Author Archives: Daily Encouragement

September 13
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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  (Ephesians 4:1-2, NIV)

Live up to your calling.

This is the message from Paul — writing from prison in Rome — to the Christians in Ephesus (a city in modern-day Turkey).

Our calling is the highest of all callings, yet we are instructed to be humble.  Our calling often leads us into the coarsest of situations, yet we are expected to be gentle at all times.  Our calling gives us access to the wisdom of the ages, and the knowledge of the Almighty; yet we are also called to exhibit patience, forbearance, and love.

Are you living up to your calling as a disciple of Jesus?  – Luther

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September 12
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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

You’ve heard the expression: “Your work is cut-out for you.”

It is a good thing to have one’s work clearly defined and waiting to be accomplished.  As disciples of Jesus — “God’s handiwork” — our work is cut-out, and waiting, for us from all of the other missions and tasks in the world that wait to be taken-up.

When we were made new in Christ we became an instrument for good works.  Don’t allow yourself to become a tool for anything less.

How do we know whether the task before us is of God?  Make it your ambition to walk with God in, and through, every circumstance.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:6)  – Luther

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September 11
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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

A few verses earlier in today’s scripture citation, we are reminded that we “reap what we sow.”

It is worth remembering that even while we are engaged in sowing “good seed” by doing good deeds, it takes a while before the planted seed sprouts; and longer still before the sprout matures and is ready for harvesting.

Particularly when we are doing the right thing, we want to see results.  Paul reminds us that the desired results will come but, in the meantime, we must not tire of doing good; and we must not grow weary in the wait for harvest.

Sow.  Water.  Weed.  Fertilize (encourage).  Wait.  “At the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  – Luther

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