Sunday, October 26, 2008

Scripture Challenge {Week 43}

Week 43 Challenge Word: Encourage

Have you ever looked into the face of a child when you encourage him? How about when you talk negatively to him? How do his eyes and expressions differ? How about you? How do you feel when someone says something negative to you versus encouraging to you? I bet you have different facial expressions also. I read that “children need ten times as many encouraging remarks as negative ones.” I am sure that applies to adults too. I know how most of us thrive on encouraging feedback even on our scrappy work! Most of us are waiting to be encouraged!

Well, in today’s darkening world, it is easy to lose courage. It is easy to look at all of the depressing things happening to us and around us and just lose hope. However, as Christians, we are to encourage those around us. We are to give them the courage they lack. We can share His truths and what He has done in our lives. We can share specific Bible passages that may apply to someone that needs encouragement. Or we can even mail them a note of encouragement. Sharing encouragement with others also lifts us up and helps us not to focus on the many things that could keep our focus off of Christ.

Now, who encourages us when we need it? Our precious Father of course. He is our Great Encourager! His Word shares encouragement to us throughout the scriptures! When you are feeling down, grab your Bible, open it up to any page, and see what encouragement He has for you there. He is waiting to encourage you too! You just need to look for it.

For my card this week, I used the new Basic Grey Wassail Collection that I purchased from Create My Keepsake. Even though it is supposed to be a Christmas collection, there are papers that can be used for any time of year. They are just beautiful! I also used the Unity Scalloped Journal stamp that can be used on ATC cards, cards, and layouts! It is a versatile stamp for sure! I also had to do this in a mad rush since my husband returned today from his big trip to China, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan! So, in my flurry, this is what I came up with:
I also used two wonderful scriptures:
Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ". . .encourage on another and build each other up. . ."

So, stop your grumbling, look around you, and see who it is that God would have you encourage today! Have a great week everyone!

6 comments:

Anne-Marie said...

Thanks Patter for your encouragement to us in all these great devotional thoughts you share with us.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Patter. I needed this :)
((HUGS))
~Chelsea
http://hapemome.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

Beautiful card, Patter. Encouragement is so necessary during these days. What a great reminder. Thanks!!

Ally's Corner said...

Encouragement is what I needed to hear this week, Thanks!
How wonderful that your DH got to see all those places.
We adopted my little one for Taiwan. So Taiwan holds a special place in our heart.

Amy Johnson said...

Great lesson--we all could use more encouragement. Love the Unity Scalloped Journal Stamp! So Cute!

Karen J. said...

Just got around to reading this post and was very blessed by it. Yes, adults also needs encouraging as well as children. Sometimes we seem to forget how blessed someone can be from our encouraging words and definitely from Gods word.

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