A friend shared this on Facebook. Normally, I would simply click Like and maybe even Share. But this one seemed too important not to share here.
I did not write this! In fact, I do not know whom to credit as the author. If you know, please post in the comments. (Thank you!)
My first two posts on Encourage and Equip were designed to lay a foundation for why we need encouragers so much in our day (Why Pt. 1, Why Pt. 2). However, there is one area I really wanted to write about because it is so critical. But, I wasn’t sure people were ready to receive the message. I wasn’t quite sure how to communicate the message clearly without sounding like an alarmist, a religious nut or fanatic.
At the very core of my being, my heart cries out that the reason we need to encourage people is that we are all in a battle. Most people don’t even realize it. Those who are aware of the battle tend to underestimate the opposition–It’s much more than a pillow fight!
At the heart of my thinking on encouragement Continue Reading…
I had the honor of guest blogging on the Defying Shadows website today as part of their #Fearless365 series. I was able to share some personal reflections on Luke 5:10 and part of my own testimony as I related to Jesus inviting Simon Peter to a career upgrade. The following originally appeared at https://defyingshadows.com/2017/03/03/fearless365-luke-510/.
and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Luke 5:10
I can empathize with Simon Peter. When Jesus spoke the words, “Don’t be afraid”, he knew that the Holy Spirit was at work in Simon’s heart.
Exhausted after a long night of commercial fishing with nothing to show for his efforts, Simon agreed to let Jesus use his boat as a platform to address the gathered crowd on the shore. Simon continued to wash his nets while listening to the master teacher at work. When Jesus finished, he told Simon to go out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. The experienced fisherman surely knew it would be fruitless to expect to catch fish in the heat of the day. But, something inside compelled him to follow the teacher’s suggestion.
I can imagine Simon’s shock as the image of his formerly empty nets contrasts with the nets that were now so full that he had to call to his partners to help bring in the catch. Continue Reading…
28 Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The Eternal, the Everlasting God,
The Creator of the whole world, never gets tired or weary.
His wisdom is beyond understanding.
29 God strengthens the weary Continue Reading…
Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
1a: to inspire with courage…
mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous
Source: Merriam Webster Continue Reading…
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.
