Fighting to encourage!

Well...what a week it's been! On Sunday morning we had some conflict at church when the ensemble were practising and someone wasn't enjoying it too much and said some really hurtful things that shook the team up a bit! It was a horrible experience! BUT...I'm all about turning things on their head at the moment! And satan...WATCH OUT!!

So, tonight I cancelled practice and asked everyone to come without their instruments. I bought everyone a little wooden frame and in it I made up a little card that had a pic of praying hands and the quote "I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about you...it's all about you Jesus!" Then I shared devotions with the team. I based it around 1 Peter 5:10...
1. Be humble: (v6) Rather than focusing on what's wrong with the person in question, ask yourself, How can I best handle this situation? How can I show grace in this situation? and What would Jesus do?
2. Cast your cares on Him: (v7) The road is hard and the journey is tough, but Jesus is there to hold our hand. Just give Him your cares...and leave them with Him because only He can handle them!
3. Don't let satan win! (v8-9) The enemy wants nothing more than to win this battle! We can't let him! If you feel discouraged, turn it around, focus on the positive things. If you feel inadequate, turn it around, focus on the gifts and talents God gave you! If you feel bitter towards someone, turn it around, pray for the heart to love them and show them grace, and pray for what might be troubling that person. Don't let satan have the victory!
4. A life that reflects a heart of worship: Worship is a lifestyle not a music style! As Darlene Zscech says in her book "Extravagant Worship", Worship is neither a ritualistic activity nor a musical emotion. It embodies and reflects the selfless generosity of Christ. Worship is a movement of our hearts, our thoughts, and our wills toward God's heart, thoughts and will."

After I shared devos we went around the circle and one by one the team encouraged each person individually. Then we prayed for that person. It was so uplifting and such a great opportunity to turn this situation around and sock it to the enemy!! I asked a good friend to sit at a table while the encouragement etc was happening and write down everything so that I can type everyones encouragement up and send it to them in the mail...just so no one forgets :D

Our team is an all aged group. So we have people in their 40's and up and we also had a few 15 yr olds and a couple of 10 yr olds even. Not one person missed out on being encouraged, being prayed for, or being an encourager to someone else! It was so great! So I want to encourage you...take the time every now and then to encourage someone. Make every effort to spur one another on! (Hebrews 10)