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~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

Tag Archives: prayer

Going Higher

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by encouragingem in Faith

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

issues, life, prayer, truth

I have heard it said that “God will not give us more then we can handle.” I disagree. There have been so many moments that l could not handle what I was going through. But this did not mean that God couldn’t handle it.

All throughout scripture people have cried out in desperation. Faint at heart. Crushed. Broken. Beyond their capabilities of handling their situation. Sound familiar? Their example shows me where they went…higher…to God.

In our weakness we are told to lean, put all our weight upon the Lord. He is careful to hold us through the trial. His mercy, compassion, and love shields us in ways we can’t see. The presence of trials is not the absence of Gods mercy. Today, rather than looking at my pain I will look to the one who can alleviate it. The healer. Sustainer. All faithful One. I will go higher.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. – Psalm 61:1-3

Blessings,

Em 😊

Forgiveness 

30 Tuesday May 2017

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

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

forgiveness, freedom, healing, prayer, trust

Forgiveness.

That’s a tough subject for many, especially when you’ve been deeply hurt. A big part of my story revolved around the wrong definition of what forgiveness meant. Questions led to fear and that fear led to beating myself up over and over again unknowingly leaving the door open to more hurt. 

What is forgiveness? 

To make a choice to pardon or release someone based on a wrong they did…that’s forgiveness. It’s doesn’t at all mean that the wrong was justified or that it never happened. Some think that to forgive is to admit that what someone did wasn’t wrong. That you, the one hurt, doesn’t have a reason to be hurt or offended. That they, the offender, is off the hook. Wrong! There are consequences, but we are not always the one to determine what those are. It is NOT a get out of jail free card for them…it’s for you. To be free from anger, resentment, bitterness, and pain. It’s a gift you give yourself. 

I was taught that just so long as they said “sorry” that was enough. Well, that’s not enough for me and I found that’s not enough for God either. He requires more, a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and a change of heart and actions. 

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:10-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Proof is what I like to call it. How many times have you asked for forgiveness and turned around and did the same thing again? Or, someone has said sorry only to turn around and repeat their behavior? We must live by Gods standard, especially if we hold others to them. 

What isn’t forgiveness? 

Forgiveness is not shoving things under the carpet. Forgiveness is not forgetting it ever happened. That’s denial and avoidance. Doing this hides us from the truth and closing the door on our healing. Pain left unhealed blinds us to our future. We can’t move forward because we are always looking back. 

Forgiveness doesn’t have to establish a relationship. This is where so many people have it wrong. They think to forgive is to allow that someone back in your life. In some cases this will happen and relationships can be restored. Sometimes, relationships are altered and require strict boundaries, if not a temporary or permanent separation. Take abuse for example. Should someone who is being abused allow the abuser access to them just because they apologized? Or should there be boundaries that limit relationship and access until a pattern of sincerity and changed behavior is proven? 

Sadly, so many of us don’t know how to forgive and begin the process of healing because we have been misinformed. 

Forgiveness is a choice. Gods word tells us to forgive so that we can be forgiven. 

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Although we may never do what someone has done to us we are not perfect. We too, are human. Imperfect. It’s a process. We are a process. It took me a moment to forgive and years to walk out the process of healing. It took a moment to ask for forgiveness, but time to learn a new way. This is a process that if we can walk it out no matter the pain, we can be free, eventually.  Free from the stains we caused and free from the stains that others have left behind. 

I don’t pretend to have it all together. Many days I have to remind myself that it takes time. Being quick to forgive is hard, but freeing. Knowing that I need Gods forgiveness keeps my heart pliable to truth…Gods truth. 

I pray Gods truth would be louder than our past hurts, lies, and misunderstandings. My desire is that we can move forward and experience healing, healing that leads to freedom. Freedom that helps us set others free! 

Em ❤️ 

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. 

Tonight’s Declaration! 

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Declaration, hope, Jesus, prayer

Please repeat after me…
I will never give up on the dreams Jesus planted in my heart. Gods promises for me are still true regardless of how today went. It doesn’t matter what comes against me…I am covered on all sides. It doesn’t matter who doesn’t believe in me…Jesus called me, they didn’t. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed…Jesus is making all things beautiful in his time. I have not missed it. He has not forgotten me. All of this is purposeful and will be used for my good. I am called. Chosen. Wanted. Loved.

Rest tonight my friends in the arms of our good Father who can’t help but be faithful to us. 💕

Reach Out 1/17/16

17 Sunday Jan 2016

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

hope, Jesus, pain, prayer

What is it about our pain that we feel the need to mask it? We all do it. People will ask how we are and our answer is…we’re  fine. No, no we are not. Our families are a mess. Finances are in shambles. Our hearts are broken and our bodies are sick but to the world we are ok. 

Let me give you some advice…be real. You are not alone. There are others just like you in pain and distress. There is no benefit to shoving it all down. You’ll rot. 

Go to your church, family, friends. Reach out. If it’s hard to find people who can handle your truth, your pain, Jesus is always trustworthy and available. Don’t hide yourself away. God has placed people in your life who can listen, help, and pray for you. I am here. I may not know you but I can pray. I can join you and stand in agreement for healing, restoration, and relief. 

Please know that you are deeply loved. You are not alone. You matter. ❤️  

********************************* If you have any prayer request please send me a message. I would be honored to pray for you. 

Prayer For Today 12/5/15 

05 Saturday Dec 2015

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

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Tags

clealry, faith, Jesus, prayer, vision

Lord as we go about our way, with all our plans, I pray you illuminate our paths. Clear the fog and bring clarity. As we walk by faith, we humble ourselves and admit we don’t see clearly at times. Plans seem sketchy. Questions linger. Our vision is cloudy. It’s blurry Lord but you are a lamp unto our feet and light to our path. We grab ahold of your hand as you lead us through the valley of shadows where nothing is as it seems. Protect us from stumbling. Thank you Lord that you are guiding us through this day, this situation, this season, safely! In Jesus name…Amen!! 

Blessings my dear friends! 

Keep Asking! 11/5/15 

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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. 

Morning Word 10/17/15 

17 Saturday Oct 2015

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

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Tags

blessings, declare, prayer, rest, word of God

Good morning friends!! 

I’m already up and at it. Haircuts, clean up from sleepover {thanks for the prayers everyone, I’m alive}, and football team mom duties! It’s gonna be a good one! 

No matter what your day looks like let me encourage you to rest. Yes, I know some of y’all work but this is another kind of rest. This rest doesn’t worry. It’s not your worries that get things done but it is the hand of God that personally handles your life. It doesn’t scramble to make things happen. You’re not your own source! This rest makes you dwell in peace. You will just know that you know that God won’t fail you. I don’t know where you are today but let me speak this over you…Not my might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord!! You’re safe! You’re covered! You’re protected! You’re provided for! You’re forgiven! You’re loved! You’re his child! You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! You will live and not die to declare the works of the Lord. You will testify to the faithfulness of God! God will do all that he said and more just hold on dear friend! Today could be your day for breakthrough so walk in expectation!! 

Blessings!! 

Honesty ~ Encouraging word 10/5/15

05 Monday Oct 2015

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Doubt, Fear, Honesty, Jesus, love, prayer

Good morning friends!! 

Don’t you hate it when you are confronted with yourself?! Ugh! This past week I felt a tug at my heart to pray for certain things that I have not prayed for in awhile. Oh, I pray everyday for all sorts of things but I realized the reason I haven’t prayed about certain things is simple…I didn’t want to be disappointed if it didn’t happen…again. 

I was so sad to come to grips with how I really felt. I love God, I trust him but how could I not trust him enough? The thought broke my heart. The Lord was drawing me in so he could shine his love in the dark places of fear, doubt, and whatever kept me silent before him. He sees my orphan heart and has gone to great lengths to prove his love for me. His perfect love wants to cast out all my fears, one by one, till all the monsters are gone. 

It’s ok to be honest before God, truth is he already knows. Go boldly before God and let him know how you feel. He waits to unload you from all your cares and anxieties.

  Lord I pray that you show us tenderly our areas of fear. Take this orphan heart of ours and swallow us up in your loving arms. Show us that you’re a good Papa who longs to do good towards his babies. Amen!!


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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Tags

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!! 

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