Tag: encourage

Life in the midst of chaos

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

It is said that when you see “therefore” you should find out what it’s “there for”.

Paul just told the Thessalonians that in this world he saw two communities coexisting:

  1. Destruction, Darkness, and Death.
  2. Light and Life.

The followers of Christ are meant to be the latter in the midst of the former.

He also turns their attention to God’s ultimate purpose: salvation through Christ, and life with Christ.

It is in this context that Paul tells them:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

In times of chaos or uncertainty, I find myself making sure my own needs are met. In doing so, I overlook the needs of those around me (at home, work, church, friendships, etc.). When I do, I find that others are in similar situations, and feeling something similar.

It takes a conscious effort to do what Paul says. Step back and recognize that in the chaos of life, God has destined us for salvation and life. This is the ultimate mindset we should have. Not just for “me”, but for “us”.

In those moments that I need to be encouraged or built up, those around me need the same.

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.

Love and Blessin’s,

Dave

Encourage and Build Up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Let’s take one minute and review two key words in this passage to bring this passage to life!

Encourage:

  • “to put courage into” – literally “in courage”, giving confidence to someone.
  • “To bring someone along side yourself” – this lets them know they are not alone.
  • “to call out what is inside” – letting the person know they are known, seen and noticed.

Build up:

  • “Establish” – Think of putting something on solid ground so it can be sturdy.
  • “Restore” or “Rebuild” – Consider an item that was once in good condition and has since decayed. This word can describe the (often tedious) process of restoration or “rebuilding”.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Lord, help us find ways to encourage and build up others around us today and every day.

Love and Blessin’s,

Dave

God called me, but I don’t know what to do!

How do you feel when you hear that God has a calling for your life? Encouraged? Scared? Confused?

How do you feel when you hear that God has a calling for your life? Encouraged? Scared? Confused?

Maybe you think: What if I mess up? Why did God pick me? What if I don’t want to do whatever it is? The idea that God has a call on our life is mystical, encouraging, and scary. If you feel this way you are not alone.

Moses had the same feelings in Exodus chapter 4. During his conversation with God at the burning bush when God tells Moses to bring Israel out of slavery. Moses tries to talk God out of it. I am just going to focus on verses 10-12.

10 Then Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in the past, nor since You have spoken to your servant; for I am slow to speech and slow of tongue."

Obviously, God chose the wrong person. God was calling Moses to speak, but Moses was not a good speaker. 

11-12 And the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes people unable to speak or hear, able to see or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.

Okay, maybe God did choose the right person.

I love the last part, I will…teach you what you are to say.

Teaching is different than telling.

Teaching is a process. Telling is a one time thing.

I believe this is true for you and I. God’s calling is a process of God teaching us what we are to do. God does not just drop a calling into our heart and sit back to see if we figure it out. God works in us and through us, teaching us the way in which we should go.

Sure it is scary. Of course it takes time. But God has designed us for this purpose, even if we don’t see it.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, thank you for calling us. Now make us students of your voice, so we can hear you teach us the way. Remind our excuses that You are the God who made us and called us. We know that if you began this work, then you will carry it on to completion. We love you! In your mighty name we pray. Amen.

Love and Blessin’s,

Dave

The Kingdom of God is not a diet

As a Christian, I can’t tell you how many discussions I’ve had about whether Christians should dress up and go trick or treating on Halloween.  One side will bring up the pagan roots, and all the evil that this day represents. Another side will say, “Dude! Free candy!”

A friend once asked me if I was concerned that I would somehow be honoring or worshiping Satan if I were to celebrate Halloween.  Continue reading “The Kingdom of God is not a diet”

When will God answer?

The people of Israel went 400 years without a new message from God. During that time their entire culture became engulfed in the Roman world. They longed for God to do something. Doesn’t God see? Doesn’t God care? Why was God silent?
Continue reading “When will God answer?”

It is not too much for a King

Do you have children? How about teenagers? Have your children ever disobeyed? Have you? I know that I have.

My wife and I have three amazing kids. I look back over the 18 years of parenting and I can see things I wish I would have done differently. There are also a few things we did with all of our children that I would do again. Here is one of them, and it relates to God’s Kingdom. Continue reading “It is not too much for a King”

Thy Kingdom come!

“What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Kingdom’?” was a question at one of our recent family discussions. The  answers were intriguing.

Castles; King and Queen; Royalty; Army; Moat; Dragons; were a few of the answers. My favorite answer: “People”. I like this answer because it gets right to the heart of everything. The Kingdom is about people. What I love even more is that the Kingdom of God is available to ALL people.

Continue reading “Thy Kingdom come!”

The Kingdom is yours!

One of the most popular sections of the “Sermon on the Mount” is at the beginning, known as the beatitudes. This is where Jesus identifies different people who are blessed. Two of the beatitudes specifically identify people in seemingly undesirable situations and calls these people blessed because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Continue reading “The Kingdom is yours!”

The cure for anxiety, stress and worry!

It always seems the holidays bring on a new level of stress and worry. Afterwards, many experience a different kind of stress as they decide if this year will be the year they finally make “the change”. Some go back to work and it seems everyone waited until after the holidays to bring the problems in. Either way, if you are human, you know some level of stress, worry, or anxiety.

The most famous sermon ever, the “Sermon on the Mount”, is captured in Matthew chapters 5-7. It takes about 15 minutes to read and is filled with simple and deep truths for all people. The Kingdom of God is mentioned eight times in this relatively short sermon. The famous book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship” (Nachfolge), is an excellent exposition of the Sermon on the Mount.

Continue reading “The cure for anxiety, stress and worry!”

2018 Focus – Seek First the Kingdom

In each of our 2017 family meetings we would read Psalm 27. The core of this Psalm is to have a singular focus on seeking God.

For 2018 we will continue our practice of turning to the Bible and seeking God during our family meetings. Our primary focus will be to “seek first the kingdom” from Matthew 6:33. Since this will be the focus for my home, my posts through 2018 will align with this as well. Continue reading “2018 Focus – Seek First the Kingdom”