Tag: encouragement

Categories
Colossians Devotionals

Letting Christ’s word dwell in us

Worship

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

I’ve always loved the words, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you.”

But today I noticed how it was to dwell richly among us. Not just through Bible reading and Sunday messages, though that’s important. But Paul specifically says through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

And it just made me think how much songs have shaped my Christian life. Not just worship songs. But other Christian songs as well.

Some songs came straight from scripture so that I was singing (and praying) things like Psalm 121, Romans 12:1, Romans 8:14-21, and Matthew 11:28.

Some songs didn’t quote scripture, but were scripture-based.

They taught me what it means that God is my Father. They taught me how God sees me.

They challenged me not to let my heart be hardened, but to keep a soft heart towards God.

They taught me to praise God in the midst of trial.

They taught me that worship is not just singing songs, but that our whole lives are to be praise to God.

Songs are powerful tools to let God’s word richly dwell in you.

Do you listen to music? If so, what kind of music are you listening to? Do you pay attention to what those lyrics are really saying?

If you want to let Christ’s word richly dwell in you, start looking for songs centered on Scripture. Not just “love songs” to God. But songs that communicate God’s truth.

They can be songs from church. They can be songs from Christian artists.

But sing them. Pray them. And let those words encourage, challenge, and admonish you. Pass those words on to others.

And Christ’s word will richly dwell in you.

Categories
Acts Devotionals

God’s man (or woman) in the storm

Acts

We are living in a time right now filled with much anger and fear.

What kind of people are we in this time? Are we ourselves controlled by anger and fear?

Paul himself was in such a situation. People saw the storm and were in a panic, thinking they were going to die.

Some people were probably angry at those in charge for not foreseeing the storm. As a result, there was probably utter chaos all over the boat.

And in the midst of it all stood Paul.

He brought wisdom to the situation. He brought peace. He brought encouragement.

Most importantly, he brought God’s presence.

Are we doing the same in this storm of Covid 19? Are we doing the same in the midst of political turmoil, police brutality, and riots?

What are we bringing into the storm?

Categories
Romans

Supporting those on the front lines

Romans

It is easy, sometimes, to forget that we are in a spiritual war. But we are.

And many people are out on the front lines sharing the gospel.

Some are doing ministry at home. Others are in foreign countries. But whether at home or abroad, these people especially need our prayers.

Paul himself knew that. If there was one person you would think could make it without others’ prayers, it would be him.

But he was particularly mindful of the fact that he couldn’t do it alone. He wrote the Roman church saying,

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. (Romans 15:30-31)

Sometimes we think of missionaries and other ministers as Christian supermen and superwomen. But they’re not. They’re human just like us. And they are fighting in a terrible spiritual struggle.

So join them in that struggle by praying for them.

Pray for your pastors. I talked yesterday about supporting them financially, but they also need your spiritual support. Pray for them.

Pray for those you know are missionaries. They need your prayers too.

Let us never forget those who are out there on the front lines.

All of us, hopefully, are doing God’s work wherever we are. And whenever we do God’s work we become targets for Satan and his demons.

But those who are on the front lines are especially targets. So let us not neglect praying for them.

More, let us send them our words of encouragement. And as God gives us the finances to do so, let us support them in that way too.

It can be lonely out there on the front lines. Let us remind those who are out there that they are not alone.

Categories
Haggai

Though all is shaken

Signet ring

The book of Haggai ends with a word of encouragement to Zerubbabel.

Perhaps Zerubbabel saw the opposition that was rising up against the rebuilding of the temple and of Jerusalem and he was getting discouraged.

But God told him,

Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.

I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. (Haggai 2:21–22)

In short, he was saying, “Zerubbabel, things may seem tough now, but I will shake the heavens and earth. I will tear down kingdoms and shatter their power.”

Then he said,

‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. (Haggai 2:23)

A signet ring was a ring that kings would use in those days to sign documents. It was a symbol of his authority.

So God was telling Zerubbabel, “While I will cast down kings and thrones, I have chosen you to become a symbol of authority for my people.”

In the short run, he used Zerubbabel to lead the people in Jerusalem in the rebuilding of the temple and their lives. In the long run, it was through Zerubbabel that Jesus the Messiah came.

Just before Jesus left to go back to the Father following the resurrection, he told the disciples,

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)

Why is this important? Just as God chose Zerubbabel as his servant, he has also called and chosen us. What has he called us and chosen us to do?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19–20)

This world has been shaken by war, turmoil, and strife. And things will only get worse. But though all is shaken, let us never fear the future.

Instead, let us remember that all authority has been given to Jesus. And let us do as he has commanded us, going out, preaching the gospel, and making disciples until the day he returns.

And as Jesus said,

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)