Encouragement Archives | Page 3 of 21

August 31, 2026

August 31, 2026

Hockey in Summer

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9 (NKJV) Well, there was no such thing as summer hockey before artificial ice. Now, in the month of June, the Stanley Cup is being contended for well into the best part of our summer. That’s the NHL, but some people might have wondered about me when they recently saw me walking across a parking lot with a hockey stick on a hot summer day! Yes, I was a hockey enthusiast when I was young but, as […]

August 30, 2026

August 30, 2026

How God Watches Over Us

“The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm; he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV) Years ago, during my backslidden state, I hung around with people who drank. One of those times I went to a party with some friends and my sister. Shortly after we arrived at the party shack, I felt uneasy and told my friend […]

August 29, 2026

August 29, 2026

I Surrender . . . Some

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6 (NIV) I recently saw a cartoon drawing of Jesus kneeling down in front of a small girl who is holding a little teddy bear. His hand is outstretched as if asking for her bear. She’s sad and is saying, “But I love it, God.” Little does she know that behind His back He is holding a larger, more beautiful teddy bear and He is saying, “Just trust me.” How […]

August 26, 2026

August 26, 2026

Seeing Jesus

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Luke 2:29-30 (NASB) These were the words of a man who wanted to see Jesus. It was Simeon, a man to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not die until he had seen Jesus. One day the Spirit led Simeon to the temple, and it was there that he knew that he was looking at the Savior of the world! Jesus was just a baby at the time. There were certain requirements by Jewish law […]

August 24, 2026

August 24, 2026

Phases of Life

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) I got a letter in the mail after my 64th birthday saying I was eligible to apply for my Seniors Pension. It reminded me that there was a big change coming when I turned 65! We had a good chuckle when I told my friends that I was becoming an Elder! It got me thinking about the phases of life. I thought about my grandchildren, and how my youngest granddaughter was going from Grade 1 to Grade 2. And then my […]

August 23, 2026

August 23, 2026

God’s Nations

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9 (NIV) It was my first time out of North America, and London’s Heathrow Airport dazzled my senses. I noticed the different planes as we taxied in. Colorful fl oral prints adorned planes from Indonesia; kangaroos decorated those from Australia. British Airways advertised far away destinations — a Dutch windmill, a Celtic plaid, and an African shield. Air Canada proudly displayed its red maple leaf. […]

August 22, 2026

August 22, 2026

The Patience of Job

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15a (NKJV) Job was a good man. Even God thought he was a good man. The Bible says Job was blameless and upright. Satan said Job was only faithful because God had blessed him, then God allowed Satan to curse Job. Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” Job’s 10 children were killed and all his animals died or were stolen. He was covered with sores, his wife nagged him without mercy and told him to curse God and die. His friends turned against him. […]

August 21, 2026

Changing

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) A good friend of mine from the West Coast of BC asked his 85-year old dad what was the biggest point of change he’d seen in his lifetime. After considering the question, he answered, “I remember when we sawed off the back end of our dugout canoe and nailed a board on so we could use a 5-horsepower outboard motor on it.” I thought about his answer. He was talking about a traditional way of […]

August 20, 2026

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August 20, 2026

I Am Well, But God is Great!

“For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” Psalm 86:10 (NKJV) There is a favorite hymn called, “It is Well with My Soul.” Did you know that the exact words, “It is well with my soul,” are not in the Bible? (However, there is a verse in 2 Kings, KJV translation, that says, “It is well.”) The hymn is inspired by other Scriptures about the peace that only Jesus can bring. Life may not always go our way, and there may be bumps and even tragedies along the way, but there are also times of joy, […]