Hello and welcome dear friends! For this month’s post, I’ve chosen Elizabeth and Mary's meeting as shared in Luke 1:5-56. Perhaps you'll discover what I did as I read it anew.

Elizabeth and Mary, chosen by God and anointed with the Holy Spirit, were given individual, special assignments by God. Elizabeth would be the mother of John the Baptist. God revealed this news to Mary who traveled to see Elizabeth. When Mary arrived, the Spirit within Elizabeth prompted her to proclaim Mary as the mother of the Son of God. Oh, what an affirming and meaningful greeting to the young mother-to-be!

Let's stop and take a moment to envision the scene so long ago and the gift each woman was to the other. Both women had a personal and profound encounter with the Lord. An event not easily shareable or believable. That it was possible for Mary and Elizabeth to come face to face and share their stories must have been marvelous, reassuring, and encouraging. These Spirit-bearing women were a gift to the other.

Can I be a gift?

The Holy Spirit within you activates the gifts God’s deposited in you. You, beloved, are the conduit. You are the gift!

Perhaps, you don’t quite feel like a gift to others. I understand that feeling. Regardless of what we feel or think about ourselves, we can be a blessing to those who cross our life path.

The Spirit within you

activates the gifts God’s deposited in you.

Sometimes, we don’t realize the type of intangible gift we have to offer others until they bring it to our attention. For instance, you may hear a friend sharing you’re a strong encourager or a thoughtful listener. This is a blessed affirmation of your gift! These intangible gifts are often the most meaningful and most needed.

We’re in the season emphasizing material gift-giving. Material gifts are fine ways of showing appreciation and love, but I believe our hearts are deeply yearning for the intangibles.

Why?

Daily reports of death, sadness, and trouble dominate the news while fears and worries are rising in tandem. We’re looking for kindness, faith, hope, love, listening, empathy, compassion, sincerity, gentleness, honesty, peace, wisdom, hospitality…. Our souls’ are thirsting for the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.  Every soul can receive the precious comfort administered by the appointed Spirit-Bearer.

Never forget you’re a gift to those who love you. And, you’re a gift to every soul crossing your path. If you tune into the Spirit within you, you’ll sense the prompt and the opportunity. There is a catch, though.

You have to want to give the time.

This is where I’ve fallen short. I’m eager for the opportunity until it comes. The problem is time. I’m always on my way to something else when the chance comes for me to gift someone. I can be an excellent listener because I’m trained on how to actively, intentionally listen. But that takes time.

For example, I can’t tell you how often I’ve told someone I’ll pray for them. And, I do. Later.

So, I have to stop at that moment and ask myself, “Terri, are you willing to give the time?”

So, why not stop and pray right then and there? Because I’m on my way to…. Yet, on those occasions when I’ve stopped and prayed, the look of surprise and gratitude clearly indicated they felt the blessing and care.

Giving the time is my issue.

You, dear Spirit-Bearer, are called to give and to receive. Give as the opportunities arise. Receive to meet your need

Be mindful and receive from others to fill yourself up so you can continue to give. Receiving the gifts from others is as important as giving your gifts. Letting someone bless you with their gifts (material or spiritual) can be a gift in itself!

So, are you eagerly anticipating a God-designed encounter to bless someone with your spiritual gift? Let’s get out there and share the love of Jesus! There’s so many people who need your unique love, comfort, and compassion.

 Thank you so much for reading and sharing these posts. Check out the Hearts Encouraged Facebook page - @TerriHutchinsonAuthor.

May the peace of Christ rest upon you! Terri

P.S. If you’re wondering what spiritual gifts you possess, there are several online spiritual gift tests. These can help you identify your spiritual gifts. Explore these if you haven’t done so before. Or, maybe you want more information on the Holy Spirit. You can contact me at heartsencouragedministry@gmail.com or comment below. I only release comments meant for the general public. 

Hello and Welcome!

I can't believe Thanksgiving Day is approaching next month. That came around fast, don't you think? The holiday always prompts me to wonder if I've expressed enough thanks during the rest of the year. Have I expressed it enough to my family, my friends, and to God? When it comes to thanking God, sometimes I hear myself uttering the same phrases over and over. Thanking God with general statements is certainly acceptable, but getting very specific and detailed can be humbling. It brings us to awareness of His intimate involvement in our lives.

In an effort to get very specific, I created a Gratitude A-Z list. This might be a great way to open Thanksgiving festivities or to use as a prompt for your daily time with God. Each letter represents a gratitude focus with an accompanying Bible verse. All verses came from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted. I hope you find it helpful. I've made this available as a PDF so you can download it.    Download Gratitude A - Z Oct 2018 PDF

By the way, THANK YOU! for reading and for your encouragement. You're a shining star and God's light shines bright from you to the world. Fondly, Terri 

Answering Your Prayer Psalm 17:6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.

Blessing you
Ephesians 1:3	All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Delivering you Psalm 40:1-2 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.... He set my feet on solid ground and steadies me as I walked along.

Encouraging you Psalm 138:3 As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Favoring you Psalm 67:1 May God be merciful and bless us. May His face smile with favor on us.

Gracious provision Isaiah 30:18 NIV Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.

Joy of your heart Psalm 28:7 He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Known by God 1 Corinthians 8:3 NIV But the one who loves God is known by God

Light in the darkness Psalm 18:28 You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.

Mercy Psalm 103:4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

Never forgetting, abandoning you Hebrews 13:5 ...for God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

Overcoming the world 1 John 5:4-5 NIV This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Plans for my life Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope...."

Quieting the Soul
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV	He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. heartsencouraged.com

Renewing hope - Psalm 94:19

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Strength when you falter
	My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Tears known to God Psalm 126:5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.

Unfailing love Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Victory over the enemy

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Watching over you Psalm 121:5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

Yearning for You, Lord As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.... Psalm 42:1-2

Zealous for me Psalm 91:11

For He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

I hope you found this encouraging and uplifting! Check out the Hearts Encouraged Facebook Page, @TerriHutchinsonAuthor. I'd love to hear from you. Blessings dear friends!