How About Some E-Squared for Thanksgiving?

“Hey, thanks for working so hard on all that yardwork.  It looks really nice!”

“Wow, that meal was really awesome, thank you so much for cooking!”

“You are so kind.  Thank you for listening.  You are such a great friend, and I really, really needed you today!”

Who doesn’t like receiving a compliment?  Who doesn’t like to be encouraged?  Who wouldn’t mind always being encouraged?  Who doesn’t need to keep being encouraged? 

Guess what.  Our God is so good to us, he gives us exactly what we need.  And the encouragement he offers isn’t just for a time…it’s for an eternity!  That’s right.  God gives us “E-squared,” that is, eternal encouragement.  Listen to this message from God’s heart to yours:  “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).”

“Your sins will never scare me away from loving you.  I decided long ago that you were worth dying for!”

“I know life has its ups-and-downs, but remember: your glorious home in heaven is waiting for you!  And until I get to welcome you home, you will always have an important purpose.”

“I have summoned you by name, you are mine.  I will strengthen you to make it through every scary valley that earthly life has in store.  I will guide your mouth to speak my truth in love.  Fear not!”    

Want a Thanksgiving Day project?  Listen to God’s eternal encouragement for you.  Then, become a living, breathing thank-you letter to Jesus as you reflect on his gift of E-squared.  It will never run out!  It impacts every area of your life!  And it literally lasts forever.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep me listening to your Scriptures, because there I find something special – your eternal encouragement.  As I listen, keep my faith in you growing and growing and growing!  Teach me to love others as you have loved me.  Assure me that when I listen to you FIRST, I will never be ashamed or disappointed.  And use me to keep sharing your eternal encouragement with many in this hurting, wilting world in which we live.  Amen.