Theme: Need Some Encouragment?

Solid Ground

"I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool--white as snow. His eyes like a fiery flame, His feet like fine bronze fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters. In His right hand He had seven stars; from Hs mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was shining like the sun at midday. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and said, 'Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look--I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.'" (Revelation 1:12-18)

John, who wrote down the things revealed to him in the Spriti, after a short introduction, records his first vision: the risen Lord. Even before the letters of encouragement to the seven churches, he sees a vision of Jesus, risen again. First priority seems to be reminding the saved that Jesus Christ was, indeed, crucified, buried, and raised up again in victory. If there is any doubt in their minds, any disbelief, any reliance on some other perceived truth, John attempts to eradicate this by telling them so vividly about their Messiah, triumphing over death. 

In so doing, John reminds them why they are victorious as well. In the seven letters, he identifies "the victor" based on various things--those who eat from the tree of life, those who triumph over the second death, those who eat the hidden manna, who receive a white stone, who receive the morning star, who wear white clothes, whose names are written in the book of life, and several more word pictures. By first describing Jesus in His victorious splendor, John reminds early Christians that their victory is only through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. By then describing the symbols of our victory (which cannot be attained on this earth), He reminds us to look for our victory somewhere besides the achievements and accolades of this life.

This, of course, means that the burden of eternity is not ours to carry, though, often, we arrogantly believe that it is. Just like we can't die for our own sins, neither can we go out and earn any of those things that the victor is promised. By choosing to love and follow the One who made that sacrifice and became the Victor over sin, we are choosing victory as well.

I struggle with feeling like I have to "do things" to prove myself worthy. Sometimes I fall prey to the belief that earthly victory and eternal victory are synonymous. Taking responsibility for my own victory really takes the shine off of what Jesus did for me. Reading this passage fills my heart with joy. Knowing that my victory cannot be secured by anything that I do motivates me to do the things that I do for the right reasons. It makes me serve, worship, and love more passionately and earnestly, because I am peacefully resting in the knowledge that Jesus gave me the right to do all of those things. They are not things I have to feel burdened by--they are things that He graciously invites me to do as part of His grace-filled promise.

These words, from one of my favorite hymns, remind me of the promises that are repeated in the book of Revelation:

"When He shall come with trumpet sound, o may I, then, in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand."

Sometimes, realizing the futility of the things we invest in here is scary. However, it should be a sweet assurance, because if we are investing in them out of a desire to be fully obedient to the call given to us by our Victor--the one with feet bronzed like fire and hair as white as snow--then they are merely things that we can love and hold dear withou extensive obligation. We can do them and love them but not wear them, because we are only clothed if we're wearing His righteousness--alone.

"'Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look--I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.'"

Resting in the knowledge that Jesus Christ triumphed is standing on solid ground. Juxtaposing that knowledge to anything else we could choose to stand on makes the "anything else" look like pretty precarious standing. Because all other ground is sinking sand. I'm glad we aren't obligated to stand on that kind of ground.

Father,

Thank you for reminding us in your holy word that Jesus is the victor. Thank you for showing us solid ground that we can stand on, so we don't have to stand on our own accomplishments and efforts. Thank you for showing us that standing on the solid gound of Jesus' promise is choosing victory. We rejoice in that victory and rest peacefully in the knowledge that it is so. We love you even when we make the mistake of venturing out onto dangerous terrain.

In Christ alone,

Amen.

Erin Daugherty
Abilene Christian University

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

The Slight Edge

Jeff Olson’s secret to a successful life is “The Slight Edge”.   He says, “It’s the philosophy that is the secret ingredient.  Your philosophy is what you know, how you hold it, and how it affects what you do.  A positive philosophy turns into a positive attitude, which turns into positive actions, which turns into positive results, which turns into a positive lifestyle.”

I think the “slight edge” describes the faith of my twelve year old great-nephew, Kory.  In his twelve years, Kory has created many stories.  I have often suggested that his Mom write a book of “Kory’s Stories”. Over the past year, through Care Pages, she has written a book that describes the faith of a child, her son, who has demonstrated a deep rooted faith through the trials associated with nine rounds of chemo for adrenal cancer.  

This past weekend our family celebrated the reveal of Kory’s wish which was granted by the Make a Wish Foundation.  Kory’s wish was for a make-over of his Nanny’s backyard.  Several years ago, Hurricane Rita had uprooted three large trees and demolished her back yard.   He wanted a place to be able to swim and play with his friends.  Last Friday, much to his surprise, Kory, was visited by a couple of policemen who told him they were going to escort him to a party where his “wish” would be revealed.   Many of

Kory’s friends and family were there at his Nanny’s house to greet him when he arrived in a silver limousine with vehicles from the Sheriff’s Department in front and back, sirens blaring all the way.  Needless to say, Kory was shocked to find that his wish had already been granted.  Representatives who had been working to carry out his wish were overwhelmed by the support of volunteers from their community who had worked to bring together the completion of the project.  They had put a canopy over the pool, had planted a vegetable garden and landscaped the entire backyard with trees, shrubs and flowers.  He said it was far beyond anything he could have imagined.  

I believe as Christians we all have the “slight edge”.  I realize this when I read passages like the one in Romans 8:31-39 which tells us there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.  

 “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.  Death can’t, and life can’t.  The angels can’t and the demons can’t.  Our fears for today, or worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

“Our loving God and Father, we are in awe of the wonders of your love.  We are reminded continually of your presence through the beauties of nature that surround us and of your love shown through the lives of your faithful children.  Thank you for Kory and for his loving family.  We are blessed and inspired as we see your Spirit in them.  Thank you for giving us the “slight edge” as we experience trials in this life.  Above all, we thank you for Jesus, for his life, his willingness to die so that we might live eternally with you and for his resurrection which gives us the hope and assurance of a home with you when we have completed our journey here.  It is through his name we pray, Amen.”

Jan Alderfer

Stephenville, TX

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

Can I Talk to You for a Minute, Dad?

Where’s Bob?  Whatever happened to Susan?  Have you seen Gene lately?  That’s how the conversation usually begins about spiritual casualties - people who collapsed under the tension that comes with sorting out discipleship and grace. Integrity, peace, joy, and acceptance got lost on the otherside of baptism.  Their struggle to be “reformatted” in the Spirit soon became a value statement convincing them to buy the lie that God has no need for stumbling journeymen.  Only people who can keep their feet consistently should stay in the journey.  And, there are a lot of Bobs, Susans and Genes out there.  Met one lately?

Spiritual failure is difficult for anybody.  Just ask around.  “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” works well in secular pursuits.  But, what about in the context of faith?  Spiritual failure quickly becomes an issue of our “worth” in God’s eyes.  Trying to sort out the relationship between holiness and grace can wear down anybody.  Know what I mean?  Anybody who has read the bible through once knows the difference between trying and coasting.  Tryers (disciples?) know what to do and reach for it but sometimes fail.  Coasters…well…you know. 

In First John chapter one John reassures his readers of an important truth about God and the gospel, namely that genuine faith cannot be lived compartmentally, i.e., thinking about God in one compartment and living life on my own terms in another compartment.  John says, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness we lie and do not practice the truth.” That’s the message they heard “in the beginning” of their faith journey and, John assures them that message has not changed.  But other voices had put forth a different viewpoint. These persuasive voices redefined God and threw out sin as a concept that had run its course.  Sophisticated thinking dismissed sin as antiquated and backward.  But, John draws a line in the proverbial sand:  If we say that we have not sinned we deceive ourselves….we make God a liar….and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8, 10).  (Unfortunately, that attitude is afoot in our streets not to mention faith circles.  We need John’s message on this point today!)

But, John has another message we need to hear.  Is it possible for us to be “too hard” on ourselves spiritually?  We look at ourselves in the mirror, pause in the middle of prayer, or take the Lord’s Supper and quietly say to ourselves, “How can I do this with a shred of integrity?  I’m a failure!  Loser!  Why would God want to love me?  I’m kidding myself to think God pays attention to a single word that comes out of my mouth in prayer.  When are you going to get it right?”  We take three steps forward only to take two backwards.  And, on and on it goes. 

John has a message we need to hear:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness… My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2) 

Satan doesn’t want us to reflect on those words.  He wants distance between us and our Father.  And, if he can coax us into accepting a tyrant view of God, our moments of weakness and failure – no matter our heart’s inclination – combine in the form of a spiritual knockout punch. 

John says God is faithful to forgive us.  Moreover, Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins, BUT HE CONTINUES to help us in our struggle against sin.  He is our defense attorney.  He represents us!  But, do we really believe that??

Good parents teach their children to come to them when they have needs.  The last thing we want is for them to get discouraged, give up, go into a shell or run away.  Our heavenly Father is “faithful and righteous”…our defense attorney stands ready to plead our case as those who fall on the mercy of the court through his sacrifice.  It’s a benefit that “tryers” (disciples!) have! 

Are you struggling?  Don’t run away.  Don’t give up.  And, don’t buy the lies that Satan will throw at you when you are flat on your face in the middle of spiritual failure.  Turn to your Father.  Talk to Him.  He will renew your heart.  He promised!  And, that’s why the gospel is good news for everybody. 

Father, thank you for loving us all the way…everyday.  Help us to love you back the same way.  And, guard our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus so that we can stay on the road that leads home.  Because of Jesus….Amen

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

Renew My Strength

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31

I could have used those eagles’ wings last week!  Don’t get me wrong, it was the best week ever: Mimi’s Summer Camp.  Every year my three granddaughters spend a week in June with Mike and me in Stephenville.  Joel’s girls are Lexie and Lauren, 8 and 11. Scotty’s Sydney is 11.  We always have a great time.  But sometimes there is conflict – you know how it can be with sisters and cousins; so alike, but also, each so different.  And nothing is as exhausting as dealing with conflict.  I have reason to believe in Isaiah’s promise that the Lord “gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak!”  With each passing year I’m a little more weary and little less powerful. After all, “Even youths grow tired and weary.”  But I’m so thankful for this week; this opportunity to make some memories for my granddaughters and for myself. 

Actually, I know there are things more exhausting than dealing with conflict.  My husband could sure use those eagles’ wings about now, as could other ranchers and farmers in Texas.  The worst Texas drought since record-keeping began over 100 years ago has dried up the grass and the water.  Mike is busy every day in the triple-digit heat, checking on cattle and moving them to find grass and water.  Feed prices are rising and hay is getting hard to find.  It’s a pretty desperate situation, and he will soon have to cull part of the herd he has built up over many years.  He’s discouraged and tired, but he too has the assurance that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will walk and not be faint.”

I was touched and encouraged by Sandra Milholland’s article on this blog June 12, “The Bittersweet Task of Caregiving.”  My mother, too, suffers from Alzheimer’s.  I’m not her full-time caregiver by any means.  But I do spend a lot of time with her, and make all decisions about her care.  Sandra’s post describes some of my emotions – fear, anger, frustration, sadness, love, guilt, fatigue. Sometimes I wonder WHY? Isaiah 40:28, the verse before the promise of wings like eagles says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, and his understanding no one can fathom.”  So, I think if you know that God’s ways are unfathomable, you can simply trust that He knows what He is doing. I can no longer find the Mother I know in her physical body, so I take comfort in thinking of her soaring on wings like eagles.  Her hope has always been in the Lord.

In Isaiah 40 the people of Judah were in captivity in Babylon because of their unbelief and disobedience.    They had grown tired and weary; their spirits were discouraged because of their affliction.  They were sure that God would not listen to them or help them; they cried, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God.”  (“My case is so bad that God can’t even help!”)  Isaiah says NOT SO!

We all have times when we are weary or overwhelmed by the pressures of life.  We stumble and fall.  But this scripture gives us a clear remedy:  Hope in the Lord. Wait in faith for Him to act.  He is there to lift us up if we do; to soar on wings like eagles. 

Father in heaven, today I choose to put my hope in You. Thank You for renewing my strength and keeping me close to You. May my granddaughters hope in You; lift them up that they may soar on wings like eagles. May my mother have peace in your grace and strength in your mighty power over death. Thank you for sending your beloved Son to be a light to the world and to lead us through this life.  I pray through Him that You will forgive me when I stumble and fall.  May I remain faithful to your Word until my hope is fulfilled in heaven.  And Lord please send us rain.

Lynn Anne Hughes

Stephenville, Texas, USA

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

ANTICIPATING THE DAY

“13With the same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.  15For it is all for your sake, so that grace extends to more and more people. It may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:13-16

Did you catch what Paul said in verse 14?  “The one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.”

This is our Holy One, Jesus, Our Lord, Our Savior, and he is coming back.  Let these words sink into your heart.  Your spirit yearns for the day.  Can you imagine?  Paul is saying that he and Timothy and the Christians of the first century will rise right beside us, the Christians in the 21st century.  In the future, at a time that God has chosen, Christians will rise from the earth. You may see Peter or Paul right beside you. What a thought.  Imagine seeing the look on the face of Peter as he sees Jesus again.  Likewise, Peter may look upon your face as you see Jesus for the first time.  Can you imagine anything more exciting than being lifted up alongside our Lord?

Allow your soul to anticipate the most amazing of days when Jesus comes back for us.
In verses 15-16, Paul is encouraging us to hold onto our hope.  Don’t fret over the wrinkles and the disabilities that come with aging.  No matter what advertisers tell us, don’t focus on your body that is wasting away.  He encourages us to keep our focus on the day Jesus returns. Invigorate your “inner self” by remembering that Jesus is coming back.  God is waiting to send His Son, so that more and more souls can receive his grace.  Share the message of the cross! It is all to the glory of God. 

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for giving us glimpses of your return.  Thank you for the excitement it stirs in our hearts. How great is your salvation.  There is no one holy like you Lord.  There is no one besides you!  In your blessed name, Amen

Terry Smith

Stephenville, Texas

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

1 Peter 5:8-10

 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

A roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  The king of the jungle waiting to turn me into mincemeat.  It’s not a mental image I want to face in real life but it’s a battle I face daily in the spiritual realm.  Were I to come upon a roaring lion, I think my natural inclination would be to run away as fast I can (likely screaming the whole way) hoping the lion would be too lazy to chase after me but scripture suggests something different.  Scripture tells me to resist the roaring line and stand firm in faith because a host of others are facing the same battle from the same roaring lion.  Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, also encourages us to stand firm in the Lord and in his mighty power knowing the battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces and goes on to tell us the equipment God gives us to fight the good fight.  

In the scripture above, we are reminded that we are not alone in the battle, that God has surrounded us with his children to help us stand firm in our sufferings.  God’s assurance isn’t just in the fact that we have a bigger family to help us through these sufferings but also the fact that our sufferings are temporary, that they will last just a little while.  The best assurance of all isn’t even about those we are surrounded by but that the God of all grace will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast.  That is the blessed assurance that we have, that God will work on us and in us to overcome anything we face on this earth.

I have some homeless friends who’s lives have reminded me of God’s assurance for our future as well, if not better, than anything else I’ve known.  These guys live under a tree.  If it’s 40 degrees outside, they live under a tree.  If it’s 100 degrees outside, they live under a tree.  If it’s storming, they try to seek another shelter that will protect them better but they ride out many a storm underneath a tree.  They don’t complain, they don’t moan...they just live out their days underneath a tree because they believe living underneath a tree is temporary.  They know that living under a tree isn’t home anymore than living in a 3,000 square foot house with all the amenities isn’t home.  Home is where God is.  Home is where we will go when it is time to live with him.  Home is where his love for us will lead us when this temporary life is over.  

Our assurance is that God is merciful and full of grace.  Our assurance is that we are forgiven. Our assurance is that the lion can roar today but his roaring is only going to last a short time because God has a permanent place for us.  

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Theme: Need Some Encouragement?

COURAGE TO ENDURE 

It takes courage to thwart tradition.  To shrug off the fabric of a religious heritage handed down from generation to generation and embrace, instead, a world view so powerful you can’t ignore it.  Jewish Christians in the early church showed this kind of courage.  Being a Christian was life-changing and life-threatening.  They suffered alienation from family, marginalization from society, and even death because of their faith in Christ.

As the pressures of life as a Christian wore upon them, their faith in Christ became vulnerable and they were tempted to return to Judaism.  And so the writer of Hebrews reminded them:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.   For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Hit rewind.  All the way back to Moses and the children of Israel.  No matter how many times God rescued and blessed them, no matter how many promises he kept, despite every objective sign and tangible proof of his love for them, their fragile faith remained vulnerable to selfish fears.  Let’s not be smug.  We’re tempted in the same way.    

Now fast-forward through the centuries.  Jesus was born, just like God promised.  His life was impeccable and his ministry powerful, just like God promised.  His death / resurrection shook-up and realigned the religious world forever, bringing grace to Jew and Gentile alike.

Jesus, the Son of God, is our tangible, objective reason to remain faithful.  He was tempted by discouragement like we are, but remained sinless.   He’s not only a great high priest who understands, he’s also the pure Sacrificial Lamb who died once for all of us.  Just like God promised.

My prayer:  Heavenly Father, because Jesus died, because his tomb is empty and because you keep your promises, we approach your throne with confidence—not in our own ability to earn eternal life, but because your gift of grace ensures it.  We thank you, through Christ, amen.    

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas