Encouragement Archives | Page 5 of 20

July 30, 2026

July 30, 2026

God’s Water Recipe

“All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” Ecclesiastes 1:7 (NIV) First, how do mighty rivers keep running for thousands of years? Second, as they empty into the oceans, why don’t the oceans fill up and flood over our lands? How does God’s water recipe stay so balanced? Can you imagine the two of us sitting down at your kitchen table to decide how much ocean water we needed to evaporate and float over the earth to rain on thirsty lands, forests, pastures, and gardens? […]

July 29, 2026

July 29, 2026

Gospel Growth

“And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.” Deuteronomy 7:22 (NKJV) As we walk with Christ, many times we can be discouraged with our lack of progress and spiritual growth. We tend to remember most often our seasons of growth with great joy. Most precious to each follower of Christ is reflecting on when we became born again. What a blissful time indeed. Recently, I met someone who was discouraged by their lack […]

July 28, 2026

July 28, 2026

A Wonderful Invitation

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 (NLT) My husband and I enjoy hiking in northern Idaho, which has many trails to choose from in beautiful mountainous parks. A lot of times, especially if I am walking up an incline carrying a backpack, it becomes tiring, and I need to rest. When I do rest, then I am able to finish walking up the trail and finish the hike with enjoyment. Rest helps us to be strengthened to keep going. A lot of […]

July 25, 2026

July 25, 2026

He Remembers It No More

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm103:11,12 (NKJV) One Sunday our former pastor, Bill Jackson, was the guest speaker at Kikino Bible Church. It was Thanksgiving Sunday and he shared a good message. One thing he said especially caused me to think. It was something that we as Christians know, but I wasn’t aware that I needed to be reminded of it. God, in His abundant love, sent Pastor […]

July 22, 2026

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July 22, 2026

Persuasion That Leads to Salvation

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Short time or long — I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’” Acts 26: 28-29 (NIV) King Agrippa asks this probing question to the Apostle Paul that is common to all mankind: Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian? Paul was standing before the king, who was very knowledgeable […]

July 21, 2026

July 21, 2026

Just an Imitator

“Don’t copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT) I grew up in a family who, over the years, raised several hundred tropical birds. In our area, we became known as the “bird people.” So, when a baby magpie was brought to us, we took it in and nursed it back to health. We affectionately called him “Oscar,” and he was like no other. He […]

July 17, 2026

July 17, 2026

Trusting God in the Fog

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) I sometimes think about that first time we flew in a plane where we were totally dependent on instruments. We were coming into Anchorage, Alaska, in a Navajo Chieftain, and the airport was all “socked in” with fog. The pilot kept checking with the tower as to how much visibility we had and, finally, when we were about 10 miles out, got the okay to land. I remember […]

July 15, 2026

July 15, 2026

Changing the Impossible

“Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:26b-29 (NIV) If we had never seen it happen, we might think it impossible for a crawling caterpillar, slinking along […]

July 14, 2026

July 14, 2026

Star Light, Star Bright

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” Psalm 147:4 (NIV) When I was a young child, my grandfather used to take me outside at night to look at the stars and the moon. “If we don’t go outside to look at the stars and the moon, they will stop shining, and the lights will go out and the night sky will be dark and empty,” he’d tell me, and I’d believe him. I never understood how the rest of the family could sit inside watching television when the night sky was so full of […]