Monthly Archives: February 2013

A Word of Encouragement

You are never alone!  To show this is a true statement, take a look at these Bible passage of encouragement.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.                James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who  love Him.                                                                                                                                           Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.   John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.                                   John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  Psalm 46:1-3 (1) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (3) Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.                                          Psalm 118:14-16 (14) The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (15) The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. (16) The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.             

When we cry out to God for help (for any reason), in the beginning, there must be specific personal effort.  Here’s an analogy that fits to some degree: It’s like sailing a boat.

The sailor must prepare and do many things to get the sailboat from the dock and out to sea.  Much effort!  Specific effort for the task!  It is only when the sailboat is out into the water and has caught the wind that the sailor can ease up on personal effort.  At that point, the sailing seems automatic (even though God’s hand is in the wind, the boat, the sailor’s strength, etc), but it took a lot to get there.

God saves the overcomers.  Hang in there!                                                                          Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Two powerful examples of men of God who wrestled, who endured, and stuck it out to the end.

Jacob wrestled with God.  An analogy!                                                                                   Genesis 32:25-28 (25) And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. (26) And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. (27) And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. (28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Paul stuck it out!   He wrestled his flesh, and GOD WON!                                                Romans 7:22-25 (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

These two powerful men of God stuck it out to the end, because they knew they were not alone!  And, neither are you!