God has given us His word to encourage and help us.

Scripture also enables us to encourage and be a blessing to others.

 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

I have listed a few of the many verses of encouragement in the Bible. Copy or print the verses and use them to fill your mind with God honoring thoughts. These verses can be used to make an encouragement vessel for daily inspiration and family togetherness.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:20 KJV

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:9-10 NIV

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 KJV

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth
Colossians 3:2 KJV

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24 ESV

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Exodus 14:14 NASB

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

Seek God with all your heart. Let His words fill your heart and mind. As you are filled with Christ, you can in return minister and bless others.

Do you ever skip over information or not finish reading instructions because you think you know what you’re doing?

Skipping or missing important information can cause us problems and frustration.

Do you automatically think when someone says “I’m expecting” they are expecting a child? That may not necessarily be the truth.

Read what I posted on my personal Facebook page:

We are EXPECTING! !!!! I know, I know pretty crazy isn’t it?? I really don’t want to believe it myself. I wasn’t going to put it on here, because it will be obvious soon enough, but thought I needed to make it official. So now you know, its official. We are EXPECTING another hot day tomorrow!! Wait! What did you think I meant?? LOL! ** Re-post if you have a sense of humor-like me!! **

I received comments telling me they had believed I was expecting a child. If they had not finished reading, they would not have known I was expecting another hot day.

Expect means something is likely to happen.

Do you believe in God’s plan for your life and expect Him to take care of you?

Expect God to meet ALL your needs and bless you.

We say “I believe in God”, but do we truly give Him our all and trust His plan for our life? When things aren’t going like we think they should or our prayers are not being answered fast enough, we get impatient and try to do things our way.

Expecting God to work in your life needs to go from a head knowledge to a heart knowledge.

God knows everything. His plan is perfect. Trust fully in Him, follow His commands, and expect Him to provide for you.

My Facebook post continued talking about how I was expecting. It was not until near the end you found out what I was expecting.

It’s important to expect God to work in your life, but you must continue reading. God cannot fully use you, if you have sin contaminating your life or are not following His commands. Ask forgiveness for sin and get your life right with God. Read His instruction book, The Bible and talk to Him in prayer.

“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you.”
Deuteronomy 6:18 (NIV)

Continually spending time with God in prayer and reading His Word enables you to see God’s plan and know what to expect from Him. Daily meditate on His Word and do actions to make God real in your life.

When your life is right with God, you can expect God to do great things!

What can you expect from God?

Expect God to come again, encourage, be in control, guide your life, heal, bring hope, love, show mercy, keep His promises, be powerful, protect, provide, be with you always and more.

God is…

• A Defender

“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14:14 (KJV)

• A Listener

“O Lord, You have heard the desire and the longing of the humble and oppressed; You will prepare and strengthen and direct their hearts, You will cause Your ear to hear.”
Psalm 10:17 (AMP)

• Faithful

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

Expect God to do great things in your life by having a heart for God!

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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Does God really expect me to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful in everything?

• What about when my head is pounding and feels like it will explode at any moment, do I need to be joyful?

• I just lost all my files or an important document I was working on. Do I need to be thankful?

• My family is going through a major crisis. How can I be joyful?

There will be trials and problems in life. Since Adam and Eve’s sin, we face circumstances we don’t like. God does not say we must like everything coming our way. He does want us to learn, grow, be a testimony through each and every thing we do.

Don’t go around downcast and grumpy about what is happening to you. It does not help you and it brings others down. Look and be thankful for the good points in life.

When your head is pounding, about ready to explode, and you have a mile long to do list, start thanking God for the blessings you have enjoyed throughout your life. There are many people facing the same problem or worse. Don’t be pulled down. Be joyful for what you have.

Pray continually. God does not expect you to sit and pray all day, everyday. He does want you to have a prayer on your heart and mind. As things come to your mind, pray for them with thanksgiving. Praise God as you give Him your request. Make praying as natural as breathing. Work at making prayer a regular part of your day.

How can I be thankful for losing my files or important document?

Think of it this way. How can I not be thankful, when I have blessed abundantly. Earthly things are important, but do not compare with spiritual blessings. Use your problems as opportunities to be a testimony. Don’t waste time being upset and aggravated over things you can’t change. Put your time and energy into what will matter for eternity.

My family is in crisis. How can I be joyful, when life feels like it is falling apart?

“God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

God will not allow more on you than you can handle. He is there to give you help and strength. You can be joyful by going to God for your joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

“Nehemiah said,… Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Look for the positive things in life.

Be thankful and praise God continually.

Share the joy of the Lord through your positive response to life’s problems.

If the horses panicked or were impatient as they tried to climb out of the hole, it would make them get stuck worse. The more they fought getting out of the hole the more work they caused for Pa and it took longer to get unstuck.

As I read this story, it reminded me of our spiritual lives. We can be riding in the sleigh of life and everything is fine. Then suddenly we crash and tumble into a hole. Holes in our lives can be a variety of things. Problems, stress, health concerns, and more can all be holes. Some holes are to strengthen us and build us up to be all God made us to be. Other holes can be caused by sin in our lives.

Whatever the reason for why the hole is there for, we must not stay stuck in it. We need to strive to get out.

When the horses panicked or were impatient trying to get out, it just made things worse. Down in the hole we struggle and try to fix things on our own and not wait patiently. We end up making our hole harder to get out of and bigger.

Pa would get the horses out by calming them and slowly leading them out of the hole. Our Heavenly Father is always with us. He is there waiting for us to calm down and let Him take the lead. We need to wait patiently for His guidance.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

To get guidance from God we must first determine if the hole was caused by sin. If there is sin in our life, we must ask forgiveness.

“There is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart.”

1 Kings 8:23 (KJV)

Secondly, find guidance through prayer and Bible reading. We cannot fix all of life’s problems in our own power. By giving up our wills and wants to God, He can use us. It is through being completely surrendered to God’s will that we can be lead out of life’s holes.

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”

Psalm 119:133 (NIV)

It is hard not to struggle and to give EVERYTHING to God. We want to be in control and to get out of the hole quickly. God has promised His help.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

Give God your life and let Him help you out of the holes!

Don’t be tricked by Satan!

Have you ever bit into something that looked delicious like candy corn or a cookie only to discover it was stale or made with the wrong ingredients? You were tricked and deceived by something that appeared good. Satan trys to trick us into believing lies. He is a deceiver. He makes things appear good to hurt us and get us away from God.

In Revelation 12:9 KJV it tells us “Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.”

What lies is Satan tricking you with?

Disappointment?
People pleasing?
You’re not good enough?
No one cares?
Addictions?

These are all tricks from Satan. You are not the only person to face them. Satan tries to deceive the world. You can have victory over his lies.

Find strength in the Lord and His power. Satan tried to trick Jesus, but it didn’t work. The tricks of Satan do not have to work on us either.

Read about how Jesus was tempted in Luke 4:1-13 “Being forty days tempted of the devil.” and in Matthew 4:1-13 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

Jesus used scripture to squash Satan’s lies. Memorizing scripture, placing scripture around your home and listening to scripture will help you defeat Satan’s lies. When he tries to trick you, repeat scripture or look up scripture. Feed your mind with positive verses and uplifting thoughts.

Write these verses or others down and carry them with so you can quickly turn your thoughts toward Jesus and find help from Him.

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26 KJV

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 KJV

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV

Pray and ask God for help. Use verses as a prayer to God. Let God have control of your thoughts and actions.

You can have victory over Satan’s tricks!

You might enjoy “Jesus Gives The Best Treats” http://buildingblocks4life.com/jesus-gives-the-best-treats

Today, I’m sharing illustrations and God’s word to guide you though trails.

As I share with you let God speak to your heart and think of how you can minister to someone else.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 (NIV)

Who do you know who is going through a trail? Share with them how they can persevere and be all God made them to be.

Thank you for joining me for tea time! Are you looking for a way to make your own tea time special? We love our Floral Teapot with “Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come. SONG OF SONGS 2:12 NIV” written on it. This teapot helps us to keep our thoughts centered on Christ.

There are big and small blessings. Needs and wants met, protection, and more are given freely by God. Yet how often do we forget to praise and thank Him for His blessings and answers to prayer?

In this tea time video I am sharing my thoughts from Psalm 107:28-32. Watch and let God speak to your heart. What does He want to hear you tell Him?

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

Psalm 107:28-32 (NIV)

What do you need to thank God for today?

Thank you for joining me for tea time! Are you looking for a way to make your own tea time special? We love our Floral Teapot with “Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come. SONG OF SONGS 2:12 NIV” written on it. This teapot helps us to keep our thoughts centered on Christ.

Can you imagine being Mary the mother of Jesus? What an indescribable gift and responsibility she was given.

Imagine with me. Mary is going about her day when an angel appears. The angel Gabriel, said to Mary that she was highly favoured and blessed (Luke 1:30). This is an amazing and jaw dropping moment! What would you think or do? It’s not everyday that you receive a compliment from an angel. The angel calmed Mary’s fears. He said “fear not Mary” and repeated that she had found favour with God.

To be told that you are favoured by God would be exciting! What a privilege it would be to have God say he has found favour in you. We should strive to have an attitude and be a person that God can be proud of. We are to have a God pleasing attitude, even when your boss has unreasonable expectations, your children are making a mess, or you have a final/deadline that is stressing you out. We are to build God’s name up and not tear it down with our words and actions.

The angel, Gabriel, goes on to tell Mary an important message from God in Luke 1:3o. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” Think about the questions that must have been going through Mary’s mind.

When circumstances come into our life that we don’t understand, it is easy to question God. We do not need to understand all of the “whys” in life. God has a purpose. The angel Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing is impossible”. God is in control and has a plan for our lives. Trust God! He knows and will do what is best for us.

Mary rejoiced! In Luke 1:46-47, Mary says ” My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Mary could have chose to see this news as a tragedy. She choose to trust trust in God to care for her. The hard times came for Mary, but she stayed strong.

Can you imagine being ready to deliver a baby and have to take the trip that Mary did? When Ceasar Augustus decreed that the world should be taxed, Mary went with Joseph to Bethlehem. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not as simple as it would be today. Imagine expecting a child and walking or riding an animal this great distance. It must have been uncomfortable and tiring.

Our lives have become accustomed to a life of ease. If we go on a trip, we have the pleasure of riding in a comfortable vehicle and stopping at a restaurant to eat. This was not an option for Mary. She endured and kept going. We can find many things to complain about. Is life really that bad? Who or what does our complaining benefit?  Remember Mary when you are standing in line or sitting in traffic and feel like complaining.

That is not the end of the story. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem. When they arrived the inn was full. How discouraging! They made the long trip and were probably weary and tired. The only place to stay was with the animals.

Where would you pick to sleep? A barn or an inn? The inn would be more comfortable and pleasant. Often, God takes us out of our comfort zone. God wants us to to grow and rely on him. Luke 2 :7 tells us that Mary “brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn”.

Mary could look back and see how God had used her. We read in Luke 2:19 “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart”. Mary had special memories to look back at. Let what you do today be a good memory for tomorrow.

Have an attitude and be a person that God can look at with favour. Trust God and rejoice in all circumstances. Don’t complain or get discouraged. Go out of your comfort zone following God’s will. God has a plan for your life. Learn and grow through the circumstances that come your way!

Candy Corn

In the fall of the year this is a popular treat. What does candy corn have to do with the blessings of God? Each letter of candy corn has an important meaning.

Count

All your blessing!

Never

Doubt

Year-round that

Christ Jesus

Offers

Rest in His

Never ending love.

C– Count

Count your blessings! The Hymn “Count Your Blessings” says “Count your many blessings-name them one by one; Count your many blessings– see what God hath done.” We should count our blessings. Luke 11:28 KJV says “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”

A– All your blessings

Count all your blessings. We have an abundance of blessings in our lives. Each day we receive  new blessings. Some blessings are small and often overlooked. Some of life’s blessings we have not asked for. Others are request that we have continually prayed about.  Sometimes it takes years of praying to see the blessings God has for us. Thank God for the blessing that he so richly gives us. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly place in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3 KJV

N– Never

The definition of never in the Webster’s Dictionary is: Not; not ever; at no time; in no degree; absolutely not.

D– Doubt

Never doubt that God loves and helps you. Remembering blessings encourage us to not doubt God’s love for us. Keeping past blessings in our mind will help keep us strong during the hard times. How do we remember the bountiful blessings god has given? The Bible tells in Jeremiah 31:21 NIV “Set up signpost, Make landmarks.” There are many options. Here are a few:

• Pray

Pray and thank God for the big and small ways he has blessed you. 1 Timothy 2:8 says “ I will that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

• Journal

Keep a journal of your blessings and answers to prayer. Journaling your blessings will keep them fresh in your mind. It is an excellent way to review what blessings happen during each day. You can then look over them and thank God for his blessings. Write your blessings down each day. Some days it may be hard to see the rainbow of blessings through the clouds. We are blessed in some way, each day.

• Time line

Another option is to make a time line. It does not have to be complex and time-consuming. Fill it with blessings from each month.  You will be able to look back at it later and see how God works your circumstances into his plan. When you see the blessings God has given you it encourages you in times of trouble.

• Verses of blessing

Write down verses of blessing. Keep them where you see them often. Repeat them out loud throughout the day.

Seeing the blessings God has blessed us with and thanking him for them, will help keep us from doubting that God helps us.

Y– Year-around

365 days a year, 24 hours a day,  God’s love and help is never-ending.

C– Christ Jesus

Christ Jesus is our almighty Savior and friend. In Isaiah 9:6 KJV it tells us the other names of Christ Jesus. “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” These are all powerful names for an all powerful God.

O– Offers

God offers us his love and blessings. Accept this gift and thank God for it. “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people.” – Isaiah 52:9 KJV

R– Rest

Find rest, comfort, and peace in God’s love and blessings. We find in Psalm 29:11 KJV “The Lord will give you strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”

N- Never ending love

God’s love is never ending. It has always been and will always be. He will continue to love us and bless us if we live for him.

When you see candy corn, count your blessings, praise God for them, remember how he has blessed you, and find rest in in his everlasting love.

Listen to more details of this article as an audio.

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/66618

How can you do a checkup on your spiritual life?

1. Take time to find a quiet spot that you can talk to God and listen to what he has for you to hear.

2.  Pray for wisdom to see any areas that might be causing problems James 1:5.

3.  Spend time in God’s Word listening for scriptures that contain God’s still, small voice 1 Kings 19:12.

I remember watching a commercial that had germs running around being pest and causing problems. The ad was for a cold medicine. It claimed to rid the body of these problem causing, cold pest. All you needed to do was take their medicine. Seeing the bugs will not fix the problem. Doing a checkup is not a fix it all. If there are areas in your life that need adjustment they must be fixed. You would not look at a glass that is filthy dirty with grime and continue to drink from it. When we see a problem in our life why then do we hope that it will go away on it’s own. A glass cannot wash itself. Problems need to be fixed. It is not always easy. Some problems are out of our control. In those situations how are we responding. Are we living our lives as a mirror image of God. David was a man after God’s own heart Acts 13:22. He was not perfect. His life was filled with difficulties. The God that David could go to with his problems is the same God that we have today. God is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. He hears our prayers and pleas for help. When we are hurting and troubled God wants us to come to him. Pour your heart out. Acknowledge that you are coming to him for help. If there is sin in your life repent and be made whole. Our problems are not always solved instantly.  We must continue to monitor our actions and be sure that they align with God’s word. God will help us.

Doing daily checkups and fixing problem areas in our life will keep molehills from turning into mountains.