Look at the word ‘encouragement.’ In the middle of it there is the word ‘courage.’ It’s based on an old French word for heart: ‘corage.’ Encouragement is about enlarging or fortifying someone’s heart—who they are within—so that they can face the battles of life. As Jesus’ people, encouragement isn’t just something we receive, but something we share … Continue reading The heart enlargement business

Today is Remembrance Day, also called Veterans Day or Armistice Day in other countries.We remember and give thanks for those who lost their lives in the miseries of war.We wear poppies. We read In Flanders Fields. We thank veterans. We pray for peace. We consider the value of our freedoms. We attend Remembrance Sunday services … Continue reading Help of the helpless, oh abide with me

Some of the biblical authors use repetition to drive home a point. It is an effective way to keep focusing our attention on something critical.The apostle John does this very well. He uses the word “abide” a lot. This refers to “a close, intimate (and permanent) relationship between the believer and God.”*I’m going to give … Continue reading Abide, abide, abide. Then abide some more.

Let me share one of the most comforting verses in the Bible.There are times when we feel as if our prayer life is deflated. In fact, there are times when we feel deflated, generally speaking. Things are not as they should be. We feel as though we can barely do the basics let alone follow … Continue reading The Spirit helps us in our weakness

We’ve been talking about prayer.Did you know that when it comes to effective prayer, what is happening in your heart matters?Recently I was struck by Psalm 66:18. The psalmist says: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”When someone “cherishes” something they are adoring it; they are protecting it. … Continue reading What’s happening in your heart matters

Prayer is a significant part of our lives.However, when God doesn’t seem to respond in a way we want or expect, we can start to question him.When that happens—and even when it doesn’t—we need to trust in God’s wisdom and timing. He truly knows better than we do.A helpful verse that reminds us of this … Continue reading He can answer our requests in a better way

In 1 John 5:14 the apostle writes: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”This verse is about prayer. I invite you to notice four words: “according to his will.” John is providing a direct instruction about prayer. He is telling … Continue reading If we ask anything according to his will

Let’s say you take some illegal drugs (I hope you don’t be the way, but just hear me out). Let’s say you take some illegal drugs and then ask God to bless your experience. Would you then think that God was bad or negligent if he didn’t bless it? Of course not. After all, you’re … Continue reading Following it helps, neglecting it hurts

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)In these verses, John introduces the idea of “overcoming the world.” What … Continue reading Your three enemies and overcoming the world

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).Did the apostle John just say that keeping God’s commandments are “not burdensome”? Some of them, sure. But all of them?Friends, hear this: The closer you get to God, the less burdensome his commandments become.Something … Continue reading And his commandments are not burdensome