InstaEncouragements Blog

A Rossiterville Christmas: 28 Tried & True Traditions

12/6/2019

Lights, tinsel, carols, hot chocolate, and eleven faces eagerly awaiting what they will receive. What an amazing and magically time filled with family and memories. Only a God of love and compassion would turn His ultimate sacrifice into a day of gifts for all mankind. Christ, the greatest gift, is still giving today!

That being said, materialism and the hunt for the latest and greatest has tarnished, as it always will, the heart of this season. The fight to keep the focus both Christ-centered and ordered with moderation has all of us going against the flow of society.

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Who Doesn’t Like a Good Hallmark Movie?

11/29/2019

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It’s that time of year when our senses are flooded with familiar sights, sounds and smells, which can make us nostalgic and emotional. We enjoy kicking back with our hot cocoa and festive cookies to watch the many feel-good movies available. They have a way of getting us into the holiday spirit. We know their formulas and anticipate the happy endings usually sealed with a kiss.

Although our movie watching can be enjoyable, the stories are often a mix of reality and fantasy. It is way too easy for us to be in a relaxed state and let fiction or anti-biblical philosophies become a part of our own thinking. Can we enjoy a good movie even if it includes fantasy? Sure, but we need to view our entertainment through a lens of discernment. Let me give you a couple examples of what I mean.

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This is the Good Work God Called You To Mama

11/22/2019

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This is the Good Work God Called You To Mama

Motherhood is demanding work. I’ve been on the motherhood journey for over twenty-five years now. With three adult children, two teens and one preteen, the needs are different than they were ten years ago, but they are still needs that demand effort on my part as a mom. If I’m honest, there are some days when I’d like to pull up the covers over my head and let everyone just fend for themselves. As a matter of fact, today was one of those days. My two youngest boys did something last night that hurt someone’s feelings. They were “just being boys”, but if I let it slide, I would lose an opportunity to show them how their actions can hurt others whether they mean to or not.

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Psalm 77—A Guide To Godly Grief

11/15/2019

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Psalm 77--A Guide To Godly Grief: How would you help someone who’s going through deep pain and heartache? How would you counsel and comfort them? How would you help them find hope when all seems lost?Picture

How would you help someone who’s going through deep pain and heartache? How would you counsel and comfort them? How would you help them find hope when all seems lost?

Maybe you’d say something like, “It’ll all be okay. You’re stronger than this.” Or “Don’t worry, it’ll all work out in the end.” Maybe you don’t know what to say, so you’re just there with your presence but no words. Perhaps you avoid them because you don’t want to say the wrong thing.

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When the World Comes Calling for Your Child's Heart

11/8/2019

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When the World Comes Calling for Your Child's Heart: I have tried all the other things: quality time, church attendance, family devotions, sheltered and secured environments, and they are not enough. They are sufficient for a time, but their value is not enough to keep the world at bay. Desperate and emptied of all resources, I seek the only help I can find. I run to my Savior and say, “Lord, I am all out of options.”

Empty. Her cupboard was completely bare. She was desperate. The debt collectors were at the door. The payment required was her two sons. They were going to be taken from her to serve as slaves. She had already lost her husband, and was still grieving. Where was she going to turn? Who held the answer? Who could truly help?

Elisha was her best option. He was a prophet who knew her husband and she knew he served the One who could truly bring relief and help to this dire circumstance. She rushes to his presence and pleads her case.

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3 Things We Must Believe to Learn to Be Content

10/25/2019

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Philippians 4:11 says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

One day our son came home from his friend’s house and announced his need for a Play Station 2. The announcement soon became a plea, “If I get it I won’t ever ask for anything else, ever!” Needless to say it wasn’t the last thing he asked for.

Unfortunately, you and I present our wants to God in a very similar way.

If only I had enough money to make me comfortable, I wouldn’t ask for more.
If I were married, I’d be happy.
If I had good health, I wouldn’t complain.
If she was nice, I wouldn’t be so mean.

The dictionary defines contentment as “being satisfied” or “not needing more.”

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Finding Hope in Heartache

10/18/2019

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Finding Hope in Heartache: Have you ever felt alone in suffering? Where can you turn when you feel completely broken from an aching heart? Your mind says, I know God’s Word could help, but what does that look like? Dear friend, my heart has asked these questions too.

Have you ever felt alone in suffering? Where can you turn when you feel completely broken from an aching heart?

Your mind says I know God’s Word could help, but what does that look like?

Dear friend, my heart has asked these questions too.

One impactful resource I’ve found is the Voice Of The Martyrs. Have you heard of it?

Their podcast called VOM Radio, their magazine, and their books have helped me realize that I'm not alone. Also, they have given me real-life examples of suffering Christians who find their hope in God.

I always come away from VOM media in awe of God and His good work in people through incredible trials.

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