Preaching Daily - December 10

Today's Devotional Insight...

Being Encouraged in Christ
Derl G. Keefer

Through the years in my various roles as a minister, I have dealt with people who are depressed or discouraged. Many of us live as if we are looking through the rearview mirror of life…always in the past. Everyday seems to be a gray slush kind of day. Joe Bayly wrote a “Psalm in a Hotel Room” that expresses how so many people live:

I’m alone Lord
Alone
A thousand miles from home.
There’s no one here who knows my name except the clerk
And he spelled it wrong
No one to eat dinner with
Laugh at my jokes
Listen to my gripes
Be happy with me about what happened today
And say that’s great.
No one cares.
There’s just this lousy bed
And slush in the street outside
Between the buildings.
I feel sorry for myself
And I’ve plenty of reason to.
Maybe I ought to say
I’m on top of it
Praise the Lord
Things are great
But they’re not.
Tonight
It’s all gray slush!
(Living Above the Level of Mediocrity by Swindoll page 239-240).

The number one phrase I hear is, “Give me a word of encouragement.” Paul, Luke and companions landed in Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached his first recorded sermon. It’s interesting to me that out of the mouths of these people Paul comes to are requests: "Give us a word of encouragement. We need it! Paul, stimulate us in our spiritual lives. Give us comfort in a mocking, distress-ridden society that doesn’t care whether we live or die. Tell us some good news!”

Do you feel that way today? Are the props knocked out from under your foundation? Do you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up altogether? Don’t! Instead, let God encourage your heart. Let your Christian friends come alongside to help prop you up until you can stand on your own two feet.

Warning: It may take a long time. Good news: It can happen!

Here are some biblical tips on how to be encouraged:

Biblical Tip No. 1: Stay in the Word of God!

(Read the full article here.)

Today’s Pastoral Resource...

Spice

SermonSpice exists to equip pastors, church leaders, and worship leaders with powerful visual media to spice up sermons, teachings, and worship experiences. Use this free download to spice up your service this weekend.