InstaEncouragements Blog

3 Reasons Why God's Gift of a Savior is So Important

12/24/2019

All too often Christmas gets swallowed up in the busyness of shopping, sending cards, wrapping presents, parties, lights, baking... You may be there today. As we rush around, we often miss the wonder of what Christmas is all about. Even when we know, we can miss it.

Christmas began with a Gift given to the human race over two thousand years ago. That Gift, was a Child, born in a Bethlehem stable and laid in a manger. His birth was announced by wise men guided from the East by a very special star. Have you ever thought that God may have organized the entire solar system and universe in a way that would signify the birth of Jesus?

This Child was the Gift we need most—a Savior, the Holy Son of God, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This is the Good News proclaimed by the angel to shepherds on night duty as they watched their flocks:

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Joseph: The Man God Chose to Raise His Son

12/20/2019

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“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother, Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’

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5 Ways to Raise Grateful Children in an Entitled World

12/17/2019

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5 Ways to Raise Grateful Children in an Entitled World

How many times have you told your child to say “thank you?” Probably a lot. Did you know that gratitude will have beneficial effects on your child's well-being? In fact, research has shown that children who express gratitude on a regular basis have more positive emotions, like joy, love, and happiness, and fewer negative emotions, such as bitterness, envy, and resentment. They also have increased feelings of connectedness and improved relationships with peers and adults alike. They experience greater satisfaction in school and improved academic achievement. They even have better physical health than children who don’t take the time to notice and appreciate the good things around them. This is powerful stuff!

As parents, we can help our children develop an attitude of gratitude through a variety of simple acts and activities.

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Christmas Q & A

12/13/2019

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We're going to have some fun today with a bit of Christmas Q & A.

Who knows why Christmas is celebrated on December 25th?
When did the holiday first become popular in America?
Where did the long-standing traditions of Santa Claus and the Christmas tree come from?

Answers to some of these questions may surprise you. Let's see how much you know.

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Adoring His Attributes Review & Giveaway

12/10/2019

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Adoring His Attributes: A 30 Day Devotional for Worshipful Prayer

What if we begin the new year by adoring the attributes of God?

What if we are intentional for the first 30 days of 2020 with our prayer and worship of Him?

What if we knew this would be life-changing?

I've been reading Adoring His Attributes: A 30 Day Devotional for Worshipful Prayer and can I just say, friend, this will be a beautiful, life-changing, Christmas gift for every girl on your list?!

You can purchase your copy here.

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Thank You For Helping Us Give Back!

12/7/2019

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We all need to be reminded of God's promises! The dozens of copies of The Heart That Heals purchased on Black Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 8, will be matched and a copy given to charity for every copy you purchased.

This holiday season we are partnering with: Pregnancy Resource Center, Sacred Journey Hospice, Christian Women’s Center, YoungLife Griffin, Southern Grace Hospice, and Gigi’s House. So, when you purchased a copy of The Heart That Heals on November 29 - December 8, you not only got a great book (read reviews below or on Amazon or goodreads) and a good deal, you also gave a book to someone in need.

You not only purchased a book for yourself or a friend, but you gave a book to:

The girl that just walked into a pregnancy resource center looking for options
The wife whose husband of 37 years is laying in hospice care right now
The lady who is looking for safety and security from an abusive relationship
The teenage girl who is struggling with addiction and has just been rescued off the streets

All of these dear ladies, just like you and me, need to be reminded of the promises of God, and they will find those on every page of this book. Thank you for partnering with us and helping us give back!!!

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A Rossiterville Christmas: 28 Tried & True Traditions

12/6/2019

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A Rossiterville Christmas: 28 Tried & True Traditions

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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