Words of Encouragement –Goodness

Romans 14:17-19

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (NLT)

How can you please God? Live your life filled with the Holy Spirit. It is true that we must let the Holy Spirit guide us through this life. We must let the Holy Spirit be in charge. Our lives need to reflect goodness, peace and joy for these things are the fruit of a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we will wonder aimlessly throughout this life without purpose. The Spirit will lead you into the will of God for your life. As we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives we can live in harmony with each other and be able to encourage and build each other up in Christ.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Goodness

James 1:17-18

17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows. 18 In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession. (NLT)

Everything we receive that is good and perfect is from God. Even though He allows us to go through hard times yet at the end it was good for us. Hard times teach us to trust God more fully and to strengthen our faith. Everything God takes us through is for our own good.

By His goodness He chose us to be His children and that was no mistake. Think about this phrase “And we, out of all creation, became His choice possession.” Because of God’s goodness He chose us to be His special possession. You! You are precious to Him and that is something He will never change His word on.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Kindness

Colossians 1:8

6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that very first day you heard and understood the truth about God's great kindness to sinners. (NLT)

The Good News about what Jesus Christ (the Son of the living God) did on the cross is the only reality that can change people’s lives. Everything else is temporary or just a band aid to their problems but their problems never go away. Only Jesus can truly change a life forever. The world can say whatever it wants but the truth is the truth and there is more proof of changed lives through Jesus then by the world's system. Jesus is the only one who can get to the root of the problem and change it. Why is that? Because Jesus is the one who created us, He knows everything about us and He is the only one who can fix us. We cannot fix ourselves.

It is our responsibility as believers to continue to share Jesus with a lonely and dying world that cannot fix itself. Remember just as God’s Word changed your life from the first day you heard it, received it and understood it that the truth about God’s Great Kindness to sinners and to you. Go therefore and share the Good News.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Kindness

Ephesians 1:6-8

6 So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (NLT)

Is it not great that we serve such a glorious God -- a God who cares so much about His creation? He is more concerned about our hearts condition and that is why Christ died for us. God’s character of kindness and love drives Him to purchase our freedom from the bondage of sin. His kindness through the shed blood of His Son Jesus brings us forgiveness and salvation. His kindness does not want any to perish but for all to come to Christ. And because of His rich kindness He also gives us the choice to receive His kindness or to reject it. Praise God for His wonderfully loving and rich kindness.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Kindness

Romans 12:6-11

6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. (NLT)

God has given each one of us gifts and abilities. If you think that God has not given you some gift or ability you are wrong. God gives generously to all His children. Some are given more and some less. God has created each one of us for a purpose and no one is excluded. Do not be jealous of someone who may have more gifts or abilities than you but praise the Lord that He has given you this one thing to do very well. It is not ours to complain that we don’t have enough but to be thankful for God working in our life. Whatever God has given you to do, do it gladly, do it with kindness, do it generously and do it all to the Glory of God. Whether you have the ability to preach, serve others, teach, encourage others, have money to share generously, leadership, kindness or any other ability do it all to the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Romans 3:23-26

23 For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25 For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. 26 And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. (NLT)

We can glorify God for His gracious kindness toward us. Because of His kindness through Christ He has declared those who believe not guilty. God is fair and just in everything He does. Through Christ He has made us free. Praise the Lord Jesus for sacrificing His life and shedding His blood for us. It is not because of anything we did or that we are at all worthy but it is because of the gracious kindness of our God and Father. Remember that we have all sinned, that we have all fallen short of God’s standard and that we are made right before God because of His gracious kindness.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Proverbs 3:1-6

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart, 2 for they will give you a long and satisfying life. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. (NLT)

Loyalty and Kindness, write them deeply within your heart. God wants our hearts and He wants to change our hearts. God wants our hearts to reflect His character that glory and honor comes to Him.

Scripture is teaching us to turn from our old ways and turn to God’s ways. Since the scripture is our teacher we need to store His commandments in our hearts and let the Holy Spirit guide us and direct our paths. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths so that you can live a long and satisfying in Christ.

Let kindness never get away from you but let it always be reaching out to others. As you learn about the kindness of the Lord toward you show that same kind of kindness toward others so that they can see Jesus living in you and believe in Him too.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Patience

2 Peter 3:8-9

8 But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. (NLT)

Praise the Lord that He is patient. He is patient for your sake. He wants to give time for others to accept Jesus as their Savior too and He wants to use you to accomplish this take as well. And along the way teach us how to live by His patience.

To Recap:

We need to teach patience

We need to be patient

We need to look to the scripture to find models of patience

We need to model patience

We need to wait patiently on the Lord

Be patient in suffering for the Lord

Suffering patiently will build your faith

Be patient in your prayers

Patience produces endurance and endurance produces godliness

Remember God’s timing is perfect, be patient

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

1 Peter 2:18-21

18 You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters. Do whatever they tell you— not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are harsh. 19 For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you.

21 This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. (NLT)

Employee could be substituted for slave here and employer for master. As an employee God expects us to obey them whether they are kind or unreasonable. If you endure or you are patient through this suffering God is pleased with you. We must remember that ultimately we are working for God and it is He whom we will answer to. But if we patiently suffer for what we have done wrong it is meaningless. This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. Be patient when you are suffering for the Lord for He will never leave you and suffering patiently will build your faith.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Words of Encouragement –Patience

2 Peter 1:6

6 Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. (NLT)

In the beginning of our walk with Christ we begin to get to know Jesus and what it means to follow Him. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-26 "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.(NLT) So then to begin self-control you must put aside selfish ambition. As you allow the Holy Spirit to begin to control your life this leads to patience and patience leads to endurance and endurance leads to godliness. As we walk with Christ He is taking us through a process and He is cleansing us from the old life and remaking us into a new person in Him. Patience also leads us into prayer. Helping us to see that God’s timing is perfect.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ

Hebrews 10:32-39

32 Don't ever forget those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity.

35 Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 "For in just a little while,

the Coming One will come and not delay.

38 And a righteous person will live by faith.

But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away."

39 But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.(NLT)

Sometimes you just can’t say it better than Scripture. Help others who suffer as you have, be patient with those in their early walk with Christ and remember God’s promise to you. We have faith that assures our salvation.

Our Mission is to Lead People into a Growing Relationship with Jesus Christ