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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Encouraging Words Wednesday

Photobucket“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Have you ever wanted to silence the voices of your fears? In my Encouragement for Today devotion at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I shared how I learned to do just that by helping someone else overcome theirs. Before I knew it, I had faced my fear of open heights because I wanted to help a friend’s child conquer his. And that day, I conquered mine, too.

Without even realizing it, I acted on God’s command and believed God’s promise in Joshua 1:9 that tells me I can overcome my fears with God’s strength. I realized in a very tangible way that the same promises I claim so boldly for others are true for me, too.

Like God did with Joshua in today’s verse, each day we have the same opportunity to come alongside each other in some of life’s hardest challenges and highest peaks and say, “Don’t give up, you can do it. I’ll be with you and I will help you.”

Today is Encouraging Words Wednesday. The second Wednesday of each month we gather here for encouragement and commit to share the power of encouragement with someone in our lives. In believing the power of God’s promises for others, our confidence in His promises for us seems to grow as well. I like to call it the “encouraging words” boomerang effect.

Encouraging words have the power and potential to bring courage to the discouraged. Hope to the hopeless. Assurance to the insecure. Clarity to the confused. Strength to the weak. Calm to someone’s chaos. Comfort for someone’s sadness.

Encouraging words say, “I notice and I care enough to take this moment to tell you because you matter to me and you matter to God.”

So, today let’s shift our focus off our fears, doubts, insecurities and personal struggles and help someone overcome theirs. All we have to do is look for someone who could use a kind word, a boost of confidence, a note with a Bible verse or a short prayer in it. Even just a simple facebook post or email saying what we really appreciate about them, or how you see God’s heart in something they do will make such an impact!

Join me and let’s watch to see the difference this will make in our families, neighborhoods, work places and churches.

Lord, thank You for the power of Your words that give me courage to become who You’ve created me to be – to go to places You’re calling me to go and climb spiritual heights that are out of my reach without Your help. Give me Your encouragement and help me encourage someone else today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Encouraging Words Wednesday Gift PackHis Princess: Love Letters from Your King
by Sheri Rose Shepherd (This is one of the most encouraging books ever!)

The Power of a Purpose Driven (and Encouraging) Mom
message on CD by Renee Swope (What a difference you can make!)

20 of God’s Promises to personalize and send to a friend
(Nothing is more powerful than God’s promises!)

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To enter to win
simply share some encouragement and let me know about it.
Click on the word “comments” below this post and type in the white box:

  1. Commit to it- List one person you’re going to encourage today or this week and how you’re going to do it.
  2. Share it – Share a link to this post with friends via Facebook. Just lick on my Facebook badge in my sidebar. Then click on “share” under my EncWds button on my FB page. You can also Tweet and/or email a friend a link and let me know. 
  3. Spread it – Forward today’s devotion to someone who has been an encouragement in your life, and thank them. It will really mean a lot to them!For an extra chance to win, add our Encouraging Words Wednesday button to your blog with a link to today’s post, then come back and let me know in another comment. You can grab the code from my sidebar under the button.
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Comments

  1. This comes at a perfect time because,as my husband and I are trying to get our spiritual lives back on track and make Christ the center of our marriage again, we have been talking about the need to encourage one another more often. He is currently using every free moment he has to study for a huge Professional Engineering test in April, one that has a big impact on his career. Not only that, but he broke his toe last week and has been in so much pain from it. I plan to leave a note in his study materials tonight with two verses–Proverbs 4:13 and Romans 8:28. I want him to know how much God loves him, how much I love him, and how capable he is of doing all things through Christ who gives him strength!

    I also plan to send this link to my mom who is a new born-again Christian and someone who has encouraged me my whole life. It's my turn to encourage her as she walks a new journey with the Lord. This link will also be making it on my Facebook page, as well as my blog: morrowsunshine.blogspot.com. 🙂

    THANK YOU for lifting us up every day through your ministry!

  2. I encouraged my husband today with a note in his lunch. I thanked him for something specific that he has been doing for me and told him I'd pray for his day. He will be surprised by the note since it's been a while since I've done that:)

    I also intend to put this link on FB. Thank you for the devotion-seems I have a similar fear. Bridges are definitely not my thing:)

  3. I copied today's Bible verse and sent it to my cousin who is having fertility problems. I also sent her the link to your blog and forward today's email to her! She needs encouragement, she has a surgery coming up and hopefully this will help with the fertility issues!

  4. I will be encouraging my friend who is dealing with a few people dying in her life. I don't have FB but will tell my Bible Study girls about your blog. I know everyone needs encouragement so I will excitedly wait on the Lord to see who else He brings to mind.We as a family have been going thru a rough time with one of our children and I want to thank -you for the encouragement this morning. Sometimes this journey seems so hard but when you band with others it is amazing how much stronger you can feel. Thanx Nicole
    [email protected]

  6. I like this devotion. It's true that we all need encouragement every day of our lives. I have encouraged a friend of mine who lives in Florida via text and I have sent the link with today's devotional to two friends. One in particular I think she will need it because she has just made a life changing decision which includes relocation to America. Thanks for sharing what's on your heart.
    [email protected]

  7. I am going to encourage my extended family through song. My uncle died two days ago and I will be driving 4 hours to sing at his funeral. My God be glorified!

  9. Renee & Sheri,

    Thanks Power Of Encouragement You & Sheri Gave Me To Move On. I Struggle With The Love And Understanding Of God Love.

    My Encouragement Is To Almighty God ~ To Give Everyone The Right Words We Want To Hear.

    I Hunger & Thirst For The Words Of Encouragement To Fill My Soul ~ From Almighty God & From My Pastors And My Church Family.

    Thanks Again,
    Laurie
    Hawaiilaurieann

    Take Care Okay.

  10. I have an elderly neighbor that just got home from a long hospital stay. I'm taking a meal to her and her caregiver daughter this evening.

  11. Renee, your encouraging words here are just what I needed to read this morning. Thank you. As Lisa Smith reminded me this morning already, we have a choice not to fear. Praying for the courage to make that choice today.

    Last night I was sharing with a friend that my appointments at the hospital today are opportunities to speak encouragement into someone's life. Maybe the Lord has me on this journey, placing me in waiting rooms, examination rooms, treatment centers because there is someone there, at this time, who needs to meet Him. Praying I will be that encouragement to someone today.

    Love ya my friend,
    Hugs,
    Joy

  12. What a great devotion. Just last night I heard your radio spot on encouragement. I think God is trying to tell me to focus on encouraging others rather than focusing on myself. I posted your devotion on my fb page and am emailing your devotion to a friend who recently lost her father. Today is the 2 year anniversary of my Mother-in-laws death. Instead of focusing on missing her I am going to focus on supporting my friend. Thank you for your ministry.

    Mary

  14. So true Renee…The effects of encouragement works like an "boomerang" in the good sense…..
    That is for sure my experience in the "cell-groups" of this amazing ministry of P31.i am beyond blessed by it in the years i am an member…..
    Keep on the good work Thanks!
    On my Fb i psted an link to your post

    Will email it any minute to encouraging friends

    Greetings and have an blessedday
    Bernice

  15. I am a middle school teacher. Middle school is typically one of the most difficult times in the life of a kid. Everything seems to be changing and there is a lot of confusion. Today I am going to make it a point to encourage every student I come across. This maybe just saying,'Good Morning" or "Great Job."
    Thank you for encouraging me Renee!

    Blessings,
    Kendra
    http://www.abusywomanslife.com

  16. There is a friend in my small group who I know could use some encouragement this week. I plan to reach out to her and give her some support with the struggles she is going through.

    I e-mailed this post to my small group, and I forwarded it to a wonderful lady who has been a huge encouragement in my life!

  17. I am planning to encourage my clinical instructor and fellow students. I am a 55 yr old student who has gone back to school to get my R.N. I believe that God has called me to be a Hospice R.N. and I am doing my best to answer that calling. I have one more quarter left and then I will graduate June 10th and take my state boards. Please pray for me! My final for this quarter is Monday! I have been a recipient of Proverbs 31 ministries for quite a few years and appreciate all of the authors wisdom and insight! Thank you to each one of you who contribute!

  18. To encourage my friend that she is loved by God and that she can love herself

  20. I am a Pastor's wife and we've had so much sickness in our church recently. I don't know what the percentage is but we have alot of elderly. They have been really sick with some serious issues…just because of their ages. They are easily depressed & discouraged.They want your time and ear very often. They are some of the most lonely people I've ever seen.
    I send out cards monthly to them. If I don't send out cards to all of them I call bi-weekly…just to say "hello" "I'm thinking of you". I also prepare a meal from time to time for the shut-ins. There faces light up like the sun.

    There are many roles of being a pastors wife but this is justn so desperatly needed within the body of our church. My generation is not always ready & excited to visit or spend some time with the senior citizens but they deserve our time. God bless Proverbs 31 Ministries!!