Although I wasn’t aware that I needed enduring encouragement – the Lord has brought several verses across my reading path this past week. It started when I was looking for 2nd grade grammar textbooks, and I have had some thoughts/doubts/fears of my oldest heading into 6th grade. It hit me that these times of doubts and fears, even if ever so tiny and slight – break our momentum. As we head into the new year I have felt compelled to thank so many of my mentors that gave me encouragement when we started and continue to come along side. This morning – I was reading Hebrews 12:1, and although it speaks of the witnesses of the old test. I was having my own wall of witnesses flash in my mind – those who have gone before, stayed true, messed up royally, printed their mistakes for us to learn from . .

Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down. Especially the sin that trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

I stopped this morning to seek the Lord’s voice in what attitude and action sins are causing me to have these doubts – or any other place that I am missing the mark of God’s will in my life.

James 1:2-8 –

Dear brothers and sisters – when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow! For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete and needing nothing.

If you need wisdom – ask our generous God. And He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking but when you as Him be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waiver for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world. and They are unstable in everything they do.

2 Cor 1:3-5
All praise to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

I pray for the people on this list, as well as the Yahoo Group – and those not on our Boards. I am thankful for those who are willing to come together and share encouragement. I am praying for those who do not speak up and get discouraged and fall away. I pray for unity within our churches and community.

Happy New Year.