As Sinners We are to Encourage Each Other

Micah 3:8English Standard Version (ESV)

8 But as for me, I am filled with power,
    with the Spirit of the Lord,
    and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression
    and to Israel his sin.

1 Timothy 1:15-16English Standard Version (ESV)

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

John 21:17English Standard Version (ESV)

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

A Sovereign God Blesses His Chosen

Amos 9:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 who builds his upper chambers in the heavens
    and founds his vault upon the earth;
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out upon the surface of the earth—
the Lord is his name.

Psalm 139:23English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts![a]

Revelation 3:12English Standard Version (ESV)

12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

Famine with God's Word

Amos 8:11English Standard Version (ESV)

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
    “when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
    but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Matthew 9:37-38English Standard Version (ESV)

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Lord,send us to bring in your believers.

Emmanuel is God with Us

Joel 2:27English Standard Version (ESV)

27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
    and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Zechariah 8:22-23English Standard Version (ESV)

22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord. 23 Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Emmanuel, our Savior and Lord, He loves us and provides for us and lives within us.  Prepare our hearts to remember His birth, but also remember that He is living among us every day and minute of our lives.

God's Wisdom

Hosea 14:9English Standard Version (ESV)

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
    whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
    and the upright walk in them,
    but transgressors stumble in them.

1 Peter 3:11English Standard Version (ESV)

11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.

2 Corinthians 5:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

God's wisdom defies human understanding of wisdom.  Wisdom is following the Lord; seeking and pursue peace, and walk by faith, not sight.  Lord, please send us wisdom!

One God We Serve

Hosea 13:4-5English Standard Version (ESV)

4 But I am the Lord your God
    from the land of Egypt;
you know no God but me,
    and besides me there is no savior.
5 It was I who knew you in the wilderness,
    in the land of drought;

Deuteronomy 5:7English Standard Version (ESV)

7 “‘You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

Isaiah 60:1-2English Standard Version (ESV)

The Future Glory of Israel

60 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.

Chosen, we serve a jealous God, but His glory is seen in our actions.  Lord, bless my actions for this day!

Betrothed in the Hand of God

Hosea 2:19-20English Standard Version (ESV)

19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

Isaiah 62:3English Standard Version (ESV)

3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
    and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

John 10:14-15English Standard Version (ESV)

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

We are beloved and cherished in the hand of the Lord!

Answered Prayer

Daniel 10:12English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

Matthew 7:7-8English Standard Version (ESV)

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Balance prayers with thanksgiving with the prayers for wisdom and needs. Thank you, Lord for answering our prayers and honoring us as your children!

Overcomers and Conquerors

Daniel 7:14English Standard Version (ESV)

14 And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.

Lord's dominion will not have an end!

Revelation 3:21English Standard Version (ESV)

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Living God

Daniel 6:26-27English Standard Version (ESV)

26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,

for he is the living God,
    enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
    and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
    he works signs and wonders
    in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

John 20:19English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

The Living God!  My King!