Daily Encouragement | A scripture-based, 60-second, challenge toward fidelity in living-out the call to Christian discipleship!

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“After proclaiming the Message in Derbe and establishing a strong core of disciples, they retraced their steps to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch, putting muscle and sinew in the lives of the disciples, urging them to stick with what they had begun to believe and not quit, making it clear to them that it wouldn’t be easy: ‘Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times.'” (Acts 14:21-22, The Message)

Expectations. Set forth clear expectations today, and you will avoid a great deal of misunderstanding and disappointment tomorrow.

As disciples of Jesus, we are told numerous times in the scriptures to expect hardship, resistance, and trial for the sake of the Good News. Difficulties come with being a citizen of heaven. Expect it.

We are also told numerous times in the scriptures to expect the presence of God’s Holy Spirit in every circumstance, to empower, to cheer, and to guide us.

Are our expectations as God’s people based on God’s word, or are our expectations based on something else? – Luther

Tagged discipleship, expectations, hardship, the book of Acts, trial

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“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12, NIV)

While many in this world pursue wealth because of its apparent security, Ecclesiastes reminds us that — compared to wisdom — money is an inferior shelter.

Money cannot add years to our life, but wisdom will give life to our years. Money cannot reveal the secrets of life; but if a persons acquires wisdom, life’s secrets are revealed.

To live according to God’s wisdom is to have all of the things that money cannot buy. – Luther

Tagged God's wisdom, money, the book of Ecclesiastes, wisdom

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“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.” (Acts 14:19-20, NIV)

Stoned, and left for dead.

As amazing as it is that Paul survived such abuse, what is even more amazing is what he did afterward: “He got up and went back into the city.”

We can only guess at Paul’s reasons for returning to the scene of his humiliation, pain, and near-death experience. Perhaps, Paul chose to re-enter the city for the benefit of the disciples who had refused to abandon him.

How do we serve those that walk the extra mile with us through difficulties, trials, disappointments, and sorrows? Do we remember that, for such people, the return distance home is one mile longer because of us?

If Paul and Barnabas had departed for Derbe from where Paul had been dragged by the mob, it would have been a shorter journey — and a lot less stressful. (And they did, indeed, leave for Derbe the following day!) However, in the moment, Paul chose to re-enter the city.

We do well — after we’ve “gotten up” — to see home those who have stood-by us with the blessing of our literal presence, and our gratitude.

If God has saved you through one fire, remember that God also has the power to save you through a hundred fires more. Do not shirk the opportunity, whether because of fear or personal inconvenience, to be a living example to others of God’s faithfulness. – Luther

Tagged commitment, encouragement, fidelity, physical presence, the book of Acts

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