Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the my favorite singer, Josh Groban, singing … You Raise Me Up … poignantly singing, … as if to God, … so thankful for being lifted up by the shoulders of God.
Benjamin West - 18th Century American Artist - Self Portrait
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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 15:12 [NLT] … 12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
… The reports from Barnabas and Paul were greatly encouraging to their brothers because they confirmed the ancient prophesies of Amos about the Gentiles being redeemed (see Amos 9:11-12)
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 15:12-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… A council was convened in Jerusalem to discuss how the Gentiles were to be discipled into the faith.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 12:18, 15:1, 17:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Proverbs showing the healing power of encouraging words.
Reference Passage : … Ephesians 4:29 [NLT] … 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
… Avoiding destructive words, we, as disciples of Christ, are to utter only those words which build up or give grace to the hearers.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Peter Chin, used used a story of a great 18th century American artist to show how encouraging words from his mom had launched his career forward. … The ODB author wrote: When he was a young boy, Benjamin West attempted to draw a picture of his sister, but he succeeded only in making a mess. His mother saw his creation, kissed him on the head, and remarked, “Why, it’s Sally!” He would later say that it was that kiss that made him an artist—and the great American painter he would become. [see photo] … Encouragement is a powerful thing!
When I was searching for guidance and direction to move away from feeling like a victim of my own past selfishness, it was the encouraging words of a caring - but tough - mentor, who lovingly showed me what it would take to move from victimhood to victory. And soaking up his encouragement, I did just that. And now, in the ministry God has called me to lead (see www.battleplanministries.org ), I try each day to be an encouragement to others, helping them to find the same direction.
How can any of us, following the lead of God’s word above, impart words of encouragement - or maybe just a genuine smile - to lift someone’s day today or tomorrow?
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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for the encouragement I get every day from Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to let our words of encouragement lift someone up today. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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