Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“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 →

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:29-31 (NIV). Jesus spoke these words after he sent his twelve disciples out to announce the coming of the kingdom of God. He said they would be persecuted and some believers would be killed. But he also said they should not fear the killers because God is the one who preserves the soul. Then he speaks today’s Scripture that even a sparrow doesn’t die without the Father’s care. Sparrows die and people suffer and die but God always cares about creation and his people. He is there and he will preserve your soul regardless of the suffering. He doesn’t promise to protect you from suffering but he Continue Reading →

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” Matt. 9:35 (NIV) This passage reminds us that Jesus brought the good news that the kingdom of God had come to earth and was available to all people. Finally, 2,000 years after Abraham, the God’s realm of peace and love had come to earth. What could be better news than this for planet earth? This is the news that we believed and now taste. And now we look forward to the completion of the kingdom when everything that doesn’t belong in the kingdom is done away. And just in case anyone doubted whether Jesus really brought the kingdom he demonstrated the kingdom with power by healing diseases and sicknesses. Since we are in the kingdom this same power is available to us now! I Am Continue Reading →

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matt. 7:24-25 (NLT). Jesus encourages us that if we follow his words (in this passage he is coming to the end of his Sermon on the Mount) then no matter what happens we will not collapse, our life will not end up worthless. This reminds us of Romans 8:35-39 which promises that nothing (death, persecution, powers, etc) can separate us from the love of God. Notice that Jesus recognizes that storms will come; we are not immune from troubles. But no matter what is assaulting you from the outside, your soul and spirit will withstand the forces and emerge stronger and more attractive than Continue Reading →