Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” Matt. 23:12 (NIV). In this verse Jesus continues to set us free from bondage to worldly success. In fact, those who exalt themselves in this world will be brought low in the next age. Instead,  Jesus teaches us to actively pursue humbling ourselves. We don’t just let it happen if it happens. Rather, we help others to succeed and we look for ways to honor others. We present ourselves as student no matter how much we know. We present ourselves as messengers for God, not the author of the messages. We think or ourselves as a child, always aware that we are still just growing up. The great encouragement is that God will exalt us in the next age, which is worth infinitely more than all the honors we could achieve in this life. God Continue Reading →

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Matt. 20:26-27 (NIV). This may not seem like an encouragement at first but it is a tremendous encouragement. Jesus promises that those who serve will be great in his kingdom. This promise encourages us because it sets us free from status-seeking in this world. Status in this world doesn’t count for anything in the New Creation to come. Being a servant and learning how to bless others is what counts in the next age. This is another feature of God’s upside-down kingdom. You can be the weakest, smallest, least-educated and most neglected person in your city but if you adopt a servant’s heart then you will be greater than everyone in your city who does not have a servant’s heart. Thus, God has healed the broken-hearted and raised up Continue Reading →

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” Matt. 19:29 (ESV). Jesus encourages us that God will reward us for sacrifices made in Jesus’ name. In the 1st century the extended family was all-important because it was your support network. Most people could not count on anyone else. Some people are in the same position today though it is easier for many to leave their network of relatives if they wish. But the principle is the same. When we follow Jesus we will have to leave behind the benefit of certain people and things in our life. It may be that friends or relatives reject us or that Jesus calls us to physically move somewhere else. The promise is that we will receive one hundred times what we Continue Reading →

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:20 ESV). Jesus is always with us but he promises that when two or three are gathered in his name that he is among them. God loves community and he honors community by promising that he, the Son, is present in a better way than with a single believer. This should encourage us to gather together in small groups as well as big groups and have expectant faith that Jesus is really with us and that we can have a stronger connection to him when we are gathered. In small groups we can pray for someone’s need and wait on Jesus. Maybe someone will have an impression or leading from God. Maybe God will give a word through someone. Jesus is there. If we believe and give him some space then we will begin Continue Reading →

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, NIV). Jesus encourages us by promising to give us rest when we come to him, in other words, when we place our dependence and hopes on him. He is restful because we can cast all our cares on him (1 Pet. 5:7); we don’t have to do our work with anxiety in our soul. Whether it is a relationship, our occupation, our health, or a spiritual struggle in our heart it is usually our dependence on our own strength or our fears about the future that make us “weary and burdened”. Instead, we can come to Jesus, keep placing our burdens and dependence on him, and trust in the way he will work out the future. When our focus is on him then he gives us rest. Application: put your name in Continue Reading →