Posts Tagged ‘Encouraged’
Somebody Cares About You
When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Psalm 142:3–4…
Read MoreBuild Up, Let it Go
For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died… Acts 13:36 (NET) Last time, we discussed the necessity of preparation before building a life or a ministry. Whether it means preparing the soil of our hearts, repenting and clearing away impediments to our spiritual journey, or planting the incorruptible seed of…
Read MoreTear Down, Build Up
A time to tear down and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NLT) We might be inclined to think that tearing down is negative, and building up is positive. It is a reasonable conclusion, but reality is more complicated. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time, or a season for every activity. Sometimes…
Read MoreIncrease My Capacity
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) Paul’s comparison of physical versus spiritual training is fascinating. While conceding that exercise has value, he finds that it is minimal when viewed in the light of training for…
Read MoreBe a (Good) Example!
My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. Psalm 71:7 (NLT) We cannot escape the fact that our lives are on display for others to observe and judge. Celebrities and athletes have tried to claim that they are not role models, but that does not negate the influence…
Read MoreCome Closer
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8 (NLT) God does not want us to just come to him, He wants us to come closer. Why are so many of us afraid to come closer to God? Is it because we do not believe that he is approachable? Do we…
Read MoreCome to Me
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 (CSB)…
Read MoreIf You Continue
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32 (NASB 2020) We do not live our lives in a vacuum. When Jesus tells us “Continue in My word,” it is with the understanding that there will be…
Read MoreRejected, But Not Dejected
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 1 Peter 2:4 (NLT) No one is exempt from disappointment and feelings of rejection. People rejected Jesus, so we are in good company when we are rejected. The…
Read MoreConcerning Prodigals
A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. Luke 15:13 (NLT) Everyone has a story to tell about prodigals. Prodigal children, or perhaps, prodigal siblings, or even prodigal parents. When we understand what is at stake,…
Read MoreIn the Arena
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 3 (NIV) In Jude’s short letter, he gets right to the point: “contend for the…
Read MoreHot or Cold?
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:15–16 (NLT) Is it better to be hot or to be cold?…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Go
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NLT) In previous articles, we have covered growing and glowing. In this concluding post we will examine Christ’s Great Commission to the church to go. While most of us…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Grow
The book of Ecclesiastes informs us that there is “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 (NLT) As each year goes by, we grow older, but that does…
Read MoreLiving in the “Real” World
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 (CSB) Nearly 30 years ago, I had a business acquaintance, who was a leader in his church. He was an outspoken Christian in the workplace. One day he shared a…
Read MoreRecalibration
My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:19 (NLT) In my mind, New Year’s resolutions do not have a great deal of credibility. People have good intentions, but by the middle of January a preponderance of resolutions have already been abandoned. Some resolutions are unreasonable while for others…
Read MoreThe Reason He Came
It is entirely appropriate to think about Christ’s death, at this time of year when we celebrate his birth. Because without the cross, Bethlehem would have been meaningless and conversely the cross would not have been possible had Jesus not been born in Bethlehem. It all ties together. It is not only appropriate to consider…
Read MoreOn the Offensive, or Just Offensive?
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13–14 (NLT) We are entering that time of year when extended family gets together, and it is rare…
Read MoreThis Is My Story
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) This is my story. It’s not as dramatic, or as traumatic as other people’s testimonies, but it illustrates God’s goodness and his faithfulness. To provide context I need to…
Read MoreFireproof
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed…
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