 Scripture: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV Application: “As in fact you are doing.” It’s a daily act, just as regular as eating and sleeping. Being an encourager is something that every one of us can do. What does our daily list look like? Prayer: Inspire me to encourage people. Thank You for the encouragers You’ve put in my life. Amen.  Scripture: “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Proverbs 10:19 NIV “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 KJV Application: We can’t talk our way out of a lie or an evil word spoken. It’s best to do as the old saying says, “when you find yourself in a pit, quit digging.” Say a few appropriate words and shut up more often. Prayer: Lord, help us to keep our words few and golden. Amen.  Scripture: "People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”... It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation... Whoever has ears, let them hear." Revelation 13:4, 6-7, 9 NIV Application: We Christians who study the Bible devotedly often dwell on ourselves, praying for personal Godly development and for our sisters and brothers in Christ. That's good. We also pray for world peace, leaders, and help for people who are separated from God. Also good. But it's important to be sensitive to the greater meaning of what's going on in the world. It's very bad. The world has been dominated for a very, very long time by Satan. It's going to get worse. Christianity is not respected by the world's most powerful people and governments. We Christians are generally tolerated, maybe even liked, but our faith is not respected. Understand this. Don't be fooled into thinking it will get better, because it won't, not until our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ returns and takes power. That will be a beautiful time for Christans but a horrific time for those who blaspheme Him. Horrific. The ones who will suffer most will be those who believe in the power of Satan and dismiss the power of God. There's a pride and vanity issue here. They have a greater gap to close between their seductive earthly power and the required humility to worship Christ. Pray for them, because they'll need it. Prayer: We're ready, Lord Jesus, for Your return, but we pray not only for believers, but also those who need to humble themselves in order to be saved. Amen. |