"Word of Encouragement" - Two

 "And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words." (Hebrews 13:22 KJV)

  "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But - "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth, and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."" (Titus 3:3-7 NLT)

 If you take just a moment to search out some of the words that are being said, some of what is meant will look totally different than what you might think. Take the word, "suffer," as a good example of what I am talking about. Just taking that word in the context it is shown, it would seem to be something of a burden or anguish; when it actually is talking about endurance and to forbear. 

 Much of what is being said, if it is taken in context with what was previously said, is all about positive things, whether or not they are good or bad, whatever there is that we go through, God will make a way for the bad to be good and for the ugly to be beautiful; everything, no matter what it is that might seem as though we are suffering, will not hurt us: we are special, indestructible, and no matter what, we will be ending up totally fine! 

 When Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, as he was gathering up some firewood, and he was bitten by a poisonous snake. He should have been killed by the bite; but he actually just shook it off and went on gathering wood. If you don't know the story, it is Acts 28. But the point I am trying to make is about why Paul was not concerned about dying from the snakebite; it was because the Lord told him that he would be going to Rome, and to minister to the Gentiles. (Acts 23:11) 

 Maybe that isn't enough to convince you; but I know for a fact that Jesus saved me! That is something I will never forget; and yes, I have had some ups and downs; but no matter what, I am fully confident that I will be making it to the other side, because Jesus told me so...

""I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd."" (John 10:14-16 NLT)