Encouragement (Page 2)

It was a dark and foreboding day some 2,000 years ago. Mary was on her way to tend to the body of a dear friend who had experienced a horrific death. Her mind was raw with emotions from such vivid memories. Her life had been dramatically changed upon her encounter with Him. She had been freed from demonic possession and was living an unbelievable life. In fact, she had devoted her life to helping Him and serving Him in any…

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Notice that James assumes we will experience trials – He does not say “if” but “when.” This is because Christians must expect trials. Jesus said in John 16:33, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Some trials come simply because we are…

In the last 12 months, the interest in becoming a prepper, which means being ready for any disaster, has skyrocketed! I know most of us wished we would have had a month’s supply of toilet paper when the stores sold out a few months back, but preppers were ready and had a stockpile. Preppers do not know when or even if something will change their status quo, but, they are ready in the event it happens. Esther was a young…

This is a very common question that I believe everyone has asked at some point in their life. I have even asked this question. If the year 2020 has not made you ask this question, I do not know what will.  People have many different opinions about Who God truly is. The Bible is very clear about Who God is. Before we get there, Who is God to you?  From your perspective and experiences, maybe God is mean. Maybe you…

Philippians 1:27 – Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Compelling Thought: Christians should be focused on unity so that the gospel can be proclaimed in unison. A few days ago I stumbled across a video of a professional tug…

Text: Proverbs 15:15 – All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Thought: The happy heart is the product of a continuous decision. The reality of life is that we all have something to complain about, cry about, or lament. Because we live imperfect, every single part of our lives is marred by that imperfection. It only takes reaching adulthood to notice that the irregularities and tough times…

I believe most of us are thankful that the year 2020 is behind us and that 2021 stretches before us. This past year was filled with varying degrees of disappointment, disillusionment, defeat, and despair. As we face the uncertainty of a new year, how can we move forward in a positive and hopeful way? Philippians 3:13 has been a verse that has been helpful to me. It says, “Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing…

The Lord Hath His Way Nahum 1:3 “The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” I do not know about you, but I am glad 2020 is coming to a close. And one verse that kept coming to my mind throughout the year was this one from Nahum, and especially the phrase, “The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm.” That is all…

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21) As you close out this Christmas week, you are already thinking about the next event on your calendar, New Years! December 31…

The letter to the Colossians was written in 62 A.D by the Apostle Paul. He spent some time in prison while in Rome, yet Paul wrote the letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul had never visited the church in Colossae, yet he wrote this letter to them. Why then was the book of Colossians written? Since Paul was in prison, why would he care about the Colossian church, a city, and church that he had never visited? Epaphras…

1 Samuel 17:37 – David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine… How many times have you found yourself worrying about something that was on the horizon? Maybe you are dreading an upcoming doctors appointment or a conversation with a friend. Regardless of what is to come, many times we worry about the outcome…

Text: Proverbs 15:11 – Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. Thought: Knowing that the Lord sees my heart should motivate me to walk correctly before Him. Our God is omniscient and omnipresent, which indicates that He knows all things and that He is everywhere at the same time. That makes our God have a higher perspective than man. In the Old Testament, we learn about a young shepherd…