Devotions for

Encouragement

&

Hope

alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20212 min read

And So, the Story Begins

Mary, a teenager, in the town of Nazareth, was highly favored by God. She was visited by the angel Gabriel with a message, “The Lord is...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

My Help

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 Where does my help come from? Most days, I believe I’m doing...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

A Positive Note

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers and sisters, Rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

Filled With Wonder

Psalm 104:33-34 “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

A Work in Progress

Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20212 min read

Whom Shall I Fear

The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

To the Ones I Love

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Cor 16:13 Paul’s parting comments in his...

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alicepongracz

Dec 28, 20211 min read

Eternal Encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal...

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alicepongracz

Oct 3, 20211 min read

Continue On

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built in Him,...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Oct 3, 20212 min read

Build Each Other Up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” The perfect combo: ...

4 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Oct 3, 20211 min read

God of Peace

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…. I Corinthians 14:33 I woke up early this morning and picked up my phone to look at...

9 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

Guard Me

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 My family...

3 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

Let Us Do Good

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have...

4 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

Hand It Over

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your...

7 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

Press On

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

A Kind Word

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 Change is one of the hardest situations to handle. No one...

8 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Sep 20, 20211 min read

Continue On

Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built in Him,...

1 view0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

I Call to You, Lord

I can't count the number of times I've stood at the ocean's edge and watched the sun set. What a powerful display of God's love and...

7 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

In His Name

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ...

3 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Seek the Lord

We have many priorities on what and who we seek. Especially when we think everything is on our shoulders. How's your time with God daily?...

15 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

God’s Unfailing Love

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust...

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alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Prepare A Place

Do you have a place for you and Jesus to sit alone together and chat? Most will say no. That was me several years ago. I would sit down...

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alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Prayer

Bring to God what is in your heart when you pray. He wants you...just you...the real you. He's waiting for us to come to Him with a...

6 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Filled with Joy

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us (for me). ...

3 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

The Door is Always Open

Do you have a home that you can go to and know the door is always open to you? Be it a friend or family. Or someone who will always...

9 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Mutually Encouraged

I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

My Soul Thirsts for You, God

What am I thirsty for on these hot, humid days? Water...lots of water. But you see, I'm not really good at drinking water. Never have...

8 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Refresh the Hearts

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:7...

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alicepongracz

Aug 8, 20211 min read

Therefore I have Hope

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail....

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

His Presence All Around Us

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have...

7 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

Know His Peace

What's on your mind today? If fear is driving you or holding you back, give your fear to the Lord. Seek Him and He will answer you. ...

5 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

A Voice for Building Up Others

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that...

1 view0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

Choose God

Anxiety vs Joy. We may hide away our anxiety for a moment, but on our own it never goes away. Choose God. He is the one true source of...

1 view0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

Show Up and Be an Encourager

At the sight of these people, Paul thanked God and was encouraged. Acts 28:15 Paul had finally arrived in Rome with imprisonment facing...

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alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

Take It All to Jesus

Take it all to Jesus! Have you heard "God doesn't want to be bothered with the little things"? So not true. He wants to hear all that...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Jun 20, 20211 min read

Take My Hand

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 As a very young...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

May 16, 20213 min read

A Woman of Noble Character (Ruth 3:11)

This Mother’s Day I want to honor all the women in our lives. I love the saying that it “takes a village to raise up a child”. That...

26 views0 comments

alicepongracz

May 16, 20211 min read

Waiting for...

The waiting game. How long am I willing to wait? How long are you willing to wait? Well…that depends. Waiting on hold, for test...

2 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 22, 20211 min read

Christ Given Strength

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” “Put on your big girl...

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alicepongracz

Apr 22, 20211 min read

Make A Choice

After Paul and Silas came out of prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. ...

4 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 22, 20211 min read

Choose Prayer

Think about it. Start your day today in prayer. Let God be your steering wheel through your day. Let go and let God.

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alicepongracz

Apr 22, 20211 min read

Quietly I Come

Quietly I stand and take in God’s creation. So filled with beauty is the heaven and ocean. Chilling my feet in the sand and the waves...

6 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20213 min read

Because He Lives

Easter. In 1971, I celebrated my first real Easter. Oh…I had the pretty dresses and an Easter basket as all kids had then. But you...

10 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20211 min read

Our Ministry of Love

So many questions we have on how to live our life, on how to relate to others, on how to make decisions. I have struggled with them all....

3 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20212 min read

You Call Me Teacher

As clear and detailed as if it was yesterday, I see my Granny standing at the kitchen, helping with dishes, singing one of her many...

7 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20212 min read

Who is This Jesus?

Crowds have surrounded Jesus for the last 3 years of His life trying to find that answer. In His last days, some are still asking, ”Who...

6 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20211 min read

God is Seeking You

As Jesus was teaching during this last week of His life, men came to question Him about paying taxes to Caesar. He knew their evil...

13 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20211 min read

EASTER

This is Easter to me. May you have a blessed week as you contemplate this Holy Week and the ultimate gift of love. Jesus gave His life...

1 view0 comments

alicepongracz

Apr 5, 20211 min read

Blessed by an Encourager

Who is an encourager in your life? “They returned…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” Acts...

7 views0 comments

alicepongracz

Mar 18, 20211 min read

Seek His Face

Yes, God's face. Seek His face and you will find Him. Where is the face of our Lord? Look all around you...in the face of a child or...

2 views0 comments