Monday Morning Encouragement -- No Greater Love Than This

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13 

After the Civil War, Americans began paying tribute to the over 600,000 who lost their lives in the war; 2% of the population. They decorated graves with flowers, said prayers, and paid their respects to the fallen. This day of remembrance came to be known as "Decoration Day'' and eventually would morph into "Memorial Day", which is now a federal holiday in the United States. Memorial Day is different from Veterans Day in that Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who have died in service to our country, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, both living and dead.

Monday Morning Encouragement -- Rooted, Built Up and Established

 

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6-7

In his commentary on today's text, Alexander Maclaren tells the story of a "little child that said as to his father that 'he was a Christian, but he had not been working much at it lately.''' Maclaren goes on to say, "Do not laugh. It is a great deal too true of—I will not venture to say what percentage of—the professing Christians of this day." Maclaren spoke those words over 100 years ago, yet they could just as easily be spoken of "professing Christians" today.

Monday Morning Encouragement -- When Anxious Thoughts Multiply

 

If the LORD had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. 

Psalm 94:17-19

(I'm feeling under the weather, so today's devotional is a reprint. Hope to be back next week!)

I recall reading these words and writing them in my journal many years ago: 

"There may come a time in the life of a Christian when his soul feels adrift. It's not that she has left God, nor has He left her (for the Lord has said He will never leave nor forsake us). But there's a dryness, a thinness of spirit, that takes hold and threatens to lay God's loved one low."

Monday Morning Encouragement -- Behind Enemy Lines

 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10

In 1995 during the Bosnian War Captain Scott O'Grady patrolled the skies over Bosnia to make sure no unauthorized aircraft were flying. Suddenly his F-16 fighter jet was hit by a missile, and although he safely ejected, O'Grady landed in Serbian-controlled territory. He was behind enemy lines.

Monday Morning Encouragement -- Because He First Loved Us

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

The love of God is a wondrous thing. Before the very foundation of the earth He loved us. What's more wondrous is that His love is not predicated upon some good thing we have done, or ever will do. All our good works are like filthy rags before our holy God (Isaiah 64:6).

Monday Morning Encouragement -- Awake, O Sleeper!

"But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'” Ephesians 5:14

Yesterday after church I drove to our local movie theatre to see the film A Great Awakening. I rarely go to movies any more, but after watching a review from a Christian leader I respect, and the stories behind the making of the film, I decided to go. I'm so glad I did.

Monday Morning Encouragement -- Hopeful, Patient, Prayerful

 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul includes this statement, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." It's a brief verse, yet it's packed with encouragement and instruction on how to live the Christian life of faith. It's as relevant to us today as it was to the Christians at the time it was written. 

Monday Morning Encouragement -- That We Might Live

 

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9

We have just celebrated the resurrection of Christ. We proclaim, "He is risen!"  And the answer resounds, "He is risen, indeed!" These words are so much more than just an Easter tradition, they are a testimony to the hope we have as Christians that we have eternal life because our Lord did not stay in the grave. He rose again, conquering sin and death for our sake.

Monday Morning Encouagement -- Jesus Christ Our Intercessor

 

And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide His garments." Luke 23:34

Of today's scripture Charles Spurgeon comments:

"Our Lord was at that moment enduring the first pains of crucifixion; the executioners had just then driven the nails through His hands and feet. He must have been, moreover, greatly depressed, and brought into a condition of extreme weakness by the agony of the night in Gethsemane, and by the scourgings and cruel mockings which He had endured all through the morning, from Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and the Prætorian guards. Yet neither the weakness of the past, nor the pain of the present, could prevent Him from continuing in prayer."

Monday Morning Encourdagement - - Look Back, Look Around, Look Up

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands." Psalm 143:5

(Due to technical difficulties, today's post is a repeat of a previous devotion. Thanks for your patience!)

When we are in the midst of a trial and peace seems far from us, it's a perfect time to stop what we're doing and mediate on the goodness of our Heavenly Father. 

Monday Morning Encouragement -- On Earth As It Is In Heaven

 

"Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10

Yesterday out of the blue this verse from what we commonly refer to as "The Lord's Prayer," popped into my head. For a few minutes I stopped what I was doing and meditated on Christ's words:

"Your kingdom come.

Your will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven."

Imagine what it must be like in Heaven. No sin. No discourse.