Probably the most encouraging words I have heard in weeks came from a prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-3 about how Jesus will use His spiritual power.

God says:

I have put my Spirit upon him...

A bruised reed he will not break,

And a dimly burning wick he will not quench.

Do you feel like a "bruised reed"—like one of those big top-heavy Easter lilies whose stem has been squashed so that the flower slops to the ground and gets no juice? Do you ever feel like your faith is just a little spark instead of a flame—like that little red dot on the wick after you blow out the birthday candle?

Take heart! The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of encouragement: He will not snap off your flower; He will not snuff out your spark. "The Spirit is upon Me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). "The Sun of righteousness is rising with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2). "He is meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). "Wait for the Lord be strong and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).

It may be a grief to us that we are only a spark instead of a flaming fire. But listen! And be encouraged: yes there is a big difference between a spark and a fire. But there is an infinite difference between a spark and no spark! A mustard seed (of faith) is infinitely closer to being a mountain than it is to being no seed.

Open the window of God's promises found in HIS Word and let the Spirit blow into every room of your heart. The Holy Wind of God will not break or quench. He will lift up your head and fan your spark into a flame. He is the Spirit of encouragement.

Pray the Word of Encouragement

No burden is too heavy because God is with us who can be against us? Let us open our mouths wide taking into our hearts the deep breath of belief in His Word and breathe out our confession of the Word we believe. Declare the Word of GOD aloud and encourage yourself in the LORD!

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light."

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Romans 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.

Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit’ says the LORD of hosts."

Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever---the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.

Psalm 61:2-4 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Events are happening so quickly in our world that we who carry the “Good News” can find ourselves overwhelmed by this life. These are the times our Father, our LORD Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit call us to come spend time in prayer, worship, the study of the Word, and in fellowship with believer’s to encouraged one another in our most holy faith. These are not the times to go it alone. Believer’s need one another as we face the perilous times to come.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshiping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear. Don't be taken in by people like that.