Encouraging Words Devotional

Is There Power in Jesus' Name?

Greg Fisher, who for years was a missionary in Africa, tells that when he was growing up in the U.S., his dad was a street evangelist.  Yes, he preached openly on the streets to anyone who would listen.

Greg tells about going with his dad when he was only seven years old to a spot in Hollywood right in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre to hand out Christian leaflets while his dad preached to the crowds who lined up for the Sunday matinee at the theater.  One bystander began to yell at his dad—not an uncommon experience for street preachers. But what amazed Greg even at that young age was that the thing that set the man off was the mention of the name of Jesus.

How is Your Self-Image?

Image is so important to a woman. Her appearance and the impression she makes matter very much to her.

Women want to know what the “look” is for this season so they can have the “correct image.” Are skirts going to be short, medium, or long? What is the most important part of make-up this year—the lips or the eyes? Should I have the suntanned look or more natural? What’s in—casual and comfortable or tight-fitting styles?

The Influence of Kindness

Martin and Grecia Bernham were celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2001 when they were abruptly taken captive by the militant Abu Sayyaf. For 17 years Martin had been a missionary jungle pilot in the area, but for the next more than a year, the two were held as hostages under the most miserable of circumstances.  

Do You Act Like There's No God?

In her book To Fly Again, Gracia Burnham[1]quotes a devotional written by E. Stanley Jones, Methodist missionary to India. The devotional is entitled “Worry is Atheism.” Jones writes, 

A person who worries says, “I cannot trust God; I’ll take things into my own hands.” Result? Worry, frustration, incapacity to meet the dreaded thing when it does come. With God, you can meet it, overcome it, assimilate it into the purpose of your life. Alone, you fuss and fume and are frustrated.

How God Sees You

Bernard Kipsangut, a friend of mine in Kenya, is not only a pastor but also the chaplain of the Kitale Men’s Prison. He posted thoughts on his Facebook page that I found inspiring. I never was able to find the original author, so I will give credit to that famous writer, “Author Unknown.” Anyway, here it is--based on that Old Testament favorite, Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob.

When God Says "Wait"

My daughter had to appear in court on an important financial matter.  She had a whole army of friends and family praying for her that the issue would be settled that particular day once and for all. 

Getting the Peace You Need

“The God of peace” is a phrase found five times in the New Testament.  In the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches at Rome, Philippi, and Thessalonica--places where he ministered--he refers to God as the God of peace.  Then the writer of Hebrews ends his letter with this blessing: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will. . . .” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

What Does God Promise You?

Some verses in the Bible promise so much that you might be tempted to wonder if they’re really true. But having an all-powerful God backing them up means that He can make good on whatever He promises.  Take, for instance, the verse found in 2Corinthians 9:8 that tells us, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (NIV).

         Notice that in this one verse there are six inclusive words or phrases:

• Abundantly
• All things
• All times
• All that you need
• Abound, and
• Every good work.

What a verse! What a promise! What encouragement and assurance!

         Do you know the context of that verse--I mean, the verses that precede and follow it? Actually, the entire chapter is about giving. I hope that doesn’t make you uncomfortable, because the promise is that if you want to give to meet a certain need that someone has, God is able to make it possible for you to give. In other words, He will provide so you can give. Verse 11 promises that you “will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.”

         God does not extractmoney from us. Verse 7 says that God loves a cheerful giver. Verse 6 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

         I know that you may not be able to give to every cause that you’d like to help. And He never asks us to give what we don’t have.  But He does promise to give us enough to not only meet our own needs but to help meet the needs of others.  In Malachi 3:1, God says, “Try it! Put me to the test.”

How to Go On After Loss

My friend Chaplain Dick Johnson tells a story of world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman when a string on his violin broke in the middle of a concert. The snap was heard like a gunshot in the hall.  Dead silence followed. Yet, after a brief moment, Perlman nodded to the conductor to continue.  Chaplain Johnson notes,

            Perlman refocused and played with awesome passion, power and purity as     those in attendance had never heard before. He modulated, changed,             recomposed that piece of music in his head. . . . At the conclusion, there was    . . .massive applause in honor of his achievement. Perlman smiled, raised the         bow to quiet the audience, and said, “You know, sometimes it is the artist’s     task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.”[1]

Because a violin has four strings, losing one of those strings represented losing 25% of the music-making ability of that instrument.  In order to go on, almost every part of the music had to be changed. That’s like life, isn’t it. Sometimes you lose a key part of your life. Your health, a spouse, perhaps the ability to earn a living the way you have done it for years. You may feel you cannot go on. All the music is gone from your life.

            Yet, let’s focus on what’s left. How much music can you still make with what you have left? The prophet Habakkuk wrote,

            “Though the fig tree should not blossom,

            nor fruit be on the vines. . . ,

            and the fields yield no food. . . ,

            yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

            I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)

If Habakkuk could do it, so can we!

 

[1]Richard Johnson, Shield of Faith, “Making Music,” email posted 4-26-18, accessed 4-29-18.

 

What is Intimacy with God?

Ann Voskamp tells of losing the diamond from her wedding ring. It was just a 2mm diamond but the only precious stone she’d ever known.

 

Ann points out that “if you multiply the volume of a 2 mm diamond by the number of weeks in a lifetime--say, 90 years, it adds up to just under one tablespoon.”[1]That means if you live to be 90 years old, all the weeks of your life add up to a spoonful of diamonds. Just one spoonful.

 

While losing the diamond from your wedding ring is very sad, it doesn’t compare with losing part of your life.  Diamonds can be replaced.  But you cannot. 

 

Do you understand how much God values you? He has put you on this earth for a reason--primarily because He wants to have fellowship with you every single day.  You bring glory to Him by your relationship with Him, for God’s primary goal for you is intimacy with Himself.

 

You can have this heart-relationship at any point in your day--while working at your job, caring for your child, or deciding what you’re going to have for dinner tonight.  You can find that intimacy with God when you’re heart is broken by your husband’s infidelity or the funeral of your dearest friend or receiving the doctor’s report that your condition is life-threatening. God is there, waiting to talk with you and to hold you in His arms.  He says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28).

 

Your life is precious to God. He is waiting for you to pour out your heart to Him. Lean on Him for all that you need. Experience His presence each step of your day. Every day is more precious than diamonds. 

 

[1]“How to Mine Your 2015 For Unexpected Diamonds,” by Ann Voskamp, from A Holy Experiencefor January 6, 2015.