Word of Encouragement

The following Words of Encouragement have come from the YouVersion blog entry for the 21st of March 2020 that keeps on appearing at the top of my home screen each day when I open up my Daily Bible Reading App.

It is entitled: Some Things Are Out Of Our Control – But Not Everything.

Sometimes it feels like news updates are coming every few minutes. When we give so much of our attention to events beyond our control, we can lose sight of the power that we do still have. We can choose how we respond to our circumstances. And perhaps even more important, even in the midst of those circumstances, we can choose how we treat others.

---

Recently we reminded you about the time that Jesus’ disciples were afraid their boat might sink, but then He calmed the storm. Just like Jesus’ disciples, we’re all in the same boat with Jesus — but we’re also in it with each other. And we can choose to encourage one another, to support each other, to love each other, and to point each other back to Jesus.

“Love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (Contemporary English Version)

Here Are 4 Ways We Can Choose Love:

1. Encourage one another.

We live in such an incredible time! Even when we can’t be physically present with one another, we can still call, text, email, connect on social media, attend church online, and more.

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” Proverbs 3:27 (New Living Translation)

2. Support each other.

Some of the most meaningful things we can do are simple and practical. Check in with your neighbors and ask how they’re doing. Share whatever you have. Drop off a meal for someone who can’t get out. Pay for the person behind you in a drive-through. Send an email gift card to a friend.

“…our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.” 1 John 3:18 (Easy-to-Read Version)

3. Love each other.

Jesus said that loving your neighbor was the second most important commandment. And in the parable of the Good Samaritan, He explained what He meant by that word, “neighbor.” Paul even suggested we turn loving each other into a competition!

“Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another.” Romans 12:10 (The Passion Translation)

4. Point each other to Jesus.

It’s Jesus who calms our storms. But it’s up to us to remind each other of God’s promises. And to pray for one another. You can do both these things — and more — in the same ways we mentioned in #1 (and of course in the Bible App).

Just remember: No matter what we may be going through, we’re all in it together. We all live on the same planet. We all breathe the same air. Jesus said we would have troubles in this life. But He gave us His Spirit. And he gave us each other.

And these two things are more than enough!

Read Full Post »

A Prayer for God to be Glorified

In these days of isolation I am drawn to the story of Jonah who spent three days inside a whale. Contemplating what he had done wrong to deserve such a fate.

During this time he drew closer to God who he had been running away from, and he offered up a prayer.

In that prayer he concludes that “salvation comes from the Lord alone.” Jonah 2:9b (New Living Translation).

The Voice puts it this way, that “deliverance comes from the Eternal one.”

And the New International Reader’s Version says; “Lord, you are the one who saves.”

In all of this you get a sense that not only is God to be glorified in times of trouble, anxiety, fear and uncertainty. But that we should also look to the Lord – for that is where we will find Hope, Life and Love. – You can read about Jonah’s story here.

Today’s word of Encouragement therefore  is a prayer that I read this morning via YouVersion entitled ‘A Prayer for God to be Glorified‘.

Dear God, 

It’s Your name that is honored from generation to generation. You alone are worthy of all glory and praise. And You are not shocked by the state of the world right now. 

Your ways are not our ways, and You are not at a loss about what to do. Nothing is impossible for You.

So today, we are proclaiming that You will be glorified through this pandemic. That Your name will be known and praised throughout the earth.

Pierce the darkness with Your light. Shine brighter than the fear of death, economic ruin, or a long quarantine.

When we look back on this moment in history, would we be filled with joy as we remember the revival, hope, and peace that came out of this season.

Continue to draw this hurting world back to You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Read Full Post »

Daily Devotions – Philippians 2

This morning as I was doing my daily devotions on my Bible App, You Version (which you can download for free here) I was rereading Philippians 2.

I have been sitting in Philippians now for the past couple of months, gleaning pearls of wisdom from Paul, on the way in which we should live as Christians.

In Philippians 2:3 he says;

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

As I sit here in Kathmandu, Nepal contemplating this verse I wonder how much we value others above ourselves.

Drivers slow down for dogs, cows & other animals that cross the road but have no time for follow human beings, blaring their horns & shaking their hands @ passers-by who look as if they are to busy to give anyone the time of day. Forcing their way past people on their motorbikes and in their cars, giving people a nudge to get out of the way…

Going into restaurants & cafe’s people are more interested in there online presence, or the person on the other end of the phone than they are in communicating with the person in front of them.

Admittedly some would argue that they are communicating, but not necessarily to the people that they are with in person.

In the Western world or even in New Zealand are we any different?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

I think that if we are to truly value others, then in the first instance we need to acknowledge them – so the question for today and the remainder of this week is, who are you going to recognize? Who are you going to value by holding a conversation with them (even if you don’t understand a single word they are saying, you can still nod and show that you are at least trying to listen and understand.)

As Christians we need to “act in such a manner that you are living proof of a loving God.”

You never know, you may just brighten the day of that someone who you took the time to value by acknowledging them or you may even get the opportunity to have a faith conversation!

Nameste

Read Full Post »