Day 19/365 – A Year of Encouragement. The Obstacle in Your Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand…..Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve your condition. What obstacle is in your path today? I know some of you are battling financial and job stress, disease, grief, lonliness, and heartache. Today your obstacles may seem insurrmountable but there is promise for tomorrow. As you deal with the huge boulder in your way, know that God has a reward for you. It may be during this life or in the life to come, but there is a reward! Keep striving to move that boulder! Be encouraged today friends for the Lord is near!

Day 18/365 – A Year of Encouragement……Saved to Serve!

I didn’t write this post and if I did know, I would give them proper recognition.  I found this post on my computer and thought it might bless you.

Serving God can be habit-forming…and it’s a habit that all Christians should acquire.  Yet serving God isn’t always our first priority.  We live in a world that glorifies power, prestige, fame, and money.  Yet the words of Jesus teach us that the most esteemed men and women are not the widely acclaimed leaders of society; the most esteemed among us are the humble servants of society.

When we experience success, it’s easy to puff out our chests and proclaim, “I did that!”  But it’s wrong to do that.  Whatever “it” is, God did it and He deserves all the credit.  As Christians, we have been remade and saved by Jesus Christ, and that salvation came not because of our own good works but because of God’s grace.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, was correct when he said, “It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others.”  In other words, reality breeds humility.

Are you willing to become a humble servant for Christ?  Are you willing to pitch in and make this world a better place, or are you determined to keep all your blessings to yourself?  The answer to all these questions will determine the quantity and the quality of the service you render to God – and to His children.

Today, you may feel the temptation to take more than you give.  You may be tempted to withhold your generosity.  Or you may be tempted to build yourself up in the eyes of your friends.  Resist these temptations.  Instead serve your friends quietly without fanfare.  Find a need and fill it; find a hurt and heal it…humbly.  Lend a helping hand; anonymously.  Share a word of kindness with quiet sincerity.  As you go about your activities today, remember that the Savior of all humanity make Himself a servant, and you, as His followers, must do no less.  Be encouraged today friends for the Lord is near!

Day 17/365 – A Year of Encouragement….You Have the Power!

In your spirit, you know God is calling you to a ministry or mission you don’t think you are equipped to do.  I agree, in your own strength, you probably don’t have the knowledge or skill to achieve all that God has called you to do.  However, in Him you have all the power, strength, skill and knowledge to accomplish all that God has called you to do.  You see, God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips those He calls! 

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NAS).  Ok, let’s be honest with each other.  You really can’t do all things, can you?  You can’t raise the dead, you can’t lift a car, and some of you can’t even open a pickle jar!  But you can do all the things God has called you to do when you work in His power zone.

God has called you to a task, a ministry or a mission.  He didn’t call someone else, He called you!  Sure, maybe you think someone else could be more effective but He called you.  Someone else is more talented and can speak better, but He called you!  Someone is smarter than you, they can speak multiple languages and can read Greek and Hebrew, but He called you!

Learn this….When you work in God’s power zone, He overcomes all your weaknesses.  “My strength comes into its own in your weakness…” 2Cor. 12:9 (MSG).  When you are in God’s Power Zone, His strength flows into your weakness.

Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

Day 16/365 – A Year of Encouragement. “Rekindle!”

I heard a sermon recently from Pastor Joe Laughlin about the word “Rekindle.”    Pastor Joe reminded us that no fire will burn forever on its own. Eventually the fuel source is consumed and fire goes out.  If you want the fire to stay lit, you must “Rekindle!”   Rekindle means to excite, to stir up, or rouse anew.  Also, it means to cause to begin burning again; or ignite again.  What is it in your life that once burned hot but now has grown cold and needs to be rekindled?  Has the love and passion for your spouse grown cold?  The fire is probably still there but it must be rekindled!  Think how blessed, and surprised, your spouse would be if you did something concrete to rekindle the fires of passion in your marriage!  Find your spouse’s love language and learn speak that language!  I guarantee the return will be amazing!!

Has your love for Jesus and His church grown cold?  Remember the days when worshiping with His church was a highlight of your week?  Some of you have special gifts you once used in the church.  Perhaps you have a special gift of music but yet you haven’t used your gift in the church for many years.  Some of you have the gift of teaching or serving, yet you are not teaching or serving in His church.  Both you and the church are missing a great blessing if you are not using your God-given gifts. A word of advice… If you are in a church that won’t let you use your gifts, there is a church up the street that will!  Don’t stay in a church that won’t give you an opportunity to use your gifts.  My friends, it’s time to “Rekindle!”  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

Day 14/365 – A Year of Encouragement: Sabbath Rest

“…There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest ….” (Hebrews 4:8b-11 NIV) .The devotion writer Jon Walker posted this several years ago and it made a profound difference in my life.  I pray it has the same effect on you.

Most of us think of the Sabbath as a day of rest, originating from the day of rest God took after he created the universe, as recorded in Genesis. And that view is correct; that is the basis for us taking a Sabbath, a day of rest, within our own week.  Yet there is a larger sense of God’s Sabbath: an invitation to rest in God’s healing grace, trusting in his power and his purpose for your life. We rest in our Father’s arms, knowing he goes before and he goes behind, knowing that his plans for us are good and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).   We enter this “let go and let God” rest through faith, where we cease to work and live independent of God (“… anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work …”). Instead, we’re to focus our efforts toward entering this Sabbath-trust in God, a restful certainty that God’s got a handle on it all, and that he’s got our best interests in mind.  If I recall correctly, Ian Thomas illustrates this point by telling the story of a man walking down a dusty rural road on a hot, humid day. The man is loaded down with a heavy backpack and carries a duffle bag in each hand. A pick-up truck comes along, and the driver offers the walking man a ride, telling him to hop in the back. The driver heads down the road, but when he looks in the rear-view mirror he sees that his new passenger is standing in the bed of the truck – still holding both duffle bags, still wearing the over-packed backpack on his back.

The thing is: We stand in the truck of faith, still carrying our burdens, thinking they are independent of the ride we’re taking. Perhaps we think God can carry us, but not our burdens, that we have to keep bearing them ourselves.

What now?

· Rest in God – Rest in God’s power and grace, and work toward confidence (faith) that he is looking out for your best interests. “I believe; Lord, help my unbelief.”

· Rest requires dependence – If you’re working independently of God, then you’re not at rest in God. Possible signs that you’re working independently: worry, a need to control, a crammed-full schedule.

· Our Father’s heart encourages rest – Next time you feel overwhelmed by life, settle in a chair and “be still and know that he is God.” Give him your burdens – your backpack and your duffels.

Be encouraged today friends for the Lord is near!

Day 9/365 – A Year of Encouragement

What’s your story?  Yes friend, we all have a story to tell.  One of the saddest things I experienced in the ministry is sitting with a widow or widower to talk with them about their spouse and they couldn’t tell me how or when their departed spouse came to faith in Christ.  Don’t let another day pass without you telling your spouse and children your story!  Remember, you are not guaranteed tomorrow so you best make good use of today!  You have so much history to share with your spouse and kids….they need to know where you came from, how you grew up and what life was like when you were a child.   Your kids need to know the story how you and your spouse met and fell in love. They need your story!  Proverbs 10:31 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.”  As you share your life and faith story with your family you will extend wisdom to them.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

Day 8/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Yesterday is gone and there is no guarantee of tomorrow; all we have is today.  How much time do you waste regretting the missed opportunities of yesterday or thinking about the future?  Friend, you are not guaranteed a tomorrow; all you have is today!   Sure there may be an opportunity to make up for yesterday’s mess up or future opportunities for making money and doing business but I’m talking about the missed opportunities of touching someone’s life.  Think about all those times when you should have called a friend or family member and didn’t do it; you missed the blessing!  It’s those missed opportunities to make that call that we’ll never get back.  I learned a long time ago when those thoughts come into my mind to make that visit or call, to write a note of encouragement or send that special email or text message that the Holy Spirit was speaking to my spirit to get up and move!  You see, God knows when someone needs a special touch from you and He gives you the opportunity to exercise your faith and be obedient!  It’s a powerful thing when you contact someone and say “I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”  We must take advantage of every one of those opportunities.  My challenge to you today is to listen for the Holy Spirit because He will speak into your spirit when He wants you to reach out and make that contact.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

Day 6/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Some of you reading this are stuck in a rut.  These ruts can be significant challenges; here are a few.  The physical rut – “I can’t seem to lose this weight.”  “I sleep too much, and drink too much.”  “Every time I start an exercise program, something gets in the way and I quit.”  The emotional rut – “I can’t seem to get over my divorce.”  “I have a hard time getting close to someone.”  “Someone hurt me and I can’t forgive them.”  The vocational rut – “I can’t find a job!”   “I’ve been working at the same job for years and I’m stuck.”  “I can’t decide what to do after I graduate from college.”  The spiritual rut – “My prayers aren’t getting answered.”  “I’m in the middle of a spiritual desert.”  “I’m not sure what I believe anymore.”  The financial rut – “I’m getting deeper and deeper into debt.  My financial life is a mess.”  The relational – “My marriage is hurting.”  “My kids are a mess.”  “My sister won’t talk to me.”

It’s usually hard to get out of a rut all by yourself.  Ruts cause discouragement, fear and paralysis. You may be in a rut so deep that you are ready to give up and quit.  Let me give you a push, a foothold, a fresh idea. Let me come alongside and give you some help.  First thing, do not give up….don’t quit!  There are better times ahead.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)

Listen close to Pastor Rick Warren as he gives some great advice in times of discouragement.  If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.  You may be going through difficult times right now and feel like dropping off the planet. You’re discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.   It may seem unbearable and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore.  I just can’t take it anymore!” But you can.  You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit.   Don’t quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before you.

Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

Day 3/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Have you ever been at the point of giving up?  I have and I bet most of you have been there too.  What is it that gets us through those difficult times?  For me, it has been those dear saints who made it a point to be an encourager to me.  Many of them have moved away, and some have passed away.  This has caused me some sadness because I’m wondering, who will fill their shoes?  Then it hit me; maybe I’m the one who needs to be the encourager.  God puts us in situations where we need the greatest work.  If we need to learn patience, He puts us in situations where we tend to be impatient.  If we need to learn to love, He puts people in our lives that are hard to love.  Get the picture?  We all need to be encouraged, so maybe we should become the encourager.

Years ago, the great UCLA basketball coach, Pepper Rogers was having a bad season.  He was getting lots of criticism from the press, the alumni and even his wife, who was one of UCLA’s biggest fans!  Reflecting back on that time, Pepper said, “My dog was my only friend.  I told my wife that every man needs at least two friends in his life.  She bought me another dog!”  Coach Rogers needed a healthy dose of encouragement, not another dog!

Thirty-five times in the New Testament we see a recurring word pattern; an action verb followed by the phrase “one another.”  For instance, we are told to: prefer, accept, greet, encourage, forgive, comfort, wait for, and honor…one another.  Learn how to do these key verbs and you’ll learn how to relate to others in a loving, Christ-like way. 

The most frequently mentioned “one another” in the Bible is to “Encourage one another.”  Perhaps it is the most mentioned because it is the most needed!  Hebrews 3:13 says we are to “encourage one another DAILY!” 

Job vs. Ministry

Some people have a job in the church.
Others involve themselves in ministry.

What’s the difference?

If you do it just because no one else will…it’s a job!
If you do it to serve God…it’s a ministry!

If you quit because someone criticized you…it’s a job!
If you kept on serving in spite of criticism…it’s a ministry!

If you’ll do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other things…it’s a job!
If you’re committed to staying with it, even when it means letting other things go…it’s a ministry!

If you quit because no one ever praised or thanked you…it’s a job!
If you stay even though no one notices your efforts…it’s a ministry!

If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done…it’s a job!
If you do it because you sensed God saying it needs to be done…it’s a ministry!

It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry!

An average church is filled with people doing jobs!
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in ministry!

Be encouraged today friends,

Randy