Thought for Thursday, October 25th

October 25, 2012

Encouraging Words

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.”

-       Helen Keller

  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The scriptures are filled with so many encouraging words.

Many find comfort, encouragement and solace in the Psalms: especially Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….”

Others find encouragement in the passage that tells us that Jesus is a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother and those that remind us that He will never leave us or forsake us: or maybe it is in those that remind us He is our defender and an ever present help in times of troubles.

For still yet others; it might be the countless verses that remind us of how much He loves us and how He desires to bestow His loving kindnesses and tender mercies on us.

Many of us find great encouragement in the passages that remind us that we are more than conquerors and that we are over comers and victors in the spiritual battles we encounter.

But I think for me one of the most encouraging and promising passages that bring hope, motivation and expectancy to me is:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:1-3

This passage reminds me that everything here is temporary and I will one day see Him face to face and live with Him for all eternity.  That knowledge gives me encouragement to face whatever comes, knowing that better days are coming.

Today’s Prayer

Father, thank you for all your words of encouragement: but thank you most of all for the hope, the joy and the knowledge that someday soon I will be at home with you for eternity, because of Jesus dying in my place.

“Purify my heart

Let me be as gold

And precious silver

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

And make me holy

Refiner’s fire

My hearts one desire

Is to be holy

Set apart for You my Master

Ready to do your will.“

-  Lyrics from ‘Refiner’s Fire’ by Brian Doerksen