March 31
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Uncategorized Aside

“[Zacchaeus] wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.” (Luke 19:3-4, NIV)

Our circumstances will often conspire to keep us from seeing Jesus — which includes doing the thing we know in our heart that we ought to do.  

Zacchaeus was short. The crowd was large — and taller than Zacchaeus.  But Zacchaeus didn’t curse the crowd.  He didn’t blame God; and he didn’t shrug his shoulders and give-up on his desire to see Jesus. 

Although short in stature, Zacchaeus’ mind was as good as anyone’s.  His will was as strong as anyone’s. So, he didn’t focus on what he lacked; instead, he used what he had. The scripture says that Zacchaeus “ran ahead. . .”

Today, circumstances may conspire to keep you from following Jesus; but don’t give-in.  Do not focus on what you lack; seize and employ the things you have, as Zacchaeus did — and you will not only see Jesus, but Jesus will see you!  – Luther

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March 29
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Uncategorized Aside

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”  (Psalm 55:22, NKJV)

The key to longevity and stability in a wide variety of aspects (e. g. moral, emotional, spiritual, relational) is the act of casting your cares on the Lord.  The more of our cares we give to Him, the more of His wisdom, confidence, and strength we receive in return.

The times we prefer to coddle our concerns in the privacy of our minds is the precise time we ought to be casting — throwing — those same concerns onto our heavenly Father.  Sharing multiplies our joys and divides our sorrows. 

When we choose to keep to ourselves the very concerns that wring all of the joy from life, we deprive ourselves of a Confidant who has never revealed a secret; a Friend who has never betrayed a trust; a Defender who has never been defeated.  – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on its usual Sunday break tomorrow.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday.  Have a great time in Sunday worship.  God is good!

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March 28
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“These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience): The five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.”  (Judges 3:1-4, NIV)

In the life of a disciple of Jesus, even one’s enemies are a part of God’s plan.

In today’s scripture reading from the book of Judges, enemies existed to teach the descendents of the Exodus how to defend themselves, and to test their devotion to God. (Please see Judges 2:20-22.)

Today, our biggest threat is not the sword (although physical threats do, indeed, exist); it is, instead, all of the influences and agents that oppose the spirit of God within us.  Even here we must pray for our enemies as we utilize the weapons of the Holy Spirit, which are: Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. (Ref: Ephesians 6:10-18)

So, do not curse your enemies.  Pray for them.  (The more your enemies vex you, the more you should pray!)  Resist, defend, and attack with the weapons of the Holy Spirit, which alone are adequate for spiritual warfare.  The victory has already been won.  Wait for it.  – Luther

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