Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Matt. 20:26-27 (NIV). This may not seem like an encouragement at first but it is a tremendous encouragement. Jesus promises that servants will be great in his kingdom. This promise encourages us because it sets us free from status-seeking in this world. Status in this world doesn’t count for anything in the New Creation to come, which lasts for eternity. Being a servant and learning how to bless others is what matters in this age because this will be invaluable, eternal fruit. This is another feature of God’s upside-down kingdom. You can be the weakest, smallest, least-educated and most neglected person in your community, but if you adopt a servant’s heart then you will be greater than everyone in your community who does not have a servant’s heart. Only Continue Reading →

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:20 ESV). Jesus is always with us, but he promises that when two or three are gathered in his name he is among us. God loves community and he honors community by promising that God the Son is present in a better way than with a single believer. Remember that our destiny is to be fruitful members of God’s perfect community of followers on the New Earth. Jesus referred to this as the kingdom of God. God is restoring his image in you so that you can flourish in his community and contribute your gifts and personality. But God’s community does not begin in the next age – it began on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came after Jesus’ resurrection. You are part of that continuous community. Jesus is sad when we neglect his Continue Reading →

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, NIV). Jesus encourages you by promising to give you rest for your soul when you come to him, in other words, when you place your dependence and hopes on him. He is restful because you can “cast all your cares” on him (1 Pet. 5:7); you don’t have to do your tasks with anxiety in your soul. Whether it is a relationship, your occupation, your health, or a spiritual struggle in your heart it is usually your dependence on your own strength or your fears about the future that make you “weary and burdened”. Instead, you can come to Jesus, keep placing your burdens and dependence on him, and trust in his future for you. Jesus is king of the world and has all the power, and though he will not keep Continue Reading →

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matt. 10:29-31 (NIV). You are valuable to God! Jesus spoke these words after he sent his twelve disciples out to announce the coming of the kingdom of God. He said they would be persecuted and some believers would be killed. But he also said they should not fear the killers because God is the one who preserves the soul. Then he said these words that even a sparrow doesn’t die outside the Father’s care. Sadly, yesterday a sparrow flew into my window and died. I was hurt, but I have the comfort that God maintains his care for that sparrow! Perhaps he will resurrect that sparrow and many Continue Reading →

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matt. 7:24-25 (NLT). Jesus encourages us that if we follow his words (in this passage he is coming to the end of his Sermon on the Mount), then no matter what happens we will not collapse, and our life will not end up worthless. This reminds us of Romans 8:35-39 which promises that nothing (death, persecution, powers, etc) can separate us from the love of God. Notice that Jesus recognizes that storms will come; we are not immune from troubles. Our “house” is not worldly status or possessions. Our “house” is our inner self, our heart, our Christlikeness. This house will be able to Continue Reading →