Monday... But it is so easy to do the opposite.

Acts 20:2a (MSG), "Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope."

Monday... But it is so easy to do the opposite.

Over in Acts of the Apostles in chapter 20:2a (MSG), Luke the writer of this book says, "Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope."

That is such a great verse. I love how The Message puts it, "He gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope." Luke was talking about the Apostle Paul. Luke was one of several men who traveled with him on his missionary journeys. He saw first hand what was happening.

Now verse 3b (NLT) says, "He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life." Over and over this happened.

At the end of chapter 19 it tells of his being brought into court. So verse 1 of chapter 20 says, "When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia." Verse 2a (MSG) says, "Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope."

Yes, we too many times do the opposite. But Paul shows what we each one really need to do and what we really can do. Our friends need encouragement and hope, our spouses and kids need constant encouragement and fresh hope. And so do we as individuals.

"Traveling through the country, passing from one gathering to another, he gave constant encouragement, lifting their spirits and charging them with fresh hope."

Now Psalm 97:10 (AMP) says, "You who love the Lord, hate evil; He protects the souls of His godly ones (believers). He rescues them from the hand of the wicked." Yes he does!

And then verses 11, "Light is sown [like seed] from the righteous and illuminates their path, and [irrepressible] joy [is spread] for the upright in heart [who delight in His favor and protection]."

So what are we encouraged to do? Verse 12 says, "Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones [those whose moral and spiritual integrity places them in right standing with God], and praise and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name."

And that will make such a difference in those lives around us. and in our own lives.

Verse 11 in The Message says, "Light-seeds are planted in the soul of God's people, joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil." So let's share that. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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Monday... He did it by Himself

Isaiah 44:24b (AMP), "I am the Lord, Maker of all things. Who alone stretches out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself." Monday... He did it by Himself. Many have a tendency to think very highly of themselves and what they can do. Oh we do have great ability but we are not the source. Yes it is important to have self-confidence but we are limited. The prophet Isaiah in 44:9-10 (NLT) says, "How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don't know this, so they are all put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god - an idol that cannot help him one bit?" Now later in verse 24 (AMP) he writes, "For the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb says, 'I am the Lord, Maker of all things, Who alone stretches out the heavens, Who spreads out the earth by Myself.'" I love that. "By Myself." Now we do need confidence but we are foolish to ma...

Wednesday... It didn't just happen.

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Friday... Yes, we need them. We really do

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Todays Beginning

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