Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (NIV). Jesus said the same thing in Luke 14:11! This time Jesus said it after he told the parable of the Pharisee who praised himself and the tax collector who prayed for mercy because he was a sinner. Thus, Jesus’ point is that those who imagine that they are good enough on their own that they deserve honor before God are sadly mistaken. They exalt themselves now but God will bring them low one day. On the other hand, those who admit that they are weak and have faults will have a different fate. One day God will exalt the humble and they will be the ones who live a blessed life. Self-exaltation can be subtle. We may not exalt ourselves with public statements, but we are still tempted to exalt Continue Reading →

“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous,” Luke 14:13-14 (NIV). Jesus taught us the value of blessing the needy. This is another example of God’s promise to make everything more than fair one day. People naturally focus on the benefits they will receive in this life. Those who are wealthy, influential or talented usually receive more benefits than others. But Jesus promises that God will repay our good deeds, including blessing the needy, with eternal rewards. Ephesians 6:8 promises: “The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” (NIV). This destroys all natural human calculations! Instead of trying to gather prominent people around us and receiving the benefits from the group, it is better to bless people who are not prominent and Continue Reading →

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11, ESV) This verse encourages us to pursue humility because God exalts the humble. We do not have to worry that we are losing out on something when we humble ourselves. We are not missing advancement when we do not promote our image. It is okay to admit weaknesses and not pretend we have it all together. God exalts the humble and he will bless us one day, and it will be a much bigger blessing than anything we missed out on. So once again we see that setting our hearts on the coming age is essential to kingdom living. How can we grow in humility? Remember how much Christ has done for you and will do for you in the next age. Remember your faults and weaknesses. Think about the ways you have Continue Reading →

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” Luke 12:32-33, ESV. After Jesus taught that the Father will provide our basic needs if we seek his kingdom first, then he says that it brings the Father pleasure to give us the kingdom. God enjoys giving us his kingdom. The “kingdom” is the realm where God’s goodness reigns, which we possess in part now and will fully inherit in the next age. And the Father does not give it grudgingly; he does not make it unreasonably difficult. God enjoys giving; he wants to see us blessed. He wants to guide us to the New Earth where there is no pain or corruption anymore. Therefore, we do not need to fear. God enjoys giving us all good things. In fact, if you have wealth then sell your Continue Reading →

“Whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23, NIV). Looking at the positive side of this statement by Jesus, it is encouraging that we can be gathering with Jesus. In this age, Jesus’ mission is our mission because we are his agents. This is our adventure. This is our new life in God, being his channels for sowing the blessings of the kingdom to others. We are his harvesters, inviting and gathering others for the New Creation to come. He is our head and we, his followers, are his body. We are his arms and legs, responding to the leadings of the divine Mind. He is coordinating his followers in his worldwide campaign to bring his kingdom to the whole earth, and we are gathering with Jesus. And one day we will all be together on the New Earth, our eternal gathering place, to live in a New Eden. Continue Reading →