Daily Encouragement | Daily Encouragement | Page 93

Author Archives: Daily Encouragement

Leave a comment

Uncategorized

“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” (Proverbs 2:7, NLT)

Have you ever taken a short-cut only to discover — later — that it cost you more time, more money, and more energy than the “long way ’round” would have?

Have you thought that doing the right thing because it is the right thing requires too much “exposure” to less scrupulous people, who might take advantage?

In these circumstances, God’s word tells us that the path of honesty is the correct path — always; and that God is a shield to all persons of integrity.

Today, make honesty and integrity in all things your non-negotiable objective. – Luther

Tagged godly wisdom, honesty, integrity, the book of Proverbs, wisdom

Leave a comment

Uncategorized

“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'” (Luke 1:18, NIV)

“’How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34, NIV)

It is okay for us to wonder how God will deliver us, or how God will provide for us, or how God will work-out an unworkable situation. Such thinking challenges our creativity, and reminds us of God’s greatness. God always arrives; and God is always on time, but He often appears from a direction or in a situation we had not considered.

It is not okay to wonder whether God has the power to deliver us, or the resources to provide for us, or the know-how to ensure success, because this kind of thinking insults our heavenly Father.

Today’s two scriptures are contrasts in these two ways of thinking about apparent impossibilities. In the former, Zechariah (the seasoned religious professional) questioned the promise, and was sidelined by God. In the latter, Mary (the simple, young, religious novice) questioned only the process while affirming her allegiance to the plan and the purposes of God.

To this day, Mary’s faith is heralded, while Zechariah’s insistence on “knowing before going” is a cautionary tale.

The next time God presents you with an opportunity to join Him in a task, will you respond as Mary — or as Zechariah? – Luther

Tagged faith, Mary, the book of Luke, the process, the promise, Zechariah

Leave a comment

Uncategorized

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” (1 Peter 1:17, NIV)

In today’s scripture, Peter reminds the reader of two important things: (1) We are foreigners (some translations read “pilgrims”) on this earth. Heaven — not earth — is our home. We are, for a time, merely visitors here; and (2) We need to live each day of our lives in “reverent fear.”

Contrary to what the world would have us believe, fear is not a bad trait. The problem is that we too often fear the things and people we should pay no mind; and we pay no mind to the things that we ought to fear.

For example, a fear of electricity is warranted. Although we use electrical power every day, we observe and teach others a reverence for it that keeps us from abusing it. Such an attitude is not a bad thing. In fact, this “reverent fear” may have kept us from destroying ourselves by accidental electrocution!

As pilgrims on this spinning sphere, we need to keep in mind that our time is short, and our opportunities for good are constantly opposed by evil. If only for these reasons, live in “reverent fear.” Our heavenly Father is awesome in His power, yet he deals with us with gentleness and grace. – Luther

Tagged fear, pilgrims, reverence, strategic living, the book of 1 Peter