encouragement is everyone's love language...

Mary Gemmill's beautiful Protea in Porirua, New Zealand

There have been many books written on the various kinds of love languages we all have, but I believe encouragement is everyone’s love language. Who doesn’t want to be encouraged? I have experienced this first-hand by being a part of the (in)courager online community groups. They are a “Christ-centered safe place that meets for 6-8 week sessions throughout the year in small groups of 30 on private Facebook groups.” Through our (in)courager group, I have become friends with Mary Gemmill, an empty-nester just like me, who lives in Porirua, New Zealand. Throughout the year, we have shared our hearts by commenting on each other’s posts, we truly have become encouragers to one another. This week when Mary posted the beautiful photo of a Protea sitting on her kitchen counter, she commented that she had “tidied it up by cropping out the clutter.” But I responded that the photo of the beautiful Protea was, “just like Jesus, He stands alone, altogether lovely, in the middle of our cluttered lives, as we focus on Him.” Suddenly, even as I wrote those words in response, this scripture came to mind…

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:8)

This scripture concludes the passage on that glorious transfiguration day when suddenly Jesus’ face was seen to shine like the sun! The apostles would later describe Jesus' clothes as "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them…as bright as a flash of lightning!" Then, the three apostles saw Moses, and Elijah standing there with Jesus, talking about the events which would take place in Jerusalem when he would depart from the earth. There was power of recognition--it was possible for Jesus and the apostles to know who Moses and Elijah were..."I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." Then, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased. Listen to Him!" What God said of His Son that day was not just a repetition of what he had said on the occasion of Jesus' baptism: "This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased." It's those three additional words—“Listen to Him!"—that tell the tale. The voice from Heaven. The voice of God saying, "Listen to Him!"

O Lord Jesus, I want to know, see, and experience You in fresh ways so I can truly say that I desire You more than anything on earth! You and You alone are the strength of my heart. You are all that I need, and I am so thankful that You are mine forever. Nothing can separate me from Your love. Open my eyes, and grant me fresh vision to constantly see Your beauty and Your love for me. With each new day, speak to me out of the cloud. Let my face shine brighter and brighter with the light of Your face. May my own story end just as the apostles ended that glorious day...When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

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Look Up—meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

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Look In—as you meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

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Look Out—as you meditate on Matthew 17:8... pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

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May your hearts be encouraged by this amazing video of Jeremy Camp singing Beautiful One...

You opened my eyes to Your wonders anew, You captured my heart with this love, because nothing on earth is a beautiful as You, my Jesus!

Was this encouraging to you? Please feel free to leave a comment in the box below, I'd love to hear from you!

Linking up with Holley Gerth's Coffee for Your Heart as an encourager.