Tag Archives: Encourage

Holding on to Hope

In the Bible, Hebrews 10:23 is like a friendly guide, offering simple but powerful advice for life’s ups and downs. The verse says, “Let’s stick to our hope and not give up, because God always keeps His promises” (Hebrews 10:23, Easy-to-Read Version). This short sentence holds a big idea – it’s all about having strong faith and not letting go of hope, no matter what.

It’s like saying, “Hold on tight to what you believe in, and don’t let doubts shake you.” Life can be tricky, but this verse encourages us to stay true to our beliefs and not let tough times make us question what we know deep down.

The verse reminds us to stay steady, even when things get tough. Life can be like a rollercoaster, but this verse tells us to be like a sturdy tree, not bending or swaying with every gust of wind. It’s a call to be strong and not let doubt knock us over.

And why should we be so confident? Because of the part that says, “God keeps his promises.” In other words, it’s like saying, “God always keeps His word.” When things seem uncertain, we can trust that God is reliable. This promise gives us the courage to keep going, knowing that we’re not alone, and God will come through for us.

Hebrews 10:23 is like a cheerleader, cheering us on to stay strong in our hope. It’s an invitation to believe in something solid, something that won’t change when everything else does. So, as we go through life’s twists and turns, let’s remember this verse and hold on to our hope, knowing that God is always faithful, and our faith can weather any storm.

Nothing Can Hinder

He was outnumbered, and the path to even begin engaging in battle was difficult. But Jonathan allowed his faith to guide him.

In 1 Samuel 14:6, Jonathan makes a bold statement. “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

“Nothing can hinder the Lord,” Jonahtan says. That’s a great statement.

Nothing can hinder the Lord…

  • From working.
  • From saving.
  • From fulfilling the plans and purpose he has for your life.

Keep this thought at the forefront of your mind today.

Thanks for reading.

3 Promises to Carry Today

Close to 3 weeks have past since we turned the calendar to 2024, and life is marching along. There have been good times and bad times; there have been moments of anxiety and stress, but peaceful ones as well. It is safe to say the rest of the year will continue to unfold in the same way. As each day comes, we can find encouragement in these words of Jesus.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Here, Jesus gives 2 promises we can carry with us.

  1. There will be difficult times. Jesus warns we will have trials and sorrows, so when they come, remember the other promises in this verse.
  2. Since Jesus doesn’t promise us perfection, he promises we can have peace in him. The peace we have is not based on external circumstances, but our connection with the Lord. Philippians 4:7 reminds us this peace is able to go beyond our understanding.
  3. We can have courage. He is greater than the trials and sorrows, so the victory will ultimately be ours through him.

If life is attempting to beat you up right now, remember, Jesus offers peace and courage.

Thanks for reading, and please share this post with your friends.

Salt It Up

Salt is important. It serves as a flavor enhancer for our food, but it has also played a significant role in human history. It has helped stabilize economies, served as medicine, and preserved food. The world would not be the same without salt. So, it is no wonder Jesus compares us to salt in Matthew 5:13. “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” We find in this verse two challenges.

Be the Salt of the Earth

Jesus says we are the salt of the earth. This gives you and I an important role. Just as salt played a central role in history, as Christ’s ambassadors, we are to play a pivotal role in the world around us. We are called to share…

  • Share the love of Christ.
  • Share the peace of Christ.
  • Be the hands and feet of Christ.

So, as you go through your day, look for opportunities to be salt, and salt it up.

Keep Your Flavor

Jesus also challenges us to keep our flavor. It is important to spend time in Scripture, prayer, and staying connected with other believers. Salt with no flavor is useless, but salt with a rich flavor is powerful. Take daily steps to stay richly flavored.

Accept Jesus’ challenge. Be the salt of the earth today; a salt with a rich, attractive flavor that has people coming back for more.

Thanks for reading, and remember, we’ll be back tomorrow at 6 a.m.

Blessed are the Sufferers

Matthew 5:11-12 brings forth another powerful beatitude: “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

This Beatitude challenges the conventional understanding of happiness and invites believers to find joy even in the face of persecution.

At first glance, rejoicing in the midst of persecution may seem counterintuitive. However, Matthew 5:11 calls believers to shift their focus from worldly approval to divine affirmation. The happiness mentioned here is not dependent on external circumstances but rooted in the assurance that one’s identity is found in Christ. Rejoicing in persecution becomes a testimony of unwavering faith and a deep understanding of God’s promises.

Consider the sunflower, which follows the path of the sun across the sky. In times of persecution, believers are called to turn toward the Son of God, finding their source of joy and identity in Him. Like the sunflower, our joy can remain constant, regardless of the shadows cast by adversity.

  • “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
  • “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Matthew 5:11-12 challenges us to embrace a joy that transcends circumstances. In the face of persecution, believers are called not only to endure but to rejoice. By finding our identity and happiness in Christ, we become living testimonies of God’s transformative power. So, let us face opposition with a radical joy that confounds the world and reflects the unshakable hope found in our Savior.

Thanks for reading.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Among the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:9 stands as a beacon of guidance: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” This verse not only highlights the profound importance of peace but also underscores the active role we can play in fostering harmony and reconciliation in our communities.

Peacemaking is not merely the absence of conflict but an intentional pursuit of unity and understanding. This beatitude invites us to become active participants in the process of reconciliation, taking deliberate steps to build bridges and mend relationships.

Building bridges and mending relationships may require us to take hard steps in the right direction. It may mean…

  • We are the first to reach out amid conflict to negotiate peace.
  • We offer forgiveness to someone who has wounded us.

Being a peacemaker is certainly not easy, but the Lord can give us the needed strength. As you think about this beatitude today, is there a relationship in which you need to be the peacemaker? What steps can you deliberately take today to begin making peace?

Thanks for reading.

Blessed are the Humble

The truly powerful do not lord their power over anyone. They have a Christ-like character.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

What kind of character did Jesus have?

Jesus did not lack power during his earthly ministry, but he did not use his power for selfish gain. Jesus used his power to improve the lives of those living around him. He used his power to better his community. With his power, Jesus served others.

  • “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
  • “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Challenge for us…

Model Jesus’ character. Help our neighbors and our community. Work to be a team player in your job. Ask this question. How can I use my power to serve someone else today?

Thanks for reading, and please share. Talk again tomorrow at 6 a.m.

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.

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.

What is God doing?

Christmas music surrounds us with the message of grace and forgiveness. It can put the Good News on display, and sometimes, we do not even realize it. We’re in isle 4 picking out socks for Uncle Bob while swaying to O Holy Night. Thoughts of Aunt Susie’s ugly Christmas sweater are accompanied by thoughts of the true meaning of Christmas.

Mary, Did You Know permeates our ears with the truth of Christmas. It sends our thoughts to Jesus’ identity, and how God was working on that first Christmas. Luke tells us we’re not alone. Mary was thinking about this as well.

Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”

The last few months have been exciting. Mary has been visited by an angel, found out she was expecting a child, had to travel with Joseph for the census, and now, she’s given birth. There’s a lot of hype around her baby. Shepherds visiting and prophetic statements being made. In our day, there would be wall-to-wall coverage on the news networks, and Mary soaks it all in. What was God doing?

This Christmas season you may be wondering the same thing. All the activity in your life – the good and the bad – is causing you to wonder what God is doing. As you ponder God’s work, you can rest assured he has something great planned. You may not fully see it now, but it will be great because God is the one at work.

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