Category Archives: Encouragement

Devotional, Encouragement

Faith of a baby robin

Sitting outside before the snow came back last week, I saw an amazing sight more close up than ever before. Newly hatched baby robins were in the nest with their mouths open to the sky, eagerly stretching to eat. A few thoughts came to my mind about how I should be like that baby robin.

What I noticed about the baby robins:

  1. Trust- mom will be back. Do I trust God even when he doesn’t seem immediately present?
  2. Eager- to eat nourishment- do I hunger and thirst after righteousness?
  3. Accepting- of what mom gave. Am I accepting of all that God gives me even if it isn’t what I asked for?
  4. Always hungry- mouths wide open, unashamed. Do I continue to want to grow in Christ and be fed from his Word often?
  5. Still- waiting patiently in the nest, waiting to receive. Have I taken time to be still and know that God is?
  6. The nest shakes as the branch sways but the baby birds don’t run off out of fear of falling. They don’t seem scared at all-only hungry lol. When the circumstances of my life get shaken up and things seem unstable, do I hold on to God?
  7. They don’t fear the hungry cats below- Do I fear my enemies or do I always remember that evil is defeated and God has not given me a spirit of fear?

I love how God speaks through his creation.

Dear Lord, make me more like the baby robin. Help me to fully trust you and seek you always. Amen.

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Bible Verse, Encouragement

Mothers of the Reformation in Christian History by Christianity Today

You’ve heard about Martin Luther and his 95 Theses that launched a time of reform in church history.

Now, read the fascinating story of three women who helped shape the Protestant Reformation.

Argula von Grumbach was a bestselling author and the first female promoter of the Reformation movement. Her writings were filled with Scripture. She continued writing despite severe opposition.

Katharina Schütz Zell was a pastor’s wife, author and fearless opponent of oppression in the church. She served faithfully alongside her husband as his assistant minister.

Marie Dentière, a former nun, married a former priest and became an important part of his Reformation ministry. She published two important writings and defended the right of women to teach the Bible.

Read more of the courageous stories of these women. Be encouraged in your own ministry as you consider the hardships these women faced to bring Reformation to the church.

Mothers of the Reformation | Christian History
— Read on www.christianitytoday.com/history/2018/november/mothers-of-reformation-women-ministry-luther-preaching.html

Bible Study, Bible Verse, Devotional, Encouragement

The Lord is the Great God

For the Lord is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-5

Look around this beautiful earth that we live on and remember who created it and sustains it. There is no God like our God! None can compare and none even make the claims of our God.

Psalm 95:3-5 expresses the completeness of God’s power and creation in the way typical of ancient Hebrew poetry.

The first two lines, a couplet, are the background and explanation for the following two couplets. Because the “Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.”, everything is made by him and belongs to him.

The next two couplets explain the breadth of God’s power and possessions. Just as in English we say “From A to Z” to explain something that is comprehensive, so these verses beautifully describe God. The verses are repeating the fact that God created everything but using different examples.

Both the “depths of the earth” and “mountain peaks belong to him.” So too “the sea is his” and “his hands formed the dry land”.

What does this mean for your everyday life? The God who is above all things and created all things has the power to intervene in your life. Whatever problem you are facing, God can create a solution for you.

Knowing that you are loved and forgiven by the Ruler of all brings freedom, peace and joy. So no matter the trials of your life, keep praising God and his power to rescue you.

Bible Study, Bible Verse, Devotional, Encouragement

Jesus, the True Vine

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1

Jesus is the only true source from which good fruit can come.

Jesus knew the religious Jews of his time looked to many sources to give them the fruits of a godly life. From Moses to Solomon, from Abraham to the Scriptures themselves, Jesus emphasized that he was more important than all of these. Jesus told them that he is the fulfillment of all that came before him. He is the only true source of an abundant, fruitful, godly life.

So whether you are reading a Proverb or studying the story of Abraham, remember the supremacy of Jesus and his place as your true source. Stay connected to the true vine, Jesus, and you will bear fruit. That’s a promise.

This week, read about how Jesus is greater than any other: Hebrews 3:3, Matthew 12:42, John 8:58, Luke 24:27, John 5:39

Are you making connection with Jesus a priority in your life? If you do, you will be richly rewarded.

Related Verses:

Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. Hebrews 3:3

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me. John 5:39

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Bible Verse, Devotional, Encouragement

Hold Me Up

The Lord makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

So you’re a Christian now and life is perfect, right? No? You still stumble you say? Yes, the truth is we will stumble and make mistakes. But God gives you a glorious promise. Even when you stumble, you will never fall as low as you could, as low as you would without God’s grace.

Why not? Because God will be with you and catch you. You may not be able to catch yourself up on your own but the Lord will graciously hold you up when you need it most.

When you stumble, fall into the arms of the only one who will never leave you alone in your brokenness, God, your Savior, Protector and Redeemer.

What is causing you to stumble today? Ask God to hold you up.

Related verses for this week-Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:19-20, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 118:13, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 145:14

Bible Study, Bible Verse, Devotional, Encouragement, Prayers

Show Me Your Ways

Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

The world is filled with what seems like unlimited choices. You have many decisions to make. From everyday family issues to major life changes, how do you know which way to go? It is tempting to look elsewhere for answers in a world filled with “experts”, many of whom disagree with one another. You search for clarity but are left with confusion. But by humbling yourself before God, you acknowledge that his ways are higher than your ways. You make the choice to lean not on your own understanding but instead to let God make your path. Jesus promises an “advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” Put your hope in this promise of Jesus, your Savior. Submit yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust him to show you the path to walk in. Ask God to help you obey all that he shows you to do. God wants to share his ways with you. Take time to seek his guidance today.

This week’s related verses- Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:9, John 14:16-17, Psalm 143:10

Encouragement, Quote Images, Relationships

No Man Is An Island

Man was never meant to live alone. From the beginning, God created humans to live in relationship with him and with others that he created. You can successfully live out the dream God has placed in your heart by paying careful attention to your relationships and avoiding the temptation to “go it alone”.

Pray and ask God to bring you godly relationships and to grow your dependence on him.

Reach out to God and others to make your business a success.

 

Christian Business, Encouragement

The Difference In Christian Leadership

It is important as Christian leaders to show others the upside-down Kingdom of Jesus through how we lead. The business world often argues that it is unrealistic or even wrong for a leader to act as a servant. Conversely, we know and follow a King who came to serve and we follow his example.

To be true leaders in our families, our churches and in our businesses, we must lead with humility and the constant goal to serve and provide value by meeting the needs of others. We can make a difference by leading well.

 

Christian Business, Devotional, Encouragement

The Fruit of the Spirit

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 19-26

It is God’s will that through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we no longer pursue the ungodly passions we had before Jesus Christ gloriously saved us.

All attempts to do this outside of the Holy Spirit will ultimately fail.

Pray and earnestly seek God and the fruit of the Spirit in your life and in your business.