InstaEncouragements Blog

Finding Stability in an Unstable World

5/20/2022

The world is rife with instability and struggles that seem to have no answers. #Jesus told us in John 16:33 that there would be times like this. “In the world ye shall have #tribulation…” The #goodnews is that we don’t have to be overcome with instability and trouble. The rest of that verse gives words of comfort. “…but be of good cheer; I have #overcome the world.” The question isn't IF there is darkness and trouble to deal with in this world. The question is HOW do we deal with this darkness?

The world today is rife with instability and struggles that seem to have no answers. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that there would be times like this.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation…”

The good news is that as believers we don’t have to be overcome with the instability, tribulation, and trouble in the world. The rest of that verse gives Jesus’ words of comfort.

“…but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

The question for us as believers is not IF there is darkness and trouble to deal with in this sin-cursed world. The question is HOW do we deal with this darkness?

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Choosing Motherhood

5/13/2022

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We celebrate #mothers on Mother's Day because of the #relationship we have with them. For those of us #blessed enough to have had good, godly mothers, this relationship is one that imitates God’s relationship with His #children because it is a relationship built upon often unrequited sacrifice, selflessness, and #love. Just like we love #God because He first loved us, we love our mothers because they have shown so much love for us before we even knew how to reciprocate. #motherhood #mothering

This Mother’s Day was my first time being included in the “mother club.” It felt good—if strange—to have people wishing me a “Happy Mother’s Day.” So many people assured me this past Sunday that I was indeed a mother, and it got me thinking about what truly makes a mother and why we actually celebrate mothers.

We celebrate mothers because of the relationship we have with them. For those of us blessed enough to have had good, godly mothers, this relationship is one that imitates God’s relationship with His children because it is a relationship built upon often unrequited sacrifice, selflessness, and love.

Just like we love God because He first loved us, we love our mothers because they have shown so much love for us before we even knew how to reciprocate.

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4 Things to Remember When Life Feels Ordinary

4/29/2022

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"Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Theodore Roosevelt’s words are undoubtedly truer now than when he first wrote them over 100 years ago. For so long, man could only compare himself and his life with those he could observe in his relatively small sphere of life. But now we have access to view and compare ourselves with the lives, accomplishments, and experiences of millions across the globe with a touch or swipe of a finger. Our ability to create discontentment and restlessness within ourselves has grown exponentially with the advent of newer technologies. And even though we know that what we see presented to us on social media platforms is often crafted and curated in such a way that it lacks true reality, we can still find ourselves feeling disappointed and somewhat underwhelmed by our present circumstances, which invariably do not measure up to those we see around us.

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How Can I Know the Will of God?

4/22/2022

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Does it ever feel like you’re grasping at straws to figure out what the will of #God is for your life? How can you and I determine the will of God for our lives, both in the big decisions of life as well as the everyday decisions? I remember my dad telling me that 95% of God’s will is found in God’s Word. I was worried about the 5% concerning when, where, how, and with whom I would live out that will of God for my life. #Godswill #willofGod #Bible #Biblestudy #Scripture #Jesus #lifechoices

I remember when I was a teenager, and I was wondering what God wanted me to do with my life. I heard people say that I should be doing the will of God. But at the time it felt like I was grasping at straws to figure out what the will of God was.

I listened intently to the preaching and read my Bible looking for that big flashing sign that would say this is the will of God for you! But I never found that. Instead, I found simple steps of obedience in God’s Word that pointed to His will for my life.

I remember my dad telling me that 95% of God’s will is found in God’s Word. I was worried about the 5% concerning when, where, how, and with whom I would live out that will of God for my life.

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Remembering to Count Your Blessings

4/15/2022

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How can my foolish heart turn a month of #blessings into a #complaining spirit? The answer is quite simple. Dissatisfaction comes naturally. #Gratitude is learned. #Scripture is filled with calls to #praise #God with a #thankful heart, probably because God knows our propensity to selfishly cling to our #complaints like they’re a good thing. We like to have a few good things to #complain about. However, #praising God for His blessings makes us and others focus on His goodness. #blessed #bless

The sound of “Count Your Blessings” instantly transports me back in time. I grew up singing this beloved hymn, but sometimes, in the nostalgia of the melody, I forget the powerful truth of the words. This past month has been so full and packed with good things:

My Mom received clear pet scans and biopsies and was told, to the disbelief and astonishment of her doctors, that she is in remission after taking only half of the prescribed chemo treatments.
My husband and I escaped for a weekend babymoon, a time for just the two of us.
My church friends and family gave baby Lucy and me the most beautiful shower, supplying many needed baby items.
My parents were able to visit for nearly a week. We enjoyed time together and celebrated Mom’s improving health and our upcoming addition to the family.

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4 Gospel-Centered Music Resources For Little Hearts & Minds

4/1/2022

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Of the many #gifts #God has given us, music is one of my favorites. Music has great power. It #encourages and uplifts. It brings quiet and #calm. It can #celebrate our greatest #joys and console us in our deepest #grief. Studies have shown music improves our #health. But of all the things #music can do, I find myself in awe of one in particular. Music has great power to help us #learn and #remember. Here are our family’s favorite #resources for #Gospel-centered music for #children. #momhack

Of the many gifts that God has given to His creation, music is one of my favorites. Music has great power. It can encourage and uplift. It can bring quiet and calm. It can be used to celebrate our greatest joys as well as console us in our deepest griefs. There have even been studies that show that music can improve our health. But of all the things that music can do, I find myself in awe of one in particular. Music has great power to help us learn and remember.

When I worked in a Montessori classroom with three to six-year-olds, I was amazed not only at the amount of information these young minds could retain but also at how quickly they could commit it to memory, and all because it was set to music. These little ones could easily recall the seven continents, the days of the week, the months of the year, all fifty states (in alphabetical order), and more!

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5 Essential Prayer Requests for Believers

3/25/2022

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There is a lot of talk these days about the cost of fuel for our cars and for heating our homes as well. Projections for the cost of these life necessities are predicted to continue to rise both in the States and around the world.

But you didn’t come to Instaencouragements to be reminded of the pressure inflation puts on our pocketbooks, now did you? You probably came here looking for some encouragement during days that seem to abound with discouragement and bad news.

Praise God that we have His Word to run to for comfort when prices soar and life seems to be out of control. Considering the current fuel situation, one passage caught my eye recently and reminded me that the “fuel” for our walking closely with the Lord is found in His Word and through prayer.

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