Get Encouraged

Tag: Christian

  • Feel Like a Failure?

    Failure comes and goes.

    It has happened to us all. No one likes it, and it is not one of life’s enjoyable experiences. It hurts, it is painful, and it is a part of everyone’s life. It is failure.

    One stumble does not break or define a person. Some of history’s most successful people have experienced the agony of failure.

    • Babe Ruth held the record for the most strike outs, and struck out multiple times in a World Series game. Yet, look at his overall record.
    • Robert Frost was rejected by a magazine stating there was no place for his poetry.
    • An English teacher wrote on Winston Churchill’s report card that he did not have much potential for success.
    • Oprah was fired from a Chicago TV station. She went on.
    • You and I can insert our failures here.

    Max Lucado says, “Though you’ve failed, God does not. Face your failures with faith and God’s goodness.”

    • “The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand,” remarks the Psalmist in 37:23-24.
    • Proverbs 24:16 says, “The Godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”

    Failures will come, but the Lord will help us overcome those failures and move on with life. Remember amid failure, the Lord is with you.

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  • 5 Tips for Building a Firm Foundation

    Firm foundations survive storms.

    There seems to be no shortage of storms in the world right now. Glance at the headlines, and you will soon discover storms coming at us from all directions. COVID19, personal safety being at risk, and the like are causing storms. While it may be a particularly stormy time, storms are nothing new to life.

    Proverbs suggests we build our lives on a firm foundation to survive these storms. Solomon writes in 10:25, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the Godly have a lasting foundation.”

    How do we build this foundation?

    • Develop a relationship with the Lord by spending time in the Bible.
    • Seek wisdom through prayer.
    • Search the Scriptures for answers to life’s questions.
    • Always strive to do what is right.

    Building on this foundation is not easy, but it is worth the effort involved. Jesus tells a parable of two builders. The first builder did not take the time to dig through the sand to place his home on a rock foundation, while the second builder dug through the sand to rest his home on a rock foundation. A storm came, and flood waters rose. The first house was swept away, but the second house stood, unmoved by the tumultuous waters.

    As we are weathering a stormy time, how firm is your foundation? Do you need to allow the Lord to add stability?

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  • Love Endures

    Love conquers all.

    Dear Hate by Maren Morris is a powerful reminder of hate’s grip and love’s conquering power.

    The battle between hate and love has existed since Adam and Eve were in the garden. The disgusting work of hate ensnares us, but love has the power to conquer everything. Love conquers the divides between people, love heals the wounds inflicted by hate, and love mends the broken heart. Love has the power to overcome anything hate throws our way.

    1 Corinthians 13:6-8 says, “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

    The Bible gives us a glimpse into the end of the battle between hate and love. Love conquers all. God is love and nothing has the power to stand in his way. His grace and mercy will win.

    Meanwhile, as the battle rages, you and I have the challenge to be messengers of love.

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  • One Promise

    Many People, Same Promise

    They came from a variety of backgrounds and places. Some were of Jewish descent while others shared a different heritage. Some were poor and could barely make ends meet while others had plenty of wealth. They lived in different locations and celebrated different cultures. They were a diverse people, but they received the same promise.

    They received the promise presented by Christ. That is, forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God through grace. This was the same promise for everyone.

    Paul writes to the Galatians in chapter 3, “So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ than you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs, according to the promise.”

    The promise was offered to everyone and the only deciding factor was acceptance. The Lord only looked at the heart and nothing else.

    The Lord has not changed. He still only looks at the heart and nothing else. You and I may be part of a diverse group of people, but the promise made to us is the same. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds and places, but we can share in the Lord’s grace.

    The Bible challenges us to look at one another’s heart rather than outward appearance. How well do you and I meet this challenge?

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  • Unity

    The labor of unity.

    Intending to raise cattle, a New York family purchased a ranch in Kansas. They could not agree on the name of the ranch, and when a family friend visited, the would-be rancher explained the disagreement.

    “I wanted to name the ranch the Barr J, my wife favored the Susie Q, one of our sons wanted the Flying W, and the other son preferred the Lazy Y,” explained the rancher, “so we named it the Barr J Susie Q Flying W Lazy Y Ranch.”

    The friend asked, “Where are all your cattle?”

    “They did not survive the branding,” stated the rancher.

    Disagreement usually brings about disaster, while unity brings peace. In Ephesians 4, Paul implores us to labor for unity in love.

    “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

    As Christians, our attitude should be one of humility, patience, and gentleness. When we see others hurting, we should have a desire to act. Our actions should bring with them meaningful results.

    Max Lucado asks, “Is your attitude toward other believers marked by love, humility, patience, and gentleness? Paul encouraged us to display unity in the body of Christ and accept one another in love. If you are not doing that, check your attitudes. Your spiritual gifts and talents should help bring the body of Christ together.”

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  • Coming Together

    Harmony brings joy, refreshment, and well-being.

    The worshipers of the Lord in David’s day had some differences. They came from different parts of the country, they descended from different tribes or were immigrants to Israel, and they did not all look exactly the same. With all these differences, they did have common ground.

    They traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate feasts. No matter their heritage, socioeconomic status, or looks, every follower of the Lord traveled to Jerusalem. As they traveled up the mountain road to the city, they would recite Psalms. One such Psalm is Psalm 133.

    “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony. For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard, and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon, that falls on the mountains of Zion, and there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting,” writes David in Psalm 133.

    This Psalm reminds you and me harmony is beautiful. It brings joy and refreshment. Living harmoniously is what is best for all. David reminds us the Lord blesses harmony.

    Today, we still find differences. Geography, race, ethnicity, economics, and more create differences between us and our neighbors, yet we have common ground. The Lord’s grace is available to us. On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

    God does not restrict salvation to one people group. It is available to all, and the Bible challenges us to live in harmony with one another.

    Scripture implores us to make every effort to keep the unity of the bond of peace. This is certainly hard work, and involves listening rather than shouting, respecting rather than destroying, and promoting peace over agitation. Psalm 133 reminds us the Lord blesses harmony.

    Can I suggest we step back and ask ourselves how well we are doing at living in harmony with our neighbor?

  • God’s Word has benefits

    Psalm 119:89-176 offers many benefits of following God’s Word.

    Following God’s word offers many benefits, and Psalm 119 lists many of them for us.

    God’s Word is eternal.

    Verse 89 reminds us God’s Word stands firm in Heaven. When everything else is gone and nothing else can be considered secure, we can count on the words and promises of the Lord.

    God’s Word provides wisdom.

    In Psalm 119, the Psalmist states the word of the Lord gives him wisdom. We find guidance for every part of life in the Scriptures.

    God’s Word offers guidance.

    Verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” As we walk through life, God’s Word can guide us. We should think of it like a flashlight at night. A flashlight guides our path and lights up what is right in front of us. If we turn it off, there is a chance we will run into something. If we do not allow God’s Word to guide us, there is a chance we will run into a pitfall in life.

    God’s Word is a treasure for us.

    Psalm 119:111 says, “Your laws are my treasure, they are my heart’s delight.” God’s Word is the most valuable thing we can possess. It is more valuable than gold or silver.

    Verse 162 says, “I rejoice in your word like one who has found a great treasure.”

    God’s Word can bring justice.

    The Psalmist reminds us following God’s Word brings justice to all.

    The writer of Psalm 119 expressed a genuine desire to continually follow God’s Word. May we echo his desire and work daily to apply the truth of Scripture to our lives. Doing so will be beneficial to us and our neighbors.

  • Benefits of God’s Word

    Psalm 119:1-88 gives benefits of God’s Word.

    There are many benefits to God’s Word. Here are a few listed in Psalm 119:1-88.

    God’s Word gives us wise advice.

    Psalm 119:24 says, “Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.” There’s advice on every topic.

    God’s Word encourages us.

    When we are in need of encouragement, it seems the Bible has just the right words for the moment.

    Psalm 119:50 says, “Your promise revives me. It comforts me in all my troubles.”

    God’s Word gives us hope.

    Psalm 119:43 says, “Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.”

    Psalm 119:49 says, “Remember your promise to me. It is my only hope.”

    God’s Word is trustworthy.

    Psalm 119:86 says, “All your commands are trustworthy.”

    The promises we find in God’s Word can be trusted. The shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth can serve as an example for us. According to Luke 2, the shepherds trusted the angel’s word and went to find Jesus. They found the baby, his mother, and everything just as the angel had said it would be. God’s Word is trustworthy.

    Hiding God’s Word in our hearts has many benefits. May we echo the desire of the Psalmist in always keeping God’s Word close to us using it as the compass to guide our lives.

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  • Finding Our Way

    Psalm 119 suggests storing up God’s Word.

    In 1914, Ernest Shackleton and a team of explorers set out from England to do something no one before had accomplished, cross Antarctica from one side to the other across the South Pole. Disaster struck when the team’s ship                           became entrapped in ice and the hull was eventually crushed. The ship sank, and the team was marooned on nearby Elephant Island. There seemed little hope for their survival.

    In a desperate attempt to get help, Ernest and 5 others set out in a 20-foot lifeboat across some of the most dangerous and storm filled waters in the world. It was an 800-mile journey to South Georgia Island where help could be found. For 15 days, the men battled the treacherous seas and massive storms with waves up to 100-feet using only a compass and a sextant. Frank Worsley, who had captained the Endurance, navigated their course until they safely reached land and found help.

    The group found another ship and returned to rescue all of the team. Shackleton became a national hero in England for his courage and persistence.

    All of us will go through stormy times in life. The uncertainties of tomorrow are many. The level of misinformation we see on a daily basis is extremely high. In these moments, Psalm 119:11 suggests we store up God’s Word to guide us.

    The Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” In other words, the Psalmist says, “I have stored up God’s Word so I know the difference between right and wrong and true and false.”

    The only way to ensure that we do not go astray is to have an objective source of truth that will guide us just as a compass can guide sailors through dark and uncharted waters. God’s Word can guide us through uncertain and difficult circumstances. We need to trust God’s Word over everything else. Our feelings and emotions can lead us astray, but Scripture can guide us.

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  • God is Everywhere

    “Out of the quiet, I heard his voice.”

    Church In A Chevy

    Jordan Davis reminds us the Lord is just not in a church building. He’s everywhere.

    The Lord’s fingerprints can be found all over creation. The beautiful sunrise over the mountains is his work. The beauty of ocean waves lapping to the seashore is his work. The awe of stars twinkling and moon shining in a night darkened sky is his work. And, the breath-taking mosaic that is your life is the Lord’s masterpiece. The Lord is everywhere; he is not restrained to a single geographical location.

    Take a moment today to gaze at the beauty you see before you. Be sure to thank the Lord for what he has done. His creation is a beautiful testimony of his love for you and me.