Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48, NIV. Once again Jesus declares that his kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. Humans strive to be great in this life but our status in the kingdom of God is not dependent on our status in this world. God is not interested. Instead, it is the one who is least among us who is the most important. In this passage Jesus was referring to children as being great. But based on his other teachings it appears that anyone who is willing to humble themselves like a child is great in the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:4). This is so encouraging to those who have no status in this world, who do not receive much honor from others, and who realize that we really are only children before God. You can take heart that God Continue Reading →

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 (NIV) This is Jesus’ promise at the end of the parable of the sower. The seeds that fell on good soil produced a huge harvest “a hundred times more than was sown.” We all want to live fruitful lives for God and produce as much as God allows us to produce. So how do we bear a bumper crop for God? This verse mentions five responsibilities. First, have a noble heart. That is, we desire what is excellent and honorable. Second, we have a good heart. That is, our heart actually embraces and abides in good. Third, we hear the word. So we need to expose ourselves to God’s word. Fourth, we retain God’s words. Thus, we need to believe God’s Continue Reading →

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  Luke 6:47-48 (NIV) Jesus didn’t say we could avoid floods. We will all have “floods” in our lives, some worse than others. Maybe you are in the middle of a flood right now. That is the time to hold Jesus’ words even more closely to your heart. His words really are the foundation for your soul. So it will be helpful to read through the Gospels and find the words of Jesus and practice them. Remember faith, hope and love. As you focus on the teachings of Jesus the flood loses Continue Reading →

He has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free, Luke 4:18 (NIV) At the beginning of his ministry Jesus quotes from Isaiah to describe his ministry. The poor no longer need to despair about their condition because Jesus brings the good news that they will be greatly blessed (Matt. 5:3). Those who are oppressed or imprisoned by their circumstances will now be free. Those who are blind will now see. Thus, Jesus will reverse the effects of the Fall and restore everything to the goodness and harmony of God. This is the coming of the kingdom of God and Jesus inaugurated it when he came and will complete after he returns. All will be made right. Overcoming A Fault That’s Beyond Your CharacterJanuary 23, 2026Hope In God – Weekly Words Continue Reading →

“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” Mark 13:26-27 (ESV). Jesus promises to return to earth and this time he will return with great power. We think of Jesus as living a powerful life when he was here, but it won’t compare to his second coming when he comes with overwhelming power. The power of the Son will not be confined or partially hidden. What’s more, he will also come with glory which means that his majesty and goodness will be fully displayed and it will be the greatest glory the world has ever seen. But the best part is that he will gather up all the people that he has elected in Continue Reading →