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Encouragement for Your Future

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

God poured out His wrath upon Jesus at the cross. He paid the price for our sins. God did not save us to punish us; He saved us so we might have relationship with Him now and forever more.

When we go through a difficult time, we often feel as if we are being punished. The hardship we face may even be the result of our own poor choices, but God dealt with the issue of sin on the cross. He forgave your past sins and your future sins with the sacrifice of Jesus, and He does not seek to punish you for them. The consequences you suffer from sin are the result of unbelief in His word. Take it to the cross, and receive forgiveness. 

I once heard Lisa Bevere say that attacks from the enemy happen not because of our past but because of our future. The Devil cannot change our destiny in Christ. He can only do things to us to discourage us and make us doubt God’s love for us. If he can distort our thinking, he can ultimately change our behavior, which is how he gains victory over us. For this very reason, we should encourage each other daily in God’s word. We all need a different perspective from time to time, and other believers in the body of Christ can help us get that new perspective.

If you are discouraged or depressed today, understand that this is not from God. The Devil wants to damage or delay a great blessing God has in store for you, and you are succumbing to his tactics. God is with you – wherever you are and in whatever circumstance you find yourself – and He will never leave you. His plans for you are good, and you have every reason to rejoice today. God did not appoint you to wrath, nor is He punishing you from something you’ve done in the past. He is leading you into His destiny for you, so believe Him and cooperate with Him. Stop doubting His word, and start to stand strong in it. Find a place to serve, and start encouraging someone else. The sooner you take your mind off your circumstances and start to live where you are now, the sooner you will find God’s plan for you unfolding. Go to church today with an attitude of rejoicing, and leave the Devil in the dust!

Have a blessed day!

PHOEBE Connections, Inc. is a 501(c)3 dedicated to enhancing the lives of widows by building relationships and helping them find new identity in Jesus Christ through serving others. We promote an atmosphere of fellowship, where the widow can connect with other widows to develop friendships and supportive relationships.