A Little Extra Encouragement

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A Little Extra Encouragement

A Little Extra Encouragement It seems like a great time to offer a little more encouragement from Melanie Redd & Hope Ministry!

02/18/2025

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So… I’ve started a new practice in 2025 that I really enjoy.

Each day I take a prayer walk in the house with a large stack of index cards.

On those cards, there are pictures and names of people & things & issues that I’m praying over.

As I walk around the house, I mention each of these issues and people to the Lord.

💛 When I don’t know what else to pray, I often go back to the words found in Psalm 3:3.

My prayer will be as simple as something like this, “Lord, I ask you to lift her head today. Lift her heart. Lift her eyes. And lift up her whole being to You in hope.”

🙌🏻 Usually when I pray this way I hold up the specific index card high in the air.

(I think my dog might think I’m a little crazy!)🐶

🙏🏻 However, there is SUCH POWER in prayer!

And there is power in praying for those that we love!

👍🏻 Why not try praying this way for someone today?

“But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” Psalm 3:3

02/14/2025

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“Since prayer soaks the pages of the Bible, prayer should soak our lives, too!”

🙏🏻 Let’s talk to God today!!

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

🙏

02/13/2025

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Recently, I’ve been looking at some of the prayers in the Bible.

I found so many prayers that people prayed themselves.

Then, some prayers were prayed for a whole group of people publicly.

Also, I found many prayers written in letters for a group of people by someone (like the Apostle Paul.)

🙏🏻 Truly, prayer soaks the pages of the Bible.

And prayer should soak our lives!

💙 So let’s take a few minutes today and look at the prayer of Paul for the church at Ephesus. This particular prayer is found in Ephesians chapter 3:16-21.

Although Paul prayed this prayer for a group of people in the church, we are going to take this prayer and make it personal for our own lives.

This post is called, “How to Make Ephesians 3:16-21 Your Personal Prayer.”

‼️ You can link in our bio or stories today.

02/11/2025

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Do you have a favorite phrase in the Bible?

👍🏻 This is one of mine…

(God speaking) “Fear not, for I am with you.”

This particular phrase is from Isaiah 41:10.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10, ESV

🩵 Want more encouragement from Isaiah 41:10?

Check out our article called, “Overcome Fear using Isaiah 41:10.”

Link in our bio or stories.

02/07/2025

💙 What an amazing quote about prayer…

“Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!”
Andrew Murray

02/06/2025

🙏🏻 What if today you & I could pray more specifically & with much more confidence?

🙏🏻 Together, let’s pray…

- For answers
- For safety
- For help/strength
- With appreciation
- For God’s favor
- For plans that succeed
- For joy in the answers
- For God to answer all our prayers!

🙏🏻 We are praying this way on the blog today!

Why not join us??

We have a new post called, “How to Make the Prayer of David (in Psalm 20) Personal.”

You can link in our stories or bio.

02/04/2025

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What have you been thinking about lately?

- Focused on?

- Pondering?

- Dwelling upon?

🩵 The Bible encourages us to think about these things…

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, NIV

01/30/2025

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It was the strangest thing really.

We are visiting a church where we had been before, and we sat in our “regular” spot.

In front of us, there was a couple that seemed to be an about our age. They were talking and smiling to the people all around them.

But… when the man turned to look back, he looked right THROUGH us.

He didn’t smile.

He didn’t speak.

He didn’t even acknowledge that we existed.

He was friendly with everyone else, but he completely ignored us.

👀 My husband and I looked at each other, wondering if we were “invisible” that morning.

To be ignored and overlooked is hurtful!

🤎 Have you been over in a situation like this? Been overlooked?

No one likes to feel invisible.

None of us like to feel overlooked or ignored.

But in life, I think we have all felt this way.

📖 This morning, I was reminded of a story in Genesis 16 where a lady named Hagar had been mistreated.

Then, she had an encounter with God that changed everything…

Genesis 16:13: “She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, ‘You’re the God who sees me! Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!’” The Message)

🙌🏻 It’s true!

God sees us!

He sees you today—right where you are!

He never overlooks us, ignores us, or acts like we are not there.

Our God is the God who sees!

🩵 Today declare this with me…

“I declare that my God is a God who sees me. He doesn’t miss a thing. God is completely aware, in tune, and caught up on my situations at work, in school, with my family, and in my relationships. I believe that God is not a clueless deity. Instead, I declare that God is well acquainted with every detail of my life.”

(Parts of this devotional came from our journal called, Just Rest. It’s available on Amazon!)

01/28/2025

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Do you and I REALLY believe that God is good?

Throughout the pages of the Bible, we read that He is good.

In Psalm 34:8, we are told to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

In Psalm 100:5, we are told, “the Lord is good.”

Romans 8:28 promises us, “God works all things together for good.”

📖 Today’s verse, Genesis 50:20, tells us that “God intends all things for good.”

In other words…

- He plans things for good.

- He means things for good.

- He purposes all things for good.

- He turns things to good.

- And, He causes things to turn out for good.

☕️ No matter what we are facing today, our God can turn it and use it for good in our lives & the lives of those around us.

I don’t completely understand this principle, but I know it to be true! I’ve seen it happen over and over again!

The Bible promises us that God works all things for our good and his glory.

☕️ So today, whatever you’re facing, entrust it to God. Give it to Him! He can turn it around & use it for good.

God is good!

God does good!

God works for and toward good in our lives!

Every single time!

(Genesis 50:20, Joseph speaking… “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”)

01/11/2025

👍🏻 What a great reminder on this second weekend of the new year…

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Colossians 3:2, ESV

01/08/2025

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Love this word today…

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”

Habakkuk 3:19, NIV

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01/06/2025

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Remember today…

💕 YOU are God’s beautiful & amazing “masterpiece!”

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10, NLT

❤️

01/04/2025

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“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17, ESV

❤️ 🙏👼💖 ❤️

01/03/2025

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I’m reading a new (to me) devotional from Ruth Chou Simons.

It’s called, “GraceLaced.”

It’s beautiful and so meaningful!

💛 Her words yesterday were so encouraging.

I believe these will encourage you too…

“I’m not just a generic face among the masses, but a chosen one whom God knows by name.”
Ruth Chou Simons

🩷 Be reminded today… God knows you! He knows your name and your face.

And He dearly loves you!

12/23/2024

🌺 Merry Christmas! 🌺

Praying that you and your family will have to most wonderful time together this week celebrating the birth of our Savior - Jesus Christ!

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🎄🎅🎁

12/20/2024

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As we go into the next few days, remember these truths…

🛡️ God is your shield & protector.

🛡️ He is the one who lifts you up and gives you honor.

🛡️ God is the lifter of your head - the one who gives you courage to face all things!

🙏🏻 So look to Him again and again over the next 10-12 days!

I know I will be!

12/18/2024

☕️ COFFEE! ☕️

We are coffee lovers at our house.

In fact, we recently purchased a new espresso machine to go alongside our Keurig coffee maker.

Each morning, I wake up and have a fresh cup of coffee.

I need it fresh (and hot) every single morning.

☕️ Likewise, I love that we can receive God’s fresh mercies every single morning.

We don’t have to depend on yesterday’s mercies.

At the dawn of each new morning, God offers new mercies.

Each sunrise is an opportunity for us to look to God for hope and for help to survive another day with His incredible mercy.

? - Why not ask God to flood you with His new mercies today!!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin a fresh each morning.”Lamentations 3:22-23.

☕️ You can get more devotions like this in our book entitled, “Just Rest.”

It’s linked in the bio in stories today.

12/13/2024

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I always love getting to hang out with this guy!

Been hanging out for close to 35 years!

(This photo was taken at Love’s Lookout in Jacksonville, TX.)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend ☀️

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Website

https://melanieredd.com/

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🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴 As we had into this new week, I wonder… ✂️ Is God taking some things OUT OF our lives that don’t need to be there? ✂️ Is He pruning back some of our “branches” that are just getting in the way? ‼️ Does it feel like God is disciplining you? 🙌🏻 If so, look up to heaven and say, “Thank You!” God only disciplines & trains those that He loves. 🩷 And not one minute of discipline is wasted in the hands of a loving God! (Hebrews 12:4-13) #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hebrews12 #hopefortoday #trustingod #tuesdayinspiration #tuesdayhope #hebrews #hebrews12 #pruningtime #goddisciplinesthoseheloves #godisatwork

🎉🥳🎊 2024 is in the books! Woohoo! What a year! My word/phrase last year was “Goodness of God.” Last year was one of the most challenging years of our lives! And God was still so good! Today, we celebrate His goodness! “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”Exodus 34:6 #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #hopeforthefuture #godisgood #goodnessofgod #goodgod

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 Need a prayer of hope for the new year? 💙 Here is one… 💙 “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,…” Saint Patrick 🩵 Let’s pray together that this year our lives will be completely focused on Jesus! #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #prayer #hopeforthefuture #tuesdayinspiration #letspray #tuesdayhope #saintpatrick #saintpatrickprayer #stpatrick #2025 #prayerfor2025

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 As you head into this new week, remember… You don’t go out alone! The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. (Exodus 14:14) “But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”’ Exodus 14:13-14 🩵 Praying for you (and me) to trust God completely this week! #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #prayer #hopeforthefuture #letspray #exodus #exodus1414 #exodus14 #thelordfightsmybattles #bestill #staycalm

🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅 As you launch out into this new week, remember… God has AMAZING plans ahead for your life! 💛 With His skilled hand, your Creator weaves all of your experiences, heartaches, challenges, and mistakes together with purpose. 🧡 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.” 🩷 You can make Jeremiah 29:11 your personal prayer today. Link in our bio or stories. #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #hopeforthefuture #jeremiah #jeremiah2911 #jeremiah29 #godhasaplan #godhasaplanforyou #godhasaplanforme

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️ As we head into this new week, think about these things… 🩵 Your God is both a mighty Savior and the One who walks right beside you. 💙 Your God takes great delight in you with gladness. 🩵 Your God will calm you with His love & give you peace. 💙 Your God rejoices over you with joyful songs. 🩷 You are dearly loved! (Zephaniah 3:17) “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17, NLT #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #hopeforthefuture #tuesdayinspiration #tuesdayhope #zephaniah #zephaniah317 #godiswithyou #godsaves #goddelightsinyou #godlovesyou❤️

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃 As we head into this holiday week, remember to… “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He isgood! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family 🧡 #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #prayer #mondaythanks #thanksgiving #thanksgiving2024 #thanksgiving2024🦃🍁 #psalm107

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 As we head into this new week, here is a great promise… “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19, NLT 🌴 Praying you would have an incredible new week! #hopeministries #hopeministry #melaniemredd #30a #bluemountainbeach #santarosabeach #gulfplace30a #gulfplace #palmtrees #palmtrees🌴 #isaiah43 #isaiah #isaiah4319 #isaiah431819 #isaiah43v19 #somethingnew #godisatwork #hopefortoday #trustingod #hopeforthefuture #mondayhope

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 As we head into this new week, remember… “The story God is writing is BETTER than our best-laid plans.” Ruth Chou Simons Scripture reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11… “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for GOOD and not for disaster, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.” 🩵 Get more good at www.MelanieRedd.com. Link in our bio! #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #motivationmonday #mondayquotes #mondaymorning #mondayinspiration #mondaybibleverse #mondaybiblestudy #mondaybible #jeremiah #jeremiah2911 #jeremiah29 #jeremiah29v11 #ruthchousimons

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 As we start this new week, remember… There is NO PANIC in heaven right now! “The Holy Trinity NEVER meets in emergency session.” (Adrian Rogers) God is NOT pacing around the halls of heaven wringing His hands in worry. Our God reigns and rules! We can look to Him & trust Him! For more hope, read Isaiah 40:12-31. Also, find more hope on our website… www.MelanieRedd.com. You can link in our stories or profile. #hopeministry #hopeministries #melaniemredd #hopefortoday #trustingod #prayer #hopeforthefuture #monday #mondayhope #adrianrogers #nopanicinheaven #godisincontrol #godisinvolved #godisinit #godisincontrol🙏 #isaiah #isaiah40 #isaiah4031 #isaiah4029 #isaiah40v29 #holytrinity #donotworry