Encouragement

McLinky's blog topic today is "Encouragement." Don't we all need a little bit of that??

This is 2 Corinthians 4:17 from the Message. I love the Message because it speaks like a story and straight to my heart.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

Here it is in NIV for those of you who prefer it-

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

I also have a worshi p song that really encourages me. It's a Hillsong song called You Reign. Here's the lyrics-

What could stand before You

As You chose to embrace

A cross so undeserved You took for me

The weight of sin upon You

When You offered Your life

As You walked the streets of men with fading strength

How could we live but not see

Your sacrificeYour glory

You reign, You reign

Over everything Lord, You reign

With power, and justice divine

Over everything Lord, You reign

What was Your last thought

As You drew Your last breath

Where the victory was Yours for us to see

And all will know the truth

As we live by Your grace

Every praise to You alone

See now the King of Glory

Love of God become my calling

Father I surrender all I am to You forever

I love that song because it's such a great reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross...and how can you not be encouraged by that??