Scripture: Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Observation: This phrase caught my attention: "the encouragement of the Scriptures." And in the next verse, Paul tells us that it is "God who gives endurance and encouragement."
Application: I see so many people who are discouraged and who, as a result, give up on God or turn away from him. It's not that they stop believing in God. No, they just stop believing that God will do great things in their lives.
And they settle for the status quo. But it doesn't have to be that way. If anyone lacks encouragement, there is a place where they can get it: the Bible. So the question is, "Got encouragement?" If not, read the Bible. Through it, we gain courage -- that is the meaning of encouragement: "to put courage in." (In-courage = Encourage) So read the Bible and...
...in with courageRead the Bible. Seek God. Ask him for help. Keep going, keep growing, keep seeking, keep believing, never give up. It all comes from him.
...out with doubt
...out with discouragement
...out with giving up
...in with endurance.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you are our source -- and a wonderful, unending source you are! You give and you keep on giving because our need does not stop. Help us to keep on seeking and receiving from you. Give us the spirit of "whatever it takes" that we may keep on going and growing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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