Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) Followers of Jesus are naturally compassionate to the needy, which includes members of our own congregation. Yet, we can neglect this practice, so this verse reminds us that God is especially concerned about the poor. Helping the needy is helping the Lord; when you help the needy you are actually giving something to the Lord! Consider how excited you would be if Jesus were with you and asked for a meal. You would be thrilled to provide it for him because you honor him above all people. Supplying his needs would be a tremendous joy and privilege. Likewise, when you help a needy person, you can be excited about the fact that you are “lending” to the Lord! This passage reminds us of the parable of the sheep Continue Reading →

Before a downfall the heart is haughty,but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 (NIV) God’s arrangement for humans sets us free from self-exaltation; we do not need to pursue it. As a society declines, citizens embrace more and more self-promotion. In American culture, it has become more and more common for people to promote themselves in many boastful ways. Athletes, musicians, social media influencers, politicians, self-help authors and many others exalt themselves and their self-fulfillment without any consideration for God or anyone who does not agree with them. Even some popular ministers expand their ministry by telling their people everything they want to hear about God making them successful and prosperous. But this verse, and many others, make it clear that God values humility more than arrogance. God is one who lifts us up, ” Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10, NIV). God Continue Reading →

Those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20 (NLT) We all want joy, in other words, happiness. The American Declaration of Independence asserts that all people have a right to pursue happiness. We make our decisions based on expected happiness outcomes. Most of the bad decisions people make are based on the hope that it will bring them some kind of happiness or at least help them avoid unhappiness. They make short-term decisions, like taking Methamphetamine, because they want some happiness, and they discount the long-term harm. But where can we find deep, lasting joy? It can only be experienced if the deepest part of ourselves connects to something big enough and good enough that it satisfies our deepest self. And happiness can only be found in relationships; humans have never been fully satisfied without close friendships. So, the only way we can find and grow in joy Continue Reading →

The Lord works out everything to its proper end —even the wicked for a day of disaster. Proverbs 16:4 (NIV) God will bring everything to a just and good conclusion. He will establish fairness and reward you with blessings for your faithfulness. Since you have pursued him and his goodness God will bring you to your proper end – eternity with him and his goodness. You will live in a perfect community with all the others who pursued God. That is the proper end of all who follow God in Christ. Everything you do matters to God; he will work all things together for good. But this means that those who pursue destructiveness or turn away from God will also be brought to their proper end. Someone who never surrenders their life to God in Christ, but exalts themselves to be god of their own life should not come to Continue Reading →

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8 (NIV) Followers of Jesus desire to please God. We want more than right standing with him and knowing he loves us, we want to know that our lives please God. We do not want to be a problem child, loved by their parent, but inflicting distress and disappointment on them. It is important to remind ourselves that our lives do please God when we abide in him. If we are becoming more and more Christlike, in other words, righteous, then we know that our prayers please him. The Creator of the universe is actually glad when he hears us. He is happy that his love for us has not gone to waste, but has transformed us and made us more godly. Do not forget to encourage yourself by reminding yourself that you please Continue Reading →