I just wanted to start a discussion in which we can all encourage each other, or come if you could use encouragement! I know the past few posts by Ryan and Ignited Faith have dealt with encouragement and staying strong in the Lord... so I say let's all start to encourage each other. I stated previously that "Iron sharpens Iron"... Let's become battle-ready sharp! One more thing... I encourage you all, in school or at work, to not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Think about this, if everyone was running past you and off a cliff, wouldn't you tell at least one person to stop, knowing that road led to destruction? Plant a seed, God will send a harvest.

5/29/2008 10:24:16 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

May spirits be lifted and hope and faith grow as we share words of truth and life with one another! It is a blessing to Encourage Others. It is also a blessing to Encourage Ourselves in the Lord. (Like David did in the Bible!) This morning I was blessed as I read the Daily Devotion (right here on the home page, be sure to check it out each day!) Psalm 56:4: In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (I had to go and read the whole verse. I'm glad I did, it is awesome!) You can read the whole thing here if you'd like! http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm2056&version=9 Meditating on Scripture is lifechanging! Here is one of my favorite verses to chew on in good times and also tough times. Psalm 103 1-6 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." (We are united in Christ. We are family. We are one body.) I remember one little line of a poem. (Sorry, that's all I can remember!) "When one weeps, the other will taste salt." This is how I see us Brothers and Sisters in Christ here on Delve Into Jesus! May God bless us all!

5/30/2008 8:31:43 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

God IS Good!!!

5/30/2008 9:03:59 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Good Morning Spex! Thanks for providing a positive focus for the day! I'm sure God is pleased that you are encouraging us and directing us to praise Him.

5/30/2008 9:32:18 AM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

IgnitedFaith! This Psalm 103 is what I have been speaking and meditating on all day, and then I see you post it! The Lord is good, and his mercy endures forever! In all things give thanks! There is nothing good inside of me, but Christ in me, the hope of glory! Do I go by my feelings? Do I feel Christ in me? No! I choose to believe the Word Of God! (Wish I could feel too...) Esther xxx

5/30/2008 11:17:27 AM by Esther, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/29/2008

Esther, What joy to meditate on Psalm 103 with you, dear Sister in Christ! It is so wonderful to be here where people love the Lord and love His Word! (My prayer for my household to love also one day.) God's Word is Food, it is Medicine, it is Light for our Path, and so much more! Esther, you comming here reminds me that we need to keep lifting up the websites where God is not honored. So many need the Lord! Let's also pray that more will be led by God to this website! Here is a little song I like to sing to my Grandson. "Love Love Love! It's all about Love, and JESUS!" He lives with us and I am so blessed to teach him at such a tender age about our Lord. He already lifts up his arms in praise when he hears the Name Jesus!

5/30/2008 12:19:56 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IgnitedFaith, your words are so soothing to me, as are the words of many of the other posters! I see so much love and encouragement in the posts I have read so far. Esther

5/30/2008 6:05:08 PM by Esther, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/29/2008

-Ignited Faith To see the young worship God must be so rewarding... That's how you know you're doing something right. Remember what the Bible said? "Train up a children in the ways of the Lord, so that when they grow old, they shall not depart from it." You're doing a wonderful thing teaching your grandson about Jesus. I only hope to one day see a child of mine praising and worshiping God, not because I tell them that's what they're supposed to do, but because they have a genuine desire to praise him! God bless you all!!!

5/30/2008 10:24:04 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

Spex70, Thank you! Yes it is priceless!

5/31/2008 3:40:58 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

This morning I was thinking about how God is faithfully working on us all. He is making us more and more into His Image. (I am so glad for that. I don't want to stay the same.) As I sit here the word "Kindness" just came to me. I think back to yesterday when I saw my Husband playing with our 1 1/2 year old Grandson. (He was unaware that I was watching.) It just melted my heart to see how kind and loving and gentle he was with him! It brought tears to my eyes. Then I thought of the LORD watching too. And I smiled. (How many times are we unaware of Him watching?)

5/31/2008 4:02:17 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Hi Ignited-Faith, I enjoyed your remarks about your grandson. It is precious and amazing that children can demonstrate so much pure faith and pour their hearts into worshipping God. Truly, we do need to be like little children. Thanks for sharing your comment about God refashioning us in His image; I'm grateful for this too. With our children inspiring us to smile and God working on our hearts, we have much cause to rejoice!

5/31/2008 4:18:00 PM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007

Jesus said "Let the children come to me"... not sure where i was going with that, but i felt the need to say it.

5/31/2008 4:30:35 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

I had not planned to post this, but as I read my email and saw the reference to children, decided to share. Last week while working in my garden, this scripture came to me: 'And he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:3 I began to meditate on this deeply. I thought about being a little child and how easy it was to accept and believe ii Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, Peter Pan and the Easter Bunny. Do you guys remember that time in your lives? Later, we found they weren't real and we gave them up in our spirits. By the same principle God is real and He wants us to accept and believe in Him. Children are very trusting. They don't toss and turn at night worrying about the mortgage or car payments. They aren't concerned about interest rates. They trust their loving parents to provide. And we are to trust our loving Father in the same way. The only reason we believed in Santa and the tooth fairy was because our parents came through. I remember when my youngest son came home at age 11 and asked me if it was true that there was no Santa. I told him yes it was true. He asked me then where does all the stuff come from. I told him we bought it. I had been laid off my job about a month at that time. He always wrote out his Santa List and put it on the front of the fridge since he learned to write. He marched into the kitchen, took down the list and started putting lines through items. I just sat there with tears streaming down my face. I was very proud of him. When I told my husband that night, he took the list and turned the paper over. The next day, he went out and bought everything left on the list. I was so happy he put lines through the front page stuff, cause number 10 was a Rolex. (smile) He did get a watch, a timex.

5/31/2008 6:14:44 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

MrsPiggy, That was beautiful!

5/31/2008 7:12:06 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Wow, what an inspiring story! I agree with Ignited Faith, it was beautiful! My mom's always told me i should grow up. I know she means maturity wise, but i couldn't help laughing when i read that scripture cause my mom was the first thing to come to my mind. Isn't it awesome how even the Bible tells us to be like children?! We shouldn't worry because, as the Sunday school song goes "He's got the whole world in his hands!" We should always trust in God to provide our needs. Don't let your heart grow old as your temple will.

6/1/2008 12:18:14 AM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

Spex70, Did you come up with that line? "Don't let your heart grow old as your temple will." I love it! So true. Do you mind another story? Years ago I took two of my Daughters to a Nursing Home to visit the folks there as our Church had a little Sermon and time for singing and fellowship. Well after the service we were free to chat and give hugs etc. Later, on the way to our car, my Daughters were discussing how strange it was... something about the people were all so old, yet hearing them talk, they still seemed young. (Almost like they were little kids in old people's bodies!)

6/1/2008 12:28:31 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Ignited Faith: Well the saying was partially derived from a song lyric from Petra's "Don't let your heart be hardened", but I did add a twist of my own styles to it. God has given me a gift for poetry, much like David and the Psalms of old. I love to hear your stories, they always give a kind of visual example of what the Bible is talking about in more than just one scripture. It's amazing how two young girls can notice youth in the mortally elderly. Our bodies can be as old as they want, but our heart and spirit must remain young.

6/1/2008 12:38:09 AM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

Spex, I love Petra! I think I do remember that song now! I will look for it on my tapes. I like the way you wrote the line! I love to write poetry and songs to the Lord! I have a few Journals started. One day I hope to compile them all into one. (My way of spreading the Gospel to our Grandchild(ren) and future generations!) "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40:8

6/1/2008 12:51:20 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Amen! Another Petra listener! What would you say is your favorite album/song of thiers? Not to get off the subject or anything, just curious. I'm so excited that I've found another Petra fan. I thought they were too outdated to be recognised anymore. I've loved their music ever since i was a very young child, my parents played it all the time.

6/1/2008 2:05:54 AM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

I still have to find my tapes! (I have a huge collection of Christian tapes, Sermons etc.) The tape might be called "Petra Praise." I will have to let you know later! The song that comes to my mind that I really love is: "To Him who sits on the throne" (I think that's it!) Are your Parents saved? (I'm still praying for mine...)

6/1/2008 6:34:39 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Spex, I found my Petra tapes! The song I love is the Medely: (Look below for the words!) "To Him who sits on the Throne" is my favorite! It is from "Petra Praise 2 We need Jesus." I love that song the best! I also have "Petra" and "Petra means Rock" I am the only one in my family that likes it. (Maybe I can get my Grandson interested like your Parents did with you!) What tapes or CD's do you have of theirs? Medley "Only by Grace" words and music by Gerrit Gustafson "To Him Who Sits on the Throne" words and music by Debbye Graafsma "You Are Holy" words and music by Scott Wesley Brown Only by grace can we enter Only by grace can we stand Not by our human endeavor But by the blood of the Lamb Into Your presence You call us Call us to come Into Your presence You draw us And now by Your grace we come We come Now by Your grace we come Lord, if You mark our transgressions Who would stand? But thanks to Your grace We are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb Only by grace can we enter And now by Your grace we come We come Now by Your grace we come To Him who sits on the throne And unto the Lamb To Him who sits on the throne And unto the Lamb Be blessing and honor And glory and power forever Be blessing and honor And glory and power forever You are Holy Oh, Lord, so Holy You are Holy Oh, Lord, so Holy What a privilege and an honor To worship at Your throne To be caught into Your presence As Your own You are Holy Oh, Lord, so Holy You are worthy Oh, Lord, so worthy You are faithful Oh, Lord, so faithful Be blessing and honor And glory and power forever Be blessing and honor And glory and power forever... Here is a great Petra web site where you can read all the lyrics! http://www.petrarocksmyworld.com/lyrics_alphabetical.html

6/2/2008 12:47:21 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I have many of their CDs, including Petra, Beat the system, Wake up Call, Petra means Rock, This means War, Beyond Belief, Petrafied, On Fire... my parents have almost every one of them, I simply "inheirited" the music. =) My favorite song is "Just Reach Out" I get so on Fire for God when that song is playing, even when i'm all alone or i've done something wrong. What other christian bands do you listen to?

6/2/2008 1:15:19 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

I looked up "Just Reach Out." Wow!!! Powerful song! I love it! I also like Casting Crowns, Switch Foot, Keith Green, Mercy Me, Third Day, (just to name a few!) How about you? Just Reach Out Words and music by John Schlitt and Rick Gootee Based on Psalm 34:16-18, Romans 10:9-13 Sometimes the night seems to go on for days When it's hard to see the light through the darkness and haze While the world around you makes you feel out of place And the burdens that you carry are just too hard to face (Chorus) Just reach out and He'll reach in Take your broken heart and make it whole again It don't matter who you are or where you've been Just reach out, and He'll reach in Standing in a crowd, but still all alone Crying out for answers that nobody knows Everybody's busy looking out for themselves Is there anyone who really cares about anyone else? You say you've walked ten thousand steps away But don't you know that it's only one step back? Because the One who hears you when you pray Is the One who's there beside you And He'll never walk away

6/2/2008 1:46:21 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

IgnitedFaith, Once again you have blessed me. I recognize the words to the song To Him Who Sits on the Throne. We sing that in Praise & Worship. I love that song!!

6/2/2008 2:11:45 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrspiggy, I praise God that you were blessed! (When I hear that song my world just stops!)

6/2/2008 3:15:19 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Today i was thinking of the Petra song "Just reach Out" and the lyric hit me just after i'd broken up with my girlfriend... "Take your broken heart and make it whole again"... I love how Petra has a song for just about everything.

6/3/2008 1:58:26 AM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

Spex, It's the Holy Spirit! Petra is a vessel God uses! Amen. I know God can heal hearts and hurts. He is amazing! (If we give Him all the pieces.)

6/3/2008 5:43:01 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Amen!

6/3/2008 7:12:31 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

Do you find encouragement from Devotions? I hope this will bless someone. (It is from: "Charles H. Spurgeon's Morning & Evening" Devotion book.) I know it's from March 8th, but it's ageless and timeless! March 8 Evening ... Genesis 35:18 She called his name Ben-oni (son of sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand). To every matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother's loss, could see the mercy of the child's birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials, our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson's lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous flowerets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distil bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most disadvantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar. About us all there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times, like Jacob, to cry, "All these things are against me." Faith's way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon's men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth the more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honour, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the light of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Benoni to be our living Benjamin.

6/3/2008 9:48:42 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Beautiful. I read "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. It is a daily devotional.

6/3/2008 10:04:30 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I have that one too Mrspiggy! (Here is a poem I found. The faith part really makes me think of you Mrspiggy!) "Doubt versus Faith" Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night, Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step, Faith soars on high. Doubt questions, "Who believes?" Faith answers, "I". Author Unknown

6/4/2008 10:40:46 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I just stumbled into this discussion and i am so glad i did. The poem you posted IgnitedFaith really got to me. I'm not sure why, but I really like it!

6/7/2008 1:23:24 AM by blackbox, Member of Delve into Jesus since 6/5/2008

I'm glad you liked the poem Blackbox!

6/7/2008 6:45:52 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

These simple words I cannot find as a Bible Scripture... I do find it's truth throughout the Bible though. I find encouragement in remembering this: "God Is In Control."

6/7/2008 11:11:26 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of thy name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; 'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life, and health, and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. He speaks, and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive, The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe. Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Saviour come, And leap, ye lame, for joy. Look unto him, ye nations, own Your God, ye fallen race; Look, and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace. See all your sins on Jesus laid: The Lamb of God was slain, His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man. Awake from guilty nature's sleep, And Christ shall give you light, Cast all your sins into the deep, And wash you purest white. With me, your chief, ye then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven; Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven. (Charles Wesley)

6/13/2008 2:40:01 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

Wow... another awe-inspiring lyric... thank you, for some odd reason, reading that brought me great peace.

6/13/2008 12:02:39 PM by Spex70, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/26/2008

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