Category: Encouragement

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
‭‭John‬ ‭4:34‬

What is your top priority today? What is the most important thing you plan to do today? 

Whatever it is, it has your attention and your focus. Your focus becomes your priority and your priority becomes what you do. 

Throughout the Gospels we can read and understand the focus and priorities of Jesus.  We also see the priorities of His disciples.  Jesus was more concerned with the spiritual needs of people and the disciples were most concerned with their physical needs.  

Many examples throughout the gospels prove that Jesus’ focus was on people knowing and believing Him. Everything Jesus did pointed people to God. The disciples were learning from Jesus what the most important priorities should be. 

In the beginning verses of John 4, Jesus met with a Samaritan woman at the well.  The disciples left to go get some food and came back to give some to Jesus.  When they asked him to eat He said these words, “My food is to do the will of God and to do His work.”  Again while Jesus’ mind was on spiritual matters the disciples were thinking about feeding the flesh.  Jesus was giving the woman at the well eternal life while the disciples were more interested in being fed and satisfying themselves. 

Jesus entrusts us to do His work.  We are the hands and feet of Jesus and need to be concerned with the spiritual needs of others as much as we are trying to meet their physical needs.  Sometimes we neglect sharing the truth with those who need it and concentrate on making sure they have something to eat.  

We should always make sure that we are giving the “bread of life” to those who are lost and hungry.  Giving someone something to eat and not offering them Jesus is missing out on a great opportunity to witness.  We need to be about our Lord’s business and make new disciples.

Pray

Lord, send someone in my direction and allow me time to share the truth of Jesus Christ with them. Let my priorities prove that my love for you is authentic. Help me to focus on serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
I John 4:4

Have you ever said these words to yourself, “I don’t know if I can make it another day?” We all face some days with circumstances that we wish we didn’t have to face. But just know with full understanding that Jesus has already overcome them and you belong to God.

Sometimes we try to rely on our own strength when we should be relying on the strength of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He holds the victory over sin and Satan. And as Christians, we are in Him. Jesus is greater than the devil who is in the world.

The power that is living inside of us is greater than the power that is living outside of us. The power that we hold inside of us is the power of God Almighty. The power that is in the world is the power of Satan. Satan has no power against us!

Stand strong today. Stand in the power and strength of Jesus and not your own. Stand against the power of the devil and he will flee. Take captive the thoughts that you have that you are weak. For you are strong in the Lord. You have victory over your enemies. 

Pray

Lord, I stand in awe of You today. I know that I belong to You and You have given me eternal life and forgiveness of my sins. Help me today to be encouraged… In Jesus’ name, amen.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:27‬

Solomon, in all his wisdom, shares in this verse about the truth of God. God will not allow a wicked and evil act to go unpunished. There are many examples in the Bible where people tried to do wicked things to God’s people but they didn’t get away with it. 

Pharaoh wouldn’t let the Israelites out of slavery, but God did. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but God used him in a powerful way to save the nation. The Jews crucified Jesus, but He is alive!

The lesson of this proverb is to trust God to protect you and let Him punish your enemies. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) 

Even if your enemies strategically try to attack you, God knows what they are doing and He will take care of you. 

Pray

Lord, keep me safe from my enemies. Thank you for putting a hedge of protection around me. Fight my battles and give me peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name, amen.