Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“Having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs, having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7, NIV). When we believed God announced an important verdict: we are now adopted as children of God. We did not earn it; it was by his grace. This legal declaration means that we are also heirs of our Father, just as an adopted child on earth becomes a legal heir of their parents. One big difference is that our Father will never die and will never give up his “possessions”; rather, he gives his inheritance when we die, and he has infinite possessions to bequeath. And what do we inherit? Eternal life. That is, we inherit from him a participation in his joyful eternal life. We inherit his bliss, his love, his harmony, his freedom from corruption, his freedom to always choose good, his glory (1 Cor. 15:43), and his image (1Cor. Continue Reading →

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, ESV). Our present stance in this life is a stance of waiting for Jesus. When we look forward to something really good that we know for certain is coming, it fills us with energy to get through our days. It lifts our hearts to know that soon we are going to experience something very exciting. For example, when we know we are going to see a loved one we haven’t seen in a long time, we have joy in the anticipation of seeing them soon. So, waiting for something wonderful is not a bad thing; rather, it encourages us and keeps us focused on something good. Likewise, waiting for Jesus to appear with all his majesty and goodness on display strengthens us, knowing that our destiny is to live with Continue Reading →

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV). Jesus had just given a long talk to his disciples and encouraged them that they will have joy and be able to ask anything from the Father in Jesus’ name. Then he explained that he taught these things so that they may have peace. But these words in verse 33 are not just for the disciples; they are for all his followers. When we abide in him we may have peace even though outside, in the world, we have tribulation. This is a great description of life during the overlap of the former age and the kingdom of God. Since Jesus brought the kingdom when he came, his followers get to experience the kingdom inside themselves. Thus, in Continue Reading →

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” John 16:13, ESV). Jesus spoke these words to the twelve before he was crucified. When the Holy Spirit came he truly did guide the Apostles into all the truth, and we have this truth in their writings. And everyone who believes also has the Spirit of truth indwelling them. The Spirit guides us into truth. He takes the words of Scripture and teaches them to our hearts. Our responsibility is to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16) while we absorb Scripture so that we can be “rightly handling the word of truth” 2 Tim. 2:15 (ESV). But how do we walk in the Spirit, especially when we don’t feel him? We do so by making the choice to depend on the Spirit instead of just ourselves, and then to have faith that the Spirit guides us Continue Reading →

This post includes an excerpt from my new book “A Quest for the Ultimate.” After reading from Revelation 21 Pastor Jacob asks: “What does this tell us about the bride?” Ashley responds, “She’s glorious and glitters like a huge jewel. And she has 12 gates and there’s an angel at each gate. It’s hard to picture this. How can the believers be a city?” Jacob responds, “I agree. The city represents God’s people, but it is also the dwelling place of his people, so the symbolism is complicated. But for now, let’s think about the appearance of the bride. Have you noticed a theme yet?” Ashley answers, “Earlier in the chapter it said the bride was beautifully dressed. In these verses it says she has God’s glory and she’s like a jewel. Revelation keeps emphasizing the beauty of the bride.” DeShawn adds, “And yesterday Revelation 19 said the bride was Continue Reading →