Tag: Encouragement

God’s Got You

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This past Sunday was Graduate Recognition Sunday. From preschool to masters degree, we recognized and celebrate our many students and the grand things they have accomplished. Then, when it came time for the sermon, I offered the following as a challenge and encouragement. Thanks for reading.

God’s Got You

Do you remember learning how to ride a bike?  I actually still do.  For whatever reason that particular day is seared in my memory.  If you think about it, other than walking, learning to ride a bike is one of the most significant accomplishments a kid can achieve.  The reason is freedom.  There’s something about being on a bike that brings a sense of freedom few other things allow.  As you push the pedals with your own two feet, you are able to power yourself to go anywhere.  You don’t have to rely on your parents to get you there—within reason anyway.  And when you’re pedaling away, with the air rushing past you, you can feel yourself moving.  With every push of your legs, you are moving yourself more and more in some direction.  Even if it’s just to the end of the neighborhood, you’ve gotten there.  All by yourself. 

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Digging in Deeper: Hebrews 12:1

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“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

By the time this post goes live it will probably be the week of the Super Bowl. I’ll either be really excited, or completely disinterested. The reason for that is that my team, the Kansas City Chiefs, are playing tomorrow in the conference championship game against the New England Patriots. What’s more, for the first time ever, they will play this game at home. Although it’s hard to quantify, everyone knows that playing at home gives the home team an advantage over the visitors. Writing this, I’m hopeful we don’t waste it. 

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Morning Musing: Hebrews 12:2-3

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“keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.” (CSB – Read the chapter) 

Have you ever had somebody do something for you that went way over the top? How did you feel toward them afterwards? You were grateful to be sure, but did you feel a sense of duty toward them? There’s a chance the greater the thing that was done for you, the deeper the sense of duty toward the doer went. And perhaps you managed to work yourself out from under that weight of duty, but you may not have. You may still have someone you feel like you need to serve because of the pressing sense of dutiful gratitude you have for them. 

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Digging in Deeper: Lamentations 3:21-24

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“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.'”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Lamentations is a series of complaints to God.  Jeremiah wrote these toward the end of his ministry when Babylon had conquered and destroyed Jerusalem.  It is mostly a bitter book.  It’s tone is both corporate and personal.  Chapter three here in particular is very personal.  The prophet describes feeling totally abandoned and even actively attacked by the Lord.  They are words that ring with familiarity to those who have experienced loss and grief and seasons of great distress today. Read the rest…