building a culture of

encouragement:
Listens
Inspires
Gathers
Gives
Strengthens
Bounces
is Active

Discouragement unsettles. Destabilizes.

Jeremiah 29:
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This was written to people whose world had been turned upside down. It was encouragement.

Look at what God says to us - even when we're in a season of discouragement/doubt.

Jeremiah 29:
⁵ "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

I CARRIED you here. Pray that where you're at prospers. You too will prosper.

1. Build and settle
2. Make a living
3. Increase don't decrease. Go forward
4. Stay committed

when we do these things we'll get the BEST out of wherever we're at.

Human nature. When we're discouraged we tend to listen to voices that will discourage us more. Misery loves Company. God's plan is to SETTLE you.

The encouragement we give will determine what we'll receive.

brian houston - head pastor of Hillsong Church AU

I was babysitting one night and was "brought home" by watching this message. Just wanted to share it.