Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

If I had cherished sin in my heart,the Lord would not have listened;but God has surely listenedand has heard my prayer. Psalms 66:18-19 (NIV) God does listen to our prayers when we abide in him. This doesn’t just mean that he is aware of what we prayed but that he gives weight to what we pray. He is our Father who listens and responds, even if sometimes the response is “no” or “wait” because he has another plan for our lives. And we do not have to be especially mature or advanced in our understanding before God will listen to us. If we are following him then he will listen. He only asks that we do not cherish sin in our hearts. If we intentionally harbor destructive attitudes and ways then he may wait for our repentance before he listens. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” Continue Reading →

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;where morning dawns, where evening fades,you call forth songs of joy.You care for the land and water it;you enrich it abundantly.The streams of God are filled with waterto provide the people with grain,for so you have ordained it. Psalms 65:8-9 (NIV) One of the biggest encouragements that we observe every day is the blessing of nature. The beauty of the trees and rivers and mountains reveals God’s beauty and reminds us that he is good and loving. From the land we grow delicious food, find animals to be our pets and enjoy recreation. Nature is a constant reminder that God wants to do good for us and that he is powerful enough to accomplish the most astounding of feats. Consider the hundreds of thousands of animal and plant species. Consider how they all form a glorious harmony that endlessly fascinates us. Continue Reading →

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,God our Savior,the hope of all the ends of the earthand of the farthest seas, Psalms 65:5 (NIV) What are the awesome and righteous deeds that God for us under his New Covenant? How do they compare to the Old Covenant? What could be more awesome than God’s act of rebirthing a new self inside all who believe in Jesus? This is beyond even what we might hope from God. Yet, he puts inside us a new self that desires holiness and virtue and oneness with God. Add to that that God actually puts his Spirit inside us, dwelling in us as God dwelt in the holy of holies in Solomon’s temple! We actually have God’s himself living inside us, guiding and strengthening us. On top of that, we are united with Christ into his body in which he is the head. We Continue Reading →

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,when I remember you upon my bed,and meditate on you in the watches of the night; Psalms 63:5-6 (ESV) Who does not want a satisfied soul? Do we not seek God knowing that he is the one who can satisfy our hearts? Do we not want to know of his goodness so that we naturally respond with thanksgiving? God encourages us by promising these things when we meditate on him and his words. When we read Scripture we need to give it time to sink in to the deepest part of ourselves and change us. This is why it is so important to meditate on Scripture, not just read it. In other words, take your time with God’s words. There are many different ways to meditate on Scripture. Roll the words around Continue Reading →

To you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.For you will render to a manaccording to his work. Psalms 62:12 (ESV) The idea that God will render to each one according to their works should not induce fear but rather gratefulness for those who follow Jesus. In this world, the principle that one receives what is just for their actions does not apply so well. Instead, the wicked and the negligent often prosper and get to enjoy the “good” things of life; even in ministry those who compromise often rise to popularity. And the virtuous are often marginalized, scorned and rejected. They may struggle financially all their lives and even find themselves unwanted in vocational ministry. God encourages us by promising to honor us according to our work. He will reward virtue and he will not honor vice. “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, Continue Reading →