Words of Encouragement

The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. – 1 John 2:4-6

and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. – 1 Thessalonians 4:6

Count it all joy. Keeping our word. This might seem like strange scripture to use in regards to counting it all joy. However, I believe it is appropriate for us today. There are going to be times in our lives when we come face to face with people who say one thing, but do something entirely different. There are going to be people that say they love God, yet do not keep his ways and scripture says no matter what they say, the truth is not in them and they are a liar. I did not call them that, the word of God does.

It is also a warning that there will be those that say they care about you and support you, but in truth they are lying and in fact are transgressing (sinning against you or wronging you, as well as against God). They are in fact lying to others about you and causing harm to your name.

Well today I say to you, we still can count it all joy. We can keep our words even if others refuse to do the same. We can read this scripture and know that regardless of others we can abide in Christ and be worthy of what he has called us to do. We can take the warnings and do no harm with our words against others. That means because you lie on me, I do not have to lie on you. I can decide to speak truth at all times and in all situations. I can count even the betrayals joy because what is done in darkness in due season will come to light. I had something happen to me before where someone was lying on me and God told me to trust him. When I did, he revealed ALL the lies to every person that it was told to and he restored my name.

So today I say, let us count it all joy…our troubles, our success, our wounds, our healings, our dry places and our places of running springs. Whatever we find ourselves in, let us find joy because of who is with us. So when you go to worship this weekend, go with a thankful spirit that God can take even the times of sorrow and turn them into a song. Sing unto the Lord!!

Jewel D. Williams

It is in His word that we find life!