The Encouragement Blog

1 Kings 19:10 tells the tale of Elijah having a bad day and throwing a massive pity party.  He thought he was the only follower of God left in Israel. How could Israel be reclaimed for God if he was the only good guy left? We look around our neighborhoods and maybe our offices  and wonder the same thing. We

Some people loved God so much that they were killed for their beliefs. The first martyr, Stephen, spoke out against the Jewish leadership and was stoned to death. Ironically, the future apostle Paul was a member of the killing party (see Acts 7:54-60).  Jim Elliot, a missionary, gave his life in Christ’s service. Jim, along with four other missionaries, was

When we run against the wind on a jog around the neighborhood, we feel the wind’s resistance. In the gym, we lift weights to gain strength. When we lift more than the day before, it is the resistance of the weight that builds the muscles in us up. So, too, it is in our daily Christian lives. If we take

Sometimes the agony of loneliness feels like a switchblade penetrating our souls as it slices up the last bit of hope in the secret places of our hearts. Sometimes the craving for the taste of our mamma’s burritos makes us cry. We wonder if God has forgotten us. We cry out to God like the psalmist who wrote, “Has God

To many people, the suggestion that worship and religion unite us is absurd. They point out that millions have been killed in the name of God through religious wars, the Crusades, and the Inquisition. They argue that religion has been a great source of division and suffering in the world—and in some ways they are correct. Religion focusing on “do’s

James 4:4 warns us against “friendship with the world.” This can be a confusing verse, even though it seems pretty straightforward. Does it mean that as followers of Jesus we must separate ourselves from all the pleasures and wonderful things that Creation offers? Are we denied permission to participate and enjoy the good things of earth? No! It doesn’t mean

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43  Devotional writer Henry Drummond tells the story of two saints who argued about which of them was the “greatest monument of God’s saving grace.” The first man told of his wicked life

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3, NIV We all have a need to feel connected to another human being. Good marriages thrive on communication. Without daily sharing, one partner feels disconnected and alone. Suicides occur when people lose all loving contact

The devil smiles when there’s quarreling and arguing within our churches. Nothing makes him happier than to hear one sister or brother in Christ trash another. The results of this behavior are conflict and hurt feelings. It’s hard to demonstrate a loving attitude towards those people we know who are not Christians when the Christians themselves can’t get along with

Remember those hot summer afternoons when all the relatives would come together, have a barbecue, and visit? But if two family groups were divided and angry at one another, the reunion could become hostile and unpleasant. The groups needed to be brought together for the family to live in harmony. Unfortunately, pride often kept fighting family members from admitting fault