A Living Room Testimony: Leighann
RBCer Leighann Marquiss shares her family’s story of their son, Ryan, born against all odds with Pentalogy of Cantrell which includes ectopia cordis and a host of other heart defects. This video was originally shown at the 2010 Reston Bible Church Women’s Retreat. You can learn more about the Marquiss family and their story at http://marquissclan.blogspot.com
Why We Need to Encourage and Be Encouraged
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
~ Hebrews 3:13
1. Because through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God
We all need to be stroked by the warm hand of encouragement. Who can you think of that just might need some right now?
2. Because we receive far more criticism than praise
Our emotional ledger sheet tells the truth. It sure would be nice to get it to balance before the final account. You can help make the difference!
3. Because it develops friendships
We naturally seek out those who refresh us with words of comfort than those who destroy with words of criticism.
4. Because it gives health to the recipient
“Pleasant words are as honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” Proverbs 16:24.
5. Because we hurt far more deeply than we will admit
Most people carry burdens, the weight of which, cannot be estimated by an outsider.
Learn to encourage when you sense a need.
The Parable of Spiritual Frisking
As believers, we have a tendency to subtly interrogate those who claim allegiance to Christ. We just have to find out where they are spiritually, doctrinally, and morally which often takes place in the course of conversation. The following is a parable about such an experience. All of what I state here is what I have judged others for or have been judged by others. I neither condemn nor condone any of the following judgments listed in the parable.
Continue reading
Approaching the Word
1. Approach the Word with the understanding that it is spiritually and not intellectually discerned.
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14).
2. Approach the Word prayerfully.
“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works” (Psalm 119:27).
3. Approach the Word with all reverence of approaching God Himself.
“Princes persecute me without cause, buy my heart stands in awe of your words” (Psalm 119:161).
4. Approach the Word with the expectation of hearing from God.
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18).
5. Approach the Word with the understanding that it is precept upon precept.
“For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).
6. Approach the Word by cross-referencing.
All of the New Testament cross-references the Old Testament.
7. Approach the Word with the resolve that you will obey what it says.
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:33-34).
8. Approach the Word through the doorway of affliction.
“It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71).
9. Approach the Word through meditation.
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).
10. Approach the Word through study.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).