Daily Encouragement

The faithfulness of God is not based on how you feel, how you see things or how bad or good the circumstances are around you at any given moment. The faithfulness of God is born in the heart of God Himself, and is based solely on the purest and deepest love no mortal man can comprehend. It is uncompromising, it is eternal and it is everlasting. His love and faithfulness never fail or falter. With that, any day, any circumstance or any situation can be faced with hope and confidence, knowing God Himself is always working on your behalf.

No one can possibly look to the promises of a New Year without remembering the goodness of God in the past. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and His mercies are new every morning. As the old hymn says: Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions; they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever will be...Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Happy New Year!

The problem with many Christians is not that their faith is sometimes weak, or that they only trust God for the essentials of life; the problem with many Christians is that they go through their daily lives and never make room for God's miracles. When did God ever limit Himself or promise that He would just do things to a certain point? Our faith needs to be stretched every day, and we must look for a miracle-working God to bless us when we least expect it!

Some days, your faith is all you've got. Fortunately, that's all you need!

How often we neglect, ignore or simply overlook the presence of our loving God. He often comes with rolling thunder, but, more often than not, He comes with gentle whispers. The soft cooing of a baby, the gentle touch of a loved one's hand, the warm embrace of a trusted friend, the cool touch of a breeze on a summer's evening. In hundreds of quiet and unassuming ways, God whispers, "I love you and am with you always." Don't miss Him or His presence!

War. Famine. Pestilence. Drought. Natural disasters. You might feel that God has His hands full and would never care about your small, insignificant problem or concern. We need to learn that when we approach God with our earnest, heartfelt cries, His full attention turns away from everything and everyone else, and He is fully focused on us alone. At that moment, God cares more about you than anything else. What a comfort and blessing!

Like the disciples in the boat, we often find ourselves in the middle of a horrific storm, one that attacks the very core of our faith, only to look for God in it all and find Him sleeping in the back of the boat. And we get angry and hurt because we feel that He just doesn't care. The truth is, God never slumbers nor sleeps, and He has every storm in our life under control. It is our sleeping faith that's to blame for our fear and anguish. Trust Him! He's with you at all times...in every situation and every storm you face in life.

Guilt and shame are a cancer to spiritual power and strength. Who among us has not felt their sting? Yet our loving, heavenly Father has promised us a second chance if we but humbly ask. God loves a broken and repentant heart. When we stray from His grasp, we are stained with sin. Coming to Him in brokenness and humility is all it takes to begin again, clean and forgiven. You have to love the God of the second chance!

I would never minimize 9/11 or its affect on our nation and her people, but the greatest single act of terrorism in the history of mankind occurred on a hill called Golgotha, where Satan hurled all the evil power that he possessed at one solitary man, yet a single cross and its occupant remained steadfast. In that one single defining moment of sacrifice and obedience, God assured us all that we could face any sin and any foe and be found victorious and forgiven.

Many times in life, we often feel that we're the only one in the world who's going through what we're going through, but God knows differently. Struggling with gut-wrenching loss at a graveside? God's been there. Feel betrayed by those you love the most? God's been there. Seen disease slowly take the life from a loved one? God's been there, too. In each and every circumstance of life, both good and bad, you're never alone. God's been there and understands!

Have a problem or difficulty you think is too big for God to handle? Let's see...Let there be light!; Ask, seek, knock; Lazarus, come forth!; Peace, be still; It is written; In the beginning God; Your sins are forgiven; With God, all things are possible; Follow me; Feed my sheep; Be thou made whole; Only believe; Love one another; I am the way and the truth and the life; It is finished! Now, do you still have a problem?

Many frustrations in life center around a matter of focus. We see the hills and the valleys, the forks in the road, the bumps and the delays, and we get angry and bitter because they thwart our personal plans. But while we only see that which is before us, God sees "The Big Picture," and what we often perceive as obstacles are actually blessings in disguise that God uses to help us achieve His perfect plan for our lives.

The poetry of God is often written with stanzas of tears. Life can be brutal and difficult to understand. We sometimes find ourselves heart-broken and weeping over its circumstances. But God cares and understands. Tears have a language all their own, and tear-filled eyes are not a sign of faltering faith, only our humanity. If God has put the love in your heart, He also understands its frailty and your tears.

Even deeply committed Christians can experience life at its worst. No one is immune. Even with years of faithfully walking with Christ, and a bag full of memorized Scriptures and promises, there are moments when even these don't seem to be enough to overcome life's challenges. But when we have absolutely nothing else to draw upon except our feeble and frail faith, we will find that this is exactly when God will do His greatest work.

We all need an anchor to cling to, that one thing that is immovable, unshakable and steadfast, no matter the strength of the storm, difficulty or circumstance we may be facing. That anchor should be the timeless truth that God never makes a mistake. No matter the challenge we may have before us, we can rest in the fact that it is intended for our good by a God Who loves us as no other, and Whose love never changes.

Many times in life, we face obstacles and circumstances that we cannot control. No matter how hard we try, with all that's within us, we simply cannot change the way things are. It's in those trying moments that God whispers His loving command, "Surrender it to Me," for through these circumstances, God reminds us of who we are and Who He is. We are the creation, but He is the Creator, able to do all things well.

Many people today struggle to hear God's voice. They expect to hear Him in the thundering of majestic words when He often chooses to speak with a gentle whisper. He speaks to us when we pray and when we read His Word. He also speaks through His church and Godly counsel. But He will only speak to a heart that has been prepared to receive all He wants to share, one that is filled with brokenness, repentance, obedience and expectation.

Following God's will isn't always easy or pleasant. Many times, it will lead you through your own personal Garden of Gethsemane, a time of great pain and anguish, before the full accomplishment of all God has planned for your life is realized. As you follow God, always seek to do as He leads, but be prepared for the trials and testing that may soon follow. Through it all, He will be glorified and you will succeed. 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - II Chronicles 7:14. Honoring God on this National Day of Prayer, for He alone is not only worthy of our prayer and praise, but He is our only hope, security and sufficiency as a Nation and people.

Even the most seasoned believer has "Thomas moments," times when what you're asked to believe or trust is so far beyond anything your mind or heart can comprehend, that you simply say that you will not believe it until you see it with your own eyes. Don't rest in the physical confirmation of your faith, but rather believe in the supernatural workings of a loving, caring, faithful and compassionate God Who simply says, "Trust me."

Mary made her way up the path in the morning dew. She hadn't slept much since the crucifixion and she didn't know what she'd find when she got there. She just knew she had to go. When she got to the tomb, it was empty except for His neatly folded burial clothes. Then she heard the words that shook eternity forever, "He is not here. He is risen!" May these same words echo in our hearts today and always. Happy Easter!

All was fairly quiet now. The crucifixion was over and Jesus' body was placed in a borrowed tomb which was sealed and guarded. The disciples scattered, aftershocks rumbled, and the priests were trying to figure out how to repair the curtain in the Holy of Holies. Satan was celebrating while God simply smiled and waited. God's plans and prophesies were almost complete. Jesus was dead, but Sunday was just a day away!

The trial and beating were over, and He now struggled under the weight of the wooden beam. It dug splinters deep into His back. Spit and sweat stung His wounds. Soon, He was staked to the timbers of a Roman cross, hanging in the heat of the day. Satan hissed a laugh of approval while God waited for the sin to pass and His plan to be complete. Eden's sin was finally made right and our eternity was, once again, restored.

Tonight as we sleep, centuries ago, Jesus was in the Garden. There were drops of blood, a resignation of the will, Roman soldiers and a pucker from Judas. Soon, He'd be mocked and face a Roman kangaroo court. While insults and false accusations were being hurled, a leather whip was being prepared, and in the distance, the sawing of timbers for a cross. And all that was on His mind at that very moment was you and me!

He did it with a kiss. Judas in the Garden and the ultimate betrayal was done. Today, millions of hearts feel the very same pain and hurt of betrayal. Hearts lie bruised and battered by broken vows, broken promises and broken trusts. No one is immune. Isn't it good to know that, at Easter and always, we have One we can always trust, Who loves us unconditionally? And we can trust Him with our today and our eternity!

The dining area was prepared for the Passover Feast. Just Jesus and His disciples one last time together. So much more to do. So much more to teach them. Where to begin. In humble fashion, He washed their feet, even the feet of the one who had already betrayed Him. The very hands that cupped the water for washing feet would soon be pierced by a rusty spike. Is there any greater act of obedience than complete sacrifice?

A day had passed since Jesus made His entry into Jerusalem. Crowds had cheered and waved palm branches before Him, all while the religious leaders plotted against Him. Judas slithered to them with talk of betrayal, while Jesus planned His final meal with His disciples. Sorrow gripped His heart. His three-year ministry was about to end, as was His very life. And with His every breath, the shadow of the cross grew larger.

A tragedy we often face when praying is missing God's answer because He did it in a way that we weren't expecting or looking for. How many times do we pray but look for Him to answer as we desire or expect Him to? That's not God! He always answers our prayers with wisdom and knowledge far above our own. You pray, yes, but let Him answer as He wills to do, and accept His answer as your own. It will always work for your good!

It's never easy when you find out that someone you trusted and considered a friend was actually a Judas, kissing your cheek, all while counting the 30 pieces of silver behind your back. In this life, some people will disappoint or betray you by breaching a sacred trust. But God can work even the most broken and painful situations into the most prosperous and beneficial for your life when your trust is in Him completely and alone.

Each day, we are faced with personal choices and circumstances in our lives. And all too often, it's difficult to know exactly what to do. When faced with such a situation, always remember that trusting God is not seeing things as they appear to us, but rather seeing things as they appear to God. When filtered from that perspective, our answers will become clear and God will bless as He gently leads and guides us.

A woman called our ministry recently and wanted to know how to be born again. I shared numerous Scriptures with her, but she just couldn't comprehend God's grace. I finally simply shared with her what Jesus Christ had done in my life. That's all it took and she was gloriously saved. People can argue doctrine, but no one can argue what God has done for you personally! Now, go and share Jesus!

Waiting on God is never easy until you realize that there's power and purpose in the wait! The answers to your prayers are not always God's highest priority! Many times, it's what He want to teach you about Himself while waiting for His answers that proves to be the greatest blessing of all. Pray for answers, yes, but pray, too, for God to teach you more about Himself while you wait. You'll find rich lessons learned in the process.

I worshiped at the bank a few moments ago. It wasn't much. I just shared a word of encouragement with someone who needed it. I've learned that a kind word shared with someone who needs it is worship. To those who are loved much, that kind word may be nothing more than a crumb, but to those starved for kindness, it can be a banquet! Share a word of hope and encouragement with someone today. That's worship at its best!

Things often happen in life that we simply don't understand. The world is quick to say God caused it while the believer knows He lovingly allowed it. There is a difference! When God allows something to happen, it is always filtered by His love, it is part of His perfect plan and purpose, and we are promised that even the most tragic of events will work for good if we simply trust and have unwavering faith in Him.

A question we often hear is, "How big is God?" God is big enough to solve any problem, big enough to forgive any sin, big enough to comfort the deepest grief, big enough to walk with you through any valley, big enough to help you realize your greatest dreams, big enough to help you overcome any obstacle or fear in life. The question is not, "How big is God?" The question is, "How big is your faith in Him?"

As a New Year begins, you might find yourself feeling worried or afraid. The economy is bad, war continues around the world, crime is everywhere and it seems that the world is out of control. Or perhaps you've lost your job with no prospects in sight, your marriage has failed and appears beyond repair, a wayward child has left you heart-broken, the disease is terminal, a loved one has died and left you all alone or you wonder where the money is going to come from to pay the bills. In these times, and every other circumstance of life, NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE THE POWER OF GOD! He always has your best interest at heart, He's in absolute control of each and every situation, He can turn even the bad into good, and He will move heaven and earth to accomplish His plan and purpose for your life. You can trust Him in all things!

Mary firmly grasped Joseph's hand one last time and, with one final push, Jesus entered the world. The Messiah breathed a breath of earthly air, not Heavenly; His robe made of rags; His only crown, the blood that now dried on His head. In the silence of the stable, God became flesh and His plan was accomplished. The Miracle of Christmas was here! A son and a Savior. Emmanuel, God with us!

"No room." "Nothing available." "Sorry. Filled up." Joseph was getting frustrated and worried. Mary was in labor and there was no room for them. Finally a stall was offered. At least it was warm and private. No one there except the animals. Joseph made a bed of hay for Mary, and while he paced, Mary prayed. Her time was at hand. She knew she would soon give birth to her son and call His name, Jesus.

The journey to Bethlehem was taking its toll as Mary's labor continued. She struggled physically and spiritually. How could this really be happening? In her teens, a virgin and about to give birth to the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah, conceived of the Holy Ghost. The miracle of Christmas was being carried by a donkey because, as Mary knew in her heart, with God, all things are possible.

Joseph and Mary would hear the whispers and see the sly stares everywhere they went. People were beginning to talk. Even the religious leaders in the village were raising eyebrows. But Joseph was determined to protect Mary at all costs and stayed honorable in his promise to her. The baby would often kick and move within her womb. It was God's way of showing His approval of all that the couple did.

Joseph was a skilled and respected carpenter. He would often use leftover scraps of wood to build mangers to sell at market. Traders passing through the village would often purchase them and place them in a barn somewhere to feed their animals. So could it be that Joseph himself shaped the very manger in Bethlehem that the Messiah, God's own Son, would lay in, His very first throne on earth?

The road from Nazareth was already crowded when Joseph and Mary left their home for Bethlehem. Halfway through the journey, Joseph looked back and tears stained the dust that caked on Mary's face. She was in labor. Joseph tugged a bit harder on the young donkey's reins. It wasn't far, but he was concerned. God's Son was coming soon and the masses just passed them by with but a glance!

Joseph took all the words that Mary spoke to him as truth, though his mind found it difficult to fully comprehend. The angel then spoke peace to Joseph's heart, validating all that Mary had said. He was an honorable man and knew what he must do. He would marry Mary, protecting her from the vicious village gossips. He was determined to follow through on God's plan, no matter the personal sacrifice.

The months passed all too quickly. Joseph and Mary wed and vowed that no intimacy would occur until after the Christ-child was born. Mary began to show and Joseph did his best to protect her reputation and his. It was difficult in a culture where a child born out of wedlock could mean death by stoning for the mother. But this was no ordinary child. He was the Messiah, God's gift to the world!

Joseph heard the rumor that a census would be taken and that he and Mary would need to return to his hometown. Counting the days, they both knew that Mary would be very close to her due date when the journey would be taken. Joseph was concerned, but Mary remained strong because she knew that God would do whatever was necessary to complete His miraculous plan. A virgin would soon deliver the Son of God!

Mary struggled with the news. Highly favored but pregnant? Unwed and expecting? What would people think? What would Joseph think? Then she heard it for the first time. "Jesus." The angel's instruction to name her first-born child. She had no way of knowing that this was the only name by which men might be saved. She only knew that in the sovereignty of God, she would obey and call her baby boy Jesus.

Mary pondered all the angel had said to her, and quietly accepted God's plan in her heart. But she had to tell someone. Her cousin, Elizabeth, would understand! She, too, was with child. Making her way through the dusty streets, she came to Elizabeth's door. Elizabeth opened it and knew. Her baby, John, leaped within her womb, and began celebrating God's gift, the soon-coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth!

Now came the hardest part of all. Mary had to tell Joseph. She loved the gentle carpenter with every fiber of her being, but would he- could he- believe her? Pregnant by the Holy Ghost? Taking his cracked and calloused hands into her own, and looking deep into his eyes, she shared all that the angel had told her. Their son would be called Jesus and He would save the people from their sin.

It's difficult to always understand God's ways. Why He allows some things and not others. Why He does things one way and not another. Why He answers some prayers and pleadings and seems to ignore others. In our humanity, we cannot possibly understand a Holy God...but we can always trust Him. And we can know that no matter what He does, it's always done with the purest of love and with our best interest at heart!

God desires to walk with us daily, but all too often, we get tired of just walking and run ahead on our own, thinking we know the path and the plan better that He does. And, most of the time, we stumble and fall, and must return to Him bruised and scraped up because of our impatient spirit. Remember, walking with God always leads you to the right place at the right time for the right reason...with no scars!

There are moments in life that knock our feet out from under us. They come with no warning and suck the very life out of us, leaving us bruised, battered and completely numb. We confidently quote Scripture and lean on our faith, but even this sometimes isn't enough. But it's in the emptiness of the heart that God invites us to come and find rest in Him, and it's only there that our true comfort and answers are found.

Too many people blame their heritage for their ungodly behavior and life-style. While it may be true that we cannot control much about our past, we do have the ability to control the legacy we leave behind. There is more to this life than leaving a great inheritance and memories. Each of us should leave behind a great legacy. May we be found faithful to make it a rich and Godly one for the generations that follow!

There are days in every believer's life when our faith will be tested. No one is immune. Even those with years of seeing God's handiwork in their lives are often sorely tested, almost to the breaking point. It is in those Divinely intimate moments that we realize that it takes far more faith to believe God will than to believe God can. God can do anything, but we must hold resolutely to our belief that He will!

As the leader of a ministry, I constantly battle against mediocrity, complacency and being satisfied with the status quo. This can be a death-knell to any ministry AND to the Christian life in general. Each day, we need to challenge ourselves to do even greater things for God, to stretch our faith and to mature in our understanding of His ways. When we do this, God will do amazing things through our lives.

Life's trials and circumstances are sometimes easy for us to handle, but other times, they envelope our lives like a raging wildfire, consuming everything in its path- our emotions, strength, dreams, hopes and, sometimes, even our faith. But our God is a God of restoration, and He alone can take the ashes of ruin from a life spent and withered by each firestorm, and craft them into an object of beauty and grace.

The reason many believers (and churches) today do not see God work miracles or do not have the blessings that He intends for them is that they tend to compartmentalize Him, putting Him in a box. They feel they know how God thinks, how He will act or what He will do in any given situation. THAT'S NOT GOD! The all-knowing and all-powerful God still works miracles today when we acknowledge that He is God and we are not!