Encouragement Post – Coronavirus Distancing Day 16 (Tuesday)

Encouragement Post – Day #16 (Tuesday) Contentment can be elusive in times like this. But, in 1 Timothy 6:6-7 we are told “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” We don’t really have the power to make sure that everything in our lives goes the way it should. But when we surrender our lives to the One who knows us best, loves us most, and always provides everything we need – the One who actually does have control – we can find real contentment and true peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So, I am to worry about NO thing, and I am to pray about EVERY thing while being thankful to the Lord for His care. And, He promises that if I do these things, He will guard my heart by giving me a peace that goes far beyond my ability to comprehend it.

Hebrews 13:5, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” He will never, not ever, no never leave me.

Isaiah 26:3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” PERFECT peace.

I am thankful that He did not leave us without a roadmap to peace, but He has given us His beautiful Word to show us how to find peace and contentment, even in times like these.

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 15 (Monday)

Encouragement Post – Day #15 (Monday) Kindness is important. It is one of the 9 manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). It is something that should really come easily, yet for many it doesn’t. It doesn’t cost you anything. I am thankful for the kindness of God toward me. I didn’t deserve it, but He showed it to me anyway.

Romans 2:4 asks, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

And then Titus 3:3-5 gives us even more evidence of God’s kindness, “For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Because of His kindness to me, I now have the power – through the Holy Spirit working in my life – to be kind to others. So, I am thinking about and praying about ways to be kind and people to whom I can show the kindness of God.

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 14 (Sunday)

Encouragement Post #14: (Sunday) Our time of worship this morning was wonderful and warm, and we are all settling in with the temporary new normal of church via computer. I am thankful for technology that provides a way for us to see one another’s faces while physically remaining separate. There is glory in those faces. Though it is limited for now, it is unmistakable on the faces of those who know the Lord. We were reminded of the glory of God in our message today from John chapter 11, by the fact that the reason Jesus delayed going back to Judea for three days after He found out that Lazarus was ill was so that those who believed in Him would see God’s glory.

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Do you want to see the power of resurrection and the glory of God? You will, if you truly believe. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 13 (Saturday)

Encouragement Post #13: I am excited that tomorrow our message will be on the power of resurrection. I think we all could use a reminder that there is a power that is so far beyond what we can imagine while we're here on this sin-sick, chaos driven earth. We can imagine miracles and people who are sick becoming well, whether miraculously or through a doctor's intervention. But, to really understand resurrection power -- the power to actually defeat death and cause life -- is beyond our scope. Death is NOT the end. I am thankful for the words of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, and others who risked their lives so that we would have eyewitness testimony of His power to raise Lazarus and the power of His own resurrection. He IS the resurrection and the life.... and He is worthy of our worship.

John 11:24-26 "Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 12 (Friday)

Encouragement Post #12: (Friday... at least for a few more minutes ;) ) It's late, and it has been a busy day. Work still has to happen, even in quarantine. So, I have been pretty hard at it for most of today. I was thinking about work and its meaning just the other day... have you ever wondered if the work you are doing really matters? I imagine if you're a teacher, doctor, nurse, firefighter, military, etc. you might not question that. But, what about other things like creating music, growing a garden, sewing your children's clothes, writing poetry, making food for a needy neighbor, taking care of an elderly parent, taking care of your grandchild(ren), teaching others "how to", praying for those you love, or even leaving an encouraging word on Facebook, etc. The list goes on and on.

Whatever the work might be, what you are doing right this minute, today, has purpose, value, and meaning. How can you be sure of this? This may sound like an oversimplification, but if that were not the case you would not be here. Until the Lord takes us home, He has a purpose for the work we do. So, during these days at home, when it seems like your days, hours, and minutes feel a bit purposeless at times, be assured they are not. You are God's poem... a unique, original, one-of-a-kind work of art. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Did you know that the Greek word for "workmanship" in this verse is *poeima* ...we are His poem, His masterpiece, His one of a kind work of art. Let that sink in...

The Poem of Your Life
by Michael Card

Life is a song we must sing with our days
A poem with meaning more than words can say
A painting with colors no rainbow can tell
A lyric that rhymes either Heaven or Hell

We are living letters that doubt desecrates
We're the notes of the song of the chorus of faith
God shapes every second of our little lives
And minds every minute as the universe waits by

CHORUS:
The pain and the longing
The joy and the moments of light
Are the rhythm and rhyme
The free verse of the poem of life

So look in the mirror and pray for the grace
To tear off the mask, see the art of your face
And open your ear lids to hear the sweet song
Of each moment that passes and pray to prolong

Your time in the ball of the dance of your days
Your canvas of colors of moments ablaze
With all that is holy
With the joy and the strife
With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life
With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

Chorus

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 11 (Thursday)

Encouragement Post #11: (Thursday) Today I am thankful …for sunshine! Doctors tell us that the sun has a powerful effect on ourimmune systems. I am no doctor, but I am buying into that one hook, line, and sinker. We need it, whether it’s getting out for a walk, gardening, doing some outdoor sporting activity, or just walking around our house/apartment building/dwelling a couple of times. God made us to need vitamin D, and the sun automatically replenishes it, boosts endorphins
(natural pain killers in the body), and boosts serotonin (naturally occurring substance in our body that makes us feel good) for us.

“…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertainingto life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3) This current quarantine, on the heels of what seemed like a gazillion days of rain, could be really impacting our moods and hence impacting our ability to fight off …whatever. 😉 So, getting out and getting just some sun each day is one cost-free way of doing that.

While I am writing this (having just come back inside from a little time outdoors in this brilliantly sunny and feels-like-summer day), I dropped my new tablet (purchased just after Christmas) and the screen shattered. I purchased it from Costco and am hoping it’s under warranty. I got online to chat about it, and when I started I was number 723 in the queue 😳… it’s now down to 437 after 15 minutes. :D So, I am taking this time to post here. I am also taking this time to pray for all those in places of service, answering phones with people on the other end who are frazzled, frayed, and maybe at their wit’s end. I am praying for you, too. I would love the privilege of praying for
you.... what is something I can pray for you about? “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

Above are a few happy pictures from my yard, and I also wanted to share this song with you… a fun song that puts a spring in my step and fills my spirit with hope, thankfulness, and freedom.

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 10 (Wednesday)

Encouragement Post #10: (Wednesday) Today I am encouraging us to lift up the name of Jesus. Did you know that the Bible tells us that if we lift up His name, that He will draw all men to Himself? (John 12:32) Especially when things seem out of control and people feel caught in a spiral of uncertainty, we want all people to know that the only place TRUE peace is found is in knowing the Prince of peace.

Our ability to be at peace is strongly connected to who has the authority in our lives. When we sit on the throne of our own lives and grasp every bit of control we can, we know that things can spiral out of control very quickly. It doesn't take us long to figure out we don't really have much control at all (see coronavirus, cancer, 911, infertility, death, etc.) That is distinctly NOT peace. But, when we put our lives in the hands of the King of kings, Lord of lords, and Prince of peace, we can trust that HE has the ultimate authority to guide it just where He knows it should go and to work things together for our good and for His glory. Though for now He is allowing wars, famines, trials, plagues, dangers, sicknesses, etc. to take place on earth, we know that one day those things will cease. And whether or not people choose to bow to His authority now, it is a certainty that one day EVERY knee will bow and every tongue will proclaim that He is Lord:

"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

He is giving us an amazing opportunity right now to lift up His Name. Today is the time to turn over the authority of our lives to Him. There is nowhere else to go… "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Excerpt from the song "What a Beautiful Name" by Brook Fraser Ligertwood and Ben Fielding "You have no rival, you have no equal; now and forever God You reign. Yours is the kingdom, yours is the glory; Yours is the name above all names."

...you can read about the scriptural inspiration behind the song here: https://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2017/05/scriptural-inspiration-behind-the-lyrics-of-what-a-beautiful-name/

The official Lyric Video for "What A Beautiful Name" from our new album 'let there be light'' recorded live at Hillsong Conference in Sydney! Get your copy n...

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 9 (Tuesday)

Encouragement Post #9: (Tuesday) Finding myself THANKFUL today… for music. This is not unique to this particular situation, as DAILY I find myself thankful for the music that brings me such joy. In fact, for those of you who know me well, you know that I am pretty much constantly listening to it. In high school, I was always the one bringing the “boom box” to everything so that there would be music. I am pretty sure I drove my college roommates crazy playing my faves. My kids make fun of me because I have more music on my phone than they do (and because I have a song ready with a lyric to fit nearly every life situation). Isn’t it wonderful with new technology to be able to find almost any piece of music you want right at your fingertips? (My teenage self would have been crazy over the moon about that!!)

Music truly does permeate our soul… as you probably know, it is a most effective method for learning words, phrases, and things you need to know. Try to memorize something from rote and it can be a challenge, but set it to music and it's a piece of cake after a little rehearsing (thank you, School House Rock!!) Which makes it all the more important WHAT we are basically “cementing” into our minds. I can remember nearly every lyric to all those amazing pop songs from the 70s and 80s all these years later! It’s powerful. And these past days I have seen people posting all kinds of music, not a lot of secular music really, but mostly hymns and worship songs. It’s interesting to me… I love hymns so much because they are rich in truth about our God, but I also love the new hymns and worship music being written every day. As I have grown in my walk with the Lord, though, the most important part of any song is the lyric. I want to have an arsenal in my head, so that if I should ever not have the electronic means to listen I will have them at the ready. Did you know that for most dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, when they cannot remember anything else they can remember music. Amazing!

So, that’s why on each of my encouragement posts I have been including a song. It’s a command in scripture, right? “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19) Today I am sharing one that is newer, but it is SO unique (a question and answer format) and SO filled with truth straight from God’s word. I am not sure there could be a MORE fitting song for this time.


Is He worthy?
by Andrew Peterson

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 8 (Monday)

Encouragement Post #8: (Monday) How are YOU doing? What has God been teaching YOU in this present situation? For me, I think more than anything He is teaching me that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter how everything around me changes, He does not. No matter how I have failed Him, He continues to love me... HIS mercies are new every morning, every hour, every second. And His faithfulness is beyond our ability to comprehend it. The One who is all righteousness and complete justice is also completely merciful. So I am "chewing on that" for the next little while. Would you take refuge with me under the shadow of His great wings?

Lamentations 3:21-25 "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him."

Psalm 36:5-7 "Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 7 (Sunday)

Encouragement Post #7: (Sunday) How encouraging that even through all the forced separation, the church is finding creative ways to "assemble together" as we are commanded in Hebrews 10. I have seen so many today who gathered together, virtually. I pray that you are finding ways to stay connected to your spiritual family in the quarantine. This virus has not surprised our Lord, and he has gone before us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." How wonderful is it that we have the gift of technology to keep us connected during this present trial? He knows exactly what we need.

Lord, we acknowledge our need for You… for Your forgiveness for our sin, for Your mercy in our stumbling, for Your love to soothe the wounded places in our souls, for Your provision in our inadequacy, for Your protection over us as Your children. Thank You for being Immanuel, the God who is with us!

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."
Romans 8:25 & 27 "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

Immanuel
by Mike Card

A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing undiminished Deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
And hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Chorus
Immanuel, Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us, Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold, your light has come

Chorus

So what shall be your answer
Oh will you here the call
Of Him who did not spare His Son
But gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Repeat Chorus

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 6 (Saturday)

Encouragement Post #6: (Saturday) Even though we are physically separated for the most part, this is the time for the church to find a way to unify. If you aren't feeling this yet, at some point you will: We aren't meant to live in isolation (yes, I am talking to the introverts in the bunch, too). We are meant to live in community, and this means finding ways to love each other well while doing the whole "social distancing" thing. How encouraging that Jesus prayed for us in the hours before He went to the cross that we would be one even as He and the Father are one. When we as His church are one, then the world will believe that He was sent by the Father (John 17:21). I pray that the Lord would reveal to each one of us who are His just what He would have us do, as we creatively look for ways to come together in His name and love one another in a time of severe social restraints.

John 17:13-21 "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."

Encouragement Post – Coronavirus Distancing Day 5 (Friday)

Encouragement Post #5: Today (Friday) I am lifting my eyes to the One in Whom I have entirely set my hope. Would you join me in calling out to Him? (I know, :) you probably already have been.) He has given us so many great and precious promises, but He also tells us that we do not have because we do not ask or that we ask and do not have because we have asked with wrong motives so that we can spend it on our own pleasures (James 4:2-3). So today, I am coming in humility to say, "Lord, I lift my eyes to you and know that help can only come from You." When the burden seems heavy, the questions are many, the stresses seem greater... I will say with the songwriter Edward Mote, "When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand." That is true and real peace.

Psalm 121
"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever."

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 4 (Thursday)

Encouragement Post #4: THIS is what we've been training for!! When
times are good, we stay in the Word and gather up all the wisdom, truth,
and hope we can, so that when our worlds are shaken we will be ready.
This is the time when we prove our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

Trouble is a promise with a capital "T" ...straight from the mouth of Jesus. Only today have I realized just how poignant this passage from John 16:29-33 really is, "His disciples said, 'Now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.' Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.'"

HE HAS already won the victory (1 Cor. 15:57, 1 John 5:4). Stand firm; let nothing move you (1 Cor. 15:58). Let the word dwell [live, take up residence] in you (Col. 3:16). Be filled [and be being filled] with His Spirit [the Ultimate Encourager] (Eph. 5:18, Luke 11:13).

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 3 (Wednesday)

Encouragement Post #3: Let's have BIG FAITH! He IS ABLE! Matthew
8:24-27 "And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the
boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And
they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are
perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little
faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became
perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"
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He Will Hold Me Fast
by Keith & Kristyn Getty

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
'Til our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 2 (Tuesday)

Encouragement Post #2: If you ever wonder if God has a plan, just listen to this newly released song from the Gettys, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Matt Merker, and Jordan Kauflin, which was written before this current storm hit.

"encourage" - to draw alongside someone else and give or infuse into them some of your courage.
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13

AND... YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT HOW THIS SONG CAME TO BE WRITTEN HERE: https://youtu.be/nLoMST0X2lM

Encouragement Post - Coronavirus Distancing Day 1 (Monday)

"encourage" - to draw alongside someone else and give or infuse into them some of your courage.

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13

Let's encourage one another... I hope this song will be an encouragement to you!