2nd Chronicles chapter 15. Be encouraged.
A prophet came to King Asa and gave encouraging words from the Lord to stay faithful. As a result, King ASA made sure all idols were removed from all Judah and Benjamin and all the towns he had captured. He repaired the Lord's altar. He gathered all the people together and when they gathered they did the following:
1. They sacrificed animals to the Lord.
2. They entered into a covenant with the Lord with all their heart and soul.
3. They took an oath wholeheartedly to follow the Lord.
4. They eagerly sought the Lord.
As a result, the Lord responded.
We all need encouraging words. As an executive director of a camp, it's often that I don't hear anything from somebody unless I do something someone disagrees with. I don't want to just hear from people when they disagree, I need encouragement also or I'll get discouraged.
It's easy to get in a rut with the Lord where you end up not being effective in ministry. For example, I have not spoken at church or any event for quite a while. To be honest, I feel my gifts are not being used to the fullest. As a result, I begin to question if I did speak, whether or not I would be empowered by the Holy Spirit with truth. It's hard to explain, but it's almost as if I feel God is saying if you're not going to use your gift I'll take it away.
So this passage is encouraging because I want to reach out to the Lord like they did in this passage.
Today, I recommit my life to the Lord with all my heart and soul. I surrender my whole life to the Lord so that he can use me however he wants to use me. I want to be empowered by his Holy Spirit. I don't want to just live A LIFE but I want to live THE LIFE God has for me where my life and words are a reflection of God himself. I want people to see Jesus when they see or hear me. Lord I surrender my life and I am ready to be used by you more and more to reach lives for your kingdom. Amen!
“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”
I was especially encouraged by verse 7 today. I’ve been frustrated lately with the amount of hours that I have been working for the amount of pay that I have been earning on my job and I haven’t been able to see my family as much as what I would like to. I deliver frozen food to people’s homes and my hands were feeling extremely cold this past week. I made a decision to not wear gloves earlier this year when the handheld device that shows me where all the items are located at on my truck had slipped out of my glove-covered hand and the screen was shattered. My device was replaced and my manager was understanding about it as similar incidents have happened to him before, but I committed myself to being extra careful to try to prevent it from happening again. I was reminded by verse 7 today that God knows about all of our situations and He can help us through anything.
I’m sure that I am one of many people who greatly appreciate Pastor Blair and Karin as they serve together and lead the ministry at Edinboro Camp. I know that I probably don’t say thanks enough to them or others who serve. I know that I tend to be a people-pleaser myself and I thrive when people say nice things that encourage and uplift me, but whenever I encounter discouragement, criticism, or conflict, that is when I struggle the most. I need to remember to always keep my focus on aiming to do what pleases the Lord and help to spread His love and joy.
Take a look at Psalm 73:25-26.
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
May you be encouraged and blessed today!