Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matt. 7:24-25 (NLT). Jesus encourages us that if we follow his words (in this passage he is coming to the end of his Sermon on the Mount), then no matter what happens we will not collapse, and our life will not end up worthless. This reminds us of Romans 8:35-39 which promises that nothing (death, persecution, powers, etc) can separate us from the love of God. Notice that Jesus recognizes that storms will come; we are not immune from troubles. Our “house” is not worldly status or possessions. Our “house” is our inner self, our heart, our Christlikeness. This house will be able to Continue Reading →

“Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” Matt. 7:7 (NIV). The encouragement here is that God will let us find him, his truths and his gifts. He does not want to keep them hidden. But they are hidden when we begin. That is why our responsibility is to seek and knock. Why does he ask us to seek and knock instead of just revealing everything to us without effort on our part? One reason is that there are many things we are not ready for. Before we proceed, we need to absorb and apply what we already know. Another reason God wants us to seek is that the process of seeking prepares us for receiving what we will find. As we seek we become focused, we put other things aside, and desire grows in our hearts. God uses the process to transform us. Continue Reading →

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Mt. 6:33 (NIV) “These things” are food, drink and clothing which Jesus mentions just before this verse. He is trying to teach us not to be anxious about these things. The cure is to seek first his kingdom above all else, as well as righteousness – which is right living approved by God. If our number one priority is living within God’s realm and rule then he promises to provide our most basic needs. Even better, in other places Jesus also teaches we will receive joy, peace and fruitfulness if we seek first his kingdom! It’s true that occasionally devout Christians suffer famine but I think this is the exception that proves the rule. (The New Testament authors rarely state exceptions and qualifications to their teachings all in one place; this Continue Reading →

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt. 5:9 NIV). God promises to bless those who choose to be a peacemaker in the world. Making peace, in other words, reconciliation is one of God’s primary missions. His original plan for people was that they would all join together in harmony and mutual edification. Sadly, our sphere of influence is full of people who do not pursue this peace. People hold grudges, say hurtful words, ignore people they don’t like and look for ways to get back at people. Thus, many people lack peace with God, with each other and with themselves. God’s followers are called to be aware of this discord and make a positive effort to bring reconciliation. This is not easy work. It requires talking with people who may not want to come to peace. They might argue and resist and even fight. To Continue Reading →

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”( Matt. 5:8, NIV). This verse gives us a tremendous gift: the opportunity to see God! This is one of the most popular verses in Christian history. Devout followers of Jesus who wanted to be close to God and “see” him in their lives made a serious effort to purify their lives. Purity of heart is a New Testament theme. The author of Hebrews instructed us to “work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14, NLT). Scripture also instructs us to build relationships with others who are pure in heart: “Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT). Jesus doesn’t give details about what it means to “see” God, but we know that it means that we will be very close Continue Reading →