[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
What does this world need more of?
Hope?
Love?
Yes, for certain, this world needs more hope and love, but it also need encouragement. Yes, today more than ever we need to be dispensers of encouragement to a lost and hopeless world.
Have you noticed that we live in a negative world? It is all around us. You turn on the news, it’s there. You look at the newspaper, social media, etc. everywhere we turn, negativity seems to be abounding. When negativity increases, hopelessness and despair also increase.
We, as Christ followers, need to be dispensers of hope, love, joy, light, life and all the gifts of the Spirit. How do we do that? We do that by following the example of Jesus. Everywhere that Jesus went, He brought life and hope and fought against darkness. Jesus did this by obeying what His Father(God) in heaven told Him to do and say. Jesus essentially heard the words of God for others and He spoke them over their situation and circumstances, and we should do the same. Every Christ follower needs to follow the example of Jesus and operate in this profoundly encouraging gift. The Gift of prophetic encouragement breathes life, love and hope into the dry places of our lives.
In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says:
To encourage someone literally means to put courage into them. Have you ever needed encouragement? I know I have. Truthfully, I need it on a daily basis, don’t you?
In short, the spiritual gift of prophecy is speaking a Holy Spirit-inspired timely word of edification, exhortation, or comfort to individuals; taken directly from 1 Corinthians 14:1-3. I will develop a more complete definition of the word “prophetic” in next week’s blog.
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:1-3 NIV).
Simply stated, the gift of prophetic encouragement is the spiritual gift of prophecy in action.[1] Prophetic encouragement releases the heart of the Father into people’s lives and situations.
Next week June 21st, here at #TuneInThursday the book launch team application will go live. Please pray about partnering with me and joining my book launch team. (Space is limited.)
Because space is limited, and I don’t want anyone to miss out, I have decided to also launch a “#BeTheGift Encouragement Experience Group.” This group is open to everyone who needs encouragement and to those who want to encourage others. Please join the group (link below or click here) and invite your friends to join as well. We will have fun weekly “Encouragement Missions” oriented around encouraging and blessing others.
The group opens today and run through September 6th (2 weeks after the books release). Below is the group description. I promise it will be fun, we will build community and encourage others and in turn receive encouragement as well. I pray you will join me for this fun interactive encouragement group.
Welcome to the #BeTheGift Encouragement Experience Group. In preparation for the August Release of Debbie Kitterman’s book: The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement, this encouragement group will put into practice what it means to encourage others and be the gift someone needs today.
Hebrews 3:13 says: “Encourage each other every day—for as long as we can still say “today”—so none of you let the deceitfulness of sin harden your hearts” (The Voice).
There will be weekly “Encouragement Missions” designed to help us #BeTheGift someone needs today. There will also be mini teachings, interviews and powerful testimonies of how timely spoken words of encouragement can change a person’s perspective. After all, Proverbs 25:11 says: “A well-spoken word at just the right moment is like golden apples in settings of silver (The Voice).
Please join me from June 14th – September 6th for this “#BeTheGift Encouragement Experience” as we walk out in practical ways what it means to #BeTheGift and change our world, churches and communities as we encourage others.
Won’t you join me as we journey together in going deeper in our relationship with Jesus and as we are used by God to be the gift others may need today?
May we all rise to the challenge and dare to hear God today, so we can be gifts of encouragement to others.
[1] Speaking a Holy Spirit-inspired, timely word of edification, exhortation, or comfort to individuals.
|
||||||||
Last weeks Top Viewed Post was, Sue Donaldson’s tribute to her Father titled:
“On a Train En Route to a Funeral” – Happy Father’s Day, Everyone!
Sue also has a link to her dad’s favorite lemon velvet cake recipe. You are going to want to check it out. I feel it is very fitting that Sue’s post honoring her dad had the most views making Sue our spotlight just before Father’s Day. Sue, my deepest sympathies at the loss of your father, even though it has been 4 years since His passing, the legacy he left and the love you feel for him is just as strong. What a wonderful long life your father lived.
Please make sure to visit the post before yours and share some comment love as well as one other post of your choice. In Order to be featured you must follow rule #2 below.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
[Widget_Twitter id=”1″]
Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
I love the idea of encouraging each other. We DO need more encouragement in this world. I feel fortunate to belong to the running community on social media. 99.9% of the posts are those of encouragement for each other. It is truly a wonderful group!
Thank you Laurie! I love that you are a part of a great community on social media -that is so wonderful! Encouragement is so needed everywhere, but I think especially online where people can hide behind their screens. If you have some time, I hope you will check out the #BeTheGift FB group – it’s only for a few short months, it’s been fun so far, and it’s only day 1. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Sue’s beautiful and poignant post. This is a great community of mutual encouragement!
Thanks Michele – Sue’s post was perfectly beautiful – especially for this coming weekend. I a so glad you are a part of this community. You bring much encouragement to me through your posts, book reviews, and comments. Blessings
Exciting Debbie!! Congrats on the soon-to-be launch of your new book! I’m looking forward to following along with your newest adventure! I couldn’t agree more- we NEED the gift of prophetic encouragement! My sister just had an amazing experience with this. Left her speechless! Thank you for your words!!
Thank you, Rachel! It is exciting and a tad overwhelming all at the same time! Oh Rachel, I would love to hear all about your sisters experience. In fact one of the things I hope to include in the Facebook group – – #BeTheGift prophetic encouragement experience is people’s testimonies and the power of receiving encouragement from others. Thank you for your support and following along in the new adventure! You are such an encouragement to me!
What a powerful reminder! I completely agree that there is way too much negativity. As Christians, we should not be adding to that!
Emily, you are so right. We need to move in the opposite spirit of negativity! I am so glad you agree and thanks for linking up and commenting today!
So very interesting. laurensparks.net
Lauren, I am sure you would agree that encouragement is a powerful tool. I love how God will nudge me or stir my heart to speak a blessing, or words of encouragement to others. Jesus, was a great encourager too, and I want to be more like Him. Blessings and thanks for linking up with me today. I hope you will check out the new #BeTheGift Facebook group I linked to today and check it out. I am sure you will be overly blessed by the interaction and encouragement from others. Today we kicked off, but it’s never too late to join in the encouragement fun!
Bless you, sister as you continue to speak encouragement to all you come your way – online and on the stage and now in a book! May YOU be encouraged daily as you launch. And thank you for featuring my dad’s imperfect legacy. Kinda surprised a title with the word “funeral” in it got so many views. God knows. thanks, again. (and make that cake – a good encouragement.)
Thank you, Sue! I receive your words of blessing and encouragement in regards to the book launch. It seems overwhelming at times, and I will look for daily encouragement every step of the way. I pray you will consider joining me on the launch team, You know, the first time we met was at SheSpeaks and that is where I got my book deal. It was an amazing time making and connecting with friends and then watching God open doors. I am so happy to be able to feature you this week… and you know, I just figured people saw the word “funeral” and they wanted to encourage you. I will for sure be making that cake, maybe for my husband this weekend for father’s day! Blessings
I love making it a game to see if I can coax a smile or positive word from appointment secretaries, clerks in stores, etc. If I can help someone mellow their negativity, I think I may feel more blessed than they. Anytime we can be the hands, feet, or words of Jesus, everybody wins (maybe even the person who overhears our words of encouragement). Thanks and blessings for your exhortation, Debbie!
Oh Alice, I do the same thing! I sometimes will choose the ones with the sourest look, or the most discouraging looks. LOL It is always fun to turn their frown upside down and make them smile. You are so right, anytime we get to do the work of Jesus and encourage others, even those who over hear, everyone wins! Thank you so much for sharing how you use encouragement to bless others and you completely understand what it means to #BeTheGift I hope you will consider joining the Facebook group – it will only last for 3 months to allow people to experience what it means to use encouragement on a daily basis to bless others.
I love that you are spreading the gift of encouragement. It is definitely needed now as much as ever. I love to be encouraged, and I am encouraged when I encourage others!
Thank you, Lisa! I too am encouraged when I encourage others – that is such a great reminder that it is great to receive, but just as great to give encouragement, because we too are encouraged. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and linking up today!
That is so very true. Thanks for these wonderful words. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. We always need to be more positive.
Thank you, Patrick. You are most welcome for the words I wrote today, and I always enjoy when you linkup and comment. Thanks for being here.
I totally agree!! Encouragement is so needed!! Thank you, for giving us this info and hopefully many will join your #BeTheGift Encouragement Experience Facebook page. I can’t wait for your book to come out!
Thank you so much Melodi. I am excited for what God is going to do with the book, and I can’t wait for it to come out too. And the #BeTheGift Facebook group, just started, but we are having so much fun already! I am excited to see who all will join us for the next 3 months! BLessings
Great post Deb,we all need that encouragement & especially those whom we know who aren’t walking in the Lord.
And so many young people today are affected by the state of the world that it deeply affects their wellbeing. Encouragement goes a long way when it comes from the Holy Spirit!
Have a great week!:-D
Jennifer
Jennifer – you are so right! I often wonder if the state of affairs we have been dealing with recently with school shootings, and suicides might change if more people purposed to speak life, hope and encouragement to others … especially those not walking with the Lord or those who we can see are discouraged or in despair. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what someone needs, if we are sensitive enough to pay attention and respond. Thank you so much for your great encouragement today! I pray you will consider joining the launch team 🙂 Blessings
We never know how a prophetic word of encouragement might impact another’s life. It is such an important part of our spiritual lives. I’m so happy that your book will soon be released and pray that it will equip many to hear God’s voice and speak His heart of encouragement to those that are in need. In the meantime I look forward to being a part of the Facebook encouragement group. We will have a great time,
Patti, you are so right! We often never know the impact do we? Thank you for joining the Facebook Group and I am looking forward to all the fun we are going to have over the next 3 months in the #BeTheGift group! It’s only day one and so far, it’s been awesome!
Prophetic encouragement! Yes, exactly! Debbie, this post is SO good for so many reasons! Thank you so much for sharing! I’m always blessed when I stop by to visit with you. Hugs and blessings! 🙂
Tia! You are most welcome, I am so excited that you like the post and I so enjoy when you stop by for a visit. I hope you will join the encouragement experience group on facebook, invite some of your friends too and help me show people that prophetic encouragement is a normal part of our walk with God. Hugs back
Hi, Im visiting from the Spiritual Sundays link up at #14,15,16. I love how you say “We, as Christ followers, need to be dispensers of hope, love, joy, light.” This is so true! Thank you for sharing!
Welcome, I am so glad you could join me here. Thank you for stopping by and it is so true, we need to be dispensers of all those things to a world that is hurting and in need. Blessings
Hi Debbie, I never thought about how the word encourage literally means to “put courage into”. Mind blown! lol.
Thanks so much for sharing this bit of encouragement to be encouragers as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Hi Karen… I know, it’s pretty awesome isn’t it!?!… when you breakdown the root words “en” means to put in.. so to encourage means to put courage into someone…. I love it. I appreciate your stopping in to leave a comment and I hope you will consider joining the #BeTheGift Encouragement Experience .. the link to the facebook group is in the post above.
Oh yes! Building each other up should be on the top of all our lists.
I definitely want to be an encourager.
YAHOO! Jarralea, I just love your name, it’s beautiful. I am so glad you want to be an encourager too, and YES! it should be at the top of our list. You’re invited to join us on the facebook group listed in the link above as we take on weekly missions of encouraging others. Also, consider joining my book launch team as well. the link will go live tomorrow on the blog. 🙂