So blessed to have our dear friend, Crystal Storms guest-posting with us today for Part 3 of the “But God” Series. I trust her words will bless.
Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said. (Luke 12:11-12 HCSB)
Do your words surprise you? Struggle to believe you said that ?
While I certainly have experience speaking words I regret. Words that cause me to hang my head in shame. I’m talking about words of encouragement or wisdom that seem to come from nowhere.
— — — — —
I knew his hope was misplaced. Circumstances aren’t enough to hold onto.
He needed to know things wouldn’t always be this hard. That there was an end in sight. Something worth working toward.
I’d encouraged him before. I’d reminded him I stood beside him. That we’d get through this, too. But that day I felt my own discouragement and didn’t have much to offer.
On my own, I might’ve reminded him of God’s grace. Or spoken words that brought a smile to his face.
But God.
God knew he needed more than what I could offer.
And the words I spoke changed his countenance. He stood taller as the weight he carried lifted. His burden lightened. His hope anchored in Jesus.
I’m an encourager by nature. But the words and the timing pointed to something greater within me. Someone greater.
Jesus is the one speaking in our key verse. And it is He who promises the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say when we don’t know what to say. 
Tweet This
His words change lives. His timing makes all the difference.
Jesus was speaking to His disciples at the time. He warned them of the opposition they would face as they carried His message to the nations.
The disciples had spent three years listening to Christ’s words. They left the things of this world to follow Him. They quieted their world and heard His word.
But now it was time to go out. Time to shine Jesus’ light into the darkness.
Time in the Living Word plants seeds that will produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.
Word in, Word out.
God can bless others through our words when we fill our hearts with His Word.
When we least expect it.
When we have nothing left to give.
Words that have the power to change.
Words that bring life.
Words that shine His light.
Crystal Storms is a writer and heart encourager who loves Jesus and seeks to glorify God in all she does.
Married to her best friend for over 22 years, Tim and Crystal live in Florida with their sweet dog Minnie.
You can connect with Crystal at CrystalStorms.me where you’ll find encouragement for your heart as we seek God’s heart.
Week 3 Giveaway!
As a thank you for joining us today for week 3 of the “But God” series, we’re gifting this sweet Jenny M. verse card set. All who participate this week will be entered to win. Yay!
And, Congratulations to Dawn for being our week 2 winner!! Yay! Hope you enjoy, Dawn.
Be sure to join us next Thursday for Part 4 of the “But God” series featuring Betsy De Cruz. Betsy is a writer who encourages women to fill-up daily on the word of God, so our faith grows and spills into our everyday lives. Betsy’s heart for the Word is authentic, contagious and such an inspiration to me.
<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cc-image-button.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>
It’s a pony-tail and sandals environment around here. No fancy rules, just a few things:
- Family-friendly posts only, please.
- Please visit and comment on the post linked before yours–and others as you’re able.
- Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.
Loading InLinkz ...
Crystal,
“Word in…word out” I love this! We can’t fill others up with encouragement if we aren’t taking the time to fill ourselves with His Word. Many times I have stopped and quickly breathed a prayer of “Spirit help me” before I respond to someone. It is amazing how He will come to my aid and give me words and Truth that I didn’t even know was in me. Wonderful post.
Blessings,
Bev
Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Let Me Turn Your NOT ENOUGH into MORE Than Enough – (Guest Post)
That’s one of my most frequent prayers, Bev, because I need His help.
Sweet blessings to you!
Bev, I owe you an email, friend. Thank you for the beautiful scarf. Love it. And love you. ((xoxo))
Hmm… I sometimes give myself that surprising look… really…did I write that?
It shows how powerful God uses our pen to lift hearts out of the pit.
It may be a word, a phrase or a sentence that resonates with them and like the snap of the finger, the Holy Spirit begins to work through our words.
And yes we give out of what we have stored up. If we store up the Word which is life we have that life giving word to give out too.
Thank you for encouraging us here today.
God bless you both
Ifeoma Samuel recently posted…Hope For The Girl Afraid to Dream Again
So thankful that God uses our words to touch hearts, Ifeoma.
Sweet blessings to you!
So glad we found a timing that worked well for you to join us, Ifeoma. Appreciate the wisdom you offer. ((Hug))
Thanks Crystal for these encouraging words! Love this -> “Word in. Word out.” So simple yet so profound!
Liz recently posted…Word Nerd Wednesday – Humility
Thank you! Sweet blessings to you, Liz!
Yes, Crystal, you are an encourager by nature, and it’s so good to read these encouraging words of truth here today! What a sweet surprise — and a busy day for you!
Michele Morin recently posted…Listening to the Stories
Thank you, Michele, for encouraging me! Sweet blessings to you!
Isn’t it grand to see how God can use us to speak to others? Hope you’re having a great week!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…The Berenstain Bears Easter Fun Sticker & Activity Book, by Jan & Mike Berenstain
Amen, Lisa! Sweet blessings on your week!
Beautiful reminder, Crystal! I kept thinking about John 14:26 while reading this. So thankful for the Holy Spirit!
What a beautiful promise in John 14:26: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” Amen!
Sweet blessings to you, Stacey!
I love this line:
“Word in, Word out.”
Brenda,
Thanks for you and Crystal showing us how to work ‘in community’! Praying God continues to strengthen those networks for both of you that will produce a harvest. If one can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand!!! Dt. 32:30, Ps 68:35. May you both experience multiplied fruitfulness for your labors.
Much love,
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry Stahl recently posted…Why Experiencing Weakness After a Mountaintop Moment is Normal
Thank you for your prayers, Sherry.
I’m so blessed that Brenda made room at her table for me. What a heart encouraging community God has blessed His Jesus girls with!
Sweet blessings to you!
Sherry, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. Love those verses you cited. Thank you, friend. It warms my heart to have Crystal sharing here with us this week. Her gentle spirit is always a blessing, isn’t it? ((hug))
Time in His Word is always the remedy for our struggles, our need for encouragement and to be an encourager.?Yes!
Love this, ‘Word in…Word out’. Out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak.
Thanks for the extra special encouragement, Crystal, and for the surprise blessing, Brenda!?
Dawn
Amen to God’s Word being our remedy, Dawn!
Sweet blessings and congratulations to you!
Congrats, Dawn! Yay! xoxo
Love that verse in Luke 12 promising that He will give us the words to say. This past winter I made a trip to see my grandfather who was dying and who had been very closed to the gospel all his life. The whole way to see him (a five hour drive) I kept praying for an opportunity to speak about the Lord… Not knowing what I would say but trusting that God would make that way. And God was faithful – He provided an opportunity to speak and gave me the words to say.
I love that God always makes a way and gives us words to say. His faithfulness never ceases to amaze me.
Sweet blessings to you, Naomi!
What a sweet testimony, Naomi. Thank you for sharing. ((hug))
I love that “Word in, Word out” imagine. So short and true! It’s encouraging to remember that when we don’t know WHAT to say, His Spirit can still use us.
Betsy de Cruz recently posted…When You Want to Live Free from Worry
So thankful we don’t always have to know the answers, Betsy, because we know the Source!
Sweet blessings to you!
An encouraging reminder, indeed. ((xoxo))
Crystal- thanks for the reminder. When we fill our hearts with God, we can pour out God to others!
Brenda- I’m loving this series! Thank you!
Julie recently posted…How to Blow Your Mind- Read the Bible (and Understand it)
Amen, Julie! Sweet blessings to you!
yay, so glad you’re enjoying it, Julie. Enjoying your series as well. ((hug))
Such a beautiful post, Crystal. God’s Word…our key to Him and the light to the world. Thank you for sharing these beautiful truths.
Love that, Linda — God’s Word being the key to Him! ((Hugs))
Crystal Storms recently posted…Marriage Reads for the Wife Who Wants to Honor God as Her Father-in-Law
Crystal-your words are always a light and I too love when God’s words flow out of my mouth or across the keyboard. It always brings a sense of awe to me. Surrendering to and submersing ourselves in His Word will always produce God inspired results. Thanks to you and Brenda for bringing us this inspiration today!
Amen to immersing ourselves in His Word! Love that, Jill. ((Hugs))
Crystal Storms recently posted…Marriage Reads for the Wife Who Wants to Honor God as Her Father-in-Law
Ministry is spillage. Word in Word out – thanks for sharing your heart, crystal!
Sue Donaldson recently posted…Feast on Friday: Chicken Curry and Rice Soup–Enough to Share
Beautiful, Sue: “Ministry is spillage.”
Sweet blessings to you!
Crystal Storms recently posted…Marriage Reads for the Wife Who Wants to Honor God as Her Father-in-Law
Crystal,
Your words were so encouraging in the post. I couldn’t agree with you more. We must fill up with God’s words to have our words come out the way he would intend them too.
Maree Dee recently posted…How To Stop Judging And Have More Peace
Amen, Maree Dee! ((Hugs))
Crystal Storms recently posted…Marriage Reads for the Wife Who Wants to Honor God as Her Father-in-Law
I’ve definitely experienced God giving me the words to say. Sometimes I think back and wonder what in the world I said and can’t even remember, though it flowed so freely at the time; it had to have been God. And I agree with Ifeoma that other times things we’ve written had to have been God giving us the words.
Love those experience, Ruth, when we know it’s God working through us!
Sweet blessings to you!
Crystal Storms recently posted…Marriage Reads for the Wife Who Wants to Honor God as Her Father-in-Law
Blessed to have stumbled upon your blog Brenda. That God chooses to allow us to partner with him in encouraging others is delightfully amazing. Thanks for your encouraging words Crystal
Wanda recently posted…Bringing Creativity to Your Prayer Life