The writers of Encouraging.com are celebrating their fifteen year landmark by making their 365 daily devotional book, God Moments, available as a free digital download! A total of thirty-six GABC writers have faithfully captured “moments of God’s presence” in their lives to encourage your own spiritual journey. You can find God Moments on amazon.com, iTunes, and BarnesandNoble.com.


NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



Near Your Altar

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young- a place near Your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Psalm 84:3

On a mission trip in Africa, I visited Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. The thundering roar can be heard from twenty-five miles away. As you approach, you realize that even if your words could be heard, they would be inadequate to describe the beauty before you.

The Scottish explorer and missionary, David Livingstone, discovered Victoria Falls in 1855. Only two of the soldiers in his party would even go near the falls. It was unlike anything they’d seen or heard before.

I approached Victoria Falls, ever so cautiously. Every step taken with care, I edged closer and let the roar consume my senses. I was apprehensive and awestruck.

As I looked down upon the Zambezi River, I noticed a small bird off to my left, splashing on a rock. There was a rounded area where he apparently had found a nice retreat. Neither the unrelenting sound, nor the heart stopping chasm below phased him as he flitted and flapped in the mist.

Gazing over the expanse, how could I not think about the mighty Creator of the Universe? He is beyond comprehension in every way. Revelation describes Heaven as a place where God is unceasingly worshiped by angels and men alike. The magnificent Victoria Falls cannot compare to what wonders await us in our Heavenly Home.

Yet, even though God is beyond all imagination, He invites us into a personal relationship with Him. Through Jesus, we can pray and intimately relate with our Heavenly Father. With no fear, we can come to Him for comfort, cleansing and peace. We, like that little bird on the ledge, can draw close to Majesty and find a refuge.

Thank You, Lord, that even though You are the God of the Universe, You invite me to draw near. Help me understand the great privilege of knowing You.

Whitney

Time-Lapse

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6

Have you ever watched a video that was filmed with time-lapse photography? My favorites to watch are those of blossoming flowers. A process that takes hours in real-time is shown in mere seconds. Subtle movements, not seen by the naked eye, are clearly displayed.

This is how I like to picture my spiritual growth. It is a slow and hidden process, not seen in the day-to-day. Those who know me may not see big steps of progress. But God, who is outside of space and time, sees where I started, each little point of growth, and the end goal. He is working to change me, little by little. He sees the entire picture, like those time-lapse flowers that burst open on the screen.

The process of becoming more like Christ is long and difficult. Every time I cooperate with the Holy Spirit, there is an unfurling. Each time I set aside my own will for God’s best, there is a bloom. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it will happen gradually.

When discouragement and struggles threaten to hinder my progress, I must remember that my faithful God will continue transforming me. With Him, there is always a new beginning. I can come to Him for forgiveness and renewal. He sees the big picture of my life, but He also works meticulously in each small frame of growth.

Lord, help me remember that even when my spiritual growth seems slow and arduous, You are growing me. You see the beautiful result even now and are working to make me more like Christ every day.

Whitney

Press On

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:14

A much younger friend works out with me to help me improve my health. She regularly reminds me that I “pace myself” when I’m doing any given physical challenge. While she would like for me to exert myself fully throughout, instead I start slowly and gradually increase my effort. She says I hold back.

I’ve realized I pace myself in my walk with Jesus as well. It’s as if I’m subconsciously waiting until I’m older to pursue Him with abandon. But why am I wasting my opportunity to follow Him today? I’m right at that mid-point – not too old, not too young. Whatever the exact number, I’m certainly past the point of pacing myself. I don’t know how many years I have left on this planet, so why hold back? It’s time to press on.

It’s time to take Bible memorization seriously. It’s time to pray more. Give more. Share my faith. Am I waiting until I’m an old woman to use all my energy to follow God? Moses asked God to help Him number His days properly. That means not wasting even one. Now is the time for me. Now is the time for you.

How are you holding back areas of your life from the transforming power of God? Are you nurturing a secret sin? Do you approach your time with God casually? What can you eliminate to more fully pursue Jesus?

We may want to lag or give up, but during those times, we must ask the Lord to help us rely on His strength to press on.

Thank you, Lord, that You strengthen me when I am weary. Help me pursue You with all that I am, holding nothing back.

Whitney

Stop and Help

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
James 2:8-9

Have you ever stopped to help someone, but then later realized you were the one who was blessed?

My husband is a salesman. He walks in and out of hospitals all day in hopes of making connections that will ultimately save a patient’s life. He knows every back stairwell, fast elevator and good area for cell service.

On one particularly busy day, he walked past an older man who looked lost. My husband simply asked him how he could help. As soon as he started to give directions, a hospital executive interrupted, said she’d take the man to the correct elevator and asked my husband to wait for her. After she returned, she took him straight to her office and gave him thirty minutes of her coveted time. She had been so moved by the courtesy he showed the man, that she wanted to extend him the same.

Certainly, my husband didn’t help to gain favor. He was simply moving through his work day and saw an opportunity to serve. It wasn’t a show – it’s who he is.

Will you watch for someone who needs help today? Maybe you can offer a hopeful word or buy someone’s meal. Is there a neighbor that needs to know they’re not forgotten? Could you text a friend a Bible verse? Maybe your food server needs to see a friendly face for a change. You get the idea---- the possibilities are endless.

These small kindnesses help others of course, but they also benefit us. When we focus on someone else, our lives are fuller. We see others through the eyes of Christ instead of the narrow funnel of our self-interests.

Lord, open my eyes to see those who need a touch from You. Please give me Your Words and creativity as I help spread Your love.
Whitney

The Serpent's Lies

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1

Pythons like to slither into holes. A young Portland woman discovered this when her pet BART crawled into the gauge hole of her earlobe. She reported that before she knew what was happening, he was halfway through. After the fire department was unsuccessful in removing BART, the hospital emergency room coaxed him to freedom.

This story reminded me why I don’t like snakes. But more importantly, it cautioned me how vulnerable we humans are. We have an enemy, Satan, who constantly looks for an opening. He knows our vulnerabilities and tailors his attacks accordingly.

How can we withstand his temptations?

Don’t let him near your ear. As soon as you hear his familiar lies, walk away. Get out of that situation as quickly as you can. His “trap” words are different for all of us, but when we hear them, we need to flee. Pray. Call a friend to pray. Go for a walk and turn on your phone audio Bible app. Have an escape plan.

Next, fill your ears with His Truth. Every day. Multiple times a day. Memorize verses that will strengthen you. Listen to God’s Words while you exercise or do housework. Stream podcast sermons as you commute. A mind filled with God’s Word is less likely to be deceived by the enemy’s lies.

Address those weak places in your life. Ask God to show you those “holes” that need extra attention and prayer. If you need counseling, seek it out. Find a friend to hold you accountable in a susceptible area. Join a support group. Locate Bible passages that speak to your need and write them out. Fortify those weak places so that the snake cannot get in.

Father, help me depend on You and Your powerful Word to resist the devil’s attacks.

Whitney