Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7b (ESV). What kind of conquest is this verse talking about? Here are some of the words just prior to this passage: I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV) So, in one sense the Christian life is one of conquest: in Christ we conquer the destructive enemies of our life so we can love God and help others to do the same. Sometimes conquest is hard but he makes us “more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37), and if we persevere God will reward us with the great privilege of feasting from the tree God created to give true life. In Genesis Continue Reading →

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” I Pet. 1:3-4 (ESV) God is keeping a reservation for us in heaven; it is our eternal inheritance. He already paid for it by the death of His Son. In fact, Romans 8:17 explains: Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (NIV). We have an eternal inheritance because we are co-heirs with Christ. We get to inherit the same things he inherited! Our eternal inheritance will be the vacation that never ends and He will shower us with amenities and activities that will leave us with uncontainable joy. We will Continue Reading →

“I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb 13:5b (ESV). Sometimes when things go wrong and we are not feeling God’s comfort it is easy for thoughts to come in that God is not really paying attention to us. We wonder if we did something wrong, or if God is just letting us suffer with no help, or if there is something wrong with us so that we are disconnected from God. But this verse promises us that God will not leave us and he will not push us away. Of course, other passages explain that he is displeased with us if we are persistently sinning without repentance. Otherwise, he is there and caring and the suffering will have a benefit if we let it. (Heb. 12:10-11). Our responsibility is to trust His word even though it is dark. One day we will see the good that comes out Continue Reading →

“We have come to share in Christ” Heb. 3:14a (ESV) The Greek word for “share” in this verse means participate, or be a partner. We have a union with Christ and we actually participate in him. Think how incredible this is! We love Jesus for his wisdom and love and compassion, and in spite of our faults, we are privileged to share in Jesus. This is yet another biblical mystery we can’t fully understand, but we continually grow in the reality of it. We participate in Christ’s righteousness, in his power, in his love and in his light. We see the same idea in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV) Furthermore, our baptism indicates an intimate bond with Christ: “For all of Continue Reading →

“Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” James 2:5 (NLT) James 2 warns churches against favoritism, especially against favoring the rich, who often oppressed the poor. Then he gives this tremendous encouragement to believers who are poor; God loves the poor and will bless them. God chooses the poor to be rich in faith, and though they are poor now, in eternity they will gain far more than anyone on earth ever had. They will inherit the Kingdom of God! Thus, there is no shame in being poor because God loves the poor. Those who are poor are often more willing to admit their neediness which is the kind of humility that God likes to reward. And the reward is a treasure of faith in God, which is Continue Reading →