Encouragement

How easy it is to get discouraged.

As a stay-at-home, home-schooling mother of 4 under 10, most everyday is struggle against discouragement and feelings of being over-whelmed. There are so many people and tasks which all seem to demand my attention every moment.  I feel exhausted before I have even begun the day.

Even as I write this, I wonder how to pull myself up out of the rut. How do I conquer this?

And then... in order to hide from the things that overwhelm, I take a break and check my facebook account. (Don't judge me :)

There, amidst the lovely pictures of all my friends, I see it. There are so many scripture postings and praise postings.  Encouragement.

There in my email box...daily devotionals I have signed up for and rarely get an opportunity to read until my inbox is overwhelmed with unread devotionals.  I read a few. Encouragement.

A few minutes spent in hearing the thoughts of others as they praise God and share beautiful scripture verses that encourage them, there I find encouragement also. 

Could this be what the Bible means when it tells us to encourage one another with psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs? Could this be what it meant that we are to encourage one another while it is yet today?

I believe it is. When we share praise with others, we rarely know how deep in impact we are having on those who are hearing.  And what is truly remarkable is that when we share something to encourage others, we in fact find encouragement ourselves. What a divine paradox!

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you and praise You that You have equipped us with the ability to be Your hug to someone who needs You. Thank You Lord that You have given us the ability to form friendships and relationships. Help us Lord to find ways to encourage each other. Help us to "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." Praise You, the author and perfector of our faith, the lifter of my head, and the encouragement of my heart! Amen

May the Lord Himself give you sweet and blessed encouragement today!

"Get Your House in Order"

As we look to begin another new year, we are reminded again of new beginnings. We may have plans of resolve to start fresh – again. More exercise, healthier eating, wiser financial decisions, deeper spiritual walk.

As Proverbs suggests, we should seek wisdom as we would fine jewels (Proverbs 2:4). And, if we ask for wisdom, the Lord will give it ungrudgingly and without reproach (James 1:5). Perhaps we could look to the example of 2 Old Testament leaders for biblical precedent in order to proceed in wisdom.

Let’s consider King Joash and Nehemiah. Both are credited with new beginnings, King Joash by repairing the house of God and Nehemiah by rebuilding the wall.  Both men concentrated on performing the necessary work to get God’s house in order.

As we move into the coming year, let’s consider – do I have my house in order?  Are there things I need to repair to prepare for the year ahead? 

Our God is a God of order, not of chaos. We cannot be at peace in our spirit, if we are surrounded by chaos.  We cannot build new correct habits on the rubble of previous decay. We must repair first, before we can build.

Not much is told to us of the account of King Joash, which can be found in 2 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 24.  We know that he ordered the priests to levy a tax for the purpose of repairing the temple, and they in turn hired tradesmen to do the work.

The account of Nehemiah is much more complete. We are told in great detail how Nehemiah proceeded. We see from the very first verses of the Book of Nehemiah the key to his success. Initially, he lamented the condition of Jerusalem, then he fasted and prayed. He openly confessed that the deplorable condition of Jerusalem was a direct result of the sin of the people.  They had not been obedient to God, and therefore His favor was not upon them. He confessed the sin of his people to the Lord and asked his forgiveness.   

In the presence of King Ataxerxes he was sullen, causing the king to ask Nehemiah why and what he would like to request of him. Before a word slipped past his tongue, he prayed.   Led of the Lord, Nehemiah requested time to go make the repairs and notes to the kings for safe passage to Jerusalem.

When he arrived in Jerusalem, he went and toured the land to see what needed to be done. He did this privately and in a very deliberate manner.  When he had a carefully thought out plan, he then approached the men of Jerusalem.  And so on. He did nothing rash, but was purposeful and wise and prayerful in each step he took.  And the Lord blessed all that he did.

Also, in Luke 14 Jesus reminds us that when we are going to build, we should prepare in advance and count the cost. "For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone will see and ridicule him..."

As we approach the new year and attempt to get our house in order, may the Lord help us to remember Nehemiah and may He grant us the wisdom to proceed in repairing and rebuilding. May He grant us also the perseverance to finish the work we begin. May we look back at the end of the coming year with amazement of all the Lord was able to accomplish through us.

If your house is in order and in no need of repair, you have my deep admiration.  May He bless you instead with spiritual growth and prosperity in the coming year.