Some Added Gold Stars

Note: Thank you so much if you clicked over from the Encouragement for Today devotion! I’m so happy you took the time to come visit.

The promised blog post is below, but I also want to issue an invitation. Last week, I started a series on how to share your God-stories in your every day life. Click here to read last week’s post. If you’d like to read the rest of the series, I’d be so honored! You can subscribe by entering your email in the box at the right and then responding to the confirmation email. I hope you’ll join our little community.

Last week my usually happy Senior came home from church downcast. When I asked him about his night, he spilled his frustration with some events that hadn’t happened the way he would have liked. Above all, however, he was discouraged because he hadn’t gotten the affirmation his heart was craving.

I can relate. Sometimes I look for affirmation in the wrong places too. Maybe you’ve had a day like that this week.

I listened a long time, shared some of my own struggles, and then I encouraged him to look elsewhere for the encouragement he needed. “Pray and ask God for confirmation of what you’re doing. If God confirms it, then His encouragement will be enough,” I gently said.

If your heart is craving encouragement, but…

Your boss has overlooked your extra hours…

Your family hasn’t complimented your delicious meals…

Your grandchildren don’t call as much as you’d like…

Your mailbox holds another rejection letter…

Your resume has landed at the bottom of the pile again…

Your hours preparing to teach your Sunday school class go unnoticed…

Your gifts go without accolades while others get all the credit…

I want to give you some “gold stars” straight from the mouth of your Heavenly Father. 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

“For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 108:4

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,for he shields him all day long,and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:23

Do you have an favorite verses that encourage you? I’d love for you to share!

Congratulations to Sharon Volkman who left her comment 2014/08/27 at 12:52 pm! She is the winner of the “Welcome Package” from the “An Open Circle” blog post.