The Holy Spirit Prays and Listens Within Us

When we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us - that Spirit creates in us a sacred space where the other can be received and listened to.  The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains.
-- Henri Nouwen

Lord, don't let me forget that Your Holy Spirit prays and listens within me.
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When Others Insult You?

Don't be discouraged when others insult you and say hurtful things.

-- Isaiah 51:7 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The Lord!
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Live Constantly In His Presence...

Jesus' primary concern was to be obedient to His Father, to live constantly in His presence. Only then did it become clear to Him what His task was in His relationships with people. -- Henri Nouwen

Let's live constantly in His presence... others are depending on it.
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But Among You It Will Be Different.

In this New Testament passage, Jesus teaches His own about serving others. The first seven words of verse 43 is where Jesus really nails the truth home for those of us who will be called "His fully devoted disciples".

(35) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to Him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” (36) “What is your request?” He asked. (37) They replied, “When You sit on Your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to You, one on Your right and the other on Your left.” (38) But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” (39) “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from My bitter cup and be baptized with My baptism of suffering. (40) But I have no right to say who will sit on My right or My left. God has prepared those places for the ones He has chosen.” (41) When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. (42) So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. (43) But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, (44) and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. (45) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
-- Mark 10:35-43 (NLT)

Consider it all joy. -- James 1:2-4
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Encouraging Others to Sin?

1 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT) --And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong.

What a sobering thought, heh?

Lord, forbid that we would sin against You and others by encouraging others to go against their own consciences, coaxing them to choose wrong rebellion over what they believe to be right relationship with You. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
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If We Harbor Unforgiveness?

If we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts against others, the Lord will not listen to our cries for His mercy.

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
--Psalm 66:18 (NIV)

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.
-- Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
-- Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
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The Cost of Encouraging Others

I have learned that the cost of encouraging others is the raw reality of being chased by discouragement shortly thereafter, yes, usually the next morning. Still, I embrace with my whole being the gift that God has entrusted to me, yes the gift of encouraging others on His behalf.

Lord, cause Your Joy to be my strength as I encourage others and when discouragement comes chasing after me, may it only serve to run me further into Your refreshing presence. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

If your gift is to encourage others, do it!
-- Romans 12:8 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful