Category: Encouragement

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Be A Good Example

When you look at your life who has been the biggest influence. Parents, teachers, friends…?

My parents had the largest impact on my early years, that is certain. I can still hear some of those simple childhood teachings. As a young wife and mother there were some gracious women who mentored me, one without knowing it. Her example was life changing.

Of course, the Bible has had the biggest impact on my life. Watching how godly people, men and women, conduct themselves in their daily lives is such an encouragement. Watching pious and selfish people’s example is a warning of things I try to avoid.

I’ve been reading through the book of Acts and I have paid close attention to the verses that mention Barnabas.

“…Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money 35 to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it. 36-37 Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means “one who encourages others.” Acts 4:34-37 CEV

The first mention of Barnabas shows that he was a generous man. A man of compassion. A good example.

The early Christians were being persecuted for choosing Christ over the religions of the day. Many of them were disowned and left without home or property. Others were imprisoned and still some were murdered for their faith in Christ.

He was called “one who encourages others”. A good example.

When Saul, who had been arresting Christians, came to Christ Barnabas validated his change of heart with the apostles. He gave testimony that Paul had a true conversion and should be accepted.

Barnabas was able to put Paul’s past aside and saw who he was becoming in Christ. Barnabas was the one who brought Saul to preach and teach to the believers in a town called Antioch. It was there that both Barnabas and Saul were sent out to be missionaries.

“Appoint Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for me. They are the ones I have chosen to do it.” Acts 13:2 ERV

They ministered together for years and then Barnabas separated ways with Paul and began encouraging his nephew, John Mark, while Paul continued traveling with a man called Silas. Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. Barnabas encouraged the saints. Both were used by God.

The Lord brings people into our lives. Some are only passing through, others become life-long friends. Whatever the period of time, we should be a good example. Loving them unconditionally as Christ has loved us. Forgetting their past and seeing who Christ is helping them become.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.” I Corinthians 13:4-7 ERV

Love makes us a good example. Lord, I want to be that example to others!

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How Long Is Forever?

When we’re children waiting for some special occasion next week can seem like forever. A long lonely highway seems to go on forever. A mother expecting her first child may feel the arrival date is taking forever. However, when we age years seem to pass so quickly. Time flies by. So, how long is forever?

To truly grasp the concept of forever will take forever.

Forever is how long the Lord says His love for us will last!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 4 Give thanks to Him Who alone does great works, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 5 Give thanks to Him Who by wisdom made the heavens, for His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 136:1-5 NLV

His loving-kindness lasts forever!

There are another twenty-one verses in this Psalm and each of them end with His loving-kindness lasts forever. Forever!

I think I have a very good imagination but it’s mind-boggling to focus on forever. The Father will love me forever. And because of His forever love He has offered us all life with Him that will never end.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

This morning I am focused on that life which lasts forever because yesterday our Mom left this temporal life on earth and stepped into her perfect heavenly life that will last forever. I am so happy for her, words cannot express it.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

Forever in the Father’s presence, forever surrounded by His love. Joy forever!

I pray that you all have this forever life which is filled with love that lasts forever.

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In Capable Hands

When I was very young, I remember my Dad letting me sit on his lap as he was driving.

Now, before anyone starts to tell me how dangerous that was I will remind them this was 65 plus years ago. It was on dirt roads, with no other cars in sight and for two or three minutes at the most.

What stays in my mind and my heart is the love and laughter that we shared in those moments. I trusted my Dad and I knew he would never do anything that would knowingly harm me.

I was in capable hands. I learned to listen and to trust.

Some days, I still feel like that little girl sitting on my Daddy’s lap. There are new situations, new joys, new adventures, new dangers that present themselves. I find myself reaching for my Father’s hand and wanting to crawl up on His lap, listening to His voice and learning from His words.

Of course, now, I’m not speaking of my natural father but of my Heavenly Father.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are in capable hands.

We are told to come to the Father WHENEVER we have a need and we will find help! He won’t refuse us. He doesn’t just want us to come when we need something He wants us to come and learn from Him. In this way, He will teach us how to avoid the dangers and pitfalls that are waiting to ambush us.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Trust the Father’s capable hands.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

We have the Father’s word that when we turn to Him with a trusting heart He will be there to direct, guide, instruct and provide. He won’t break His word.

There are a few things that I have been talking to the Father about. Things that I need His wisdom and leading in. My knowledge is limited and sometimes I feel like a little kid again, a kid who needs my Father’s help. Maybe you’re experiencing the same kind of thing. I can assure you that when we take these to our Father He will listen and lead us to a good future.

We’re in His capable hands.

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Making the Bitter Sweet

The last two days I have shared some of the struggles the Israelites encountered as they left Egypt and ventured into the wilderness. There is so much we can learn from their story.

These were a people who had been in slavery and hard labor for a good four hundred years. The Lord had made a promise that He would bring them into their own land hundreds of years before. They had let their hope die.

Then Moses comes on the scene and says the Lord sent me to lead you out. Their basic comment was “don’t stir things up Moses”. But Moses obeyed the Lord and went to pharoah and asked him to let the people go out from Egypt three days journey to offer sacrifices and worship the Lord.

You know the story. Pharoah had a hardened heart to anything that had to do with the Lord and he refused. The plagues came – flies, locusts, frogs, water turning to blood, hail, thick darkness, boils, dead livestock and finally death.

Deliverance came.

They marched out of Egypt, only to be pursued by pharoah’s army. The Israelites complained, “you brought us out here to be killed, we should turn back”. The Lord brought them safely through the Red Sea and destroyed the Egyptian army.

Then came the party.

Singing, dancing, praising God for being so great and wonderful. These were a fickled people – faith filled one moment and faithless the next.

“Then she sang to them: “Sing praises to the Lord for his great victory! He has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.”

22 After the Israelites left the Red Sea, Moses led them through the Shur Desert for three days, before finding water. 23 They did find water at Marah, but it was bitter, which is how that place got its name. 24 The people complained and said, “Moses, what are we going to drink?” 25 Moses asked the Lord for help, and the Lord told him to throw a piece of wood into the water. Moses did so, and the water became fit to drink. At Marah the Lord tested his people and also gave them some laws and teachings. ” Exodus 15:21-25 CEV

From singing and dancing to murmuring and complaining. How quickly they turned.

Let’s not be to harsh on them. We’ve done this too. God answers our prayers and we sing His praises and then the next hardship comes and we begin to ask “Lord, where are you?”.

Let’s learn from them and what the Lord did. The Lord loved these people. He had no evil intent toward them. He brought them out of Egypt to save them, not destroy them. Natural circumstances gave them bitter water, the Lord made it sweet.

Sounds like the old expression “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Our Father is good, kind and loving. The Lord loves us too. Why is it so hard for us to trust Him?

“Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing” Philippians 2:13-14 ERV

Are you in life’s desert right now? Do circumstances look bleek and bitter? Refrain from complaining and trust the Father.

He will make the bitter sweet.

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Flash Mob Style

Every once in a while Dave and I will sit and watch flash mob videos on YouTube. They make us smile!

It’s a large group of people breaking out in “spontaneous” song and dance in what seems to be a completely random moment. (However, they really have been practicing behind the scenes for weeks.)

Yesterday morning I found a flash mob moment in the Bible. I know, I’m as surprised as you are.

“Then Moses and the Israelites began singing this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord!  He has done great things. He threw horse and rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength.
 He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I honor him. 3 The Lord is a great soldier. The Lord is his name.
4 He threw Pharaoh’s chariots and soldiers into the sea. Pharaoh’s very best soldiers
drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep water covered them, and they sank to the bottom like rocks.” Exodus 15:1-5 ERV

Their song continues for twenty-one verses and ends with the women playing tamborines and dancing.

“Then Aaron’s sister, the woman prophet Miriam, took a tambourine. She and the women began singing and dancing. 21 Miriam repeated the words, “Sing to the Lord! He has done great things. He threw horse and rider into the sea ….” Exodus 15:20-21 ERV

All of this occurs immediately after they cross through the Red Sea. They have just seen the Egyptian army drown as the waters covered them over. They had been worried and complaining just hours before but they did what the Lord said. They stood still, and saw the Lord win this battle for them.

Now comes the singing and the dancing. Praising the Lord for His mighty deliverance!

The Bible is filled with stories of people just like us. People who worry and complain when the circumstances aren’t right – people who think they have a solution to their circumstances and don’t seek God’s help. People who are more willing to live in a bad situation then to trust God, who is leading them, and go into unknown territory.

I’ve been so guilty of all of this. I stayed in the wrong job for years because in my mind it was better there than in the unknown of where will I go. And then there are the times that I basically said “I’ve got this God. I know how to handle this” and so I went forward without praying and having the Lord’s leading and things fell apart.

But then the Lord would come to my rescue and it was a flash mob of one but I was singing and dancing and praising God for the way He rescued me! Does anyone relate to this?

Maybe you’re in a place where the Egyptians are behind you and the Red Sea is in front of you and you’re worried. Trust God!

Or maybe you’ve just been delivered and are in your Flash Mob moment. Trust God!

Remember always, He is our strong tower, our defense, our deliverer and our Savior!

“The Lord is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him.” Exodus 15:2 ERV

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Beating the Odds

Stand Still!

These are not the words you’re wanting to hear when in a situation like the Israelites were. They had just left Egypt during the middle of the night. They had the clothes on their backs, some provisions, their flocks and herds and the gold,silver and clothing the Egyptians had given them as they were leaving.

Moses and Aaron told them to be ready to go at a moments notice and that moment was now. The Bible tells us about 600,000 men with their families left Egypt. It was as if an entire city packed up and moved over night.

No GPS to set their route. Something better – the Lord led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Follow the pillar and you won’t go wrong. They had only been gone a little while and someone noticed that the entire Egyptian army was following them. Pharoah wasn’t giving up, he was in hot pursuit.

That’s when they began to cry and complain and that’s when Moses said “Stand Still”.

“The Egyptian army had many horse soldiers and chariots. They chased the Israelites and caught up with them while they were camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hahiroth, east of Baal Zephon. 10 When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his army coming toward them, they were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did you bring us out here in the desert to die?… 13 But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 14 You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” Exodus 14:9-14 ERV

An army behind them and the Red Sea ahead of them – it appeared they were doomed. But when the Lord does the fighting you can beat the odds.

The Lord had promised to take them to a new land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t say He would take them out into the desert to die. God is bigger than an attacking army and He’s greater than a sea. He’s also mightier than any enemy or devastating circumstance that we may face.

He is the Lord who provides; He is the promise keeper!

The Lord placed the cloud between the Egyptian army and the Israelites, the army could proceed no further. Then the Lord gave Moses the command to hold his staff in the direction of the sea. When he did the wind blew and the waters parted leaving a path for them to follow to the other side.

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today.“

I have no idea what circumstances you may be facing; physical, emotional, financial, relational, however, I do know the God who delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He is still the same powerful Lord that He was then.

“All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people. But you have done much more than I could possibly know. 16 I will praise you, Lord God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save.” Psalm 71:15-16 CEV

Our God is trustworthy. He is mighty to save!

We can beat the odds when we place our trust in Him!

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Beauty

I want to encourage you to slow down today. Take a few moments to start the day by focusing on the beauty around you.

There’s an old saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. One of our daughters tears up each time she visits the Grand Canyon. I am captured by the uniqueness of the clouds. Dave enjoys green rolling hills and pasturelands dotted with cattle and horses.

What is it that causes you to stand still and take in the wonder?

“The heavens are telling of the greatness of God and the great open spaces above show the work of His hands.” Psalms 19:1 NLV

All that we see in nature reveals the greatness and the love of God. He never intended life to be boring or mundane, if that was His purpose creation would be nothing more than olive green and gray.

“I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want most: Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life, enjoying the Lord’s beauty and spending time in his palace. 5 He will protect me when I am in danger. He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety.” Psalm 27:4-5 ERV

So often our lives become noisy and we lose our quiet solitude. Circumstances and situations keep us focused on the gray of everyday life. God intends for us to see beauty – hence the morning sunrises and spectacular sunsets. These are just two daily reminders that we are not on our own – God brings us new mercies every morning and a covering of protection each night.

All of creation tells of His goodness. How often does He tell us to consider, think about, the birds of the air and the flowers in the field. They are beautifully clothed and their needs are provided. The Scripture says if God loves them and provides for them how much more will He provide for us.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them.” Matthew 6:25-29 CEV

So, I will ask you again. Take a look around you and see the beauty. Let that beauty be a reminder of the Father’s love and care.

Behold the beauty of the Lord!

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Just Around the Corner

I think all of us have had a time when we have wanted to know “what’s just around the corner”.

Is it that great job I’ve been waiting or hoping for? Will I meet my future mate? Am I going to be kept from harm? Will I make it through the COVID threat unharmed? How will life turn out?

It’s all Just Around the Corner.

Those are not uncommon questions. People have been asking them for milleninia. We would all like to have “pro vision”.

When we place our trust in the Father, He sees ahead and will direct our steps. He knows the beginning from the end and all the road in between. He has big plans for us, plans for our good.

Abraham had a promise from God that he would have a son. Twenty-five years past before that promise became a reality but Abraham never lost hope. Remember, God is THE promise keeper.

When that son, Isaac, was probably in his teens his father took him on a three-day journey. They went with a couple of servants, a donkey, some wood and the two of them. A father/son outing. They got to a certain place and Abraham told the servants to wait there. He and Isaac went on ahead.

Abraham put the wood on Isaac’s shoulders and off they went. They were on their way to worship the Lord.

“Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” “My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” The two of them walked on” Genesis 22:7-8 CEV

It looks like this is the end for Isaac but just around the corner…

“Don’t hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son. 14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:12-14 CEV

The Lord will provide! He is faithful to keep His promises and fulfill the plans He has for us!

Maybe you are at a place where you are saying “when, Lord, when – how, Lord, how”. Be encouraged. God will provide

“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 CEV

For Abraham God provided a son and then a ram. God provided a Savior for the world through a young Jewish virgin. He sent an angel to orchestrate a prison break for Peter. And He won’t come up short and providing for us.

That thing you’ve been praying about, wondering when and how, trust God. It’s just around the corner and you may end up saying – Wow, I didn’t see that coming!

The Lord will provide!

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Receive then Give

Several years back I wrote a book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”, and the subtitle is “Receiving and Giving God’s Best”. The title came from the realization that no matter how much we might want to give, we can’t until we first receive.

Someone who has never experienced love won’t be able to give love. Someone who has never received a kindness won’t be kind. A person who has never been forgiven won’t know how to forgive. You see where I’m going with this, right?

We receive and then we can give!

“Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

Each morning I spend time listening to the Lord. Each morning I thank Him for his unconditional love and kindness and each morning I ask Him to show me how to love others.

“My lips will praise You because Your loving-kindness is better than life. 4 So I will give honor to You as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:3-4 NLV

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. 3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity. 5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.” Psalm 103:2-5 NLV

The Lord wants us to know, to experience personally, His loving-kindness. When we do, we can share it with others and He will receive the glory.

“I give you a new Law. You are to love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers.” John 13:34-35 NLV

Forgiveness is a tangible expression of loving-kindness. Love forgives, kindness embraces. One of the first expressions of God’s love we experience is forgiveness.

“You will tell His people how to be saved from the punishment of sin by being forgiven of their sins. 78 Because the heart of our God is full of loving-kindness for us, a light from heaven will shine on us.” Luke 1:77-78 NLV

I don’t spend time dwelling on my past failures and sins but I daily focus on the love and forgiveness I receive from the Father. I recognize that in His love He has chosen to forget my sins and that He nevers reminds me of them. When I stand in His presence He sees me cleansed from them all.

“I tell you, her many sins are forgiven because she loves much. But the one who has been forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NLV

Knowing I’m forgiven, I can forgive others.

Let the Lord remind you of His loving-kindness today. Reflect on your forgiveness.

What we have received we should freely give.

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Jesus…

There’s just something about that name.

Gloria Gaither wrote a beautiful song years ago and Sunday morning the Praise and Worship team sang it as part of the our worship. My heart was full and so were my eyes. The realization of God’s love for me brings me to tears.

How could such a perfect and holy God unconditionally love someone like me? Not only does He love me, He loves you too.

I ask you to stop and consider how much God loves you? Really, really loves you!

Heaven is a wonderful, wonderful place – it’s perfect in every way. Its beauty is beyond compare – there is no pain or sorrow; no sin or corruption; no fear or distress of any kind there and yet God chose to have His son, His only begotten Son, leave heaven and come to earth.

For what? Why?

For you and I. He became our sacrificial substitute so that we could be reconciled to God, the Father. Now, as one of God’s children we are heirs with Jesus and have the promise of an abundant life here on earth and a perfect life in heaven when we die. Amazing, simply amazing!

We receive it all because of Jesus and His love for us!

The Apostle Paul records this prayer:

“So I bow in prayer before the Father. 15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him. 16 I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 ERV

Knowing the love of God – how wide, how long, how high and how deep. It’s not something that can be understood or fathomed with the head but only experienced and known with the heart.

I grew up singing a little song I learned in Sunday School.

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

Take time to meditate on God’s great love today; His love for you personally – it will greatly improve your outlook.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

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