A DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT -- April 13, 2011

Deeply respect God, your God. Serve and worship him exclusively. (Deuteronomy 6:13, MSG).

My recent blog posts have addressed challenging issues.  It is not an easy task to write about the challenging issues of life.  Yet, I write because my life is not a work of fiction.  I incorporate scripture in my writing because it is the non-fictitious Word of God that helps me cope with and conquer life's challenges.  I write because I sincerely believe that my personal testimonies will serve as encouragement to others.

Around 1:00am this morning, I was in my powder room preparing for bed and I started thinking about the God I serve.  I yearned to thank God; I needed to encourage myself and intercede for all people in desperate need of hope.  I began to speak adoration:

• I serve a God who can do all things.  (Mark 10:27, NIV).

• I serve a God who knows me.  (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV).  I serve a God who forgives me.  (Psalm 103:3, NIV).

• I serve a God who performs miracles.  (1 Chronicles 16:12, NIV).

• I serve a God who hears me.  (Psalm 5:3, NIV).  I serve a God who listens to me.  (John 9:31, NIV).  I serve a God who answers me.  (Psalm 3:4, NIV).

• I serve a God who supplies.  (Philippians 4:19, KJV).

• I serve a God who heals me.  (Exodus 15:26, AMP).  I serve a God who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:13, HCSB).  I serve a God who empowers me.  (2 Timothy 1:7, CEV).  I serve a God who promotes me.  (1 Peter 5:6, MSG).

• I serve a God who loves me.  (John 16:27, NIV).  I serve a God who values me.  (Matthew 6:26, NIV).

• I serve a God who talks to me.  I serve a God who educates me.  (Joshua 1:8, NIV).  I serve a God who warns me.  (Psalm 19:11, NIV).  I serve a God who disciplines me.  (Deuteronomy 8:5, NIV).

• I serve a God who fights for me.  (1 Samuel 17:47, NIV).  I serve a God who shelters me.  (Psalm 61:4).  I serve a God who rescues me.  (Psalm 91:14).  I serve a God who keeps me.

• I serve a 3-in-1 God!

• I serve a God who calls me.  I serve a God who anoints me.  I serve a God who utilizes me.  I serve a God who accompanies me.  (Joshua 1:5, 9, NIV).  I serve a God who speaks through me.  (Jeremiah 1:9, NIV).

Life is good because I can extol God via speech and composition.  Life is abundant because I serve and worship God exclusively!  (Deuteronomy 6:13, MSG).

Dear God: I speak Your credentials because I revere You!  My soul is restored when I worship You.  It is an honor and privilege to serve You.  I hope today's Dose of Encouragement revitalizes the spirits of Your people.  In the name of Jesus Christ...AMEN.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV).