Author Archives: Daily Encouragement

April 23
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“There he went into a cave and spent the night.  And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”  (I Kings 19:9, NIV)

When our daily agenda is full of commitments — including urgent matters that appear, uninvited, in the line-up — we need to consider the question that came from God to the prophet Elijah when Elijah was hiding in a cave in fear of Queen Jezebel, who had sworn to kill him within 24 hours: “What are you doing here?”

Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, is thought to have said: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  Yet, it is very difficult for most people to look critically at where they are in life; and the paths they’ve taken to arrive at that point.

Had Elijah closely examined his personal history and, more importantly, the presence of God in his personal history; and the deliverance of Elijah by the hand of God against impossible odds; Elijah may still have been in the cave, but he would not have been there in mortal fear of Jezebel, and of the mind that God had abandoned him.

Take the time — and the courage — to spend five minutes in self-examination.  Answer the question: “What are you doing here?”  It is the only sure way to keep in step with the cadence of God for your life.  – Luther

Tagged , , , , , ,
April 22
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Tagged , , ,
April 21
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

Resurrection Monday

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast.”  (Luke 24:17, NIV)

The evidence of the Resurrection was not accepted by Jesus’ closest disciples. In light of the empty tomb, the angel’s proclamation, the testimony of the women, the ancient prophecies come true, and even Jesus’ own words about His death and resurrection, one might think the disposition of the two disciples en route to Emmaus in today’s scripture would have been anything but “downcast,” but they were very distressed.

I am the first to admit that had I been there, I probably wouldn’t have believed,  either.  All of the disciples — except, to their eternal credit, the women — refused to accept the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection.  What they were seeing was unprecedented, and denial of the evidence is always the surest way to avoid facing the hard questions that inevitably follow Revelation.

Today, we still have the empty tomb, the angel’s proclamation, the testimony of the women, the ancient prophecies come true, and even Jesus’ own words about His death and resurrection and — unlike the two disciples on Resurrection Day — 2,000 additional years of testimony that all of it is still true!

Does your countenance reflect this compelling evidence?

He is risen!  The Lord is risen indeed!  Hallelujah!  – Luther

← Older posts
Newer posts →