52 Days of Encouragement

     About a month ago, Pastor Roddie challenged us to read the entire Bible in 52 days.  He broke the Bible into 52 readings which each included basically an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage, and a Psalms/Proverbs reading for each day.  Wow! What a challenge!  It has, however, also inspired me to another challenge.  I am challenging myself to 52 days of blogging.  I will be posting a new blog everyday for the next 52 days, and I plan for each one to be a timely word of encouragement to you.  So, I'll need your help.  Be sure to come back everyday (it's easier on you if you just sign-up for a RSS feed or to receive it by email), and I'd love for you to leave a comment. =)  Thanks! And here goes the first blog of encouragement...

DAY 1

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.             1 Thessalonians 5:11

Has the Lord given you a dream?  Is there something inside of you that burns so deeply & intensely that you are not sure that your yearning will ever be satisfied?  Do your thoughts always tend toward a certain passion or intense desire?  Do you sometimes feel that there is no way that God will use you like that?  Have others made you feel like God will never use you like that?  Have you ever thought, "When God, when?  How God, how?"

God says to you today, "My hand is not shortened, My ear is not deaf, and I AM alert and active, watching over My word to perform it."

It's time for us to arise and BELIEVE the Lord!  If we believe, then we should speak.  We MUST align ourselves with the Spirit of the Lord and proclaim that our God is Faithful and True!  DO NOT allow yourself to speak forth defeat!  Speak VICTORY!!  Pour your heart out to the Lord, let Him know how you feel, but don't let your feelings control your destiny!  See with your eyes of faith, and trust and obey Him.

When the Lord looks at your heart, does He see faith or fear?  He has called you and chosen you to do good works for Him, to increase the Kingdom of God, and progressively become more like Himself.  He has given you everything you need to do what He has called you to do.  His grace is sufficient for you!  You don't need anything else, but Him!

Stretch out your stakes, stand in faith

Our God is great and greatly to be praised

Mountains shake, let the dead awake

His name is Yah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Sing O barren sing

Rise without fear and dance again

Speak to the dreams that seemed to die

Prophesy and bring them back to life

Open the gates, God's enlarging this place

Lift up your hands, let the King of glory in

Every chain break, make the crooked place straight

Let God arise, let God arise, let God arise

All of us in this place, stand united in faith

We're not by chance, we're a part of heaven's plan

If God is for us, who will win against us

His name is Yah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Let God arise!

This is "Song 54" by Jim Stern.  Listen to it, buy it, and sing it over and over.  You will be encouraged to stand in faith and agree with God that He is Faithful and True, and you will see your dreams come to pass!

Scriptures for Reference and Study:  Isaiah 59:1; Jeremiah 1:12; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Psalm 62:8; Matthew 22:14; Ephesians 2:10; Luke 10:2; Ephesians 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 12:9