October 26
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”  (Hebrews 1:1-3a, NIV)

As followers of Jesus, it it good to be reminded Who it is that we are following, lest we acquire ideas about the person or the purpose of Jesus that are both un-scriptural, and unsupportable.

Ask an architect about a structure she has designed, and she will be able to speak to every detail of its form and its function.

The words of Jesus resonate as they do in human experience because it was through Him the universe was created.  In other words, He is its architect.

The longer and the closer one follows Jesus, the more one appreciates the designs and the purposes of God.  – Luther

Tagged ,
October 24
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

The reading, study, memorization, and recitation of scripture gives the disciple of Jesus the equipment to do good works.

If we blunder into situations with good intentions, but bad information and no tools, is it because we have not enrolled in the academy of the Holy Spirit to be schooled in both the word of God, and in the wisdom of God?

A report published in 2009 by the University of California, San Diego* says that nearly half of the average American’s day is devoted to consuming information, whether through television, telephone, radio, texting, on line searches, etc. . .

Assuming that we spend 12 hours of each day receiving information, how many hours of the 12 are spent being equipped for good works? Minute for minute, scripture is the best information available because, while it may not teach us how to make a living, it will certainly teach us how to make a life.  – Luther

* http://hmi.ucsd.edu/howmuchinfo.php
REMINDER: Daily Encouragement is on break tomorrow. See you again on Monday, Lord willing. Have a great day in Sunday services!

Tagged , , ,
October 23
Leave a comment
Uncategorized

“You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.” (2 Timothy 1:15-17, NIV)

Most of us have lived long enough to experience what Paul describes: The disloyalty (and the loyalty) of others.

We should be disheartened (although not necessarily surprised) when others desert us — sometimes with malice.  However, we should be greatly encouraged by the loyalty of persons who have gone to great lengths in seeking us; in finding us; and in being present with us.

We should be encouraged by the mere presence of those who are not ashamed of — or intimidated by — our “chains,” whether our encumbrance be illness, financial difficulty, marital discord, substance abuse, or the literal chains of jail or prison.

We should also aspire to be “Onesiphorus” in the life of others.  – Luther

Tagged , ,
← Older posts
Newer posts →