Encouragement Prevails

When “the Fall” happened in Genesis 3, life as it was known got flipped on its head. Adam and Eve went from living in the paradise of Eden with God to being removed from Eden living in the chaos they chose. They went from The Tree of Life to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, chaos of the mind. God didn’t abandon and reject them though. The first thing He did was promise that He would right the wrong that had been done. We are on dot one and Jesus is already brought into the picture! Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of Jesus. He is the offspring that will strike the serpent's head, while his heel is struck, a deadly blow vs. a temporarily debilitating blow. He then gave them consequences that matched their actions. Eve, Adam’s help mate, did not help produce life but led him towards death. While she still has the privilege to create life from her very body it will now be painful. She longed to call the shots and will continue to, but her husband will ultimately rule as crea...

When looking for Jesus in Genesis 1:26-31 & 2:8-9,15-24, the word fruit stood out to me. I thought of all of the times that Jesus talks of fruit in the New Testament. When looking specifically at the calling that God gave to us: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (the earth).” - Genesis 1:28 And connecting it to Jesus’ words: “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart. “ Luke 6:43-45 (CSB) It brings a whole new meaning. From this perspective, it’s so much more than having a fruitful womb, multiplying ourselves, and filling the earth with our offspring. Being fruitful means we are to be someone who refle...

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord. “Go down at once to the potter’s house; there I will reveal my word to you.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working away at the wheel. But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. The word of the Lord came to me: “House of Israel can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?” - this is the Lord’s declaration: “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so you are in my hand, house of Israel. At one moment I might announce concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it. However, if that nation about which I have made the announcement turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the disaster I had planned to do to it. At another time I might announce concerning a nation or kingdom that I will build and plant it. However, if it does what is evil in my sight by not listening to ...

My sweet little 2-year-old, Stephen, has been having tummy issues. We aren’t sure what started it. We just know where we’ve ended up. He’s been struggling with acid reflux and stomach pain. We are now giving him a bland diet and it’s resolved all issues with his stomach that is. You see within the past month little man found out how to open the fridge. He happily helps himself to anything from the fridge or pantry whenever he pleases. Regardless of mom’s “no”. Trying to keep this little guy on a bland diet isn’t easy. Yesterday for breakfast he had a banana, apple sauce, tortilla, and rice cereal. He felt like he was living the life. Lunch was a different story. “I know you want bacon, but we’re having special food to help your tummy get better. Bacon will hurt your belly right now. You can have applesauce, bread, banana, rice cake, cereal, tortilla, or noodles. These will help it get better.” “NO!! I want bacon!” he responds pulling on the fridge. This went back and forth wit...

In 1Kings 3 Solomon has a life-changing opportunity. He is approached by God in a dream and asked “What should I give you?” Wow, how huge is that? I encourage you to take a moment and pause to think. What would you ask? Note your initial response, and then continue to think more deeply about it. What is your true heart’s desire? Solomon asked “Give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” 1Kings 3:9 What a great thing for a king to ask for and seek. God was pleased with him. “I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life. If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” 1Kings 3:12-14 The next 7 ch...

Is it worth it, If just one person sees? Is it worth it, If it was just for me? I may never see All that it can be. I may never hear what it did and fear. In the end obedient I must stay, Relying on Him each and every day. He has a plan beyond what I can see. His great plan is so much bigger than me. Yes, it was just three, But three is divine. Even if it’s just one, There’s a victory won. It’s not all about me. It’s all for His glory. There’s no need to worry. Cause it’s not up to me.

Dear No One, You have been so close to me all my life. You were thankful for my jokes. You enjoyed my weird stories. My goofiness brought you such joy. I could easily be myself with you. You stood up for me and protected me. You were a safe place to go. I could seek you for comfort. You saw me when I felt invisible and was debating on ending things. You were encouraging, even in the little things. You would pull me in and include me. You were such a good friend that I could rely on. But now there’s Someone. Even in the midst of our friendship, He was pursuing me. In those moments of despair and complete darkness, He was there. He encourages me and lifts me up. He never leaves my side. He celebrates all of the little things that I do. I don’t know where I'd be without Him and I really don’t want to even think about it. And finally, I’m starting to see, that maybe He’s not the only one. He has brought others who are there for me now too. He has brought encouragers and listeners....