Encouraging.com

God's Word, Grace, Jesus, Salvation

The higher up the mountain trail I hiked that summer morning, the more amazing the rugged beauty became. It is said that aspens quake; and so they do, their leaves in constant motion. Fresh new cones topped the evergreens. The rocky peaks of Mt. Timpanogos rose in the blue, blue sky, a touch of snow tucked in grey crevices. Marmots scampered; birds twittered; a moose lumbered across the meadow.

Oct 30

Oct 30 Rest

Linda Lesniewski

Love, Salvation, Encouragement

The trio is back…the mother, the father and their fledgling Cardinals. They regularly visit the platform bird feeder. I like to study their interactions. The fledgling softly chirps while fluffing and vibrating his feathers. Mom and Dad gather seed and pop it into his mouth until the ritual is complete. The youngster looks completely capable of feeding himself. After all, he’s standing among the same birdseed as his parents! Like me, though, he prefers to be fed rather than feed himself.

Oct 9

Oct 9 Three Women of Faith

Faith/Trust, Salvation

Rahab the prostitute, seen in Joshua 2 and 6, is identified as a woman of faith in Hebrews 11:31. If Rahab were asked, “How would you define faith?” I think she might say something like this:

Faith comes from hearing about God and believing in Him. My people and I were told of how the God of Israel parted the Red Sea, delivering His people. We heard how Yahweh empowered His people to defeat mighty nations. When I heard these stories, I knew they were true. My faith was born. Later when two Israeli spies came to my door, I knew I had to act on my faith in God and protect them, even at risk to my own life. That’s what faith is. It’s acting upon your beliefs, it’s standing alone, and it’s moving forward as God leads, even when risks are involved. It’s being willing to lay down your life in order to follow the one true Lord.

Oct 7

Oct 7 Seeing Jesus

Faith/Trust, Salvation

The hospice nurse called. Mother was close to the end. In spite of Covid, I was allowed into the nursing home to be with her. My brother joined me, and for three days we sat with Mother. Initially, she responded with her eyes to our words, but soon, her eyes were set. She could hear us, but it seemed she saw nothing—until her final moments.

Sep 16

Sep 16 God Has Us Covered

Karen Sims

Salvation, Protection

Eleven blankets. One perfect covering.

Numerous throws at home for snuggling beneath. They’re trendy and sometimes I want to be comforted and hide from the cruel world.

Aug 10

Aug 10 Called to BE Free: by the grace of Christ

Salvation, Spiritual Growth, Grace

Feeling cooped up has been a universal experience this year. Sometime around the end of April I distinctly remember sitting on the back porch, listening to the sweet melody of the myriad of little birds feasting on my loquat tree—oh, to be a bird and fly free! It is at times like this that freedoms tug.

Jul 10

Jul 10 The Responsibility to Encourage

Encouragement, Salvation

As two young Chinese women walked down the street, they heard singing coming from a building. Believers had gathered and were praising God. The two women stopped and listened for a moment, and then moved on. One, however, was forever changed. From that moment on, she was drawn to the Lord. Her friend wasn’t. That friend heard the same singing, and yet, was unaffected. But the other began seeking the Lord and soon became a believer. This true story shows the power of the Lord to draw His own. It also shows the importance of the fellowship of believers.

Jul 9

Jul 9 Encourage Daily

Encouragement, Salvation

The author of Hebrews mentions the word “Today” five times in Hebrews 3 and 4, expressing a sense of urgency. Three times he repeats: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… (Hebrews 3:7,15, 4:7). Jews knew this verse by heart. It served as a call to worship every Sabbath evening in the synagogue and challenged them to carefully listen to the voice of God.

Apr 29

Apr 29 Transforming Lives: clothed with Christ

Faith/Trust, Jesus, Salvation

On one hand, the radical transformation in me is complete when, by my faith, I am baptized into Christ as Paul phrases it—immersed in His Spirit. I am declared in right standing with God. It is that same righteousness by faith credited to Abraham (3:6).

Apr 28

Apr 28 Transforming Lives: living for God

Faith/Trust, Grace, Jesus, Salvation

So, why was Paul so astonished (1:6) as to call his friends in Galatia foolish (3:1)? Not wasting words he jumped right in: you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all (1:6-7). He was adamant they understand the monumental personal transformation each had undergone, not by the law but by faith.

Apr 27

Apr 27 Transforming Lives: Jesus revealed in me

Grace, Salvation

What a crazy year this has been. Like you I have floundered in the unknowns. But in the midst of sheltering-in-place like you, the redefined vision statement at GABC has rattled around in my brain: Transforming Lives with the Truth of Jesus. The downtime has been invaluable to chew on its singleness of purpose. Are we not, in today’s vernacular, looking at the great commission delivered by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20?

Apr 21

Apr 21 Jars of Clay…redemption

Salvation, Protection, Hope

And so, somewhere between bargaining and acceptance (Kubler-Ross yesterday) I got to thinking: how in the world did the folks of yesteryear handle their crises?

The story of Ruth and Naomi is a classic. It all began in the days when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1), a dark time for Israel. Eugene Peterson (introduction to Judges, MSG) calls it “nearly unrelieved mayhem”: Everyone did as he saw fit (Judges 17:6, 21:25).

Apr 3

Apr 3 The Cross is Crucial

Karen Sims

Hope, Salvation

The cross. The event, not the wooden object.

Nothing else communicates God’s love and power so dramatically or completely. Solemnly contemplate with me:

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14).

Mar 25

Mar 25 From Drowning to Deliverance

Adversity, Anxiety, God's Character, Salvation

While on a mission trip to California, our team spent one afternoon at the beach—an afternoon I’ll never forget. My best friend and I were swimming, when I suddenly realized I was caught in the current and unable to swim toward shore. No amount of effort on my part helped. My friend noticed my dilemma and began screaming for help. Immediately, a tall, strong guy on the mission team swam to me and began throwing me shoreward. He rescued me! Years later, we saw him and his family. The first thing he said to my girls was, “I saved your mother’s life!” He did, and I’m thankful!

Mar 20

Mar 20 Rest In The Savior

During the school year it is very easy for our calendar to get filled up. Our busy schedule consists of school, sports, dance, drama, choir, and ministry. There comes a point when we all need to take a breather and rest. One of the blessings with homeschooling my children is allowing them to occasionally sleep in, knowing their bodies need the extra rest.

Mar 19

Mar 19 One Size Fits All

It was that time for me to go bluejean shopping. I excitedly walked into the department store with assurance I would come out with a couple of pairs of jeans. This particular store had a huge selection, one wall designated just for bluejeans - I mean jackpot!

Mar 18

Mar 18 This Is No Fairy Tale

I love listening to my little six year old play in her bedroom. The way she transforms her room into a wonder land of unicorns, mermaids, and fairies filled with magical and mystical powers, makes my heart smile. In her own little world, these imaginary beings come alive through play.

Mar 17

Mar 17 I Have A Friend In God

The Lord blessed me with my best friend, Misti, for over 30 years. We met each other in the 4th grade and instantly became friends. We shared many memories together such as braces, pimples, boyfriends, weddings, and childbirth. We also experienced very difficult times together, such as teenage arguments, death of loved ones, and moving away from each other. All through these transitions our friendship stayed strong. I knew that Misti was a friend I could trust, who would listen, and always provide the encouragement I needed.

Mar 16

Mar 16 The Stamp