GPS-An Encouraging Word

NOV 10 / Sunday – Read Mark 1:9-11

Overview: What’s the encouraging word for the believer who feels despair? We’re not talking about election results here. No…just day-to-day living.

11 / Mon – Affirmation  |  Read Mark 1:9-10 (NKJV) / Col 3:12

Jesus was about 30 years old when this event took place. What three things happened? What words did the people hear God proclaim about Jesus? It is interesting that God the Father would choose this public way of affirming Jesus, calling him beloved or much loved and pronouncing His approval. What effect do you think this ‘encouraging word’ had on Jesus as he was being sent into ministry? Ask the Lord to help you see yourself as He does, a much loved child in His family.

12 / Tue – True identity  |  Read Luke 4:1-13 / Rom 8:28

Jesus’ identity as the Son of God was now public. After he was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, he was sent into the wilderness to be tempted.  Notice how the devil used Jesus’ identity against him in v 3 and v 9? Have you heard the devil whisper the same words in your ear? If you are God’s much loved son or daughter, why didn’t He protect you or save your marriage or heal your child?  If He loves you, why did this happen? How did Jesus answer the devil? How will you answer him?

13 / Wed – Length, width, height and depth  |  Read Eph 3:14-21 / Rom 5:8

If you are old enough, you’ve maybe heard that love makes the world go around. It certainly seems to be the one thing that people are chasing and will go to great lengths and do crazy things to find. Many don’t know that it is really God’s love they are craving or unconditionally how He loves them. Paul recognized this and it became one of his greatest desires for everyone to know this love. As you read these words, will you speak them over yourself? For others? For your enemies?

14 / Thu – The truth  |  Read 1 Jn 3:1 / 1 Jn 4:10 / Rom 5:8

Are there times when you don’t feel God’s love for you? Oh, in your head, you know He does but your experience doesn’t seem to match up. What then? God always speaks the truth and His words are written down so you can focus on them today. Which of these truth-verses help you to counteract the lie that God’s love is diminished when you mess up? Don’t just read these words silently. Speak them out loud to your self. And to the devil. You don’t have to be perfect to be faithful.

15 / Fri – What God thinks of you  |  Read Rom 8:14-17 and 31-34 and 8:38-39

On what do you base your identity? What does God say about you in these verses? How will you respond on the days when it feels like everyone is against you? Take time to think about what you are thinking. Who is the source of those negative thoughts? Do they line up with what God says? Will you take a few minutes today to sit quietly with these words and hear what God is saying to you as His beloved child? Plant them in your head and in your heart. Choose to believe them.

16 / Sat – Be encouraging  |  Read Rom 1:11-12 / Heb 3:13 and 10:23-25 / 1 Thess 5:11

In the early church, they encouraged one another. There were so many other things against them: the Roman government promoting false deities, the religious leaders who felt their status quo threatened, schemes the devil devised to destroy their faith and even their lives. Today’s threats to our faith may not be as obvious. Will you ask the Lord to help you see the struggles others may be quietly dealing with? Will you watch for opportunities to speak encouragement? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words to say? We need each other.