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I’m so glad you pressed play and are joining me for Episode 5 of the CHOSEN series! Before we dive in, I’d love to hear what has resonated with you throughout the first four episodes. Has something encouraged your heart, challenged your faith, or helped you see God in a new way? I’d love for you to share it with me! You can send me a DM on Instagram at @be_encouraged_podcast, tag me in a social media post and share where you’re listening from, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. I’d love to share some of your encouraging words in a future episode! And if you want to do all three, well, that would be amazing! Friend, this podcast has never been about being famous, becoming an influencer, or making it about me. It’s about answering the call God has placed on my heart to be a messenger of hope and encouragement, pointing myself and others closer to Jesus. Lately, I’ve received messages and prayer requests from friends, acquaintances, and even people I’ve never met who are believing God for a miracle. And it’s reminded me of something beautiful: the God who created the heavens and the earth cares enough to hear us. He hears our prayers, our disappointments, our needs, our praises, and even the things we struggle to put into words. Over the years, I’ve had moments when I cried out to God and didn’t hear an audible voice, but a thought or a truth would come to mind that aligned with His Word and spoke directly to my spirit. Those moments have deepened my faith and reminded me that we have the incredible privilege of drawing near to our Heavenly Father. And that’s exactly what we’re talking about today! In this episode, I’m joined by Heather O’Brien for a heartfelt conversation about hearing from God and learning to recognize His voice. You don’t have to be a pastor or a Bible scholar to grow in your relationship with Him. Through prayer, Scripture, journaling, time in nature, meaningful conversations, and quiet moments with the Lord, we can learn to become more attentive to His leading. And as we explore this together, we’ll keep coming back to the foundation of our faith: God’s voice will never contradict His Word, and through Jesus, we have access to our Father. What if the miracle you’ve been waiting for begins with discovering how to draw closer to God and recognize His voice? Heather is a licensed minister, author, speaker, and podcast host who helps others explore what may be holding them back from hearing from God and how to experience healing with Him. She also offers live workshops to help people grow in this journey. Be sure to check out her book, Heal with God, and tune in to the Heal with God podcast for more encouragement and resources. My hope is that this conversation feels like sitting across the table with a friend, a warm cup of coffee in hand, talking about Jesus and making room for Him in our everyday lives. Because, friend, you are CHOSEN—not only to belong to Him, but to draw near to Him. Grab your coffee, lace up your shoes for a walk or run, or settle in wherever you are today. Let’s grow in faith together. Press play and be encouraged! 💛 Find Be Encouraged! Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about Heather O'Brien by clicking the link below! https://heatherobrien.net/about

What happens when you write about hope… and then life asks you to actually live it? Heyyy Encouragers! Welcome back to the Be Encouraged! Podcast and the CHOSEN Series. Season 5, Episode 4 is here, and today I’m talking with the beautiful Johanna Vann about something we all need: HOPE. Johanna is a Christian, multi-award-winning author who beautifully writes about the messy parts of life while pointing us back to the truth that God redeems, God heals, and God is still working—even in the hardest places. Her newest book, Where Wilted Flowers Bloom, tells a story of loss, fresh starts, and hope. But what makes this conversation especially powerful is that while Johanna was writing about hope, she would soon find herself walking through a deep loss of her own. Would she believe the hope she had written about? And now, in a completely different season, Johanna is also a brand-new mom of four! Talk about trusting God in the middle of a full and beautiful life! We talk about grief, motherhood, healing, faith, and what it means to believe that God can bring beauty from places that feel broken. The pain may be real, hard, and full of sorrow.  Yet God is still a good God who gave us hope in Christ Jesus. And so we hope.  I walked away from this conversation being ignited, and I truly believe you will be, too. My favorite part is in the very last few minutes of our conversation ---- it will be worth listening to!! :) Grab your coffee, take your walk or run, and come spend some time with us. And if this episode encourages you, share it with someone who may need a little hope today. You never know how God might use your share to remind someone they aren’t alone. “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Where Wilted Flowers Bloom by Johanna Vann is available wherever you find your favorite books. Be Encouraged. 🤍 - Jackie #BeEncouragedPodcast #ChosenSeries #Hope #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndHope Learn more about Johanna Vann by clicking the link below:  https://www.johannavann.com/books You can also purchase “Where Wilten Flowers Bloom” by Johanna Vann wherever you find your favorite books to read!

Heyyy Encouragers!! I’m Jackie Brindle, your host, and you’re listening to Season 5 of the Be Encouraged! Podcast — our CHOSEN series! If you have a moment today, please write a review on Apple Podcast – it will help the algorithm get this out there for more to be encouraged, just like you! Thank you!  Let’s quick recap: In Episode 1, we talked about being chosen in the hard and hidden seasons with Shalene Roberts. In Episode 2, April Osteen Simons reminded us that we are chosen to be near to God. And today, Episode 3 asks a question that I hope makes you stop and think: What kind of legacy are you leaving behind? Are you called? Are you chosen to make an impact? And who is watching your life? Friend, I deeply desire for you to know this: you are chosen to be salt and light in this world. Every single day is an opportunity to answer God’s call on our lives and leave a legacy that can inspire others — even generations to come. Because the truth is, your life matters to God… and it matters to someone else. Your smile. Your personality. Your tenacity. Your resilience. The way you keep going when things get hard. It matters. And in this episode, we get to hear a powerful story of legacy from someone who experienced it firsthand. Our guest is Timothy Kelly, brother of the late Sarah Young, author of the beloved Jesus Calling and many other books that have encouraged millions of people to draw closer to God through Scripture and Sarah’s personal reflections. Tim was deeply impacted by his sister’s life and faith, and he shares her story in his book, Sarah Young’s Journey to Jesus: A Brother’s Remembrances.” The foreword was written by Kathie Lee Gifford. Tim shares how Sarah felt called to write, the persistence it took to see that calling come to life, the closed doors, the open doors, and the faithfulness it took to keep going. And maybe that’s exactly what you need to hear today. Because sometimes the calling God places on your life doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes there are closed doors. Delays. Disappointments. Moments when you wonder if what you’re carrying really matters. But God can use every part of the journey. He uses it all to shape our life and legacy.  My prayer for you in this episode is that you would recognize that you are called to be salt and light right where God has placed you. Keep going. Don’t lose confidence in what God has called you to do. Your story, your obedience, and your faithfulness may be impacting someone in ways you will never fully see. So grab your cup of coffee, get out on your walk or run, or wherever you are… Let’s dive into this conversation. And as always — BE ENCOURAGED! Jackie Resources: To learn more about Timothy Kelly and to purchase "Sarah Young's Journey to Jesus," Click the link below: https://www.whitakerhouse.com/authors/timothy-kelly Bible Reflection Verse: Matthew 5:13-16

Heyyy Encouragers! Welcome to the Be Encouraged! Podcast! I’m your host, Jackie Brindle, and I’m so glad you’re here. We’re in Season 5, and today is Episode 2 of our Chosen Series: “Chosen to Be Near to God.” Have you ever felt like God is distant or wondered what it really means to have a relationship with Him? Maybe you simply need a jumpstart to remember this truth: you were intentionally created, deeply loved, and chosen by God. Ephesians 1:4 says: “For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.” God didn’t just choose you to accomplish something for Him—He chose you to be near to Him. And through Jesus, He made a way for us to draw close. Today, April Osteen Simons is here to encourage us to wake up with a new perspective and believe that we are intentionally designed, deeply loved, and chosen by God. April is a mother, grandmother, motivational speaker, and author of Jump Start Your Day: Brighten Your Mornings for a Bolder, Better Life. She also shares encouragement through her House of Hope YouTube series, the Better Life Podcast, and as a guest on Daystar’s Joni Table Talk. So, how might knowing you are chosen to be near to God change the way you start your day? If this conversation encourages you, share it with a friend who may need a fresh wind of faith-filled encouragement today—and tag me on Instagram @be_encouraged_podcast so we can encourage even more people together. And if you’re new here, subscribe to the Be Encouraged! Podcast so you never miss an episode. Let’s jump in! Jackie RESOURCES Learn more about April Osteen Simons: https://www.aprilsimons.com/• House of Hope YouTube Channel• Order her book, Jump Start Your Day: Brighten Your Mornings for a Bolder, Better Life• Listen to the Better Life Podcast• Follow April on Instagram BIBLE VERSES MENTIONED• Ephesians 1:4• Ephesians 6:10–24• Colossians 1:3

Welcome to the Be Encouraged! Podcast, This is our first episode in the Chosen Series which is anchored on Ephesians 1:4 which says, “For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blamless in love before him.”   This means He chose us even knowing that as a believer or not, we would face hardships, fail, try again, and again, to have a relationship with God, even if life has it’s ups and downs or you’re somewhere in between.  Today, I am so honored to introduce our special guest, Shalene Roberts, author of When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees: Where Gritty Meets Glorious in God’s Eternal Plans for Moms. Shalene is also the voice behind a beloved blog that has encouraged thousands of moms who are walking through the beautiful, messy, stretching, and often hidden realities of motherhood. And today, she’s here to unpack what it means to be chosen in the hard, hidden seasons of life. Because sometimes the very season that feels like it’s taking everything out of you is the season God is using to shape something eternal within you. Perhaps it will become your testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness!  Shalene is going to remind us that the hidden places are not wasted places. The hard days are not forgotten days. And motherhood, even when no one sees the sacrifice, the tears, the faithfulness, or the grit, is still deeply seen by God. I know this conversation is going to encourage you, inspire you, and spark something in you that may have felt dormant for a long time. My prayer is that it will ignite hope in your heart again and remind you that God is not finished with your story. So, wherever you are today—whether you’re in the middle of a beautiful season, a brutally hard one, or somewhere in between—take a deep breath, lean in, — grab your cup of coffee/tea, get on your walk or run/ and wherever you are let’s be encouraged. --- Jackie  Resources:  Learn more about Shalene Roberts by clicking here!  Download the You Version Bible App and check out her 7-day FREE devotional reading plan based on her new book, “When Mothering is Hard and No One Sees”. https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70045 Order “When Mothering is Hard and No One Sees” by Shalene Roberts https://a.co/d/0eybxQxz  Follow on social media  Instagram: @shalenerobertsblog Enjoyed this episode!? Share it on Instagram and tag @be_encouraged_podcast,  send your friend a text with the link to the podcast, or write a raving review on Apple Podcast or Spotify to encourage more people, just like you! :)  Bible Reflections:  Ephesians 1 and 2 Psalm 139

Heyyy there Encouragers! I hope you’ve loved journeying through the Achieve Series with us—because we’ve officially reached the FINAL episode! 🎉 Before we wrap, here’s a quick recap of where we’ve been:We started with learning how to trade perfection for peace, moved into living intentionally with the time God has given us, and were reminded to keep Jesus at the center of every decision. Along the way, we leaned into obedience in the small moments, embraced humility over pride, and found hope in life’s setbacks—trusting God to turn them into setups. And most recently, we were encouraged to get up, go, and do the next thing God is calling us to. Now for Episode 8… the grand finale!Shellie Tomlinson brings this entire series home by pointing us to one of the most powerful ways we achieve anything good—from God and for God: prayer. Prayer isn’t just a box to check—it’s our lifeline. It’s how we stay connected to God, grounded in truth, and strengthened for everything we’re called to do. In this episode, Shellie beautifully simplifies prayer, helping us experience a deeper, richer, and more authentic relationship with God through it. I pray you encounter God's steadfast love as you pray and turn your heart to God in all that you are achieving today! So grab your coffee, head out for a walk or run, and get ready to Believe, Receive, and Achieve all that God has for you. Be encouraged! 💛 Jackie More Resources: Click on the link below to learn more about Shellie Tomlinson or to preorder her book, "Don't Try to Pray Like Her" https://belleofallthingssouthern.com/ Bible Verses: Psalm 129, Psalm 118:1-29 Social Media Follow the Be Encouraged! Podcast on Instagram @be_encouraged_podcast

Welcome to the Be Encouraged! Podcast!This is Season 4, Episode 7 in the Achieve series. Have you ever known you should do something—but didn’t want to?Have you ever felt like running from the very thing you know you’re called to do? Maybe you’ve grown comfortable in your current season, yet you feel a gentle tug on your heart—God prompting you to step out and do what He’s been stirring in you. I’ve been there too—trying to hide, relying on my own strength, my own timing, and my own way. And honestly, that never works out well for me either. Recently, God placed it on my heart to read the book of Jonah. He didn’t feel like doing what God asked him to do either. But even then, God was faithful—to redirect him, prepare hearts, and make a way to still use him. If that sounds like you, I believe this episode will encourage you as you pursue all that God is calling you to do—both in the small steps and the significant moments of life. Press play—and be encouraged! :) Jackie Resources: link to sermon from Micah Marshall on Jonah Bible Devotions: Read Jonah 1-4 Isaiah 40:23-30

Welcome to the BE ENCOURAGED! Podcast!  We are in Season 4 - the Achieve series and now you are listening to Episode 6 called: "Setback to Set Up." If you’re walking through a setback right now — this is for you 🤍 A setback can feel like defeat. A delay. A door closing. A hurdle. An obstacle. A retreat back to home base or square one. A diagnosis. A missed opportunity. Or simply the weight of feeling “behind.” In this week’s Setback or Setup episode, I share how one of my own unexpected setbacks — an injury that forced me to slow down — became the very place God grew my faith the most. In the middle of sleepless nights and frustration, He met me. Not with instant healing — but with deeper intimacy. I learned who God is, who I am to Him, and the incredible importance of God's anchoring word in my life. Through the honesty of Psalms, the endurance of Job, the faithfulness of Ruth, and the perseverance of Joseph, I was reminded: God is not absent in your setback. He is active in it. God is setting you up! He is constant. He is not panicked, He is not surprised, He is not hurried to finish His divine work, because good plans take time! The process to trust Him, maybe hard. That's true about life --- it can be hard. But I also know another truth about your life. God loves you. This episode will encourage you to: • See your disappointment through God’s lens • Lament honestly — and still trust • Believe that your setback is preparing your comeback. Receive hope anchored in the light of His word. You are not behind. You are being prepared - refined - and are in the process of God reframing your setback to the BEST- set up!  God is not finished with your "setback" to "set up" story🤍 Be encouraged! Jackie Bible readings that will encourage you for the week! Psalm 34 Psalm 16 Psalm 46:10 John 1:1-5

Welcome back, Encouragers, to the Be Encouraged Podcast! I’m so grateful you’re here for Season 4: The Achieve Series. 🎉 In today’s episode, I’m speaking to all of us who wrestle with discerning God’s voice, His way, and His plan over our own. Even with the best intentions, following the tune of “me” doesn’t always lead to God’s glory. In fact, it can lead to burnout, striving in the wrong direction, and falling into traps like gossip and comparison. Daniel 4 and 5 highlight two different kings who have two very different outcomes. One king learns that a heart turned towards God is greater, than if they follow their own heart. Time and time again, I’m reminded that there is no greater plan for my life than the one designed by Jesus. My prayer is that this episode refocuses your heart and eyes on the One who knows you intimately, cares deeply about your life, and holds it all in His hands. May you be encouraged to walk in humility, surrender, and trust. With love and encouragement,Jackie #BeEncouragedPodcast #Season4 #AchieveSeries #FaithOverFear #GodsPlan #WalkInHumility #TrustGod #ChristianPodcast #Surrender #PurposeDrivenLife #Daniel4&5

Welcome back to the Be Encouraged! Podcast! - ENCOURAGERS! 💛 This is episode 4 in Season 4 - in the Achieve Series! This one is extra special as we dive into the beauty of small beginnings and the power God's faithfulness in everyday moments. I’ve been so encouraged by your messages about past episodes — from “New Age to New in Christ” to the BELIEVE & RECEIVE Series! I am hearing how you can't get enough! Thank you so much!! Hearing how these conversations are impacting your lives reminds me that this podcast will always be for the one who needs it-- on that one day, they chose to press play! Today, we’re talking about the small, often overlooked moments — the motherhood tasks, the quiet obedience, the unseen work. The moments that don’t feel big… but shape us in the biggest ways. Perhaps you are going through a season right now, where you wonder ---- is this time wasted time? Do these small odd jobs have any purpose? Do the little things we do in motherhood seem to have a purpose? If you are feeling that wave of discouragment ---- get ready --- because the amazing Lauren Gaines is here to encourage you onward! Lauren is the author of Unshakeable Kids, host of Fully Immersed Podcast, and an inspiring voice equipping women in parenting and faith. She’s bringing encouragement and truth to help us embrace, not resent, the small moments God uses to grow us. So grab your coffee, head out for that walk, and be encouraged. - Jackie #BeEncouragedPodcast #ChristianPodcast #FaithInTheEveryday #ChristianWomen #PodcastForWomen Learn more about Lauren Gaines : Website Follow on social media: @inspired.motherhood Learn more about host: Jackie Follow on social media: @be_encouraged_podcast

Welcome to the BE ENCOURAGED! Podcast! You’re listening to Season 4, Episode 3 in our Achieve Series. I’m so grateful you’re here today—and truly, I just love you all. Thank you for tuning in episode after episode and for sharing this podcast with the people you love. And a special thank-you for every review left on Apple Podcasts—it helps even more people be encouraged, just like you. Is there something you’re believing God to help you achieve? Maybe much of what you’re hoping for is already happening—behind the scenes, in your prayers, and in the daily decisions you’re making. Whenever we set goals and step out in faith, challenges are sure to come. Today’s guest is Bethany Marshall, joining us for Episode 3 of the Achieve Series. Bethany is an author, speaker, a member of PennDel’s Women’s Ministry Dream Team, Lead Director of the Daughters’ Conference, and Assistant Director of Refuge Youth Network—serving alongside her husband. Bethany is passionate about building connections across generations and has a heart to see all of God’s daughters lifted up and empowered to reach their full potential. In this episode, Bethany reminds us that persistence in pursuing God’s heart, consistency in abiding in His Word, and walking with expectation will draw us closer to what God desires to achieve through you. This isn’t a self-help or self-improvement plan. This is a faith-centered, Jesus-centered conversation filled with practical wisdom, Scripture, and—yes—a whole heap of encouragement to help you move forward in the goals set before you. Girl, this conversation had me excited to hope again—with expectancy! It will fire you up to finish your race with endurance. So grab your cup of coffee, head out for your walk or run, and BE ENCOURAGED! 💛 Jackie For more information about our guest speaker today: Follow Bethany Marshall on Instagram @mrsbmarshall Bible Devotions: John 15

Welcome back to the BE ENCOURAGED! Podcast  You are listening to the Achieve Series! Season 4 - Episode 2! I am your host - Jackie! I appreciate you coming alongside and encouraging me with your DMs in Instagram World @ be_encouraged_podcast. You know this encouragement spreads when you share with a friend, tag the podcast in your stories, and most importantly, when you leave a positive review; more people get to be encouraged — just like YOU!   So please, take 2 minutes and share this encouragement with your sister, mom, neighbor, roommate, or anyone you know! We share al the good stuff with the people we love — so thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing that here.  Now, let’s talk about our guest speaker today. Kim Grant is well known for mentoring moms, building a community and a home you want to live in, as well as being the writer and speaker of Intentional Moms Course - which is made specifically for women who are journeying through motherhood and need practical tips and prayer to do all that God is calling them to do right now.  In this episode, Kim and I discuss how valuable our time is! How we spend it is even more valuable. Being intentional to holding onto faith, achieving more through being still and listening to God, building routines that work, and analyzing life choices so that we don’t get burnt out.  If you need a breath of fresh air, especially those of us journeying through motherhood, being an aunt, spiritual mother, or needing a reminder that the time we have here is ultimately God's. So the big question is: how can we honor God and glorify Him with our God-given time?  Want to achieve more —maybe this is your encouragement that less is more!  Get ready, encouragers, for a conversation that will fill your cup with encouragement!  So grab your cup of coffee, get on your walk or run, and wherever you are —- BE ENCOURAGED!  Jackie Follow the link below for more information about Kim Grant Click here

Welcome, Encouragers, to a NEW year and a BRAND NEW series on the Be Encouraged! Podcast. I’m your host, Jackie Brindle, and I am so excited to step into this next season with you as we begin the Achieve series. Over the past seasons, we have listened to powerful testimonies, biblical truth, expert insight, and real, authentic life experiences—all pointing us toward deeper belief in who God is and who we are in Him. We’ve talked about receiving all that God has for us as we build a daily foundation of belief, keeping Jesus at the center of our journey. Each day, God offers us gifts to receive when our hearts remain anchored in Him. Now, we turn our focus to the word “achieve.” Not achievement as the world defines it, but achieving God’s purposes for our lives. Achieve is a reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we walk into the plans He has already purposed for us, just as Ephesians 1:11 tells us. This series is about living with intention, obedience, and trust—allowing God’s will to unfold in both everyday moments and milestone seasons. Throughout the Achieve series, we’ll unpack meaningful conversations around what people have achieved, the obstacles that stand in the way, and how we can maintain an eternal perspective when life pulls us toward pressure, comparison, or control. We’ll talk honestly about what it looks like to fix our eyes on the One who formed us, guiding our steps with His purpose and peace. Season 3, Episode 1 is all about peace over perfectionism. This is an obstacle I know all too well—sometimes facing it multiple times in a single day. That tension between not wanting to return to patterns we know don’t work, yet striving so hard to get everything just right, only to find ourselves circling the same mountain again. The lesson is often a hard one: controlling all the pieces never brings the peace we’re searching for. I am so grateful to welcome Heather O’Brien to the show. Heather is a licensed minister with a heart for helping others heal with God—whether from anxiety, perfectionism, addiction, or any negative cycle that requires both heart work and holy work. You may already know her from her podcast, "Heal with God: Find God’s Peace by Hearing His Voice," read her book called, " Author of No Fear Allowed, Supernatural Weight Loss, & But How? A Cookbook for Christian Solutions", or through her coaching ministry. And if you don’t know her yet, she may soon become a familiar and trusted voice in your home. Heather brings a wave of strong, gentle wisdom and encouragement to this conversation! Heather reminds us that peace is the goal, that “good” can sometimes truly be good enough, and that each of us can learn to hear God’s voice for ourselves. When we do, healing follows—and so does that deep, steady peace we all long for. I can't promise it will happen overnight, but I can promise that God, who gives peace in the obstacles that aren't so perfect, will be with you! I can't wait for you to listen and to achieve all that God has chosen and purposed you to do -today and every day! Be encouraged!! Jackie ------- Learn more about our guest speaker by clicking the link below: https://heatherobrien.net/ Follow on Social media Instagram: @healwithgodpodcast Study Bible Verses for Episode 1: Ephesians 1:11 Philippians 4:7 John 14:27

Welcome to the Be Encouraged Podcast! You are listening to Season 3 - The Receive Series, Episode 6 called, “Receive Blessings,” which closes out both our Receive series and the year 2025! I’ll be taking a short break before we dive into the final series, “Achieve.” During this holiday season, we’ll receive all kinds of gifts. Some will be returned, regifted, forgotten, or used until they can’t be used anymore. But there is one gift that never fades, never runs out, and continually satisfies the soul. You can’t return it. You don’t have to earn it. It’s given freely — and nothing compares to the blessings that flow from the gift of salvation in Christ. As you move through this season, I encourage you to hold that truth close. Even after many years of walking with Christ, I still can’t fully grasp the depths of this gift. Day by day, year by year, I’m learning and growing. I hope this episode encourages you to step into the next level of your faith journey — and if you’re new to faith, that it helps you understand just how precious this gift truly is. Be encouraged to receive all the blessings God has in store for you: grace, mercy, love, belonging, provision, and peace that surpasses understanding.  Nothing compares to the gift of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Be encouraged! Jackie Follow on Instagram: @be_encouraged_podcast DM me and tell me what stuck with you! OR write a raving review on Apple Podcast so that more people can be encouraged just like you! --- THANK YOU! Verses to mentioned and to study: Psalm 62:1 Ephesians 1:9-23 Colossians 1: 9-11 (keep going if you'd like --- it's all so GOOD!)

Welcome to the BE ENCOURAGED! Podcast - I am your host Jackie Brindle. I am here to encourage you on the good and not so good days --- to lift you up and onward with faith infused encouragement. More specifically, in the receive series, I hope to encourage you to believe in who God is and who He says He is, so that you can receive all that God has in store for you: blessings, peace, courage, your identity, and today ----- to receive PRAYER! Prayer is a gift! I remember when my grandmother would write me letters when I was younger. I was so eager to write her back. A few years ago, my uncle sent me a package with dozens of letters that my grandmother saved, that I sent her. She saved every single - sketch, silly joke I wrote, and my thoughts: from losing a tooth, desires of what I wanted to be when I grew up, to how cold the weather was in PA that year. I would often tell her how much I missed her, when she went away in the winter time to Florida. I loved that she treasured all of my messages. In the same way, in light of knowing who God is, He saves all of our messages -- PRAYERS --- to Him. I wonder how big my envelop would be if I were to see it. I love that God cares about us all so much that He wants to have a relationship with us. He desires us to pray in repsonse to our faith. It is a gift that renews our minds and soul. Prayer encourages others, and it's more powerful than we tend to think. Keep on praying, my friend --- it might just be the gift God and you need to receive today. Press play and BE ENCOURAGED! - Jackie Follow on Instagram @be_encouraged_podcast Can't wait to see you in my DM's --- what encouraged you most from today's episdoe?