I’m Encouraging

“I’m Encouraging”
Ever just been at your last end? Like You have to move in faith because if you don’t you know “this could be it God”. Like the Overflow is dried up? We’ve all either been there or are walking through that season currently! Most encouraging words in the Bible “It Is Finished” John 19:30

4 Characteristics of Encouragement
1 Kings 17:7-24

1. It ATTRACTS OTHERS 1 Kings 17:7-10
   • Elijah’s perspective on his dried up brook wasn’t one of messiness but one of moving towards overflow.
   • The widow was at her last ounce of hope & was outside looking for “sticks”…something to spark a fire and then she meets Elijah!
     • When You have a relationship with Jesus, You are that Word (John 1:1) to the one looking for a spark!
2. It BELIEVES the BEST! 1 Kings 17:13-14
   • Elijah answers the Widow… “Don’t be afraid”. Often when we receive a word from God and take a step of obedience we are frightened…but an encouraging word from someone else gives us the BOLDNESS to step into obedience.
   • Often we are so overwhelmed with the problem that we can’t even fathom what it would look like to see God move. Take our focus off of the Problem and move it to towards our God who is the ultimate solution.
     • The rain didn’t come for 3 years after Elijah arrived! The Jars stayed full that long!
3. It INVESTS in OTHERS! 1 Kings 17:15
   • Your encouraging word brings healing and blessing across eternity!
     • Just by being obedient and sharing encouragement to those who Jesus has called you to will reach beyond you & them into the future generations
   • Obedience = Abundance. Notice the Widow went from being blessed for herself and her son to her “family”. Those she was able to bless grew…just from running into Elijah at the town gate.
4. It PROMOTES Awareness of the TRUTH! 1 Kings 17:24
   • The widow’s eyes to the truth weren’t fully opened until she had a death to life experience.
     • Think of this, had Elijah been angry and just searched for food wherever he wanted instead of where God appointed…he would have never met this widow and she wouldn’t experience truth.
   • Zarepheth means “refinery”.
     • Elijah had to be refined from things holding him back from what God was calling him to next
     • The Widow needed to be refined to see the truth
     • Oftentimes God is refining us from things holding us back to live a life of all that He is calling us to. Relationships, Finances, Careers…all may be refined. Trust God in it.
       • If the things in your life you give priority to don’t connect with your pain, process or purpose…then shed yourself from them! They don’t belong there.

Take Away:
Who has God brought to you for the Word of Encouragement? How Will You Encourage Them?

Challenge:
The First 3 Numbers that show up on your phone…shoot them an encouraging text today!
***Something that you see in them that they can’t see in themselves
Fight hard to go 3 days straight without a negative thought!
***If you get a negative thought you restart trying for 3 days straight!

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