His Encouragement #61

Happy Thursday! I am blessed to be a part of a group of bloggers who feel led to share a bit of encouragement each week from the Bible. We recognize our daily need for Christ and we aim to share that with our readers. Plus, when Thursday comes around, we can all use a little encouragement right? I hope that this post blesses you and that you find comfort, strength, and peace in the Lord today ❤

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I can hardly believe how fast this summer has been going by! Last week I attempted to do a bit of “unplugging” since I was at our annual Grace Adventure Camp as a counselor with the kids from church. It was a fun and challenging week in many ways, but it was truly a blessing to hear how the the kids felt they’d grown in just  a short week away. The theme of the week was “By Faith” where the lessons centered around Hebrews 11 and 12, with the memory verse being Hebrews 12:1-2.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

~Hebrews 12:1-2

The morning sessions were focused on looking back to “heros” of the faith who have gone before us, and the evening sessions focused more on personalizing what they learned earlier in the day. What does it mean to grow in faith and what that really look like? The kids that go to camp are between the ages of 7 and 13. That is quite a different age range there especially when it comes to being able to grasp certain concepts. On Friday when we had cabin time reflections for the week after our last session, I was amazed at the comment one of the girls in my group made. She said “faith is beautiful because it’s outside of age. No matter how old or young you are, you can always be growing in faith.” What a simple yet profound statement!

We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). None of us are perfect, yet Jesus is our perfecter. He endured the cross for us so that we can have a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, but we must put our hope and faith in Jesus. Our works are an outpouring of our faith and evidence of a changed heart in the Lord, but they are not our ticket to heaven. When Jesus has truly entered our hearts, it changes everything. Oh, what a joy it is to live for the Lord! <3

Just for fun I’m ending this week with a song that the kids really enjoyed at camp last week. You’re welcome for getting it stuck in your head should you know it 😉

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Now, it’s your turn!

What Biblical verse is encouraging you today?

And, check out more Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:

Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl

Trisha @ Joy of Reading

Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home

Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective

Gina @ Stories By Gina

Rebecca @Rev. Rebecca Writes

If you would like to join us: please contact Trisha or Nicole