walked a journey, that I too, will be rewarded for my faith. What an honor! 

Keep Asking! 11/5/15 

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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

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ask, faith, God, Good Father, hope, pray, prayer

Good morning friends!!

Every year my husband and I request that the kids make their Christmas list {open season lol}. I must say the kids don’t disappoint as their list can be quite extensive. This year was no different but I noticed that my teenager had a really hard time making a list {will wonders never cease}. You’d think I’d be happy…no list…no gifts. Right? I was curious to what was taking him so long so I asked him. He said that what he wanted he knew he wasn’t going to get so what was the point in making a list. Hmmm. Not the answer I was expecting. 

How many times have we refused to go to the Lord with a request simply because we didn’t think he would answer us? 

I was hurt because I asked him to ask and he didn’t trust my heart towards him. He didn’t see it that way. He saw the times that he asked and didn’t get what he asked for. Sound familiar? I am not insinuating that our request is like a Christmas list or that the Lord is Santa Claus. It’s the principle here of asking when told to ask. The Lord tells us to pray; to bring our request before him continually. Often times we stop asking because we haven’t received in a way we expected. Just like my son, we don’t trust the heart of God towards us. We see an unanswered prayer and our hearts get hardened and distant. We get discouraged and disappointment sets in and we no longer pray and seek God for our needs and desires. 

God asks us to ask and seek him and he knowing the plan for our life will say no at times or not now. This is NOT him not answering or not hearing you. This is his protection over you but do not stop asking!!! Don’t be discouraged over a no or not yet. Be encouraged that the Lord knows your end from your beginning. He sees your need and wants and has a plan to meet them all. In the meantime he’s working on your behalf in unexpected ways. Trust the Fathers heart towards you…you are after all his beloved child. 

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