Encouraging Words Devotional

No Sermon Needed

Bill wore a t-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and flip-flops--his wardrobe for literally his entire four years of college.  Admittedly, a bit strange, though very bright, Bill had become a Christian while attending college. 

God Works Through Your Obedience

In Bible days, each Jewish man 20 years and older was expected to contribute voluntarily a two-drachma tax every year for the upkeep of the temple in Jerusalem—that’s about a third of a dollar. 

When God Calls, Answer!

It's pretty common these days for people not to answer their phone calls until they know who is calling. But the person who refuses to return phone calls is just plain—well, rude.  It's as if the caller is not important enough to deserve a return call.

How To Make A Decision

Recently someone asked me, "How do you decide what ministry opportunities to accept and what ones you should say 'No' to?" The question is fair enough.  My husband and I receive many invitations to minister each year—more than we can fulfill. We have to make hard decisions whether to say "Yes, we'll be there," or "No, I'm sorry we won't be able to do that." Here are some principles that help us determine God's will and will perhaps help you in your priorities as well.

Where To Find Quiet For Your Soul

For a long time now I've been fascinated by a verse I found in Psalm 131. It's the second verse, where the psalmist writes, "…I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother…is my soul within me."

You Can Trust, No Matter What

"Why? Why did Dennis have to die?" The question screamed in Jean Galang's mind.  This 14-year old boy had all of life ahead of him. So many hopes, so many dreams. But now, in the church's summer camp, of all places, Dennis had drowned in the swimming pool. In a daze of disbelief and heartbreak, the camp was shut down and everyone went home.

Don’t Lose Heart

The disheveled man had been washed up on a small, uninhabited island—the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Every day he prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. And every day he scanned the horizon for help, but to no avail. Eventually he managed to build a little hut out of driftwood where he could store his few possessions and get some protection from the sun and rain. At least now he somewhere to call "home."

Here Is How God Works

People still talk about a sermon illustration my Dad used many years ago. As people walked into church that Sunday morning, they saw a small table sitting beside the pulpit. On it were some small food cartons, a bowl, a measuring cup and a large spoon.  What in the world was all of this doing in church?

Use What You Have

She lived in Joppa, a coastal town on the edge of the sparkling Mediterranean.  Day after day after breakfast she picked up her needle to create coats and garments that she had envisioned in her mind. The Bible tells us her name was Dorcas, and she "was always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36). Actually, we don't know if she made clothing for the poor or rather used the profits from selling her handiwork to help them. But we know from scripture she was called a "disciple."  And probably she was a widow, for when she died, the widows of the area came to mourn her death.

Go Just A Little Farther

For years my mother faithfully subscribed to the homemaker's Better Homes and Gardens magazine. I used to look forward to turning to the last page of each issue to read a column that Bill Vaughan wrote under the penname Burton Hillis.  His witty observations of everyday life touched a warm spot in the hearts of his readers.