ENCOURAGEMENT is defined as “somebody who or something that gives somebody hope, confidence, or courage.”

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry ….
Psalm 10:17

Last night JoAnna arrived for the weekend to help us celebrate her 24th birthday which is tomorrow (March 8)!  JoAnna’s ENCOURAGING presence at the house has really given lift to Irene’s spirits!!  Her nausea remained at a low roar but she remains determined with an extra amount of gumption today!

Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people.
Acts 20:1b-2a

ENCOURAGEMENT is perhaps one of the most important words in the dictionary and one of the most significant things we can do for someone else.  Encouragement leads to HOPE which has greatly sustained Irene on her journey of faith.

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry ….
Psalm 10:17

We’re grateful that God gives us hope, confidence and encouragement primarily through people, His Word and His ever abiding Holy Spirit.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

Irene was out of the house early today, going to Safeway and Trader Joes.  She’s been “on the go” all day and accomplished many tasks around the house.  Although her nausea remained at a low roar, she continued to plod through the day with a great sense of accomplishment.

There’s nothing new under the sun according to Ecclesiastes 1:9, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:16) and can become new.

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.
Isaiah 48:6

So, why am I engaging in such conversation?  At the risk of sounding “way out there”, the Lord spoke very clearly to me yesterday saying, “I am doing a new thing” …. and I’m still trying to sort out what He means.  I actually responded back to the Lord, “a new thing…now???”  What was His response?  “I am doing a new thing”.

I guess that’s why we walk by faith and not by sight, because, at least for now, I do not perceive what it is that He is doing and what it is that is “new”.  In the meantime, we will endeavor to forget the former things, to not dwell on the past, and trust that He is making a way for the future.

Thanks for praying for us on Irene’s Journey of Faith.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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