An Encouraging Memory Verse

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16.

We learned it as children, some of us learned it as adults, but is it more than a memory verse to you? What does it mean to you when you hear this verse. Are you encouraged? Are you encouraged enough to share this wonderful news with those around you? Let's look at the verse in a little more detail:

For God so loved...God loves me, he loves me so much, he's engaged in all that I do, he cares about my every footstep!

the world...all of it and everyone in it, not just you and me, but others all around the globe.

that he gave...God loves to give good gifts, especially to His children. What good gifts have you received from the Father recently?

his only son...some translations use the word begotten. Do you love your children enough to give them up to a sinful world? God did!

that whoever believes in Him (God's son)...that's all I need to do? But, it seems so simple - where's the catch?

will not perish (die)...think about it, you will never die, but live forever with the Father who gave his most precious gift.

but have everlasting life...I want to live forever, don't you? Can you imagine having all the time you want to sit with your brothers and sisters in Christ and never have to leave their presence until you've literally run out of conversation? Can you imagine praising Jesus at his feet for a thousand years and then another thousand years?!

And, what about the people in your house? The children in your classroom? Your co-workers - Don't you want the same for them?

- author, Cindy Daniels

What has this verse meant to you? Tell us your story.

Hailstone Sized Encouragement

Some people say that God is their co-pilot, Joshua's bumper sticker might say "God is my sniper."

Ever feel like you’re being attacked from all sides? Like the world is against you, or that you are being targeted by overwhelming forces? Ever notice that the devil waits until you have worked all day, and are exhausted before he attacks? That’s what the Gibeonites felt like in Joshua 10:1-15.

The Gibeonites had made peace with Israel, and the Amorites were not happy about it. So instead of attacking Israel, they attacked the Gibeonites. Isn’t that how it is sometimes, people are afraid to attack God directly, so they attack you instead—because you’re weaker? These verses in Joshua, record how the Israelites—led by Joshua—and the five kings of the Amorites and their armies go into battle.

It was an emergency situation, and the Gibeonites had sent word to Joshua that they were being attacked by the Amorites. Joshua and his army marched all night long, and after marching all night long they had to begin the battle. But the Lord had told Joshua that “I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” Then the Lord helped Joshua’s army by throwing the enemy army into confusion, and hurling large hailstones down on them from the sky!

Can you imagine what it would be like to have God as your sniper? To be in the midst of battle, back to back and elbow to elbow with your brother soldiers, all the while large hail stones are whizzing by your head and killing the enemy right in front of you!
Between the confusion and the hailstones, Israel had the Amorite armies on the run. Joshua chapter 10, verse 11 says “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” And boy is God a good shot! Joshua 10:15 says that “Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.” God’s aim was so good that none of the Israelite soldiers were killed by hail – only the enemy soldiers.

God cares about us just as much. When I feel like I’m being attacked on every side, or that life is being especially unfair, I remember that God’s aim is just as good today as it was in Joshua’s day. I can move confidently through my battles because I know that no matter how much hail I hear whizzing by my head, it is the sound of God at my defense.

Know what else is amazing about this event? Joshua was around 80 years old at the time.

- author, Leanne Sanderson

Share with us a time when God went to battle for you.

Five A.M. Encouragement

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. - Philemon vs. 20-22 (Paul's encourages Philemon to obedience)

Almost 20 years ago I met a preacher's wife at a women's conference I attended. At the time we met, she and her husband were going through a tough time with the church Jim was ministering to. I made a pledge to Margaret that for the next year I would be available as a sounding board as they worked through the problems in their church. I promised to answer her emails with a return email. I remembered her birthdays and other special occasions. I called her from time to time to chat and make sure she was doing okay. Our friendship did not stop after that first year.

This weekend was supposed to be filled with chores such as catching up on laundry and getting the house in order. This Thursday we're heading south on a short vacation, to visit friends and attend a wedding. Instead it became yet another opportunity for us to open our home (we had two sets of guests last week.) At 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning our phone rang - it was Margaret. Her brother has passed away in Missouri, and she needed to take an early plane out of Columbus on Sunday morning. She wanted to know if she could spend the night with us.

Have you ever noticed that encouraging others doesn't always come in a neat little package, tied up with a shiny bow? Instead our opportunities to encourage sometimes come at inopportune moments, or when we just don't feel like encouraging! But, I've found that these are God's little nudges to remind us that others have refreshed our faith and spirit along the way. Others have often sacrificed time and money to keep our faith in Christ strong.

Five a.m. came early this morning. Margaret is now on the plane heading to Missouri. From beginning to end, she was here less than 12 hours. Will God give me back the time I lost (or thought I lost) doing the things still on my agenda? Absoultely! He's already given it back to me this morning, with a beautiful sunrise that I would have missed had I still been in bed. The cool of the morning that is currently drifting through my patio door has deposted a sparkling "dew on the roses." As I sit here writing this, the birds sing their happy tunes, and all is well with my world! And, my laundry? It'll get done before we leave Thursday...

- author, Cindy Daniels

Do you have a special place in your home where guests can stay on a moments notice? It could be a guest room, a futon, a pull out couch or a sleeping bag! Tell me a story of when you opened your home but hadn't planned to.