On Sunday night Oct. 30, I was honored to be a part of the Worship Service at Sampson Correctional Center. The inmates raised the roof with their singing and Praises. I spoke on “Encourage Yourself in the Lord” from I Samuel 30: 6. After the service some of the inmates approached me and mentioned that Bishop T.D. Jakes had spoke on the same topic on Sunday morning and since they were hearing it again they believed it was confirmation they needed to encourage themselves in the Lord. If anyone that was in that service is reading this I want to inform you that when I arrived home that night I was listening to a Minister on TV (Benny Hinn) and his message was “Encourage Yourself in the Lord.” Triple confirmation for you and to anyone that is reading this article. Continue to encourage yourselves in the Lord and find strength by leaning on the Lord. Pray, read God’s Word and meditate on it. Sing Praises. I sung my testimonial song: “God’s Grace and Mercy” during Worship Service at New Bethel Church on Sunday morning and at Sampson Correctional Center Sunday evening. This really gave me strength from deep within my being, for my strength comes from the Lord. Praise God even when you don’t feel like it. When you have Praises in your mouth there is no room for complaining and negative comments. So this day and time with circumstances that we go through we just have to encourage ourselves at times in the Lord. As the Prison Choir was singing, the words in one of the songs continued in my heart, “Strength in God.” This article is to encourage everyone to find your strength in God alone by leaning on the Lord.

“And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God” (I Samuel 23:16).

Strength in God is significant, as it is our stronghold when we are in serious trouble. It is our source of encouragement and our motivation to persevere. Strength in God is easily accessible and always available. His strength is an unlimited reservoir. It may see us through the dying and death of a loved one. It lubricates the grinding grief of our heart and keeps us from total despair. The Lord’s strength is what gives us hope when our financial fortunes are tentative at best, or have been swept away altogether. His strength will see you through the many things you may lose in life. But His strength will see us through a maze of money mishaps.

The sovereign strength of God is strong, unbending, and unyielding. Our confidence may be crumbling, our health may be hemorrhaging, or our relationships may be a complexity of confusion. Perhaps you discovered someone is not who he claimed to be. He lives two lives and now the truth is unfolding, and it is not pretty. In fact, he is coming after you because you are a threat to his secret life. So lean on the Lord, and draw your strength from your Savior. Prayer to the Almighty positions you to receive His power, so punctuate the power of God in your life with faith-filled prayer.

Moreover, God’s instruments for infusion of His strength are His people. Invite the encouragement of the Lord’s angelic agents. They are His ambassadors of goodwill, and their righteous aura reflects His strength. These are special friends who remain true when challenging things happen to you. Stick with the ones who stick with you and do not be embarrassed to lean on others during these lean times.

Like a transfusion of blood, you may need a transfusion of faith. Your prayer platelets have fallen below what’s normal to a level of dangerous discouragement. Ask for prayer so that God will strengthen you and keep you focused in the middle of your gnawing needs. Ask for prayer to be an encouragement to those who have encouraged you. Do not deny others the opportunity to strengthen you with their presence and prayers.

Lastly, be quick to strengthen others in the name of the Lord. Write a note of encouragement to a friend or leave an encouraging prayer on a co-worker’s voicemail. In some creative way, let those who are struggling know you are thinking of them. Prayer retains employees and engages friends. They will never forget those who reached out to them in their time of need.

Each day, seek someone you can strengthen in your Savior’s name. In a sense, you are strength coaches for those you come in contact with on our behalf of Christ. Your goal is to get them to God, and His strength will stretch their faith way beyond your initial encouragement. Strengthen your family in the Lord, and you will be strong. Strengthen your peers in the Lord, and you will find eternal energy. Unselfishly strengthen others in the Lord, and you will find strength for your soul.

The Bible says, Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (I Chronicles 29:12).

By faith I keep pressing on!