Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first. ” (Mark 10:31, NIV) This is one of the most encouraging promises Jesus ever made. He makes it clear that achievement in this life is not a requirement for everlasting happiness and honor. Since the first shall be last, many who accomplish great things in this life and receive honor from the world will find themselves in last place in the next life. Since the last shall be first, many who are last in this life will have the greatest honor and privilege in the next life. This verse comes after Jesus’ teaching that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, and all who make sacrifices to follow Jesus will be richly rewarded. Thus, regardless of our occupation, social status, economic class or general lack of honor, if we follow Jesus devoutly, we Continue Reading →

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matt. 25:23 (NIV). This is a tremendously encouraging promise because God is promising to reward all our efforts at following and loving him by letting us share in God’s happiness as well as share in his management of the universe. We will participate in the goodness of God and taste God himself. We will share in his radiant glory; we will be glorified in Christ (Rom. 8:17). This is a fulfillment of the kingdom of God, which God wants to give to his people. We only have part of the kingdom now, but then we will experience the whole kingdom of God. All our sacrifices, all our holiness, all our faithfulness will be more than rewarded by the greatest bliss possible. Continue Reading →

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” Matt. 19:29 (ESV). Jesus encourages us that God will reward us for sacrifices for Jesus. In the 1st century the extended family was all-important because it was your support network. Most people could not count on anyone else. Some people are in the same position today, though it is easier for many to leave their network of relatives if they wish. But the point of Jesus’ teaching is that making sacrifices for Jesus produces exponential blessings. When we follow Jesus we will have to leave behind the benefit of certain people and things in our life. It may be that friends or relatives reject us or that we will have less connection with them because our values are different. The Continue Reading →

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Matt. 9:35 (NIV) This passage reminds us that Jesus brought the good news that the kingdom of God had come to earth and was now available to all people. Finally, 2,000 years after Abraham, God’s realm of reunion, peace and love had come to earth. What could be better news than this for planet Earth? And just in case anyone doubted whether Jesus really brought the kingdom he demonstrated the kingdom with power by healing diseases and sicknesses. This is the good news that we believe in and now taste. Since we are in the kingdom this same power is available to us now! Most importantly, the good news means God gives us the power to be like Christ, to have God’s image restored in Continue Reading →