Be an Encourager: You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!

Be An Encourager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”.

Be Encouraged! You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!

Psalms 139:14: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well”(NKJV).

Do you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God? What does that mean? God made you fearfully in His image. Fearfully made means that God was careful with you when He made you in His image. He was careful with you because He wanted you to be a beautiful representation of Himself. God also made you wonderfully. Wonderfully means that you are a one of a kind, unique specimen. You are a work of art! There is no reason that you should ever feel inadequate because you can rest assured that you have been created exactly the way that God needed you to be made.

Why is that important? There is not another person in the world that can do what you can do. You bring a different set of characteristics and gifts to every situation. You don’t have the same attributes that your friends and colleagues have. And they don’t have the same gifts that you have. The beautiful part about this is that when you combine your gifts to the gifts of others; the entire body is enriched by the sum total of all people involved. If everyone was the same, the body would never look at things from a different point of view. Thus, the body would never stretch and grow. The body of Christ is stretching and growing because you are stretching and growing!

As you become more comfortable with the fact that you are fearfully and wonderfully made; you can see the value in yourself as a child of God. As you begin to appreciate the value in yourself, you can better appreciate the value in others. As you appreciate the value in others, you can use your uniqueness and their uniqueness to reach new people that need to be reached. That means that you can continue to help others grow in God as you are growing in God. So be encouraged and be excited! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are a perfect creation in the Lord!





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Be an Encourager: You Have a Comforter!

Be An Encouager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. This is one that I did on July 1st of this year.

Be Encouraged! You Have a Comforter!


Matthew 5:4 states, “Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted”. Those are the words of Jesus during His Sermon on the Mountain. I think it is safe to say there has been some mourning going on this past week. We are mourning the loss of some significant people in our lives. We have lost celebrities like Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Michael Jackson, and Billy Mays. We have lost countrymen, troops from the United States and the world who have sacrificed their lives for their nations’ sake. Some losses are closer to home: fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers. These are people that we could touch and hug, laugh and cry with. We are left to bear the heartbreak of their absence. I want you to know that it is okay to mourn. Mourning allows us to focus on the beautiful lives that we were blessed to spend time with. I don’t want you to think that your grief is permanent, or unending. You see, the second part of that fourth verse of Matthew, chapter five illustrates our blessing as believers. It states those that mourn will be comforted. And that comfort comes from the Holy Spirit.

Just as Jesus Christ is our door to God, the Holy Spirit is God’s comforter for us. The Holy Spirit soothes us during those times that we are desolate, and during those times that we are hurting. When we go to God with our problems, He will give us peace. The Holy Spirit is the deliverer of that peace. We can take great comfort in the fact our loved ones are no longer suffering, as well as the fact that they are in Heaven with God. And here is more good news- you still have time to receive God’s comfort for yourself. All you have to do is follow the instructions of Romans 10:9-10. “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” It is through that belief that we are saved, and with salvation comes the comfort of the Holy Spirit. So be encouraged and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity from God to experience His comfort for yourself. You will surely be blessed by it!

Be Encouraged! Your Joy is in the Lord!






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Be an Encourager: Hope in the Lord! Be Encouraged!

Be An Encourager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. This week's post is from Gwaylon (G.D.) Gilbert. Gwaylon is the originator of The Be an Encourager group. His tireless effort to provide encouragement and comfort to others has resulted in a body of believers on Facebook that is over 1800 members strong to date. Congratulations G.D.!

Peace and Love,


Hope in the Lord! Be Encouraged!


“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

Everyone has times when they feel tired and overwhelmed by the pressures of life. But notice, this scripture gives us a clear remedy: Hope in the Lord. It’s easy to put your hope in other things; maybe you had hope in a relationship, hope in a job, hope in the stock market. It’s time to redirect your hope to the One who will never let you down; the One who never changes, the Rock of Ages.

When you’re tempted to give up on your dreams, when you’re tempted to just settle where you are, listen to that still, small voice of hope on the inside that says, “No way. This is not who I am. I was created to live in victory. I was created to overcome this sickness. I was created to rise above these problems.” Put your hope and trust in the Lord because He is faithful! As you do, He will renew your strength. He’ll cause you to soar on wings like the eagle, and you’ll be empowered to move forward confidently into the victory He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, today I choose to put my hope in You. I know You have good plans for me. Thank You for renewing my strength and keeping me close to You. Fill me with Your peace and joy today.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.







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Be an Encourager: You ARE Beautiful!

Be An Encourager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”. This week's post is from Kim Ford, another one of the contributors.

Peace and Love,


What do you see when you look in the mirror? For multiple reasons, far too many people don't like what they see. This happens because some grew up in a dis functional home or were in relationships where all they heard were negative affirmations. "You're too fat", "You'll never be anything", or "You'll never make it without me" may have been heard so much that they started believing it themselves. I have great news for you. You ARE beautiful!

True beauty and confidence lives in the person who pursues Godly character. According to Galatians 5:22-23; 25-26 (The Message), when we live God's way He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears on a tree—things like:

• Affection for others,
• Exuberance about life, serenity.
• We develop a willingness to stick with things,
• A sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.
• We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to direct our energies wisely.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

In order to get rid of an unhealthy way of thinking, find out what GOD said about you. In Jeremiah 1:5 AMP, God said "Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

There is no one like you. God put you together precisely. You are distinguished, marked, and uniquely you. He has perfectly, genetically, and distinctly put you together. It was God's purpose and plan for you to have your personality, gender, and nationality. Instead of a devalued, hopeless, and helpless feeling that we are nothing and never will be anything ... our heavenly Father gives us love and counts us so valuable that He sent His only Son to die on a cross so we could live with Him forever.

Look in the mirror and declare: "I am NOT the product of my past or of my environment. I am NOT who other people say I am. I AM who God says I am. I AM who God is calling me to be." Thank God and confess it aloud repeatedly, then watch your image take on the image of your Maker and Savior. Share this and encourage others to let them know "You ARE beautiful!"







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Be An Encourager: Your Destiny is Still Before You!

Be An Encouager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”.

Have you ever sat and wondered exactly what you were supposed to be doing with your life? Do you feel like you are not where you should be, or even where you want to be right now? I know that I have felt this way on many occasions. And I’m just talking about work and personal life. I haven’t even touched on what I am supposed to be doing for God. I think that we can all agree that God has been a great influence and protector in our lives. But are we really doing everything that God has planned for us? I would say probably not. But here’s the good news. God has a special purpose prepared for each one of us. And He is preparing us to enter into that purpose. How do I know this? Because I know that God prepares His servants to excel at the missions that He sets before them. Remember the story of Joseph in the Bible? He was seventeen years old when he received his dream that his brothers and parents would all bow down to him (Genesis chapter 37). Little did he know that he would be in control of the entire food supply of Egypt; and second in command to Pharaoh. But Joseph had to go through some major challenges before he was mature enough to handle such an important mission. He also had to go through some hardships in order to be in the right place at the right time. Had his brothers not sold him into slavery, Joseph never would have ended up in Egypt where his destiny was.

When I look at my own life, I realize that God has also taken me through some hardships in order to place me where I needed to be. I had no intention of coming to San Antonio, Texas. Yet by being in San Antonio, I have gone through some life experiences that have prepared me for everything that I am doing for God and for my church right now. Now, it’s important for you to understand that I have not yet come completely into my destiny. God is still preparing me. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel a lot better now than I did when I first arrived here in 1997. Back then, I was an alcoholic with a bad attitude and no job. Now I am a minister who is able to tell someone that you can give up your addiction and be the man or woman that God needs you to be. I’m happy to say that I have been completely sober for eight years. Am I perfect? No! Am I better than I was? Yes! Look at your own life. I bet that you can see that God has taken you through some major experiences. I know that you are stronger because of them. And I bet that you are able to be a positive influence on your peers and your communities. The important thing to remember is that you are further along on your journey than you think. And God is still in control of that journey. Just continue to pray and ask for His guidance. And I know that He will answer all of your prayers. How do I know? I know because He answered my prayers.

Peace and Love,

Rev. Mike





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Be An Encourager: The Blessing of the Closed Door

Be An Encouager is a group that I contribute to on Facebook that was created by some friends of mine from college. It follows the instruction of Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”.

Be An Encourager: The Blessing of the Closed Door

John 10:9-10 "I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."


Have you ever had a closed door experience? A closed door experience occurs when you are trying to go a certain direction; and suddenly you run into a permanent roadblock that stops you from achieving your desired goal. Your closed door may be a relationship that deteriorates and ends without warning. It could be a job position or promotion that you are qualified for, but cannot achieve. It might even be the loss of an object that you would like to obtain like a car or a house. In these situations, having a door close on you means that you cannot go any further on the path that you intended to travel. And when that does happen, it can be very painful. But you don’t have to worry about the doors that close in your life. You see, there is another door. And His name is Jesus.

It is through the door of Jesus that we have unlimited access to God the Father. Every blessing that God wants to give you is available for you to receive and enjoy. But you would have never had the chance to receive that blessing had you continued through the wrong door. That is why the door was shut. It was shut so that God could point you in the direction that you needed to go. And if God took time out to point you in a different direction; then that means that you are still within His will. So don’t dwell on the things that you may have missed out on. And don't dwell on the doors that were shut. Focus on how much God must love you to shut those doors and how He expressed that love through the gift of Jesus as the true door. Be encouraged in the blessings that you received and will continue to receive because of your new direction. And take comfort in the fact that you are in His perfect will.

Be Encouraged! Your Joy is in the Lord!





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