Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life Proverbs 11:30 (NIV) Trusting Christ and following him transforms us into the righteous people God intended us to be. And what is the fruit of that? What are the consequences? Life. In fact, the fruit is an entire tree, which also produces fruit. Our righteousness brings life to ourselves and to others. True life consists of friendship with God, peace, harmony, joy, truth, fruitfulness and eternal happiness. This is what we reap for ourselves and what we bring to those around us. Consider how it gives you life when you are around someone who radiates these qualities. Does it not cheer you up, encourage you, make you feel cared for, and affirm your commitment to good? Likewise, we do the same for others when our righteousness shines upon them. And this encourages us deeply because we see how God uses Continue Reading →

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. Proverbs 11:6 (ESV) Sometimes we forget how blessed we are to be free of a sinful life. We no longer allow our evil and selfish desires to guide us; instead, we crucify them. We know that our old desires only damage and neutralize us; they do not lead to life. Jesus gave us his righteousness and the Father put a new self inside us so now we have desires for God and godliness. Consider how many dangers we have avoided by following the path of righteousness. Consider how many temptations we have resisted that could have harmed us. Even if we sometimes fall, we are free from the power of destructive desires; we can walk in the power of the Spirit and defeat our old desires. But those who have rejected Christ and chosen to be Continue Reading →

He delights in those whose ways are blameless. Proverbs 11:20 (NIV) We all hope God delights in us. We want to know that our lives please him; that he is proud of us. Just like we wanted to know our earthly father approved us, even more, we want to know that our heavenly Father approves us. We know that he loves us, but there is also the issue of whether he is pleased with us, that he delights in us. This passage encourages us affirming that he does delight in us when we are blameless. Not that we have to be perfect in every detail, but that we avoid intentional sin, and choose to do good to others. If we are living an upright life, then we know that the God who made heaven and earth delights in us. To think that God delights in us seems too good to Continue Reading →

The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless. Proverbs 10:29 (NIV) This world throws many forces at us, tempting us to compromise with hedonism, materialism and narcissism. People, politics, entertainment and education all try to draw us into worldly choices; it is very easy to slide into destructive ways. But the path of following Yahweh is the only true blessed way to travel. Temptations don’t inform us of their long-term harm. The way of the Lord is an eternal road of refuge and peace. As the spiritual health of society declines, we may feel more and more out of place. We are more aware that we travel a different road than most people around us. We may be tempted to think that a little compromise is okay, that we are still more godly than the majority. But God wants to remind us that we are more blessed Continue Reading →

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9, (NIV) Sometimes we are faced with ethical choices that might lead to loss or rejection. Whether this is at work, church or with family, we may have to do or say something that will disturb or hurt others and trigger a reprisal against us. God reminds us that if we will walk in integrity we walk in security, in safety. Yet, it does not seem safe, especially if we get hurt. So how are we secure? We are secure in all the important things. Our soul is secure from the poison of dishonesty and avoidance. The crooked person stabs their soul with every ethical failure. If we maintain integrity, our soul is secure from damage. We are also secure in our relationship with God, we are abiding in Christ and we can continue to Continue Reading →