Be Encouraged of the Lord, all ye His Saints!

There is rarely a day that passes that I don’t think about what I can say through this blog that would encourage God’s people to heed His Word. I have started literally dozens of articles only to realize that even though that which I’m writing is true the spirit in which it is written must be of God. It is not my spirit that reaches and draws the hearts of men and women. It is the Spirit of our God and Father. He alone touches those places within us where no man can reach. He alone heals our hearts and restores our souls. He gives us life and peace. He strengths us within and gives us grace and mercy as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. He gives us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to know Him.  And He does all this by the Word of His power.

I desire so much for you all to know the true riches of God. There are so many of our brethren and sisters that walk in defeat and despair which is walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit. There are too many that are still carnal and unable to receive solid food (teachings). For regardless of the length of time in Christ many are still babes. Some would immediately argue about the economy and the condition of our country as to why they walk in despair. However, when I search the scriptures I find that these natural things that we must endure were and are common to man. Our Lord Jesus did not come to give us natural riches and ease of life. He came to give us the riches of His kingdom and life eternal. Which as I learn from Him, will include conflicts within the family and loved ones because of Him, being hated by all for His name sake and if loving anyone more than Him being not worthy of Him to name a few circumstances that we must endure to attain His kingdom.

I like most people would prefer to walk through life with everything I could possibly need and want. However, I have discovered not by choice that it is in the most difficult times of my life that I learn of the true faithfulness of God. At my lowest times when I was desperate, regardless of my need, it is His peace,  His understanding or His comfort that helped me. It has been in those times that God has displayed His power and goodness. I have also learned that God has never withheld the life of His Spirit from me. However, it was in those most difficult times that I drew near to Him. I sought Him with my whole heart. It is out of the brokenness of my heart that I have sought the Lord with fervor and commitment. And He our faithful and mighty God upheld His Words: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” and “The sacrifices of the God are a broken spirit,  A broken and contrite heart, These, O God, You will not despise”.

Therefore, today I encourage you all to know that God is for us! Our difficult natural circumstances are opportunities for us to draw near to God and learn of Him through His Word which is the power of His might. He will not fail us. However, we must be open to His will and learn that His ways are not ours and the answers to our prayers and request may not be what we determined or our desired response. Yet if we will trust Him and lean on Him, He will make our paths straight. Our Lord Jesus ever lives to make intercession for His saints. His Word also commands that we seek Him with our whole hearts and search for Him as hidden treasure, and then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. He is all we need and He has made every provision for us. We must grow up and understand exactly what He has promised us and then walk in the true riches of God with faith, humbleness of heart and conviction. 

May God bless you this day and stir your heart to seek Him!