Category: Encouragement

Dear Diary ...

5/14/2013

Not long ago, while searching through one of my bulging bookshelves, I came across several journals that I had written over the span of three or four years. Unable to find the book I had originally been seeking, I opted instead to curl up into a cozy chair and have a little visit with my past self while I read about life during that time.

It was good to take this leisurely walk down Memory Lane.  Each page contained private thoughts (concerns, confessions, hopes and dreams) as well as an accounting of the people I met, conversations I had, places I visited, how the workday unfolded, the daily chores I either had to do or else had performed, and the projects I hoped to accomplish in the house or yard.

Frequently interspersed between these subjects were the many prayers to God for help or
healing for others or me. When an unbearable, impossible or unnavigable situation had risen to its’ apex and was about to crush me, the next page would reveal the details of how God
unhurriedly, gently and faithfully provided an answer at just the right time. Recorded immediately following the resolution of a situation was the prayers of thankfulness for the many ways – oftentimes unexpected - in which God had supplied the answers that I had diligently sought.

Within these pages I discovered in amazement how God brought into reality the dreams that I had carried in my heart and prayed over for as long as I could remember. There were several times – more than I care to admit - when I had nearly given up.   I poured my heart out to God and would constantly have to remind myself to hang on because the God who had answered earlier prayers (as evidenced by previous journal entries), would somehow also furnish answers to these current matters even though I could not see how.   On more than one occasion I whispered the same words that the father of the possessed son said to Jesus in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Ever eager to help His children, He also helped me.  It was with great joy to read the evidence of His faithfulness recorded in black and white by my own hand on the pages of my journal.  I fell in love with Him even more.

While we are in the midst of trying times, it’s easy to question where God is or if He has forgotten us because, instead of seeing His hand directly at work in a situation, we see only the blaring, crushing details of our oppressive circumstances.

In ages past, God knew that the Israelites of the Old Testament would behave similarly. He had performed great feats for them, yet each time they would enter into a new seemingly impossible
situation, they would forget that what He had done before, He could do again. As a result, He frequently admonished them to ‘forget not’ or to ‘remember.’

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

He knew that they would need to intentionally remember what He had done for them in the past so that they could be confident that He would take care of them from generation to generation. But He didn’t want them to stop with only remembering for themselves; He also wanted them to tell their children and grandchildren of the wonderful provision He had made for them in every contingency.  As a result of their repeated telling to others, they would also be reminded of God’s faithfulness to them which would, in turn, also be an encouragement in their present circumstances.

Today we have God’s Word (the Bible) available to us as a written reminder of the things He has done, and the things He longs to do for His children.  While the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, I like to think of it also as God’s journal to us where we can read of the struggles,
failures and triumphs of others as well as the abiding faithfulness of God in any and every situation that mankind could find himself in the midst of. It is also filled with the many promises
He will fulfill in our life if we let Him.

Psalm 103:2-5 “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

While it is not good to dwell on the past, it is beneficial to see the route you have travelled and the many obstacles you have encountered (and hopefully overcome) along the way. If you look
closely, you will be able to see evidence of the presence of God’s hand at every turn.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

For those times when you cannot see His hand, trust His heart.   He will never fail to keep His promises. The choice is yours.  He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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What to do? What to do?

2/23/2013

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In the busyness of life, have you ever paused long enough to question what you needed to do to make your life truly matter?    Each day is filled with much – most of the time too much! - activity, but what is it all for? In a week (or a month, a year or a decade) will the things that get accomplished in the next 24 hours make any lasting difference?   Will anyone even care tomorrow that so much hard work was accomplished today?

These are some deep questions, I know, yet they are questions that are, if not vocalized, at least felt by many people on the inside.   It’s important to know that our life, our very existence, is not for, well, naught.

For many years of my life, I admired (yet secretly envied) those people I knew who seemed to be born knowing exactly what their purpose or special talent was for this life.   Their yearning, fueled by a deep-seated drive, helped them stay focused while they diligently worked to bring to life the inner vision that they were fully confident was their path to follow.   I longed to be like these ‘born-knowers’ who were sure of their purpose in life.

Each of us has been given at least one talent – a gift, if you will.

I Corinthians 7:7b “But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has
that.”

Many times, a gift can manifest itself during childhood and, if recognized and properly nurtured, will continue to grow as the child matures. It will seem as if he or she has blossomed overnight into their life’s calling once they step into the adult role that they’ve been groomed for over the course of their young life.

There are individuals I know who have specific talents that are obvious to anyone who is around them for any length of time.  One person can sing beautifully while another plays a musical instrument effortlessly; one individual paints incredible life-like pictures while yet another creates intricately designed quilts.

For others of us who aren’t sure what we want to be when we grow up, we also have been endowed with a gift, though sometimes it may be less easy to spot the special talent or gift.
This inability could be for a number of reasons.   Perhaps the special skill was noticed in the child, but never nurtured properly for one reason or another.  Or perhaps it wasn’t an artistic talent at all, but rather a ‘sense’ talent that involved good listening, encouraging words or a gentle, healing touch. Or maybe it was a gift of working with animals, children, or the infirm.

An enduring satisfaction comes to each of us when we use the gift God has instilled in us. If
you aren’t already aware of what your gift is, how do you discover what it is? If you ask God, He will show you. Most of the time, the talent you have been given will come to the forefront of your current activities in some way or other. It’s not uncommon for people to unexpectedly comment about something you do well, such as organizing, or speaking well, or inventing, or any myriads of other things. Or it could be the long-standing dream  that exists deep down inside of you that constantly instills a longing in you to accomplish something specific like learning another language, or traveling, or teaching, or volunteering, or working with a special needs group. Or else it could be the task that brings you the most satisfaction either during the process or else upon the completion of it.

We have all been given at least one special talent, skill, or gift.

Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.   If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; it if is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Once you discover your particular gift, what then?   It should be used to serve others.

1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

We do have a purpose.   You have a purpose.   Each of us was endowed with some special ability by God’s design at the time we were knit together in our mother’s womb. Once we put our gift into use, we may not fully realize in this life the extent to which we have impacted another’s life, but we will find out in the next.   And that’s something else wonderful to look forward to.

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.   It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

What to do? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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And The Winner Is ....

1/4/2013

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We are now four days into 2013. How’s your New Year’s resolution coming along?   You know, the one where you vowed to start (and keep up with) an exercise program? If you are like most people, your ‘want to’ was bigger on New Year’s Eve than it was this morning. Instead of climbing out from beneath the warm nest of blankets it took all night to make so you could keep to your resolution, you rolled over, snuggled in deeper and then whispered a quick vow to yourself that you would make up for it … later.

Every workout routine – whether measured by distance, length of time, or reps – has a beginning, middle and end.  You feel proud, energized and focused once you begin your routine. Your whole body exudes confidence. You mentally pat yourself on the back for actually getting up a little earlier, donning your exercise clothes, lacing up your shoes and heading out the door.

As you approach the midway point to your goal, you realize that while you have made marvelous strides thus far, you still have the same distance/time/reps yet to perform. Your energy flags and your confidence falls a bit. Yet one word of encouragement - whether intentional or not – from a passerby or family member can breathe new life into your waning spirit, increase your energy level and cause you to focus once more on your finish line with renewed determination.   (If you raise your eyebrows in question of this, think of a time when you may have seen a marathon and then watched as a flailing runner (or walker) has
only made it across the finish line buoyed along solely by the cheers of the spectators.)

Something magical happens once the goal is at last in sight -- when that final series of reps is started; as the last minute of a
timed interval shrinks one second at a time while the clock counts it down; when the ribbon across the finish is visible just ahead and a-l-m-o-s-t within reach. You know then with complete confidence that you will make it. From somewhere inside of you, with muscles trembling, the last reserve of energy is pulled out of the depths and then expended in one burst to propel you across the line that marks the attainment of your goal. You’ve made it! Well done!

Life is very much like the performance of an exercise routine.
Indeed, in the Bible it is compared to the running of a race.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

In life, just as in a race, there comes a time when encouragement is needed to simply make it through day let alone to the end. God provides just such a thing for us both through Himself and through other people.

Psalm 10:17 “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”

Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.”

And all along this race of life, we have the assurance of a guide – a coach if you will – to lead us into what is the best way for us.

Isaiah 48:17 “This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:  “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.””

We have our Encouragement and we have our Guide. Combined, they will help us finish this race. And once across the ‘finish line’ at heaven’s gates may we be welcomed with open arms and these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  (Matthew 25:21)

1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Today, resolve to join the race that matters above all else this side of heaven. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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Absolutely Always

1/2/2013

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As the old year has ended and 2013 stretches fresh and sparkling new ahead, I spent some time reviewing the work that had been accomplished in 2012 and then imagined all of the work that has to be done in the New Year, much of it the same as in the previous year. I was bemoaning the tiredness I felt from constantly doing (ad infinitum) the daily ‘have-to’ tasks involved in the successful running of a frequently transient household.   Everyone needs a break from their job, yet homemakers rarely (if ever) get a true break from their labors because they live within their work environment every day of the livelong year. I was expecting to get some understanding (and perhaps some pity?) along with a little encouragement when my
husband piped up and quite plainly let me know that “there will always be work
that needs to be done.” I was not encouraged.

Do you know what absolute words are? These are words that have no exception. They signify 100% of something. It’s those ‘all or nothing’ words I’ve mentioned before.   Always is just such a word, as is never, all, and whoever. There are many more of them, but you get the picture.

As I thought about the always statement my husband made, I could not help but think also of the absolute words God has given us that are both an encouragement and an assurance to us as we walk through this life on earth.

Matthew 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Emphasis mine.]

Always. He (Jesus) is with us 100% of the time, right to the very end.

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” [Emphasis mine.]

Always. Jesus, again 100% of the time, acts as mediator (between us and God) as He pleads our case to the Father.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”   [Emphasis mine.]

Never. The Lord will go with you and will be with you 100% of the time. We do not have to live in fear of Him deserting us just when we face our biggest challenge or have desperate need.

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." [Emphasis mine.]

All. That’s 100%. While things may look grim, bleak or hopeless to us, there is not one need of ours that He cannot effectively cope with, frequently leaving us amazed and in awe over how He was able to accomplish it.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   [Emphasis mine.]

Whoever. That means anyone. There are no exceptions to this invitation. All of us (100%) have been given the choice to either accept eternal life, or decline it.  The only requirement to do so is to believe that God’s Son, Jesus, gave His life for you.

Each day of this New Year will be filled with many tasks, some exciting and some mundane. Through it all, we have the assurance that we are never alone to face anything that the future holds because He is always with us and is able to meet all of our needs from today right through to the very end of this life.   Absolutely!

The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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Crisis Point

11/13/2012

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Crisis.   According to one online definition, a crisis is “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.” If you are human – and I highly suspect that you are – and are at least in the teenage years or older, you have had a   minimum of one, if not several, already in your life.  Over the course of your lifetime you will likely experience several more.

Yet hope is not lost.  God, in His wisdom and great love for us, knew that this would be so as far back as the Garden of Eden when mankind had their first and greatest crisis.

At the time of creation, God made a lovely environment – a garden spot – and put the man He had formed in it.

Genesis 2:15 (Amp.) “And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.”

God also created a wife for Adam and together they lived in and took care of the garden and all of the things in it that God had created for them there.   Life was going well until Genesis chapter 3 when Satan spoke through a serpent that also lived in the garden. He (Satan) deceived Eve by implying that God was unfair because He was withholding something from them when He forbade them to eat the fruit of two trees in the garden. These trees were the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve believed Satan, ate of the fruit and then shared it with her husband.

Genesis 3:8 (NIV) “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of
the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?””

Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord as He was walking. The implication is that God walked so frequently in the garden that the sound of His tread was recognizable to them. This day though, instead of joining Him to talk over the days’ activities or simply walk with Him while He saw what work they had performed that day, they hid from Him because they were ashamed.

When they had eaten the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, several things happened at once:   They recognized that they were naked (i.e. exposed); in their disobedience to God, the first act of sin was committed which caused a chasm in their relationship with Him; the ruling of the Earth was immediately transferred from Man's authority into Satan’s hands; God cursed the serpent (i.e. Satan) and He cursed the ground; there would now be greatly increased childbearing pains for the woman; and man would have to eat by the sweat of his brow.  As if that were not enough, God, in His great compassion for them, had to exhibit tough love and banish them from the garden He had created for them so
that they would not also eat the fruit of the Tree of Life, which would cause them to forever live in their now-fallen state of separation from Him.

Talk about a crisis!  The knowledge Adam and Eve had gained through their acceptance of Satan’s deception cost them their home, their dominion over the earth, and eternity with their Creator.

All was not lost, however, as before God banished them, He clothed them in animal skins so they would not be exposed, and  He also gave them hope that, while this crisis would now be passed down to every member of humanity from this point forward, He had a plan.

Genesis 3:15 (Amp.) “And I [God] will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will
lie in wait and bruise His heel.”

God gave them assurance that a plan was already put into motion that would not only rescue them, but also us from this crisis state. This plan would come about through the Offspring of woman spoken of in the verse above and was in the form of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Because of Him [Christ], we no longer have to be separated from God through our inherited state of sin.  He is still our only Hope today to have a right relationship with our Creator.

Romans 7:27 “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day,
first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people.  He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (emphasis mine)

Do you find yourself facing a crisis today? You do not have to face it alone. Just as God called “Where are you?” to Adam and Eve, He’s calling also to you today.  He’s waiting for you to answer.

(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)

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The Penny

8/14/2012

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LIFE is busy. No matter what your household and/or familial duties consist of, if you are a thinking, walking, breathing human being, you are busy. It is this busyness that makes it challenging to see evidence of God in our everyday life. Yet He is there, waiting patiently for the time when we will let Him show us that He is indeed 'right where we are.'

Not long ago, I found a penny in our driveway. I smiled as I held that copper colored disc in my palm. It wasn't the monetary worth of this penny that made this unexpected find a treasure, but rather the reminder of the words stamped on the reverse side of the coin: IN GOD WE TRUST. For years now, each time I have found a penny - regardless of its downward- or upward-facing position - I pick it up and think of it quite literally as a penny from heaven. It's a gentle reminder that we can trust in GOD to take care of us; we can trust in GOD to meet all of our needs; we can trust in GOD to always be with us; and we can trust in GOD to have a home prepared for us with Him once we no longer walk this earth. We can trust in GOD. Period.

I taped this newly-found penny inside a card, filled the blank spaces with loving words of encouragement and mailed it off to a dear friend of mine and fellow sister in Christ whose husband recently had his 'home-going' quite unexpectedly. This new widow was deep in grief and had many questions about how to manage life without her beloved by her side. Above the taped penny, I wrote the explanation for it. It is a reminder to me of the verse in Philippians 4:19 (NIV), "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." IN GOD WE TRUST. And why wouldn't we trust in Him when He has promised to meet all of our needs?

When you are out and about today (or tomorrow) and find a penny, be encouraged with those stamped words on the reverse. And if someone else needs encouragement, send them the penny as a gentle reminder of Who we can look to for the hope we need for today.

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Dear Diary ...

What to do? What to do?

And The Winner Is ....

Absolutely Always

Crisis Point

The Penny

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