Encouragement

Let us encourage one another.

Hebrew 10:25

We all have so much going on in our lives each and everyday and it is  easy to get caught up in our own "stuff".  As I was reading in Hebrews this morning I realized that while I love to feel encouraged by others, I forget to return the favor.  Who doesn't like to be encouraged, either through words of affirmation or approval. However we must also remember to encourage others.  The act of encouragement can be as simple as a smile, or a pat on the shoulder.  We may not always know what to say to someone, but we can work on how we act toward others.  Remember, actions speak louder than words, and a little act of "encouragement" can go a long way.

Peace,

Kelly

Forgiveness

For all have sinned; and fall short of God's glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins."  Romans 3: 23-24

Have you every had a hard time forgiving someone who has "wronged you"?  Well if you are like me, you've had many hard times.  Over the past several years I have struggled with forgiveness in many different areas of my life.  I have also learned that forgiveness can come in different ways.  We all know that forgiving ourselves can be the hardest thing to do. But what about truly forgiving others?  Some of us have family members of friends that have hurt us in the past.  While we think we may have made peace with a certain situation, we really haven't.  The hurt and bitterness may pop back up at any time.  True forgiveness means letting go of that hurt and bitterness forever! Easier said than done right?  But in Romans 3, Peter goes on to say: "For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us." Now that is forgiveness..with no strings attached!  God doesn't grant us forgiveness if we live a perfect life and never sin again.  He doesn't grant us forgiveness if we go to church every Sunday, or volunteer our time helping others.   No, He grants us forgiveness through the sacrificing of his Son!!  Jesus blood washed away any rules or conditions of truly being forgiven.  If that has been done for us through God's mercy, then who are we not to truly forgive others as God forgave us.  It can be a daily struggle for me sometimes not to think of the past hurts and guilt I have experienced.  But I am challenged to live as God called me to live, with a heart full of compassion and forgiveness, not only for myself, but for others as well.

Peace,

Kelly

A New Thing

"See, I am doing a new thing!"

Isaiah 43:19



Today it really hit me!  My little girl is getting married in a week!  We spent the day together trying to get some last minute things done before the big day.  It seems like we have waited for this day to come for so long, and now it is only a week away.  Needless to say things will change in our lives.  It makes me sad at times to think of her "leaving" me, but I am so grateful that God brought a wonderful man into her life to support her and take care of her.  God is "doing a new thing!"   He works in our lives everyday.  A new thing could be a marriage, a divorce, an illness, loss of a job, anything that takes us out of our comfort zone. But what a comfort to know that He is there ALL THE TIME!  Let God do a new thing in your life, each and everyday!

Peace,

Kelly

Sunny Days

 Let my teaching fall like rain
   and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
   like abundant rain on tender plants.

 I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
   Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

Deuteronomy 32:1-3

I woke up today to sunny skies.  It had been awhile.  We sure did need the rain, but to be honest I was getting tired of it.  I did feel guilty about complaining, knowing how much the farmers needed it for their crops, but of course my selfish human nature kicked in.  In Deuteronomy 32:1-3, God speaks of His words falling down on us like showers on new grass.  When I read that this morning I couldn't help but think that  we not only need the rain sometimes to water crops and clean things up a bit, but we also need it to make us slow down.  I was forced to stay inside during the recent "downpours", and instead of thinking of all the errands I couldn't or didn't want to do in the rain, I should have been thinking of taking this opportunity to stop and listen.  Not only listen to the rain falling all around, but listen to God's words: "let my teaching fall like rain".  So next time it rains, I'm going to embrace it just like God embraces us each and every day!

Peace,

Kelly

Fellowship

1 John 1:7  " But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

How comforting to know that through Jesus' blood we can be in complete fellowship with one another.  He gave us the freedom to choose and to live a new life in Him. 

There are so many times of "darkness" in our lives:  Illness, death, divorce, financial problems.  But we can find comfort in knowing that Christ provides light for us even in the darkest times.  We just have to open our eyes.

Peace,
Kelly

Welcome to my New Blog

Well this is all kinda of new to me!  I must admit that I am not a "Blogger" by trade, but did have a page when I was a teacher.  My name is Kelly Harrison (soon to be Spining) and you may not know me from Adam!  But I felt led to start this blog "Daily Following Him" or DFH for short.  I'm not sure what the blog will consist of yet, I hope to make posts full of inspiration and insight to things that speak to me.  This blog is really more for me than anyone else.  I really want to start a daily (needs to be hourly) relationship with my Lord, but I let so many things get in the way.  Maybe you are the same way.  I feel that this blog will hold me accountable in a way to read more, and seek things out that will not only inspire myself, but others as well.
I look forward to starting this journey!
Peace,
Kelly