Category: Encouragement For The Downcast

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. ~ Proverbs 2:6-8

Solomon implores the people that the LORD has a never-ending, vast supply of knowledge and wisdom. It comes from His mouth, and He stores it up for the upright. You know what that tells me? That tells me that the LORD doesn’t just wait for us to need His wisdom or understanding; He prepares in advance before we ever have the need for it.

James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us that this wasn’t just for one time or for one group of people. This applies to us today. The LORD isn’t bound to time the way we are. He sees it before it happens. He prepares what we need before we need it. So, when the time comes, we need only ask because it’s already there for us.

He watches over our way, guarding the paths of justice, protecting us as our shield. We are never alone. Never forgotten. Never do we have to face anything by ourselves; He is with us always. So, be encouraged by this. Let this build up your faith. Our God has stored up wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for us before we even need it. Before we even get to that level. Therefore, never be timid, afraid, or feel unworthy of asking the LORD for His understanding; He has already prepared it for you. He’s just waiting for you to ask for it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Go To The Storehouse.

⁶ And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. ⁷ And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” ⁸ Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. ~ Genesis 22:6-8

Genesis 1 & 2 tell us that God created man in His own Image. Colossians 3 tells us we are being renewed after the Image of God, lost in the Garden of Eden. God created us with love. Then, it says He came down to earth and walked and talked with mankind. Let that sink in. The Creator of the Universe came and walked in the Garden so that He could commune with mankind. There was a relationship. One of love and care. Like a Father and His children.

How different the God of the Bible is from the gods of the oldest civilization (we have archaeological evidence of today). The Sumerian gods created mankind, not for a relationship. Not to commune with. Not out of love, but because the younger gods were tired of the hard labor of working the earth. Mining. Farming. Digging canals. So, they created mankind as slaves to do the work they didn’t want to do.

This belief is recorded in texts like the Eridu Genesis and other Sumerian religious tales, where humanity is described as the “sheep of the gods”, created to “bear the yoke” and “carry the load” of divine service. This is so very different than our God, who created us for relationship. Who says, “Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Who says, “Take my yoke for it is easy, and my burden is light.” He offers rest. He carries the heavy weight we cannot.

This was the hopeless atmosphere Abram was born into in Ur, an ancient city in Sumer. A society where the gods have no love for their creation, but created them solely for slave labor. How hopeless that was, but the LORD took him out of that. He gave him a hope. A future. He showed him love. It is because of Abraham’s relationship with God that we have the title for God “Yahweh Yireh (Jehovah Jireh),” which means the LORD will provide.

He went from being nothing more than a slave for the gods to the LORD God being his provider. What a change. What a revelation to come to. It changes the story of Abraham and Isaac going up to Mount Moriah and the LORD delivering Isaac with the Ram caught in the bushel. He went from unseen. Unimportant. Disposable to seen. Important. Irreplaceable. What an amazing revelation to have. What an amazing relationship to gain.

Peace. Love. Forth and Be In Awe With Abraham.

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² “Declare among the nations and proclaim, set up a banner and proclaim, conceal it not, and say: ‘Babylon is taken, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is dismayed. Her images are put to shame, her idols are dismayed.’” ~ Jeremiah 50:2

God wasn’t just saying that He was destroying Babylon, but the source of its power, its god. Not just its main god but the title of their god, so that none might take it up again and raise Babylon to its heights, it once was. See, the name Bel was a title. A title that wasn’t unique to Marduk or Merodach. It was originally used by the Sumerians as a title for their chief god, Enki, but when Babylon displaced Sumer and became the most powerful kingdom of its time under King Nebuchadnezzar, his god became Bel. His god took over the title and became the chief god.

God, when He crushes Babylon, will crush the chief god of Babylon and its title. He will destroy it so that none can rise in its place. So that none could rise up and restore Babylon.

Yes, there are other gods. Yes, there are other powers. Yes, they do indeed have power, but they cannot compare to our God. For our God is the God of gods. He is the King of kings. And LORD of lords. He is the Great I Am who puts all into submission under Him. It’s at His feet that all in Heaven, on Earth, and under the earth will bow. He is the LORD God from everlasting to everlasting. He is the Almighty.

Thank You, LORD, that You are a good, good God. For if You were malevolent, who could stand against You? If you were unjust, who could right Your wrongs? But You, oh LORD, are a good God. You are just. You are loving. You are kind. You, oh LORD, keep order in the heavens. You, oh LORD, sit on Your throne prepared to judge the gods for their unjust judgment on the earth, coming against Your people. Attacking Your children. You, oh LORD, rule with justice. Thank You, LORD, for always coming to our aid. Always defending us when we call on Your name. Thank You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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¹ The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. ⁴ And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. ⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” ~ Jeremiah 18:1-6

I was just sitting here trying to fix a console I had bought a few months ago that wasn’t working. I had taken it apart. Cleaned it up. Bought a replacement part for it. Still nothing. And so I decided to give it another go tonight, and when I tested it, it flashed on the screen and then the screen went black, and I got really excited. It wasn’t fixed, but it was closer than it was before.

And as that excitement became more and more noticeable to me, it hit me, this is how God feels about us. See, I didn’t make that system. It’s not even one I had as a child. It’s not even a system I had growing up, but I can’t help but try to fix it. We aren’t just some random system God bought from someone who didn’t want us anymore, and now He’s trying to see if He can fix us up and sell us to make a profit.

No, God created us. He formed us in our mother’s womb. He knitted us together. He knows the number of each hair on our head. And when we fail. When we run from Him and make ourselves dirty, it seems unfixable. It seems like we’re too far gone, but God is still chasing us down. He leaves the 99 for the 1. He looks for His sheep, and when He finds us, He rejoices. I felt such excitement and joy when I saw that screen flash because I knew I was on the right track. I knew it was getting close. I can only imagine how much joy the LORD feels when we come home to Him. When we fall at His feet and say, here I am, LORD, have me. Use me. I am Yours.

Yes, we make mistakes. Yes, we are just dust. But to God, we are clay worth saving. To God, we are His people, and He loves us. Just as a father will always love his wayward child, so does our Heavenly Father always love us. He wants us to come home to Him, and when we do, He reshapes us. He renews us. He forgets our sin, our transgressions, for His own sake. He remembers not our past, but instead, He focuses on now and tomorrow. So, let us do the same.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let The Potter Reshape His Clay.

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¹² For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? ~ Ecclesiastes 6:12

Life is a really weird concept when you think about it. Every single one of us is born just to one day die and soon after be forgotten. Very few are remembered throughout the centuries, but the majority are forgotten. Their lives, stories, names, and faces are all forgotten. Lost to time. A bleak and depressing understanding of life that makes you ask the question, “What’s the point?”

When we leave life there, it honestly seems very pointless. Purposeless. A speck of dust sailing through the wind. Here one day, gone the next. But that’s not the end of the story. We aren’t just born to die and then one day forgotten. No. We are never forgotten by our Creator. Weare so important to Him that our very hair on our heads is numbered by Him.

Our words, thoughts, actions, and legacy are never forgotten by Him. Yes, man may forget us. Our bones one day turned to dust. Our names forgotten and our graves lost, but our souls, if we delight ourselves in the LORD, will forever dwell in the arms of the LORD Most High.

Yes, man will forget us, but the LORD God our Creator, Savior, and friend never will. Therefore, live your life for the one who will never forget you. The one who will never forsake you. The one who loves you like no other.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Live For The One Who Remembers.

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¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:10-13

In 1914, a woman by the name of Mary Anne Bevan developed a disease called Acromegaly. The condition caused progressive facial and bodily disfigurement due to the overproduction of growth hormone because of a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This kind of disappointment would set most people back. They would become depressed, repressed, and lock themselves inside their home. Mary Anne, however, was cut from a different cloth.

Mary Anne didn’t let the disease overcome her. She didn’t let the physical or emotional pain keep her down. In order to provide for her family, she entered a “Ugliest Woman” competition and won. She proceeded to work for Barnum and Bailey Circus (as well as other companies) and made around $50,000 (about one million dollars today) and was able to provide for her four children.

In this life, there will be many trials and tribulations. We will experience ups and downs. The enemy will try to take everything from you, but you must overcome. You have to find the strength not give in to the attacks of the enemy. You have to find your strength in Christ Jesus because in Him we can do all things, including overcoming this world and its afflictions.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Find That Overcomer Within.

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² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has Light shone. ~ Isaiah 9:2

In the ancient world, the darkest and longest night of the year, today/tonight, was often marked by offerings and/or sacrifices to the gods in the hope of bringing the sun back with blessings for the next year. December, a month of coldness, long nights, and short days. A time often associated with mourning, because it’s when the crops die, and there is no harvest, is the time the Church celebrates.

The Church celebrates the birth of Christ—the birth of the God-man, Jesus Christ, the very Light of the World. The ancient world mourned, sacrificed, and brought offerings in hope of gaining favor from the gods, some even going as far as to sacrifice humans during this time, but our God shows His love for us by sending His Son as a gift to the whole world in order that we might be saved.

During a time of deep darkness, God came into our world and brought within Him the Light, which is the life of men. We are no longer in darkness. No. We are now dwelling in the Light of the LORD. No matter how dark the world may get, always remember the Light can never be overcome by it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Dwell In The Light.

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¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁸ “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets; ²⁰ a bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He brings justice to victory; ²¹ and in His name the Gentiles will hope.” ~ Matthew 12:17-21

The Christmas song I find myself playing on repeat this year is I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. It truly grasps the overwhelming feeling that can sneak up on you this time of year and then builds to the solution “Christ.” The song goes as follows:

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on Earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth)
Like a choir singing (Peace on Earth)
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on Earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men

Sometimes the darkness feels too dark. It feels too much to overcome. Too much to even handle, but there’s the subtle whisper of the Holy Spirit reminding you of the hope of Christ coming into the world and bringing salvation to all people.

Yes, the world is dark and getting darker, but we have the Light of Christ dwelling in us and through us. So, no matter how dark the world may seem, the darkness can never overcome the Light.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Listen To The Bells Ring.

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¹ After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” ~ Matthew 2:1-2^NIV

As the beloved Christmas Carol says, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining until He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” For thousands of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, mankind was lost without hope and without redemption. We lay, as it were, in our sins, hoping for and needing a Savior. Then the good news rang out: a Savior, the King of the Jews, is born, and immediately, wisemen from the east traveled a great distance to worship Him.

He was born to die for all mankind, and because of this, it’s almost impossible to separate the birth from the crucifixion — God’s most perfect and best Sacrifice.

As we learned some interesting history about the Mayan civilization this week, while on vacation, it got me thinking. Apparently, they (the Mayans) played a sport that was a combination of soccer and basketball, but with vastly different results. The goal was to get a rubber ball into a hoop without using their hands. This game was played by the entire Mayan civilization.

The winners were sacrificed to their pagan gods, because only the best was offered. Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, came to be that Sacrifice for us—the righteous for the unrighteous, the holy for the unholy. There is no better sacrifice. And that is what Christmas is really about, the good news, that the dearest and best Sacrifice has come, and because of Jesus, mankind will live forever, at least those who have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. So, as we enjoy our Christmas celebrations, let us never forget that the dearest and the best has come, and now we can have everlasting life in Him because there is no better sacrifice.

Father in heaven, we adore You, LORD Jesus, we lift Your Name in all the earth. We will sing of all You’ve done, and tell of all Your wondrous works, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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