Encouragement Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Grateful Prayer

Think on These Things #21 ~ Striving Together

By Lorraine

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

Philippians 1:27

I have been blessed to become friends with this sweetest family!

Photo from Nika’s Blog Crafts for Christ’s Glory

Nika and Zhenya and their three precious children live in a distant and unfamiliar land to me yet I count it a joy to read about their love for the Lord and their work through Nika’s blog

Craft for Christs Glory.

I received a surprise package from Nika containing a delicious chocolate bar, a lovely card and this handsome trivet with a scene from her beautiful Russia. What a treasure!

Best of all, it will remind me of their work and to lift this dear family up in prayer as they serve the Lord.

~✿~

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Think on These Things

Think on These Things # 20 Cheerful Face

By Lorraine

~✿~

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Nesting

By Lorraine

I watched as a pair of sparrows flitted about this lantern on the patio and wasn’t surprised when I saw a couple of days later they had built a nest atop the candle in the holder. I think she found a perfect nesting home for her young.Continue Reading

Think on These Things #18 ~ Fathers

By Lorraine

Thank you , Dear LORD, for the fathers in our family. Strengthen those still with us, guide them and give them Your wisdom as they seek to raise the children You gave them, in a manner that reflects Your kindness, patience and love. The task is great, LORD. The influence of the world is unrelenting. Draw them ever closer to You and be their constant help.

Nineteen children are represented by the men in this photo.Continue Reading

Think on These Things #17 ~ Appointment

By Lorraine

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much

James 5:16

~✿~

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Think on These Things #16 ~ Psalm 37:3

By Lorraine

This past Wednesday evening, we had our end-of-year Community Group Bible study with a barbecue dinner. Everyone brought a dish to share and we had a great time eating and chatting with each other outside on the patio.

The timing worked and we were joined by dear missionary friends who shared their work in Bangladesh.

Evaluating the many blessings and the difficulties over the past couple of years with the many projects they oversee, Psalm 37:3 is the verse that has been encouraging them as they Point People to the Provider.

their prayer… that we understand God’s will,
gain spiritual wisdom.
please and honor God,
bear good fruit,
grow in knowing God,
be filled with God’s strength,
have endurance and patience,
remain joyful in Christ, and
give thanks always.
(prayer taken from Colossians 1:9-18)

~✿~

Think on These Things #15 ~ Trust and Obey

By Lorraine

Trust and Obey
John H. Sammis, 1846-1919
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
- Refrain:
  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
  To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
~✿~
Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.

Here’s how:
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Think on These Things #12 What is Unseen

By Lorraine

To Print: Right click and save to your computer

~✿~

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Think on These Things #11 Morning

By Lorraine

Looking out the living room window from my computer desk, the sun appears and day begins. This photo was taken at 5:49am and shortly after this glorious sunrise, the clouds rolled in for a day of clouds and rain. The beautiful colors lasted but moments.

A mama robin sits on the nest she made in the hanging basket. Last year, a wren built a nest in the same basket

Linking to Scripture Thursday @Little Birdie Blessings

~✿~

Think on These Things #10 Abundance

By Lorraine

The abundant blooms on my lilac bush this year reminded me of the

abundant blessing the Lord pours into my life.

The profuse sweet fragrance also lifted my thoughts heavenward

~✿~

Linking to Scripture Thursday @Little Birdie Blessings

Has God impressed on your heart something
special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a
poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:
Please link directly to your post, NOT your
blog.
Provide a link back in your post to this Think on These Things
or you can include the
Think on These Things
button by copying and pasting the code below
onto your post (while in html not compose)

Think on These Things # 9 I Will Rise

By Lorraine

I have to say what a blessing it had been to me to read each of the posts linked to Think on These Things each week. When I decided to begin this weekly meme, I thought that even if no one ever participated, I would share something that the Lord laid on my heart that week. Kind of like between Him and me.

I didn’t expect the sweet blessings I would have visiting each of you that share here.

It is really special and I thank you!

This past Easter Sunday at church as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, we sang the song by Chris Tomlin titled, I Will Rise. When we finished singing, I whispered to John,

‘This is it. This is what God wants me to think on this week’.

Because Jesus overcame death and provided the way to forgiveness, I too, will one day rise to be where He is and to the place He has gone ahead to prepare for me.

The words that really filled my heart were to imagine that one day, He will call my name. My name. I will hear Him call my name and I will rise to Him.

wow!

I Will Rise

There’s a peace I’ve come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There’s an anchor for my soul

I can say “It is well”

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles’ wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

There’s a day that’s drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles’ wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

“Worthy is the Lamb”

And I hear the cry of every longing heart,

“Worthy is the Lamb”

[Chorus:]

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles’ wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

~✿~

Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:
Please link directly to your post, NOT your blog.
Provide a link back in your post to this Think on These Things
or you can include the
Think on These Things
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Think on These Things # 8 Glorious Day

By Lorraine

In Christ Alone

Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From a life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

~✿~

Linking to: Photography Friday @ It’s Overflowing

Has God impressed
on your heart something special this week?
Was there a
Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your
way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to
share.
Here’s how:
Please link
directly to your post, NOT your blog.
Provide a link back
in your post to this Think on These Things
or you can include
the
Think on These Things
button by copying
and pasting the code below onto your post (while in html not compose)

Dying He Saved Me

By Lorraine

Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit

John 19:30

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
Casting Crowns

Lyrics
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day
Glorious day
Oh glorious day

Think on These Things #7 Pierced

By Lorraine

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth

Isaiah 53:7

He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:4

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29
~✿~

Linking to: Little Birdie Blessings @Scripture Thursday & Simply Sweet @My Rosewood Cottage

Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?
Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.
I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:
Please link directly to your post, NOT your blog.
Provide a link back in your post to this Think on These Things
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Think on These Things
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Think on These Things #5 Lost Sheep

By Lorraine

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Matthew 18:12-14
~
♥ ~
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:3-7
~ ♥ ~
Leafing through a binder where I keep poems and quotes I have collected, I remembered this poem that always touched my heart.
How we love our children and want nothing more for them to be walking in the Truth.
I am thankful God hears our prayers for our children and lovingly woos them to Himself.
~♥~
I was but a youth and thoughtless,

As all youths are apt to be;

Though I had a Christian Mother

Who had taught me carefully.

There came a time when pleasure

Of the world came to allure,

And I no more sought the guidance

Of her love so good and pure.

Her tender admonitions fell

But lightly on my ear,

And for the gentle warnings

I felt an inward sneer.

But Mother would not yield her boy

To Satan’s sinful sway,

And though I spurned her counsel

She knew a better way.

She made my room an altar,

A place of secret prayer,

And there she took her burden

And left it in His care.

And morning, noon and evening

By that humble bedside low,

She sought the aid of Him who

Understands a Mother’s woe.

And I went my way unheeding,

Careless of the life I led,

Until one day I noticed

Prints of elbows on my bed.

Then I saw that she had been there

Praying for her wayward boy,

Who for love of worldly pleasure

Would her peace of mind destroy.

Long the conflict raged within me,

Sin against my Mother’s prayers,

Sin must yield – for Mother never

While she daily met Him there.

And her constant love and patience

Were like coals upon my head,

Together with the imprints

Of her elbows on my bed.

And so at last the fight was won,

And I to Christ was led,

And Mother’s prayers were answered

By her elbows on my bed.
Author Unknown
~♥~
Linking to Little Birdie Blessings

Has God impressed on your heart something special this week?

Was there a Scripture verse, a song, a quote, a poem or an encouraging word that came your way and caused you to pause.

I’d love for you to share.
Here’s how:

Please link directly to your post, NOT your blog.

Provide a link back in your post to this Think on These Things

or you can include the

Think on These Things

button by copying and pasting the code below onto your post (while in html not compose)

Think On These Things

By Lorraine

Give Me a Sight, O Savior hymn by Katherine A M Kelly

It has been on my heart for a while to consistently make a faith-centered post focusing on some little gem that came from my Bible reading, a quote, a song, a book, a poem or a conversation from the week.

Too often something special touches my heart but quickly gets lost in the busyness of the day.

I hope to do this each Sunday (posting Saturday evening).

I want to keep it short – not wordy or in-depth. Just something that will remind me of His precious Truths.

If you think you might want to join me, mention it in your comment. If there is an interest, maybe I will set up a link so others can share tidbits of pearls that God is sharing in their lives.

Either way, I hope this will keep my heart focused that I might

Think on These Things.

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