Heart

Special

Encouragement

A few days ago an election was held and a man was elected to the highest job in our country.

I did not vote for him, because I did not have confidence in him to be the best person for that job.



His history, up bringing, religion, and current views are all completely contradictory to my own.



Please keep in mind that I do not care what color / pigment of skin this man is. That has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my preference. I would not care if he was white, black, red, brown, yellow, grey, purple, pink, orange, checkered or striped. But I do care about how that person thinks, their opinions about how to run this country, their definition of life, their dedication and respect for the United States of America and the Flag that stands to remind us of our liberty and freedom.



At first I was shocked, and then saddened by the results of this election. Because of his differing views and opinions I am concerned that the choices and decisions he makes could be very bad.



Many people wonder how could this happen. How could a man known to have no respect for our country's flag get elected to the highest position in the land ? Some people have been angry, some fearful, some absolutely dreading what might come of this situation.



I will admit a few of these thoughts went through my mind. Then I turned to the One who has all the answers. The One who truly loves us MORE than LIFE itself. I prayed to Jesus and asked Him to help me.



Here are some of the things that God has reminded me of since then.

God is STILL on the throne.

Jesus STILL loves me.

I am STILL saved by Jesus Christ.

I STILL have a home in heaven.

God is STILL able to do anything,

BUT God has STILL given all of us the gift of choice, the freedom of will.

God STILL will NOT force anyone to do anything.

(it is up to each person to choose to accept Jesus as their personal Savior)

(we all have the freedom to make all our choices here on earth)





I was reminded that I should STILL pray for the person who was recently elected.

Hopefully, one day he will accept Jesus as his personal savior. And even if he never does, we should still pray that God will lead him to make the right decisions and put people in his cabinet and in his life that will encourage him to make good decisions.

Look Up !

As Christians, we sometimes say we want to be on the mountain.
We don't want to be down in the valley.

The mountain represents a time when we are at our best.
Things are going great, no problems to weigh us down.

But the valley represents a time of being at our lowest.
When we are going through troubles and our problems seem to be insurmountable.

But I got to thinking about the different view we have while in the valley,
versus when we are on the mountain top.

When we are at our lowest in the valley, we feel like we are on the dirt,
beneath the grass and the flowers.
Not even able to see our way out of our troubles.
We feel like everything is TOO BIG !

But all we have to do is LOOK UP !
We can see all the beautiful things God created for us to enjoy.
The flowers reaching for the sunlight. (notice the photo on this page)
The trees raising their branches in praise to God.
The leaves on the trees flowing in the wind.
The clouds floating by, collecting moisture to later provide rain for the earth.
The stars shining in the night.
And the Sun brightly warming the earth below.

The view from the mountain top seems endless.
But remember, almost all of the beauty you are seeing is in the valleys.
While on a mountain top, you cannot see the intricate beauty of a rose.
You have to be down close to the rose to fully enjoy the beauty of a single rose.
When on the mountain, you can see the large expanses below, but not the tiny details.

When we are on the mountain top, we don't usually stay there long.
You'll notice, most mountain tops are not that big.
But valley's can be miles long.
On the mountain, it is often hard to grow plants.
In the valley, plants, flowers, vegetables all grow in abundance.
There is rich soil in the valley.
In the spiritual valley, there is a richness available for us as Christians to grow, if we will be ready and open to God's word.

So, the next time you find yourself in a valley, Look Up !

There is SO much room to grow in the Lord !

There is SO many blessings in store for you !

There are SO many lessons to learn.

The possibilities are endless !

Tell it to Jesus

Have you ever had a problem and thought to yourself "I need to call (my mom, my sister, my best friend) and tell them about it. They will understand, they will help me decide, they will give me great advice. Isn't it frustrating when they are not available ? You think to yourself, "But I need to talk to SOMEONE who will understand, NOW!

Guess what ?
There is someone who is waiting to listen to you.
This someone loves you more than ANYONE has EVER loved you.
This is someone who loved you so much, He died on the cross for you.
And He is ALWAYS there. Waiting, listening, loving.

Not only ready to listen, but also ready to help you.
He always has the right advice.
He always answers our requests. (Sometimes YES, Sometimes NO, and Sometimes WAIT)
He knows what is BEST for us.

You guessed it ! Jesus !
He can be ANYTHING you need.
A friend, a mother, a dad, a listening ear, an adviser, and so much more.

And Jesus is ALWAYS there.
He is there, ready to hear from you 24/7, rain or shine, sunny or cloudy, midnight or 3:00 am, even on weekends and holidays.


There is a song in our Church Hymnal that says . . .

Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone.


Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden?
Tell it to Jesus alone.


Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone.


Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a Friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone.

Answered prayers

Prayer Answered

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

He made me weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of

God.

I asked for all thing that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I received nothing that I asked for, yet all that I

hoped for.

My prayer was answered.

Discouraged ? Dismayed ?

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalms 18:2

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.