I am So Encouraged

Good  morning,

I am so encouraged by the conversations that black and white people want to have. I have watched a few Hillsong discussions and find myself listening to the hope in the black people gathered while they talk. Their voices are so hopeful that people want to hear how they have felt and it is awesome and like lancing a wound, letting the infection out so the body can heal. Let us all do this around our own tables, be it our family, neighbors, or strangers we encounter. Prayer is a powerful thing. Let’s use it for healing and change. We do not need to fix this for anyone, we need to listen and support. We do not need to hate! The people who came out the next morning after the riots where there to be the help. Talk is cheap! Actions speak. If you hate all police, are you any better than the rioters? If you only talk hate about the presidents elected every four years, are you any better than the rioters? I personally want to be like the clean-up people who came out to help and love on their community.

In John 13:37, Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, thinks he is the most strong, enthusiastic, committed disciple! Peter said to Him, “Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!” Jesus answered, “Will you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times.”

Jesus knows our heart better than we do. Jesus said “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

We cannot think too highly of ourselves, ever! We are weak, but He is strong. We can ask God to be the healer, comforter, helper, savior, communicator. God is always about justice. He is the vindicator, not us. We are to go to God, through His Son who made the way and ask whatever we need and He will make the way. We are to Love one another as we want to be loved, treated, and prayed for. Let’s do this to the best of our ability!

“DO NOT let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe in God and trust in Him [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going, and] believe also in Me.

Love you, Teri