Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a goodwork in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."   This verse has been on my mind recently, and what an encouragement.  I look around me and I see so many things that I need to work on.  There are so many times when I stumble and fall.  So many times when I sin.  Sometimes, it seems like I've been doing so well in my walk with God and then POOF!  I start to rebel.  I can get discouraged.  Satan isn't an easy enemy to defeat.  And many times I can start to get discouraged, but this verse really can help to encourage me.  God has been working in my life for years and years, and He has brought me so far!  Whose to say that He will stop?  He has promised that He will continue working in our lives.  He is always there to help us fight sin and to help us become more and more like Christ.  Life is a battle, and Satan is a tough enemy, but you know one of His weapons?  Discouragement.  He makes us feel like we're dirty, rotten sinners, and there's nothing we can do about it.  God isn't helping us, and sin is too hard to overcome on our own.  This is a lie!  Don't fall for it!  God will always provide a way of escape.  God is always there to help us in our daily fight against sin and Satan.  He's there and He's actively working!  Don't be fooled into getting discouraged.  Be encouraged by the fact that we have a much stronger ally who will always be working in our lives and helping us to grow.  
   Another things that is very encouraging: Romans 8:34 says, "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."  Do you know what it means when it says that Christ is interceding for us?  It means that Christ is petitioning on our behalf to God.  Christ is in essence praying for us.  And you know what?  Everything Christ prays for is granted (see John 11:41-42).  This means that Christ sees our needs and is asking God to help our needs.   Christ is always watching us and caring for us and is before God on our behalf, praying for us.  I hope you are encouraged by this.  Why should we worry?  We have God working in us, God praying for us, and God providing for us.  So, don't be discouraged by sin or by the events of this world.  We have more than enough assurance that everything is in God's hands.  He sees us and He cares.  I hope you are encouraged. 

God does so much for us that we either don't see or forget about.  Well, before I forget about it, I want to tell you a couple things that God has done in these past couple months that make me see how awesome He really is.  I've see how He really does answer prayers, and how He cares about the little things in life...not just the big ones.  He really enjoys blessing His people...why?  Cause we're His people!  And that's enough for Him.  He loved us, while we were still enemies with Him, and He loves us now.  He provides for all our needs, and many times, gives us what we ask for too.  Here are two examples that 'blew me away.' 
   There was this girl who used to go to the same classes that I go to (except she went to the Knoxville group) when her parents divorced (cause her dad had an affair)...so, she was just crushed and I think she was really turning her back on God.  I had prayed for her for a while that she would turn back...but it had been years, and I had really just forgotten about her.  Anyway, so I was on my brother's facebook (cause I don't have one) and I saw that she was on his friends list, so I went to her profile to see how she was doing.  I found out that She is really in love with God!  I don't know a better way to put it.  She had turned back to Him and from all appearances seems really committed to Him.  It was really cool to see, cause apparently God has really worked in her life and brought her back to Him!  It was really cool for me to see God work in her life, and answer my prayers several years later.  He never forgets our prayers, so be patient.  It may take several years before He answers them.  Also, never forget that He is in total control of the souls of humans.  He sees what's going on, and He really has the power to change people's lives.  So, trust Him, and be patient. 
   Another thing--that may seem small to you--happened which just made me see how great God is.  Okay, so this was back in June, and my class was having a graduation dinner.  I had bought a book for a couple of my friends friends who were graduating (along with something else).  I had everything all planned out...how I was going to give the gifts to the graduates, what I was giving, and all that stuff.  Well, the graduation was going to be on a Saturday, and on Thursday, one of the books still hadn't come in.  I was getting worried because me plans weren't working out.  So, on Friday, after I saw the mail had come, I went to the mail box and prayed that the book would be in.  I opened the mailbox, and guess what?!  It wasn't in there.  Ergg!  So, I knew that my plans weren't going to be perfect.  I would have to give the book to my friend later.  It was frustrating to see my plans not all work out, but I prayed that I wouldn't be discouraged, and come the day of the graduation, I had accepted my fate.  We were going to leave at about two o'clock for the graduation, so I was getting ready the other graduation gifts.  Well, the mail came, so I decided to go out and get it, and guess what I found?  The book.  Now, this may not seem like much to you, but it is to me.  It shows me that God really cares about the little things in life.  He could have easily had it come the next Monday, and made me wait to give it to the person.  It wouldn't have been the end of the world, but He knew that I really wanted my plans to work out.  I guess He tested me on Friday, but He ended up answering my prayer, and got the book to me on time. 
   Don't ever think that God doesn't care about the little things in our lives, because He does.  He is so thoughtful and considerate.  I hope you never thing otherwise.  So, I hope this is an encouragment to you, and I hope He reveals to you more and more how amazing of a God He really is.  I'll write more about life later, but for now, ponder this for a while, and think about how blessed we are to have a God like Him.