Beautiful Things

Recently my sister and I took a little drive to an area of town we used to live in. As children we lived in a very old, very run down trailer. I often say God has given me the gift of forgetfulness. There are large chunks of time that I have absolutely no memory of. I do remember some parts of our life there though. Holes in the walls from violent fights, not being allowed to leave our beds for days at a time, and broken windows from items thrown in rage... It was a difficult time. This could be a very sad story, but it’s not.

When my sister and I drove down that road where we used to live, we both burst into tears. Where there used to be old trailers there now stood beautiful expensive homes with landscaped yards. I am not sure what all happened during the years in between for that area of land, but I do know what happened to me in the years between then and now.

My life as a child didn’t look very hopeful. It would have been easy for me to never do anything worth anything in my lifetime. God had a different plan.  Colossians 3:12 tells me that I am CHOSEN by God. I am HOLY because He is Holy. I am DEARLY LOVED. Isaiah 61:10 tells me that He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness – HIS righteousness. I am worth something because Christ made me worthy. I am also CALLED. I am appointed to bring glory to the Father, and make His love known in the earth. I am given the opportunity to bring praise with my life every day. What an honor.

God reminded me today that He gives beauty for ashes and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. [Isaiah 61:3]

He makes beautiful things out of us. Sometimes a picture of that helps us to see clearly what He has done in our own lives...

Daughter of Encouragement

I love the love languages. I know we are all supposed to have one that we “speak” most often, but I am convinced that I am multi-lingual in the languages of love (not to be mistaken for romance languages, of which I am certainly not)! One of my favorite love languages is words of encouragement. I cannot help myself from showering people with words that will help them to see just what God is doing through their ministry. Whether it is preaching, teaching, writing, serving, or simply just being there - I love it all, and I love encouraging those who are being the hands and feet of our Lord, Jesus.

The Word of God is so beautiful and so much deeper than I realize. I love finding out new things about verses or people that I thought I knew so well.

Barnabas – if you don’t know him, you should! He is such a loving servant of God, and has been an inspiration to me over the last few days. His name in Hebrew literally means, “son of encouragement” – which he certainly was and IS!

“When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” Acts 9: 26-28

Barnabas encouraged his friends in faith to see the incredible work that God had done in Saul’s life. Because he did this Saul was able to speak BOLDY the name of the Lord. Only He knows how much of an impact this had in Jerusalem, and all because of the encouragement of Barnabas.

“The Lord’s hand was with [those who were scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed], and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:21-24

Note that Barnabas was SENT, he was known as a man of encouragement – and because of him a great number of people were brought to the Lord!! Being an encourager is a ministry to ministry!

Encourage: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.

What a calling and what a gift! Pastors encourage you to live a life worthy of the gospel. Worship pastors encourage you to enter into the presence of the Lord with praise. Teachers encourage you to dig into the word of God. Maybe you aren’t a pastor, worship leader, or teacher – maybe you are simply a person with an encouraging heart. Don’t be discouraged if all you do it encourage. God is using you!! He has chosen you, called you, and appointed you for such a time as this.

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE

PS: I am doing one of Beth Moore’s in-depth women’s Bible studies and absolutely love the wisdom and truth behind her words. I am passing some of them along to you in this blog, but know that she does a much better job of explaining J “To Live is Christ” a study on the life and ministry of Paul.