Get Encouraged

Tag: Faith

  • True Wisdom: A Gift from Above

    True wisdom is the foundation for success.

    There is an ancient Indian legend of a king who loved Chess. He challenged visitors to a game, and he was usually victorious. One day a traveling sage visited the kingdom and was challenged to a game. To entice him to play, the king offered to gave the sage whatever reward he asked if he won. When the king was defeated, to honor his word, the king asked the sage what prize he would like. The sage asked for one grain of rice to place on the first square of the Chessboard, and then, that it be doubled on each following square.

    The request seemed modest, and the king asked for a bag of rice to be brought. It soon became apparent the terms of the request were impossible to meet. By the 21st square, more than 1 million grains would be required; by the 31st square, the total would go over 1 billion, with more than half the Chessboard still left to go.

    Small things have a big impact when they are added together. It is important that we seek God’s wisdom for every decision we make regardless of how small it seems to us. When we add to our wisdom and understanding, it grows stronger and stronger.

    Gaining God’s wisdom.

    James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

    The Bible records Solomon being able to ask for whatever he wanted, and he asked for wisdom to lead Israel. The Lord was so impressed by Solomon’s request that he granted it as well as all the others he could have requested. Wisdom was the foundation for Solomon’s success. It is also the foundation for our success.

    Wisdom is the foundation for success.

    Ecclesiastes concludes wisdom is the foundation to everything else. Solomon writes in 12:13, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands. For this is everyone’s duty.”

    Wisdom has a good look.

    James 3:13 says, “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” Wisdom is humble.

    James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.

    According to the IVP New Testament Commentary Series, “James is deliberate to state a foremost characteristic of the wisdom from above. It is first of all pure, and only then the other qualities. His term speaks of holiness and provides the immediate contrast to every evil practice. The first and foremost reason for valuing wisdom is that it will lead people to do what is morally right. Today’s popular relativism makes it all the more pressing Christians do what is right.”

    Verses 17-18 go on, “It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

    Is true wisdom from above our guiding force? Are we allowing wisdom to guide our decisions? Will we do what is wise?

    As we move forward in our lives, these are good questions to ask ourselves.

  • Embracing Today: Let Go of Tomorrow’s Worries

    How full is your calendar today? If you are like me, it is pretty full. Between work, getting the kids to school, and running errands, there is just not a lot of time for anything else. Especially worry about tomorrow. That’s why it is encouraging to find this nugget of wisdom tucked away in Matthew 6.

    Jesus says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow for today has enough worries of its own” (Matthew 6:34)

    As we think of all that is coming and all that may happen tomorrow, it is easy to let worry creep into our lives. However, Jesus encourages us not to worry about those events and days in the future. We are reminded the Lord has our back. He is going to take care of tomorrow. After all, today’s agenda is full; there’s no room for worry about tomorrow.

    Thanks for reading.

  • Psalm 59: A Fortress in Life’s Struggles

    His enemies were hard at work. The bullies were continually taunting and chasing him. Gossip about him was always being spread. There was no rest, and it was this struggle that gave birth to Psalm 59. David wrote these words of encouragement:

    “But I will sing of your strength,

    in the morning I will sing of your love;

    for you are my fortress,

    my refuge in times of trouble.

    You are my strength, I sing praise to you;

    you, God, are my fortress….”

    As David wrote Psalm 59, his enemies surrounded his home with murder on their minds (1 Samuel 19), yet he knew he could rely on the Lord. We may not awake to find our home surrounded, but our enemies are hard at work. The taunting of a bully, harassment of a coworker, or the passing of a loved one may be overwhelming us. It may be the crippling affects of physical illness that is crushing us. Our worries batter us; our struggles bruise us. Our enemies have many shapes and sizes, but the truth of Psalm 59 conquers them all. The Lord is our fortress; he is our strength. The Lord reminds us his grace is sufficient. His grace is all we need (2 Corinthians 12:9).

    It is no secret life can be hard. but we can rely on the Lord. When we are feeling battered, he is our fortress. When we’re feeling bruised, he is our refuge.

    Allow this truth to sink in for a moment, then go out and face your enemies with a newfound confidence. You know the Lord is your fortress on whom you can rely.

    Thanks for reading.

  • Finding Peace: Let Go of Worry with Faith

    My eyes snapped open. It was 2:37 a.m. Mind racing, “How is this problem at work going to be resolved? What is going to happen if the client is angry?” The worry of this situation jolted me awake. Have you been there? I’m guessing your answer is “Yes!”

    Worry is something we all deal with in our everyday lives. Whether it’s stress about work, relationships, or just the uncertainties of the future, it can feel overwhelming at times. Many of us find ourselves lying awake at night, replaying our worries in our minds. However, there’s comfort in knowing that we don’t have to carry these burdens alone. In 1 Peter 5:7, we’re reminded to cast all our anxieties on God, who cares for us deeply.

    “Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.”

    This simple yet powerful message encourages us to release our worries and trust that we are not alone in our struggles. As our Good Shepherd, the Lord invites us to dump all of our worry and anxiety on him.

    • Jesus invites us to exchange our burden for his (Matthew 11:28-30)
    • We’re invited to bring everything to the Lord in prayer, and his peace, which surpasses our understanding, will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7).

    Start today. Pour your worries and anxieties on the Lord, and allow him to care for you. Replace the tossing and turning of worry with peaceful rest in the Lord.

    Thanks for reading.

  • Matt’s Transformation: From Tax Collector to Disciple

    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?

    Thanks for reading. Please share.

  • God’s Plan: Embracing Life’s Unexpected Turns

    God’s Plan: Embracing Life’s Unexpected Turns

    The shortest route between two places is a straight line; however, going straight from point A to point B does not always work. It is not always the best route; it sure wasn’t for the people of Israel.

    The Lord delivered Israel from the Egyptian bondage they were suffering. He designed an exit strategy which had them leave in a hurry, but they did not go directly to the land of Canaan. Exodus 13:17 records:

    “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

    Israel did not go directly to their destination because it wasn’t what was best for them. Though it may have seemed the Lord had the people wondering aimlessly in the wilderness, he had their best interests in mind and was always accomplishing his purpose. The Lord knew a direct route was not best in this situation.

    Sometimes, the Lord may not take our lives on a direct route. It may seem there are many twists and turns to get to where we are going, but we can rest assured the Lord knows what he is doing. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that the Lord knows the plans he has for us. Those twists in turns of life are in our best interest. It may not seem like it at the time, but the Lord knows the best route to our destination.

    Thanks for reading.

  • 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.

  • Heaven Awaits

    An elderly man was in a hospital room and he was fading quickly. The nurses and doctors decided it was time to call the gentleman’s family, and they gathered around his bed. As he was lying there, holding his wife of 50 years hand, looking at his son and grandchildren, he whispered, “Don’t cry. I’ll see all of you again. This was not my permanent home; I’m only passing through.”

    A moment later, the man looked up and said, “I can see the Lord’s face.” Peacefully, the man fell asleep and went to be with the Lord.

    Death is a sad time for those of us left behind. The person for whom we love and care deeply has gone home to be with the Lord, so we have to say “see you later,” and live in their absence. But, for the Christian who passes away in death, a whole new adventure begins.

    Heaven awaits. “For this is not our permanent home,” the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “we are looking forward to a world yet to come.” While we don’t fully know what Heaven will be like, the Bible does tell us it will be a glorious place. There will be no pain, sorrow, or difficulty. Today’s struggles will be gone. There will be no pandemics or tensions caused by skin color. There will be no hurt or heartache. Rather, Scripture says there will be peace. The lame will walk, the deaf will hear, the blind will see. Heaven will be glorious.

    And, the adventure of experiencing Heaven will be ours. If you, or someone you love, is struggling today, remember, it is only temporary. Something much better is coming.

  • Subject to Change

    We make plans. We plan for the day ahead, the week ahead, and the years ahead. We plot the details of our plans carefully, so if the plan doesn’t develop the way we’ve designed, it can cause us a great deal of stress. All plans are subject to change, and Scripture reminds us the Lord guides us in those moments of change.

    Proverbs remarks, “Don’t lean on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

    Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us the Lord knows the plans he has for us. They are plans for good, not evil; plans to help us, and not harm us.

    So, when our plans have to change, remember, the Lord is in control. He has our future mapped out, so why wouldn’t he care for us in the present.

    Thanks for reading.

  • Life is Like A Garden

    The Flip Flop Barnyard tells of the great patience gardening requires. From ordering seeds to harvest, many days can pass, with much time waiting to move from stage to stage of the gardening process. Any Gardner knows it takes much patience to produce great tasting vegetables and beautiful flowers. Planting has to take place in the spring, cultivation through the summer, to enjoy the harvest of the fall. Seeds do not become abundant crops overnight.

    Like gardening, life can require much patience. Scripture encourages, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8).

    Waiting can be hard; we don’t like it. This may hold especially true when we are awaiting answers to our prayers.

    We’re praying about our need, yet it seems the Lord is not hearing us. Maybe we’ve spent hours pacing the floor, tears flowing, as we pray, but the answer still hasn’t come. If so, this passage encourages us to stand firm, and keep on praying. James goes on to remind us our prayers are both powerful and effective.

    Our prayers will be answered. It may not be in the immediate timetable we desire, but the Lord does answer.

    Remember, Gardeners have to wait all season before harvesting a crop, but the sweetness of the fruit is worth the labor of their patience.

    Be patient and stand firm.