Be Encouraged!

Today I just want to encourage you in your day. I pray that you would have peace in your mind, your heart and your work place! I pray that when someone or something challenges your patience and compassion that you would be reminded of Colossians 3:12 - clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I pray that you would see the good in all people.

I pray that you would keep in mind that you are dearly loved. You are a child of the King who rules the world! You were created specifically and on purpose. There is a reason that you are where you are today. There is an assignment that has not yet been fulfilled. Also that there is a season to everything, If there is somewhere else that you'd rather be or something else that you'd rather be doing, remain consistent and do to the best of your ability what God has you doing in this season. If God has called you to step out and into something else, I pray that you would find confidence in knowing that God would never call you to do something that is not for your good.

I pray that you will be a person whose character reflects that of Jesus. I pray that you will have the Holy Spirit's conviction in your every moment. I pray that you would not fear about anything, especially that which God has called you to. I pray that you would be willing to awaken. That you would seek out what God is awakening you for. I pray that you, my friend, would be a person who is used by God to turn this world upside-down!

If you do your part and each person does their own part, then God's mighty orchestra will play the worlds greatest symphony!

~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford

Represent!

Today I was absolutely blown away by a scripture I read. So I am going to share it with you!

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17

Now if you have been to many church services or read the Bible much than you have probably come across this scripture. This is what is so amazing about the Bible, it is the living and active word of God! No other book is like it. So this time when I read it the scripture jumped out at me!

It says that everything we say or do should be done as a representative of Jesus. What does it mean to be a representative or to represent? Represent is defined as to serve to express, designate, stand for, symbolize. So for our understanding let's put the puzzle pieces together...

We are to symbolize Jesus with our actions and our words.

For us to know if we are representing Jesus with our actions and words we must first take an inventory of each.

Look back at your week. Look closely at your actions over this week. What do they look like? Are they a valid representation of our Lord, Jesus Christ?

Now, even more challenging look back upon your words. What do they sound like? What percentage of your words would you say are life breathing? What percentage are declaring death or frustration?

This isn't always easy. Actually most of the time, it's not! It is easier to "act" well and do good, but it is more difficult to speak positively and in a manner that represents Christ. Today I want to encourage you to take inventory of your actions and your words. But also to go a little deeper and take an inventory of where those come from, your mind. Is your mind one that is set on Christ? If not, don't get down on yourself! We have the power to control and change the way we think!

So awaken and set your mind on Christ!

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford