Encouraging Words Devotional

Years ago I noticed that a preacher had chosen as his sermon topic "God's Salad Bowl."  When I saw the title, I wondered what on earth he was going to talk about.  But when I listened to his sermon, I found out. He spoke about the many times the phrase "let us" is used in the New Testament—such as, "Let us stop passing judgment on one another" (Romans 14:13) and "Let us be alert and self-controlled" (1 Thessalonians 5:6).  

The scene took place in Bethany at the home of Simon—in the Bible he's called "Simon the Leper," perhaps because Jesus had healed him of that horrible disease. At any rate, he was giving a dinner party for Jesus just days before Jesus would give His life on the cross.  We don't have the entire guest list, but we know that Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were present, along with at least some of the disciples, including Judas.

Sue Augustine writes, "I had to chuckle when I read what Elisabeth Elliot said about our words: 'Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut!'"

  Then Sue continues,

Over the years, I have learned to pray, "Lord, walk beside me with one hand on my shoulder and the other over my mouth!" On days when my emotions threaten to rage out of control, my family members often overhear my hollering. "Oh, Lord—please shut my mouth before I say what's on my mind!"[1]

[1] Sue Augustine, When Your Past Is Hurting Your Present (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2005), 143

"Is it wrong for a Christian to grieve?" Daisy Catchings asks in her book Under God’s Umbrella.  "Are tears a contradiction of faith? Or is faith supposed to eradicate tears?"[1]

[1] Daisy Catchings, Under God’s Umbrella (Palm Springs, CA: Umbrella Ministries, 1999), 105.

Some people say, “All roads lead to God, so it doesn’t matter which religion you follow so long as you’re seeking God.”  But a famous prophet in Old Testament times strongly disagreed. He declared that the God of the Bible is different from all other gods.  He asserted that no other god exists who acts on behalf of the one who believes in Him.

When we lived in Asia, one of the surprises was that when we gave someone a gift, that person might or might not say the words, "Thank you."  Since saying "Thank you" is such an automatic response in the western world, I was uncomfortable when I didn't hear those words of response.  Did the person not like the gift?  Did I choose the wrong time to give her the gift? Or was it wrapped in the wrong color of paper?

A young woman in her twenties commented to me that she really has no choice but to obey God, because when she doesn’t obey Him, she is the loser. Actually, she’s right.  At a young age she had figured out the very important principle that God’s will, as difficult as it may be, is always the best for us. 

"A bit of juicy gossip is very satisfying," says wise King Solomon. The Living Bible puts it this way: "What dainty morsels rumors are. They are eaten with great relish!" (Proverbs 18:8).

When Chris Haggai's visitor arrived at the door, Chris was feeding their adult son Johnny, who had cerebral palsy because of negligence on the part of the attending doctor when he was born. The visitor had come to take a look at a refrigerator the Haggai's had just purchased because she was thinking of buying one like it. But the woman became so curious about Johnny that she almost forgot the real purpose of her visit.

I've told you before how much I admire my pastor friend Eric Denton, who every Sunday night takes a group to Los Angeles to feed the street people and pass out jackets to those who need them to stay warm.  But one December evening was special.