Get Encouraged

Tag: Christianity

  • Blessed are Those who Hunger and Thirst

    Taste, and see that the Lord is good. Matt did.

    Matt was an official responsible for collecting taxes. He wasn’t well liked, and at times, Matt inflated the amounts owed to add extra cushion to his own pockets. Matt was at work one day, and it turned into a historic day. Matt had a life-changing experience.

    The day began as any other. Matt was in his office collecting from tax payers, and taking much more than they owed. A large crowd came down the road being led by Jesus.

    As they passed by, Jesus called out to Matt. One thing led to another, and Matt found himself hosting a dinner party where Jesus was the guest of honor. It was on this day Matt realized the truth of Scripture.

    “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

    The life-altering experience for Matt was a changing of pursuits. His desire changed from gaining material possessions for himself to pursuing a close relationship with the Lord. Rather than robbing others, he began having compassion for them. Seeking the Lord satisfied a longing inside Matt that couldn’t be fulfilled any other way.

    Notice the promise of Matthew 5:6. Seeking after a relationship with the Lord leads to satisfaction. What are you pursuing today?

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  • Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

    Martha and Mary are deeply saddened. They are grieving the loss of their beloved brother Lazarus. They sent for Jesus, and when he arrives, Jesus finds Martha and Mary surrounded by friends and family. Everyone is upset and mourning the loss of Lazarus. Jesus too was one of Lazarus’ friends. Lazarus’ death and the heartbreak Martha and Mary are experiencing moves Jesus to tears.

    While he fully understood what the future would bring, Jesus sees those for whom he cares hurting, and he hurts along side them.

    Scripture says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

    When we are hurting, we can rest in this promise. The Lord doesn’t ignore us in these moments. He wants to comfort us. He is a compassionate, caring God who desires to wipe our tears, give us a hug, and comfort us.

    Thanks for reading. Please Share. Talk again tomorrow at 6 a.m.

  • Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

    A nice house, lots of money, and an awesome car. It seemed John had it all. He may have gained his possessions through a questionable lifestyle. Working as an illegal drug runner provided a great income for John, and no one was judging him. That is, except for John himself.

    One morning, as John was pulling into his garage, reality hit him in the gut. He had everything, yet he had nothing. He could buy anything, but he was lonely. He didn’t have any friends, and he believed if he died, no one would even care. He had a sense of hopelessness wash over him. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, and searched the word “hope” on YouTube. A video popped up where John heard these words. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3).

    John dwelled on these words, and as the day continued, he realized there was hope in this promise.

    Just as John found hope in this promise, you and I can as well.

    • “For this is how God loved the world: He gave  his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
    • “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).
    • “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:11:12). 

    Realizing our need for God is the first step in finding hope in the promises he makes us.

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  • 24/7 Watchman

    Countless hours of sleep have been lost to worry and anxiety. Our minds are preoccupied, so we have difficulty falling asleep. Worrisome thoughts continually force their way into our slumber causing us to suddenly awaken. Worry and anxiety try to rob you and I of the rest we deserve, but Scripture offers hope.

    Psalm 121 reminds us of a 24/7 watchman, who is constantly looking after us. “He will not let you stumble. The one who watches over you will not slumber – indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps” (Psalm 121:3-4).

    Allow those words to soak in for a moment. The Lord is watching over us, and he never takes a break. Psalm 121 reminds us the Lord is always watching; he is always protecting, so we can rest.

    The next time worry refuses to let you sleep, or anxiety loudly bangs on the door in the middle of the night, Try remembering the promise of Psalm 121. You have a 24/7 watchman!

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  • Rock-Solid Promise 10: The Best is Still Coming

    It may be the best year or the worst year, but no matter how it stacks up, we’re guaranteed the best is still coming. This brings us to the 10th of our 10 rock-solid promises.

    10. The best is still coming.

    2 Corinthians 4 says, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

    What we go through today is only temporary and a better day is coming.

    The first 10 days of this year may have been the best you’ve ever experienced, but there is something better coming.

    2024 may mark the worse start to a year you’ve ever had. If so, something better is coming.

    What’s coming is Heaven, and as 2 Corinthians 4 says, Heaven will outweigh all the temporary struggles we have. Scripture gives a glimpse of what this will look like.

    John records, “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’

    And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:3-5).

    No matter how this year shapes up, we’re assured something better is coming. Scripture assures Heaven awaits.

    Thanks for reading, and talk again tomorrow at 6 a.m.

  • Rock-Solid Promise 9: We Are Not Alone

    There may be times in 2024 when we feel isolated, but Scripture provides a rock-solid promise this is not the case.

    9. We are not alone.

    This is a twofold promise.

    The Lord is always with us.

    • “Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me” (Psalm 118:7).
    • “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:2).
    • Hebrews 13:6 says, “So we can say with confidence, ‘My help comes from the Lord, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

    We have one another.

    Peter reminds us all believers are going through the same thing. “Be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:9-10).

    We can rely on one another. We can ask one another for help. We’re certainly not on this journey of life alone.

    Cling to this rock-solid promise if you experience feelings of isolation or loneliness this year.

    Thanks for reading, and we’ll talk again tomorrow at 6 a.m.

  • Rock-Solid Promise 8: Lord Helps With Tough Decisions

    Hard decisions seem to always present themselves in life. You and I are put in between a rock and a hard spot. No matter what we decide we feel something is lost. The Lord offers this rock-solid promise for these moments.

    8. The Lord will help with those tough decisions.

    Scripture promises…

    • Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
    • Proverbs 16:9 remarks, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
    • James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

    When tough decisions come, remember, the Lord will help you decide. This is a rock-solid promise we can carry through 2024 and beyond.

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  • Rock-Solid Promise 6: The Lord Can Help When We Are Afraid

    You and I don’t have to turn far to find situations that can cause fear in our lives. Headlines are filled with events inducing fear, and our daily lives may have situations causing our hearts to race. When fear shows up, we can remember the 6th rock-solid promise of Scripture.

    6. We can take our fears to the Lord.

    There are always events happening around us invoking the natural reaction of fear, and when we are feeling afraid, the Lord promises he will help us.

    • “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise- in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4).
    • The Lord says in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

    When fearful moments creep into 2024, the Bible suggests we look to our trust in the Lord for strength. If you’re feeling afraid today, look to your trust in the Lord for strength.

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  • Rock-Solid Promise 5: The Lord Ensures Our Needs Are Met

    Perhaps one of the major contributors to our anxiety is concern about having enough. Enough money to pay this month’s rent; enough time to get everything done. Enough resources to meet our needs. Start looking at the bank statement and our schedules, and our anxiety level raises. The Lord has a rock-solid promise for these moments.

    5. The Lord will ensure our needs are met.

     “I will ensure your needs are met,” the Lord assures us.

    In Matthew 6, Jesus points to the birds, and reminds us they do not worry about having enough food, yet they always have plenty. He points to the flowers and reminds us they do not worry about their appearance, yet they are always beautiful. Verse 33 reminds us as we seek after the Lord, he ensures all of our needs are met as well. The Lord promises we do not have to worry about having enough; he will make sure we do.

    So, as you begin to ask, “Will there be enough,” remember, the Lord says he has our back.

  • Rock-Solid Promise 4: We Can Cast Anxieties on the Lord

    Here is the 4th of 10 rock-solid promises we can carry with us in 2024 and beyond.

    4. We can cast our anxieties upon the Lord.

    There’s little doubt 2024 will bring its share of anxieties, but the Lord promises we can cast those cares upon him and he will help us find peace.

    We are reminded in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    Amid the anxious moments of the year, remember this rock-solid promise, and cast your anxieties upon the Lord.

    Thanks for reading, and we’ll have promise 5 tomorrow at 6 a.m.