Your Salvation Began with God

“Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.” JUDE 1:1

 

PONDER THIS

What reason do we have for security? We have been called according to God’s sovereign purpose. The word sovereign means “the decree of a king, a ruler against whom there is no rising up.” God has a purpose that is seen in that God called you. The word called here does not mean call like, I call Paul, and I say, “Hi Paul, come over here.” No, the word called means “an official summons.” You see, your salvation did not begin with you. It began with God. If it began with you, you might lose it, but since it began with God, you can never lose it. The Bible says God is able to finish what He began, and He called you. Had he not called us, none of us would have been here. We must remember that we love him because He first loved us.

How does it encourage you to remember that God has called you?

How does that give you the confidence to pursue the will of God each day?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of things you know God has called you to do. Pick one of these to do right now.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Strength with Gentleness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

GALATIANS 5:22-23

 

PONDER THIS

When you’re setting a broken bone, what do you need? Gentleness. You need tender loving care. You can’t restore somebody if you’re harsh and overbearing. You’ve got to be gentle. Do you know what I’ve noticed about dads whose children love them most? They’re gentle. All children want a strong dad, a dad they can look up to. But they also want a dad who’s gentle. You can restore your children with gentleness rather than lashing out at them, screaming at them, and criticizing them. Try some tenderness with your children. If you’ve got backslidden children, they need tenderness. Your neighbor needs tenderness. “Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1, KJV). Do it gently.

How has God been gentle with you when you needed restoration?

How have you experienced the blessing of gentleness from a Christian brother or sister?

PRACTICE THIS

Who do you know who needs encouragement or restoration? Take action to bless that person with gentleness today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Open the Windows of Your Heart

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. (Isaiah 42:3)

Probably the most encouraging words I have heard in weeks came from a prophecy in Isaiah 42:1–3 about how Jesus will use his spiritual power.

Do you feel like “a bruised reed” — like one of those big top-heavy Easter lilies whose stem has been squashed so that the flower flops to the ground and gets no sap? Do you ever feel like your faith is just a little spark instead of a flame — like that little red dot at the end of the wick after you blow out the birthday candle?

Take heart! The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of encouragement: he will not snap off your flower; he will not snuff out your spark.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). “[He is] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

It may be a grief to us that we are only a spark instead of a flaming fire. But listen! And be encouraged: Yes, there is a big difference between a spark and a fire. But there is an infinite difference between a spark and no spark! A mustard seed of faith is infinitely closer to being a mountain of faith than it is to being no faith.

Open the window of God’s promises and let the Spirit blow into every room of your heart. The Holy Wind of God will not break or quench. He will lift up your head and fan your spark into a flame. He is the Spirit of encouragement.

John Piper 

The Power of Encouragement

“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.” PROVERBS 31:23

 

PONDER THIS

The woman described in Proverbs 31 is to her husband a helpmeet—a completer, an enhancer. This verse says her husband is known in the gates. The gates were the place of commerce in this day. This was like her husband being known in city hall or in the courthouse square. Her husband is a well-known citizen, but because God is extolling the wife here and not the husband, the implication is very clear that he is what he is because she is what she is. Likewise, I know I am what I am today, not only because of God, but because of my precious wife. I know that beyond any shadow of doubt. And that's what this verse is saying. Her husband is known in the gates. She is a woman who is behind her husband, encouraging her husband at every step.

Why is it important that wives learn to encourage their husbands?

Do you know of a couple who mutually encourage and appreciate one another in a godly manner?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time this week to show your appreciation to someone who is good at encouraging others.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

When Failure Isn’t the Final Word

Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.” ACTS 15:37-38 

 

PONDER THIS

Barnabas knew John Mark had failed, but he also knew that failure is not final, and he wanted to mend a broken relationship. From today’s passage, Barnabas took John Mark, and he continued to nurture him. Later, Paul was in a filthy, Roman prison. Time had passed. In 2 Timothy 4:11 Paul wrote: “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” 

How about that? This is the same guy that Paul wouldn’t have anything to do with in today’s passage. But later, he said, “Bring him. He is profitable to me for the ministry.” How did that happen? Because there was a man named Barnabas, who refused to let go of a good man named Mark just because he failed. There are many around us who have failed, and they need you to help them be restored.

Who do you know who might feel stuck in past failure?

   

How might God be calling you to provide spiritual encouragement?

PRACTICE THIS

 

Take time this week to connect with someone you know who has failed and could use godly encouragement.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Escaping the Dark Room of Discouragement

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.”  2 CORINTHIANS 1:3

 

PONDER THIS

Do you know why discouragement is so bad? Discouragement opens the door for all kinds of sins and failures. Someone once said, “Discouragement is a dark room where the negatives of failure are developed.” Did you know the Bible calls God the God of all encouragement? Second Corinthians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort.” The word comfort actually means encouragement. God is the God of all encouragement. That means God has cornered the market on encouragement. He’s the God of all of it. Do you need encouragement? Do you feel trapped in discouragement? Take heart that the God of all comfort and encouragement is ready to hear your cry and give you encouragement today.

Where do you currently feel most discouraged?

What encouragement can you find in God?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of ways you can be encouraged because of who God is and what He has done for you. Dwell on this list today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Our Children Respond to Encouragement

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” EPHESIANS 4:31-32

 

PONDER THIS

It can be hard for us to hear the problems of our children. You may think the problems kids have are not big problems compared to your problems. But they’re big to the kid, and that’s what matters. Cry with them when they hurt, when their grade-school romances break up. Be concerned with them when a pet dies. You show them you care about them when you care about their world with them.

Children need encouragement like plants need water. Somebody gave me a houseplant a while back. I put it in my study. It was beautiful for about a week and a half, and then I looked over and it had turned down. I thought, “What happened to my plant?” Well, I hadn’t put a drop of water on it. I poured about three or four cups of water on it. In several hours that plant was back upright and looked healthy. Encouragement is to children what water is to dehydrated plants: They need you to hear them and encourage them in the challenges they face.

What are some challenges you have faced with being compassionate when listening to someone in the next generation? How can God help you in those areas?

When did an adult make an impact on you by being there when you had a difficult time as a child? What was special about that? How could you pass that on to someone else?

PRACTICE THIS

Connect with those in the next generation. Listen to their struggles in life and pray with and for them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Open the Windows of Your Heart

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. (Isaiah 42:3)

Probably the most encouraging words I have heard in weeks came from a prophecy in Isaiah 42:1–3 about how Jesus will use his spiritual power.

Do you feel like “a bruised reed” — like one of those big top-heavy Easter lilies whose stem has been squashed so that the flower flops to the ground and gets no sap? Do you ever feel like your faith is just a little spark instead of a flame — like that little red dot at the end of the wick after you blow out the birthday candle?

Take heart! The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of encouragement: he will not snap off your flower; he will not snuff out your spark.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). “[He is] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

It may be a grief to us that we are only a spark instead of a flaming fire. But listen! And be encouraged: Yes, there is a big difference between a spark and a fire. But there is an infinite difference between a spark and no spark! A mustard seed of faith is infinitely closer to being a mountain of faith than it is to being no faith.

Open the window of God’s promises and let the Spirit blow into every room of your heart. The Holy Wind of God will not break or quench. He will lift up your head and fan your spark into a flame. He is the Spirit of encouragement.

John Piper 

What We Need Are Encouragers

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” GALATIANS 6:1

 

PONDER THIS

One day when I was a kid, I shimmied up a coconut tree to get a coconut. It was a big tree. I had my arm around a palm frond, and suddenly, the palm frond came loose; the coconut came loose; and I came loose. I slipped down the tree and hit the ground. I fell on the grass, but my left arm fell on the sidewalk and splintered my elbow, the bone jutting out of the skin. It was awful. I was lying there on the ground, writhing.

My brother was there too. He didn’t run all over town, saying, “Hey, Adrian fell, Adrian fell!” He didn’t stand there and say, “Adrian, you’re the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. Couldn’t you see the palm leaf was yellow?” He didn’t give me a lecture, and He didn’t leave me, thinking I was no good anymore with a broken arm. No, my brother came alongside of me and gave me some tender, loving help. Thank God, I’ve got that arm again to use.

Some people fall, but they don’t need us going around gossiping about it. They don’t need lectures. They don’t need people leaving them behind when they are wounded. No, we need some Barnabas types. We need people with tender, loving care. The word “restore” in the Greek is the term for setting a bone. It’s tender, loving care.

When has someone encouraged you when you have fallen?

How can encouragement make a difference when you have failed?

PRACTICE THIS

Encourage someone who has struggled in the faith.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God Sees Potential in You

“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-17

 

PONDER THIS

A thing isn’t valuable only for what it is but also for what it may become—its potential. Do you realize the incredible potential in you? Theoretically, there are three people in the seat you occupy right now: the person you are at this moment, the person you could be for evil, and the person you could be if you yield your life to God. The person you will be if you will yield your life to Jesus Christ has so much potential. If you say yes to Him, one day you will be conformed to His image. You will be like Jesus. The Psalmist said, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). You could be like the Lord Jesus Christ—that is some big potential!

Michelangelo was a famous artist. It’s reported that when asked how he created a sculpture, he said, “I saw the angel in the marble, and carved until I set him free.” He did not see a block of marble; he saw a work of art; he saw the potential—a possibility. That’s what God sees when He looks at you. You probably dare not dream what you will be if you give your heart to Jesus Christ. What a change, what a difference has been wrought when we are made in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Our lives on Earth will be drastically different. Our beauty in Heaven, once we’re fully restored, will be indescribable.

Do you see yourself as a person with potential? Why or why not?

What would it take to surrender to God’s plan instead of your own idea of your potential?

PRACTICE THIS

Encourage another believer about his or her potential in Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You an Encourager?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

 

PONDER THIS

When I was a young man, I did not consider myself a preacher. I remember when somebody called on me to lead a prayer in public. But I thank God for people who put their arms around me and encouraged me.

I was reading about a 16-year-old boy who dropped out of school. Do you know why he dropped out? His teacher said he was mentally deficient. So, he worked in manual labor from the age of 16 to 32. Then somebody looked at him and said, “You know that boy has talent. That boy has latent ability. I believe we ought to give him an IQ test.” They gave him the test and found out he was brilliant. He began to study. He went on to be a scientist working in laser technology at a respected position and with a high salary because somebody looked at a person who had a buried talent and said, “There’s something in that boy, let’s get it out of him.”

I wonder if there are not some people who could sing, some people who could preach, or some people who could teach but just don’t realize it yet. Barnabas stood by Paul’s side to encourage him. He was a load lifter; he was a friend finder; he was a bridge builder; he was a disciple developer. Encouragement powerfully impacts the lives of people around you!

What is one word of encouragement that has made an impact on you?

Why should all Christians be people of encouragement?

PRACTICE THIS

Encourage someone you know today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Keeping Your Spiritual Eyes Open?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’”

Matthew 13:33

 

PONDER THIS

Before “eating a meal” at a church, it’s good to check out the kitchen, to see who’s in there. Don’t go by the taste test alone, judging only by how you feel. Read the ingredients, get to know the teaching and heart of the staff and members, and see what is there because the devil wants to infiltrate, and he does so in many ways.

The devil doesn’t have just one way to work. Remember the parable of the Sower? How does the devil work there? He catches away the seed. Remember the parable of the tares? How does he work there? He imitates the seed. What about in the parable of the mustard seed? How does he work there? He corrupts the seed. In this parable of the leaven, he infiltrates the Church.

How do we defend against this? We need to come before the Lord and ask Him to take out these areas of leaven in our lives. We need to know if our sin is affecting the body we are a part of. This needs to be our focus so that the Lord would cleanse us as the body of believers. We need to desire that He purge any leaven, that we will be one body. Our faith is not about being filled with knowledge. Good wheat has died to itself: it has been crushed and broken, baked in the fire, and fused with every other grain of wheat. We need to keep our eyes open to how the bread is being made, keep our eyes open to the devil’s schemes, and be people who surrender to God so that we may reflect what gives Him pleasure.

What are some ingredients that make up a good church?

What are some areas of “leaven” in your life? What needs to change?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk with fellow church members and encourage one another about the good ingredients you see in your church.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Open the Windows of Your Heart

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. (Isaiah 42:3)

Probably the most encouraging words I have heard in weeks came from a prophecy in Isaiah 42:1–3 about how Jesus will use his spiritual power.

Do you feel like “a bruised reed” — like one of those big top-heavy Easter lilies whose stem has been squashed so that the flower flops to the ground and gets no sap? Do you ever feel like your faith is just a little spark instead of a flame — like that little red dot at the end of the wick after you blow out the birthday candle?

Take heart! The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of encouragement: he will not snap off your flower; he will not snuff out your spark.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). “[He is] gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

It may be a grief to us that we are only a spark instead of a flaming fire. But listen! And be encouraged: Yes, there is a big difference between a spark and a fire. But there is an infinite difference between a spark and no spark! A mustard seed of faith is infinitely closer to being a mountain of faith than it is to being no faith.

Open the window of God’s promises and let the Spirit blow into every room of your heart. The Holy Wind of God will not break or quench. He will lift up your head and fan your spark into a flame. He is the Spirit of encouragement.

John Piper 

How to Serve a Bad Boss

Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. (Ephesians 6:7–8)

Consider these five things from Ephesians 6:7–8 in connection to your job.

1) A call to radically Lord-centered living.

This is astonishing compared to the way we usually live. Paul says that all our work should be done as work for Christ, not for any human supervisor. With good will render service “as to the Lord and not to man.”

This means that we will think of the Lord in what we are doing at work. We will ask, Why would the Lord like this done? How would the Lord like this done? When would the Lord like this done? Will the Lord help me to do this? What effect will this have for the Lord’s honor? In other words, being a Christian means radically Lord-centered living and working.

2) A call to be a good person.

Lord-centered living means being a good person and doing good things. Paul says, “With a good will [render service] . . . whatever good anyone does.” Jesus said that when we let our light shine, men will see our “good works” and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

3) Power to do a good job for inconsiderate earthly employers.

Paul’s aim is to empower Christians, with Lord-centered motives, to go on doing good for supervisors who are not considerate. How do you keep on doing good in a job when your boss ignores you or even criticizes you? Paul’s answer is: stop thinking about your boss as your main supervisor, and start working for the Lord. Do this in the very duties given to you by your earthly supervisor.

4) Encouragement that nothing good is done in vain.

Perhaps the most amazing sentence of all is this: “Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.” This is amazing. Everything! “Whatever good anyone does.” Every little thing you do that is good is seen and valued and rewarded by the Lord.

And he will pay you back for it. Not in the sense that you have earned anything — as if you could put him in your debt. He owns you, and everything in the universe. He owes us nothing. But he freely, graciously chooses to reward us for all the good things done in faith.

5) Encouragement that insignificant status on earth is no hindrance to great reward in heaven.

The Lord will reward every good thing you do — “whether he is a bondservant or is free.” Your supervisor may think you are a nobody — a mere bondservant, so to speak. Or he may not even know you exist. That doesn’t matter. The Lord knows you exist. And in the end no faithful service will be in vain.

John Piper 

Do You Speak Truth to Your Soul?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5

 

PONDER THIS

Did you know there’s someone who’s always talking to you? There’s that old flesh, and it is constantly talking to you, and that’s where negative thinking comes from. That mindset is the one we inherited from Adam. That soul is saying, “You deserve this. You can never be better. You’d be better off dead.” In those moments, do you know what you need to do? You need to talk back. That’s what David did. He took his soul by the scrap of the neck, looked it in the face, and said, “Why are you this way, O my soul?”

Do you ever talk to yourself? You should. David was talking to himself. He was taking a firm inward look and doing some spiritual analysis. He asked himself this question, “Why am I depressed?” You need to ask yourself that question and be honest. You can answer it perhaps better than anybody else because nobody knows you like you. There are so many reasons we find ourselves in this state, whether it is from a hurting heart or the loss of something or someone we love. I challenge you in those times when life looks grey to ask yourself that question: Why am I so depressed? “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” If you are struggling with clinical depression, go get a checkup. When you take this inward look, don’t tiptoe around it. Talking to yourself may be the first step to healing.

What kind of negative self-talk do you struggle with? What have been some of the reasons for that?

Who do you know who is struggling? How can you encourage that person today?

PRACTICE THIS

Think about someone you know who may be struggling with loneliness or depression after the holidays. Find a way to encourage or serve that person today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Optimistic or Pessimistic?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” Acts 27:34

 

PONDER THIS

In Acts 27:30-32, there were some sailors aboard ship with Paul during a fierce storm who said, “We’ll get in that lifeboat. We’ll get off this big ship and we’ll escape.” These men sought a form of escapism built upon selfishness. Don’t do it! You may say, “I’ll outrun or drown out my problems.” No, they can swim. You’re the one who is going to drown.

There were others who were working, throwing everything overboard. They couldn’t see which way to go. Do you know people like that? This was a storm they’d been warned about, to begin with, and now they were facing the consequences of their actions. That’s how the godless sometimes go through storms.

But what about the godly? Paul called the men together and encouraged them. He gave a good message from God. Just as in this account, there are three classes in America: those who are afraid, those who don’t know enough to be afraid, and those who know their Bibles.

Which of these categories would you count yourself in? Why?

How can you remain encouraged and encourage others in the middle of life’s storms?

PRACTICE THIS

Encourage someone you know is having a tough time today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Let God Decide What to Use

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?’” Matthew 25:37

 

PONDER THIS

A while back, I received a letter from a man. He said, “Forgive me for taking so long to write this letter, but I want to tell you how God used you in my life.” He continued, “It was on Merritt Island where you used to pastor. I was a long-haired surfer going down the road with my surfboard, and you stopped and picked me up. It was a hot day. And you talked to me about Jesus. I laughed at you. I made it as if it had no impact on me at all. You let me out. I went on my way, but I was never, ever able to forget what you said to me until I gave my heart to Christ. Jesus saved me, and now I am the pastor of a very wonderful church, and I just want to thank you.” After some thought, I vaguely remembered picking that boy up. You see, sometimes the things we do we don’t put in the books, and the things we think we have done God does not put in the books. But you will be wise to let God keep the books.

Has anyone ever told you a way God used you, even if you didn’t know it at the time?

How does this reality encourage you to continue in faithfulness, no matter the outward response?

PRACTICE THIS

Are there people who have encouraged you in the Lord that you’ve never told? Call them, text them, or write them a letter today to thank and encourage them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

How Can You Be Encouraged?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

PONDER THIS

Do you know why discouragement is so bad? Discouragement opens the door for all kinds of sins and failures. Someone once said, “Discouragement is a dark room where the negatives of failure are developed.” Did you know the Bible calls God the God of all encouragement? Second Corinthians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort.” The word comfort actually means encouragement. God is the God of all encouragement. That means God has cornered the market on encouragement. He’s the God of all of it. Do you need encouragement? Do you feel trapped in discouragement? Take heart that the God of all comfort and encouragement is ready to hear your cry and give you encouragement today.

Where do you currently feel most discouraged?

What encouragement can you find in God?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of ways you can be encouraged because of who God is and what He has done for you. Dwell on this list today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You an Encourager?

PRAY OVER THIS

And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

 

READ THIS

The Book of Acts tells the story of a man called Barnabas, which translates to, “son of encouragement.” Five characteristics of Barnabas’ “gift of encouragement” show us how to be encouragers for others.

First, encouragers see needs that they can meet and meet them. (See Acts 4:36.)

Second, encouragers find lonely people and include them. (See Acts 9:26-30.)

Third, encouragers find a misunderstood person and affirm him or her. (See Acts 11:19-26.)

Fourth, encouragers develop disciples. Barnabas found buried gifts in new disciples and helped them develop their talents.

Fifth, encouragers help failures find second chances. (See Acts 15:26-41.)

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost; it was God in Him. We can all be encouragers like Barnabas. Ask God to fan the Holy Spirit in you to meet needs, befriend lonely people, affirm the misunderstood, develop disciples, and offer second chances. 

CONSIDER THIS

Do you consider yourself a natural encourager? Why or why not?

How might you grow as an encourager based on today’s devotion?

DO THIS

Take time to encourage one person in a specific way this week, whether through a kind word, a written note, or a phone call.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Satan’s Most Valuable Tool

BIBLE MEDITATION

“My eyes are ever toward the Lord…”

Psalm 25:15

 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

There’s a story about the devil auctioning off his tools. He put a high price on pride, laziness, arrogance, hate, envy, and jealousy. But there was one tool labeled “Not For Sale.” Someone said, “What is that tool and why isn’t it for sale?” “Well,” he said, “I can’t afford to get rid of that one. It’s my chief tool: discouragement. With this tool, I can pry open a heart, and once I get in, I can do most anything I want.”

Do you want me to tell you why you get discouraged? I’ll give it to you in a nutshell—you’ve taken your eyes off God!

ACTION POINT

Are you discouraged? If not, praise God! Find someone who is so that you can give the encouragement needed in Jesus Christ. Maybe it’s your next-door neighbor, your coworker, or your spouse.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers