Encouraging Words Devotional

“The God of peace” is a phrase found five times in the New Testament.  In the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches at Rome, Philippi, and Thessalonica--places where he ministered--he refers to God as the God of peace.  Then the writer of Hebrews ends his letter with this blessing: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will. . . .” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Some verses in the Bible promise so much that you might be tempted to wonder if they’re really true. But having an all-powerful God backing them up means that He can make good on whatever He promises.  Take, for instance, the verse found in 2Corinthians 9:8 that tells us, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (NIV).

         Notice that in this one verse there are six inclusive words or phrases:

Abundantly

All things

All times

All that you need

Abound, and

Every good work.

What a verse! What a promise! What encouragement and assurance!

         Do you know the context of that verse--I mean, the verses that precede and follow it? Actually, the entire chapter is about giving. I hope that doesn’t make you uncomfortable, because the promise is that if you want to give to meet a certain need that someone has, God is able to make it possible for you to give. In other words, He will provide so you can give. Verse 11 promises that you “will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.”

         God does not extractmoney from us. Verse 7 says that God loves a cheerful giver. Verse 6 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

         I know that you may not be able to give to every cause that you’d like to help. And He never asks us to give what we don’t have.  But He does promise to give us enough to not only meet our own needs but to help meet the needs of others.  In Malachi 3:1, God says, “Try it! Put me to the test.”

My friend Chaplain Dick Johnson tells a story of world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman when a string on his violin broke in the middle of a concert. The snap was heard like a gunshot in the hall.  Dead silence followed. Yet, after a brief moment, Perlman nodded to the conductor to continue.  Chaplain Johnson notes,

            Perlman refocused and played with awesome passion, power and purity as     those in attendance had never heard before. He modulated, changed,             recomposed that piece of music in his head. . . . At the conclusion, there was    . . .massive applause in honor of his achievement. Perlman smiled, raised the         bow to quiet the audience, and said, “You know, sometimes it is the artist’s     task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.”[1]

Because a violin has four strings, losing one of those strings represented losing 25% of the music-making ability of that instrument.  In order to go on, almost every part of the music had to be changed. That’s like life, isn’t it. Sometimes you lose a key part of your life. Your health, a spouse, perhaps the ability to earn a living the way you have done it for years. You may feel you cannot go on. All the music is gone from your life.

            Yet, let’s focus on what’s left. How much music can you still make with what you have left? The prophet Habakkuk wrote,

            “Though the fig tree should not blossom,

            nor fruit be on the vines. . . ,

            and the fields yield no food. . . ,

            yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

            I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)

If Habakkuk could do it, so can we!

 

[1]Richard Johnson, Shield of Faith, “Making Music,” email posted 4-26-18, accessed 4-29-18.

Ann Voskamp tells of losing the diamond from her wedding ring. It was just a 2mm diamond but the only precious stone she’d ever known.

 

Ann points out that “if you multiply the volume of a 2 mm diamond by the number of weeks in a lifetime--say, 90 years, it adds up to just under one tablespoon.”[1]That means if you live to be 90 years old, all the weeks of your life add up to a spoonful of diamonds. Just one spoonful.

 

While losing the diamond from your wedding ring is very sad, it doesn’t compare with losing part of your life.  Diamonds can be replaced.  But you cannot. 

 

Do you understand how much God values you? He has put you on this earth for a reason--primarily because He wants to have fellowship with you every single day.  You bring glory to Him by your relationship with Him, for God’s primary goal for you is intimacy with Himself.

 

You can have this heart-relationship at any point in your day--while working at your job, caring for your child, or deciding what you’re going to have for dinner tonight.  You can find that intimacy with God when you’re heart is broken by your husband’s infidelity or the funeral of your dearest friend or receiving the doctor’s report that your condition is life-threatening. God is there, waiting to talk with you and to hold you in His arms.  He says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:28).

 

Your life is precious to God. He is waiting for you to pour out your heart to Him. Lean on Him for all that you need. Experience His presence each step of your day. Every day is more precious than diamonds. 

 

[1]“How to Mine Your 2015 For Unexpected Diamonds,” by Ann Voskamp, from A Holy Experiencefor January 6, 2015.

I love meeting the people who’ve read the books I write because it’s an encouragement that the written words have blessed someone else. 

 

Sometimes I’ll add, “You know, I read the books over again myself, because I haven’t learned all those lessons yet.”  I’m usually answered by a half-smile and an incredulous look that communicates they don’t believe me that I re-read my own books. But it’s true.  You see, most of what I write comes from reading God’s Word in my personal time with the Lord. The best way I can describe those times is that God seems to open a window on a verse in the Bible so that His light shines in, and He helps me begin to understand better what He is saying. 

 

Then I think, “Maybe someone else could be helped by those thoughts, too,” and I jot down the ideas for a devotional selection for a new book.  But does that mean I’ve immediately learned the lesson God is teaching me? Oh, no--not in any way.  I’m a slow learner.  I have to read something again and again for the truth to become part of my life.

 

Like you, I’m on a journey toward understanding the life God wants me to live. And I certainly haven’t arrived yet.  I like to call it “a journey into grace.”

 

That’s why as you read your Bible, it’s a good idea also to journal.  If you do, you won’t waste any of the truth God is teaching you through His Word. You can go back and re-read those lessons over and over again. 

 

We’re all seeking answers. So, take each truth God shows you, write it down and put it into practice.  And, yes, it’s okay--in fact, it’s a good idea to re-read what you’ve written.

After working as a newscaster in Asia for four years, Ali Kennedy made plans to return to the U.S.  Because she had no idea where she would live or what she would be doing in this next phase of her life, she felt uneasy about the change. Her friend counseled her that she was like a trapeze artist who had let go of one bar and was soaring through the air reaching for the next bar. She advised Ali to study what a trapeze artist needs during the transition when she is suspended in air between the two bars.

Peggy Smith stood observing their old mother hen and her brood of chickens that were scattered all over the yard. As she watched, she began to notice the shadow of a hawk circling overhead. The drama played out before her.

You may have read the story or seen the movie of Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who because of a diving accident became a quadriplegic at the age of 17. As you can well imagine, when the accident happened she struggled. Since God is all-powerful, why hadn’t He prevented the accident? Or, why didn’t He heal her paralysis?

I want to encourage you that in this life, the Journey into Grace is a long process, so don’t get discouraged if you trip and fall along the way. Here are a few things I’m still learning.

Recently something happened in our family that brought me to tears. Oh, I know God is going to bring good out of the situation eventually, but it hurt just the same. I spent most of the night praying--not because I’m “spiritual” but for the very practical reason that I couldn’t sleep.