CHFWeb: Encouragement, Rest, Love-Quotes to Ponder

Encouragement, Rest, Love

This could have been a tough week for me if I had depended only upon myself to make it through the week. Thankfully, the Lord didn't allow me to be my "independent" self. Throughout the week, He drew me to Him, He rescued me from my despondency, He cleared my mind of cluttered thoughts, He lifted my eyes up to Him.

The phone rang on Friday. I was expecting a call from someone that had screamed at me earlier in the week. Instead, the comforting voice of a sister in Christ said, "Kathy, I've called to encourage you!". I just now wiped away tears from my eyes as I typed that in. Just hearing (and typing) those words strengthened my heart. In his book, The Power of Encouragement, Dr. David Jeremiah writes ...

Remember our dictionary definition of encouragement: "The act of inspiring others with renewed courage, a renewed spirit, or renewed hope." ... The New Testament tells us to instruct and teach one another, admonish one another, stimulate one another, build up one another, pray for one another, carry burdens for one another, confess our sins to one another, submit to one another, help one another physically and materially, and encourage one another. ... We are all called to practice the "one anotherness" of the Christian faith.

At a tense moment, the Lord used this sister to encourage me and remind me of my place in God's family. This morning I was frantically folding clothes. Our house is up for sale and potential buyers were expected any minute to look at the house. I found myself singing along with the song on the stereo, Pearl Brick's "The Lord Is My Shepherd" ...

The Lord is my Shepherd
I have everything I need
He tells me to lie in green fields
He takes my hand and leads me by the still waters
There He restores my soul

At a moment of panic, the Lord used a beautiful song to quiet my heart and restore my soul. Last night, as the thoughts of my mind were smashing away at my hope, one of my favorite Andrew Murray books, Waiting on God, caught my eye. I opened the book and came across the following quote which I had underlined ...

If any are inclined to despond, because they do not have such patience, let them be of good courage. It is in the course of our feeble and very imperfect waiting that God Himself, by His hidden power, strengthens us and works out in us the patience of the saints, the patience of Christ Himself.

At a moment when patience and hope were disappearing, the Lord used a favorite book to remind me how He is still strengthening and working on me. This has been a tough week for me, but not really. As I look back I realize just how much the Lord has been demonstrating His love for me. Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that You are my heart's desire! I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Andrew Murray's Waiting on God ...

Seek not only the help, the gift, seek Himself; wait for Him. Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work. It yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. - Psalm 37:4

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. - Psalm 23

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. - Deut 31:6

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. - Psalm 31:24

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - Luke 12:34

November 13, 1999
© 1999 by Kathy Ridpath
Please ask for permission to reprint this article, ridpath@chfweb.com. Thank you!

The following books are available through Our Favorite Books Bookstore. All proceeds from Our Favorite Books Bookstore in association with Amazon.com go toward supporting the chfweb.com website. Thanks for your support!

The Power of Encouragement
by Dr. David Jeremiah
I've learned a lot about how often the Lord gives us the opportunity to encourage each other and how powerful that encouragement can be when we obediently follow the Lord's leading. --Kathy Ridpath
Paperback: *Order Now!*

Songs From the Chapel
by Pearl Brick
Pearl Brick is one of my favorite singers. Her music has ministered to me in a beautiful way. I couldn't find her CDs on Amazon.com so I'll include the address from the back of this CD: Brickroad Music, P.O. Box 677, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.

Waiting on God
by Andrew Murray
One of the first books I received as a baby Christian was Andrew Murray's The Believer's New Life. Since that book, I have always been encouraged and challenged through his books. I found Waiting on God in an used bookstore when I was going through a very tough time. Once again, Mr. Murray's book sent me to my knees in prayer, to my Bible for study, and to seek God Himself. --Kathy Ridpath
Paperback: *Order Now!*


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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13