Words of Encouragement

How vast are the areas of the mountains?  The are far greater than my little mind can understand.  God took the time to fashion the mountains with their slendor and beauty.  If he took such time with the mountains, how much more does he take with his people?  God extends to us his mercy so that we can make it.  Shouldn't we be willing to extend the mercy of God to someone else so they too can see a glimpse of the vastness of God's beauty? (picture taken at a rest stop in PA)

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. - Psalm 28:6

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

God's Way. He Gives Mercy So That We Can Show Mercy. It is so wonderful to know that I can cry out to God to forgive me for any thing that I have done that has not been pleasing to him.  I can cry out for him to show mercy to me not because I deserve it, but because of his love he freely gives it.  See, you and I do not deserve mercy (that's why its called mery).  We can never do enough, be good enough or try hard enough to deserve his mercy.

God gives mercy to whom he chooses.  What then is our requirement when we have received from God mercy?  We are to become lovers of mercy.  Not just for ourselves.  We are to become lovers of being merciful.  We forgive when the individual hasn't even asked.  We extend a hand when others would not.  We go the extra mile when some want even take the first step.

Lord, today we seek you to help us be better lovers of mercy.  You have given to us your mercy over and over again.  For they are new every morning. So Lord help us to be more like you and be willing to extend mercies new every morning to someone because you have extended it to us.

Words of Encouragement

We were on our journey to take Joselyn to school.  As we looked at the mountains we were amazed at God's beauty.  What if God had not given us this beauty to inspire us and encourage us?  It is the same with our gifts.  God gives them to us so that he can inspire and encourage someone through us.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." -  Ephesians 4:7-8

So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. -1 Corinthians 14:12

God's Way. God Gives Gifts to be used to Bless Others. I have a question.  What good is it to be able to sing with such passion and conviction, but no one knows it?  What good is it to be able to pray and heaven seems to open up, but you won't do it?  That would seem quite foolish to you.  You would say, if you have a gift use it so that it can bless someone else.

However, do you know many of us do that, sit on our gifts?  We let fear or what someone might think about us stand in the way of us using our gifts to the fulliest.  Did you know they are not really "your" gifts.  Whatever gifts that God has planted in you are "someone elses" gifts.  God would not give you a gift of discernment and allow you to see dangers up ahead for you to simply brag about what you knew after the danger has come and set it.  He would give you the gift so that you can warn the people of God of the dangers.

Now if someone does not accept the gift, that is between them and God, but it is still your responsiblity to share the gifts you have been give.  If you can pray, pray.  If the gifts of healing, heal.  Whatever the gift allow it to do what it was given for, the build up the body.

Today, my prayer is Lord help us to be extreme about the gifts you have given us.  Help us to us what you have given us to bless the body.  When we all begin to function as we should with our gifts, the body will be stronger, and more able to withstand the defeats we face.  So help us to build each other up with the gifts places within the body.

Words of Encouragement

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.  To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. - Psalm 18:24-26

God's Way. He Calls Us Faithful, so that We Will be Faithful. As I read this scripture I found something quite interesting.  The writer says, God has rewarded me according to my righteousness.  Doesn't that sound strange?  What righteousness did the psalmist have?  Better yet, what righteousness can we claim?

What is important for us to understand is the psalmist is not claiming his "own" righteousness but what has been imparted to him by God.  When we belong to God we have been given his righteousness and because of it, he calls us faithful.  That is because he now views us through his son and not through our sins.

God changed what we look like so therefore he expects us to start looking the way he wants.  Another way to say that is, if he gave us his faithfulness, shouldn't we be able to exhibit that which we have?  If I am righteous, I should live, act, and be as he has changed me to be.

God shows himself to us according to how we present ourselves.  How foolish it is to have been changed to one that is faithful, blameless and pure and then present yourself as one that is unworthy because then you will see the shrewd side of God.  The question then is, how do you present yourself unworthy?  When God has given you the opportunity to be changed and you refuse to accept it or to turn away from what he has given you, then you no longer appear as one that is worthy.

Today I pray for us to walk in that which God has given us.  He has given us his righteousness, his faithfulness and his purity so that we can stand as one that is righteous, faithful and pure.  Help us to do things your way.

Words of Encouragement

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. - Isaiah 66:13

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

God's Way. God Comforts Me to Comfort Others. It is important for us to understand how important the will of God is.  We often seek God to bless us with the things we stand in need of.  There is nothing wrong with that, however we sometimes get stuck in that place. 

We forget sometimes that God blesses us so that we can turn around and be a blessing to someone else.  God gives us comfort from the things that trouble us.  Like a mother, he will catch us up and help us to feel safe and loved.  Do you remember what it felt like when you fell and hurt yourself and ran seeking your mother?  You wanted her to acknowledge your hurt and to kiss it and make it better.  There was something magical in that kiss.  It made the hurt go away.  It was because the kiss was just the evidence of love.

God gives us that same love. He will catch us up when we have fallen or when we have faced some of lifes difficulties.  We reach out to him to acknowledge our hurts and for his love to make things better. God does this for us, but there is another purpose for it. God gives us the comfort so that when we see someone else in the same place we have been, that we will offer to them that which will comfort them.

What is that comfort?  It is two fold.  Our lives can be an encouragement to those that are facing the same or similar things that we face.  Then we can also direct those that we encounter to the one that gives comfort to the weary and the hurting, God.

Today, my prayer is that God would comfort you in whatever trouble you face.  When he does, may you remember to comfort others with the same comfort you have been given.

Words of Encouragement

Love is what motivates a father to love a child or a grandchild.  Love is what motivates a mother to care for a child. If we being human, how much more does the love of God care for us?  How much more is the Heavenly Father willing to give for his children?

"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. - John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. - 1 John 3:16

God's Way. We will Reflect Love. Last week we talked about God's way and I felt compelled to continue this week with the same lesson. People are often heard talking about themselves and their great ability to love.  However, I would like to interject here that we really have no idea about the depth of love until we understand something about God's love.

God loved us so much that he gave his son for us. Not when we were cleaned up and receptive, but when we were filthy and unappreciative of the gift he was giving.  His love did not depend on us.  His love did not change because of our foolishness or lack or ability to show love in return.  As humans we love those that love us, but given time those that treat us bad we can release that love for them.

Something changes however when you accept the love of God through Christ.  What changes is your ability to love because of your relationship with God.  Where you once would only love the lovely, you learn to love the unlovable.  This is because you were loved when you were still unlovable.

God's love as it grows within us changes us so that we can now lay down our own lives (our ideas, our agendas, our ways and our rights) so that someone else may live.  We can do it even if they do not return our love.  We can do it because we are no longer motivated by what we receive in return, but by what we have already gotten from God.

Today, Lord I pray that you would help us to show more of your love to others.  Help us to obey you by how we love even those that do not love us in return.

Words of Encouragement

If Jesus went to the cross for you and I, how much more will he care for us that we succeed in this walk?  God cares enough to keep us from falling.

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. - Psalm 9:9-11

God's Way. God's Way Requires Trust in Him. One of the most difficult things for believers to do is trust in unseen things.  We hear the scripture read often about how we do not walk by sight, but by faith.  Well it sounds all good, but in our secret places we sometimes struggle with this one.

How easy is it to trust that God will heal when the report you have is that you will not get better?  How easy is it to trust that the impossible will be made impossible?  How easy is it to trust that God will heal a marriage or save a child when everything before your face speaks differently?  I don't come to condemn you because I too will admit it is difficult at times to trust what I do not see.

Yet, I remind myself, Lord to say that I love you requires me to obey you.  One of the things you require of me is to trust you to be faithful to your children. I can rejoice like the psalmist when I think about the fact that God has never forsaken me.  Whatever I needed, he took care of.  When I did not see how a situation in my life would be changed, he changed it far beyond my imagination.  When I was sick and no one could figure out why, God healed me and I never experienced that illness again.

When I have been in trouble and the enemy seemed to be ready to destroy me, God stepped in and rescued me.  Today I simply come to encourage someone that no matter what your situation looks like, God works in the impossible.  God shows up in the incredible.  He makes the unbelievable, believable.  He makes the unseen, seen.  God is one that we can trust in. He will never let his children down.

So today, I pray Lord help us to take refuge in you.  Help us to know without any doubt or fear that you are the one that will care for us and you will change our situations.  Today Lord I ask from my humble heart, that today you would manifest yourself in someone's life in a way that reassures them that you are present and you will never leave them alone.  This I pray, amen.

Words of Encouragement

Jesus is God's truth.  He came into this world so that you and I would not be put to shame for our inability to know what the will of the Father is.  Jesus came to be the truth that protects us from the shame of our sins. 

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. - Psalm 119:29-31

God's Way. Your Truth keeps me Safe. Have you ever thought about what trust in God does for your life?  I mean how it really protects you?  As a believer we sometimes cannot understand how we can be obedient to God, yet seem to be standing all alone.  How can I be obedient to God and still find myself alone?

The word does not promise us that everyone will understand us or why we do what we must.  But it does promise us that when we are willing to keep the truth of God, it will keep us from the danger of believing things that are not true.  The word becomes a guard for our hearts.  The light of truth will dispel the darkness of lies and help us to make right choices.

When we make those right choices in God, he promises us that we will not be ashamed.  We will never be ashamed of choosing God's way.  Yes, we may suffer sometimes for doing what is right simply because others do not always understand or sometimes simply because the enemy of our soul wants to destroy us for doing what is right.  But even in our suffering, if we are willing to suffer for what is right, we are able to stand.

God's way is not always the easiest way because it calls for us to yield what we want to do.  However, one thing I do promise it is always the most rewarding.  To know within yourself that you are obedient to God's will is the greatest thing you can every experience.  To have God's Spirit speak to you and say, "I have tested your heart and I have found you faithful", is a great reward.

I pray for us today, that we follow God's way so that his truth can keep us from shame.  God help us to allow your truth to guide us daily so that we can live this life your way.

Words of Encouragement

Are you ready to talk to others about God's goodness? Are you ready to give an account of what you believe and why? We do not judge others, yet we are required to share the Gospel of Christ with a dying world.





To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. - Titus 1:15-16





Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. - Matthew 10:32-34 (King James Version)



God's Way. He Requires My Total Commitment. Yesterday my family and I were looking at some things on you tube. We came across a very popular preacher where he spoke about the Gospel on Larry King Live a few years ago.



Larry King asked this preacher if he believed that individuals that didn't believe in Christ were going to hell, he would not give him a straight answer. He said it wasn't his responsibility to decide who was going to hell or not and that only God could judge the heart. He also said when he went to India with his father how the people loved "god" and how could he judge if they were going to hell or not.



Larry King again asked him so if you are Muslim or some other religion then you are not going to hell if you do not believe in Jesus Christ. Again he would not answer the question. He said, I believe in Christ and in "my way" but I cannot judge.



While some individuals posted to this recording and said they did not see anything wrong we must be careful how we view such things. He never acknowledge Christ as the way. He spoke as if he was simply one of the ways and that all ways lead to God as long as you have a sincere heart.



God's word speaks clearly to how God views us when we deny his Son and his word. God says if your actions (that means you speech as well) are not pure by his standard you are disobedient and good for nothing.



Jesus speaks himself about how we should view him. He tells us if we refuse to confess him (acknowledge or admit he is true) before men so will he refuse to confess us before his Father (acknowledge us as his and admit we are true believers).



Many are uncomfortable about saying Jesus is the only way to the Father because they feel it will be viewed as judgmental and not received well. That may be true, but do not try to make the message of truth "softer" so that someone will accept it. Give the truth as it is. Allow God to convict the heart. If the refuse to accept the truth, that is between them and God. You do not have to beat someone up, you simply give the truth in love and let God do the rest.



While it is true that we do not go around pointing a finger at individuals saying you're going to hell or you are not. We are called to proclaim the truth of God's word and to be ready to give an account of what we believe and why. This preacher did not do that. That is the sad thing about it. He was in a position to show the message of truth as one of blessings but he refused to acknowledge that Jesus is the only way. So many that follow him may believe that all ways are good as long as you have a sincere heart.



A sincere heart can still lead you to hell if you are going in a direction contrary to God's. So today I pray for us that we be willing to make a total commitment to God, his way. Let us be ready with boldness and with love to tell the world about Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the Light and no one (I didn't say it, the word of God did), no one comes to the Father accept through him.

Words of Encouragement

One year at Williams' Camp we made mask for the children. As I looked at this picture I thought about the "unmasking". We can think we know who is behind each of these mask but until we remove them, we will not know for sure. That is how it is with our understanding of the things of God. We think we might understand what something is saying, but until God unmask the truth of what is hidden from our natural understanding, we simply are guessing at what something means. Lord "unmask" for us the truth of your word.





"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. - Proverbs 30:5-6





God's Way. Can I Trust God's Word? I have heard it said before, the word of God is flawed. The reason many believe that is because it is hard in our own understanding to accept that the Bible was written by men and still flawless. Some will say, it is flawed, but it is still "just another good book".





The amazing thing is while the book was written by men over many, many years it was still the word of God as he instructed each to write. The writer of this Proverb states his assurance in that fact. He states that the word of God is flawless and he warns do not add to it or God will rebuke you for changing the meaning of his word. He also confirms that ones belief in the word of God as flawless receives God's protection and assurance.





When we want to ignore God's word or discount it the Bible speaks to what happens to mankind when they do this. (Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says: "Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes. - Jeremiah 5:14). God's word is able to convict a heart by his word or he is able to judge an unrepentant heart because of his or her refusal of his word. ("Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? - Jeremiah 23:29).





If we accept the truth of God's word, it is what will lead us to God's plan of salvation. (I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. - Romans 1:16)





(For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart - Hebrews 4:12) God's word is different from just another good book, it is timeless and it never loses it power. The Bible is the written word of God as he has given to mankind. His word convicts, judges and changes the heart. His word is given to lead people to Jesus, which is the gift of salvation.





Can you trust God's word, yes is the answer. Do not allow the vain babbling of this world to confuse you and make you believe God's word is not true. Read it and ask him to help you gain understanding of it.





I pray for us today. Lord we cannot understand the word of God in our own understanding because it is understood by your Spirit. Help us this day to gain a clearer understanding of your word and your ways. Help us to stand strong against the tricks of the enemy that comes to change your word and confuse us and trick us up in vain ways. Help us to gain a firm grasp on the truth of your word and to live in it.

Words of Encouragement

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6



God's Way. How do I understand God? This scripture played in my head over and over again early Sunday morning. I would drift off to sleep and then wake up to this scripture again playing in my mind.



Lord what is it you want me to understand and see, was my thoughts? There were several people he placed on my heart to pray for. As I thought about this scripture again today, I thought about the fact that we must be careful if we are to understand God's ways.



This scripture gives us one of the important steps me must take to understand the things of God. We cannot depend on ourselves. This means I cannot depend on my intelligence, or my ideas or even my thoughts alone. Yes it is good to have a good mind and to think, because I know I am always thinking about things. Yet I am very careful not to allow my own thoughts to take me in directions that are contrary to God's word.



Every thought and idea I have, I ask God to show me if this is in line with what his way is. This is done in two parts, through prayer and the reading of God's word. When I do that, this scripture confirms for me that God will help me to understand his ways.



He will make my path straight. This means when I have an idea or thought if I acknowledge God through trusting his word and his Spirit he will make my path lead straight to him. He will keep me from going in areas that would confuse me and lead me to destruction or cause me to invent my own theology. When this has happened in men and women before, out of it came many of the cults we see today. People were not willing to discern God's word his way. Because their human understanding could not grasp God's way, they hardened their hearts and God allowed them to continue to believed things their own way. ( They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. - 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)



So you and I cannot depend on our own understanding because our thoughts are not the same as God's. ("For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9).



So while you and I may want to believe we have the intelligence and the capacity to understand the things of God, we cannot do it alone in our own understand nor can we understand it without the Spirit of God's help. (The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. - 1 Corinthians 2:14).



Today I pray for us that we seek God's ways, by his standard. May our hearts be softened to hear the things of God and to accept his ways, even when we may not fully understand them yet. God give us the ability to discern your truth your way. Help us not to puff ourselves up and depend on our own way of thinking, but to come to you and ask you, what does your word require of me. This I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN.