An Encouragement Journey 1

Copyright © 2015 by William A. Carlson

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.

Published by: William A. Carlson Cherieco Inc. PO Box 1353 Lincoln, CA 95648 www.encouragementjourney.com

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Scripture quotations are taken from:

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-9906541-1-7

DEDICATION

This is the first of four books that make-up the series, An Encouragement Journey. It is my joy to dedicate all four books in the series to my precious wife, Cherie. She is faithful, virtuous, and my closest companion.

God blessed me with the best gift when He gave me Cherie.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1 – WORSHIP OF GOD

CHAPTER 2 – INSECURITY

CHAPTER 3 – EnCOURAGEment

CHAPTER 4 – HOPE AND HOPELESSNESS

CHAPTER 5 – VISION

CHAPTER 6 – FAITH VS. PRESUMPTION

CHAPTER 7 – PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

CHAPTER 8 – PLENTY

CHAPTER 9 – BROKENNESS

CHAPTER 10 – FEAR & PEACE

CHAPTER 11 – STRONG FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 12 – FAVOR

CHAPTER 13 – SINGING DESPITE DIFFICULTY

PREFACE

This book, An Encouragement Journey, is a devotional. This is the first of four volumes. An Encouragement Journey is not intended to be completely read through, but it is intended that you will read one or two chapters at a time. The chapters are short and easy to read. They are designed to encourage you, build you up in your faith, and strengthen your daily walk with God. This book is founded upon the scriptural requirement for Christians, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13 (NASB).

It is far too easy to become hardened. There is darkness all around us, and we can see evil. The hardened soul becomes brittle and easy to break. It is only through the perfect work of Jesus that we are able to overcome hardness and sin. Through self-deception or through the work of Satan we can be readily deceived. The human mind is fully capable of rationalizing any kind of behavior or belief.

An Encouragement Journey is both my story and your story. Scriptures are used in every place possible because there is power in the Word of God. Most of these Scriptures use the New Living Testament (NLT) in the Old Testament, and the English Standard Version (ESV) in the New Testament. Both translations are easy to read, understand, and apply.

Each chapter is based upon several relevant Scriptures. God’s Word is both the embodiment of Jesus Christ (John 1) and is able to reveal your inner thoughts and motives (Hebrews 4:12). As you read and apply the principles stated in this book you will be transformed and better able to resist all temptations to do wrong or to think unbiblically.

This book is written for Christians. It is not written for atheists, agnostics, or those with other beliefs or religions. This is an expression of my personal beliefs and thoughts. It is not an exhaustive study of the topic presented. I, the author, Bill Carlson, am not a theologian nor do I possess seminary training. You need not be a Bible scholar in order to be encouraged by this book. An Encouragement Journey is the voice of a layman who reads and applies God’s Word every day.

You may wonder what I believe. You will uncover my beliefs throughout this book. I will say one thing very clearly up front, that I believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. I believe that the Bible contains the actual Word of God. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus said, “your word is truth” John 17:17 (ESV). God is completely able to use fallible men to write His Words. The sixty-six books by various authors included in the Bible are

certainly written by imperfect souls, however God was able to use imperfect people to transmit a perfect book to us.

My education and experience are in state and local government. Although I have never been an elected public officeholder I have served in top administrative posts and directly under people who are elected. I know the challenges of working as a professing Christian in a government organization in the United States.

I had to cut short my career due to a disability. This sickness started in 2000. I went downhill the next two years, then stabilized at a much lower physical level. I lost all sense of balance, which put me into a wheelchair. My speech is nearly impossible to understand and many of my motor movements are compromised. For example, I type with one finger where I used to use all my fingers. My eyesight is 20/20 without corrective lenses, but because everything I see is constantly in motion or double, it was too dangerous to drive. I am no longer licensed to drive. I did not want to be different from others but my disabilities make me conspicuous. I never sought the limelight but I cannot hide my abnormalities and inability to fit-in.

I have been to several of the best doctors in the world. I have been through dozens of tests. No one can determine the cause of my problems. The best that can be diagnosed is cerebellar degeneration, an autoimmune response to a virus.

I have also been prayed for many times. I have not been healed yet. The Bible tells me to rejoice at all times (Philippians 4:4). It has been one of the most difficult things for me to do. I find that rejoicing is easy when good things happen. But when there are storms, failures, setbacks, and adversity praise and rejoicing become challenging. The Apostle Paul also says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” Romans

12:15 (ESV). There are times when it is inappropriate to rejoice and God does not expect such rejoicing.

When I first became sick I thought that I would quickly overcome it and be restored to complete health. After all, I believe that healing occurred today. But I worsened. It became what mystics call “the dark night of the soul.” My prayers did not seem to matter. I did not know how my faith could increase. Jesus said that if we ask for anything in His name He will do it (John 14:13-14). But when the Apostle Paul pleaded for the removal of a physical and Satanic tormentor God refused saying that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Job certainly had his own dark night. Everything was going well but then he lost almost everything that was dear to him. Nearly everyone who was important to him either would not trust him or turned away from him. Despite his bewilderment he would trust and hope in God, saying, “God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him” Job 13:15 (NLT).

The Scriptures about prayer in the two preceding paragraphs are true even though they appear to directly conflict with one another. Whenever I see something like this I consider it to be ‘balancing truths’. There are three things that I think of: (1) God is sovereign and He is good, (2) His thoughts are above my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9), and (3) I am created and finite in my thinking (I am not God). I can trust God to give me understanding of which Scripture applies to my circumstance, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God’” Mark 10:27 (ESV; Matthew 19:26).

Right after teaching His disciples to pray the “Lord’s Prayer” Jesus continues to teach about prayer. He gives an illustration of persistence and says that our prayers should be persistent (Luke 11:5-10). I follow this teaching. Unlike Paul, God has not instructed me to stop praying, so I continue to ask Him to heal me. Regardless of whether or not I am healed, I know that God will bring good out of this disability (Romans 8:28) and that I am to live a Christian life. Illness does not give me an exemption from following Jesus.

You may be wondering how a guy with such serious disabilities can possibly encourage anyone. The answer is God. God is the author of our faith. God has responsibility to finish what He started (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 12:2). God chose to work through weak and fallible man but He retains responsibility for the results. I am both weak and fallible. Any good that comes out of this book will certainly bring an affirmation of the truth that God can use anything or anyone for a good purpose. He has certainly used my imperfection to state principles and concepts that I have either been taught or discovered from my own study of His Word.

The disabilities that affect me only affect my physical capabilities; they do not have any impact upon the way that I think or feel. An Encouragement Journey is based on an email that I send a couple of times a month entitled “Encouragement.” Included in this book are updated Encouragements that were originally emailed several years ago. Each Encouragement has been updated to clearly represent my beliefs and outlook on various scriptural subjects.

I want to acknowledge several people who helped me write this book. I am grateful for the assistance of my wife, Cherie C. Carlson, my assistant Karen Murray, two of my children (who took time away from their families and work to help me), Jacob Carlson and Antoinette Smith, the Lincoln House Church members, the late Pastor Chuck Smith, Pastor Greg Meeks, Pastor Bob Fromm, and Pastor Francis Anfuso.

~ William Carlson

1. WORSHIP OF GOD

Worship That God Loves & You Can Take With You!

Worship & praise can be an everyday event you do frequently

God wants you and me to worship Him. God lives in our praises. The Apostle John said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” John 4:23-24 (ESV). God is spirit, and wants worship from each of us. I worship when I sing or speak His praise but I can also worship doing things at work and home. No matter where I am or what I am doing, it can be a time of worship.

When I lift my voice or hands to adore, respect, honor, love, highly esteem, or revere God I show my attitude toward my Creator. I have these attitudes in my mind no matter what I am doing.

When God speaks of worship as a “sacrifice of praise” He is speaking of putting words on an altar to honor Him, not about giving something up. What we say is powerful. My words can show respect and reverence, “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” Hebrews 13:15-16 (ESV).

The principle of worship and praise is important to God; it is prevalent throughout the Bible. Even after death, when we are in heaven, there will be worship and praise. It is one of the things that we can take with us after death. Often people will say, “You can’t take it with you.” When this is said people are thinking of physical things. You take your character, attitudes, and your praise and worship with you. Worship is one way to express respect and gratitude to God. Jesus told us that out of our hearts would come good or evil. Worship and praise that we speak or sing are a reflection of what occurs inside of us, inside our spirit. Self-talk and songs will be reflected in whatever we speak. If I am thinking and singing about good things these will be reflected in what I say to others.

“When I first began to draw near to belief in God and even for some time after it had been given to me, I found a stumbling block in the demand so clamorously made by all religious people that we should ‘praise’ God; still more in the suggestion that God Himself demanded it . . . I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise does not merely express but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.” ~ Reflection on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

When I read about Lewis’s conclusion I thought of basketball. Why? I enjoy basketball. I played the game in my youth: I now watch it on TV. When I see excellence in a player I have no hesitation in singing his praise. It’s easy to tell others about him and why I am impressed. It is the same way with praise of God. I no longer wonder.

For further scriptural study: 1 Peter 2:9-10

2. INSECURITY

Confidence VS Insecurity

Who are you trying to please?

Insecurity, also known as, doubt, hesitancy, indecision, self-doubt, uncertainty, vacillation, is the opposite of confidence.

It may surprise many of you to know that insecurity is a malady I have had to deal with many times. From my childhood to today, I experience insecurity. I care too much about what other people think of me, or more accurately, what I think they think.

Despite my success in many areas, I still feel insecure; it eats away at my core. It’s not wise or healthy. It is a form of sin, because it reflects doubt not faith, “And without faith it is impossible to please him . . .” Hebrews 11:6 (ESV). Rather than seeking God I seek reassurance. Only God can give me the perfection I try to find. Christ is a solid foundation that both you and I can rely upon. There is no cause for insecurity in Christ. Insecurity reveals a lack of trust in what God provides and promises. One thing I know is that I can be secure in God’s love for me.

“I’m always described as ‘cocksure’ or ‘with a swagger,’ and that bears no resemblance to who I feel like inside. I feel plagued by insecurity.” ~ Ben Affleck

Because I want to be right, I tend to delay decisions. It does not make my decisions better; it just frustrates others. For the same reason, I avoid or delay confrontation. I am insecure about making the correct decision, so I do not make a decision at all. God promises to give me wisdom, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” James 1:5 (ESV) in my decisions if I will only ask Him. With wisdom from God and trust in His goodness I can be confident in the decisions that I make and have the assurance that they are right.

I can trust God with any plans that I have for my life. There may be times of hardship and suffering but I have the assurance of God that they will ultimately be for my good, ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT). The Apostle Paul suffered many setbacks and difficulties, even to the point of death: “. . . For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” 2 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV).

For further scriptural study: Psalms 138:8, I Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:28

3. EnCOURAGEment

My Mental Picture of God

God encourages you and me – we should do no less for each other

Barnabas (the nickname of a man named Joseph-Acts 4:36) did much that will encourage us. It was Barnabas that brought Saul to the apostles (Acts 9:26-28). Christians were afraid of Saul, even though many had heard that Saul had become a follower of Jesus.

When Saul became and an Apostle with the name Paul he exhorted that, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up . . .” 1Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV).

A major component of encouragement:

~ It takes courage to stand-alone for what is right,

~ You opt for courage when you are kind to someone else who is only concerned about himself,

~ You display courage when you choose not to speak when saying something offensive would be easy,

~ You show courage when you turn the other cheek,

~ You take-hold of courage when you do not listen to what is inappropriate,

~ You prove your courage when you are generous,

~ You show courage when you forgive someone,

~ Courage is demonstrated when you love someone who does not deserve it, especially an enemy.

I can rely upon the courage of God. When I am weak, I can depend upon His strength. God loves me. God likes me. I am dear to God. God wants to spend time with me. You are just as dear to God.

Marriage illustrates how God loves us. Who enters a marriage with someone they do not enjoy? Your closest companion is carefully chosen. Would God do less for His son?

God has carefully chosen you and me. We are to be His bride. We will be with Him; be faithful to Him; take His name; please Him.

Rather than picturing God as remote, stern, cold, or critical, see Him as a groom who loves you, chose you, enjoys being with you, delights in you, provides for you, believes in you, trusts you, and will not let evil overcome you. God overflows with encouragement, goodness, and mercy. It makes Him easy to love and serve, regardless of what befalls us.

For further scriptural study: 2 Corinthians 12:10, Matthew 26:41, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, Romans 15:1-5

4. HOPE AND HOPELESSNESS

Getting The Ultimate Reward

Hope is powerful – hope gives one victory over the devil

In a sermon I heard recently, as almost a throwaway line, the pastor spoke that someone with chronic hopelessness was present. I am guilty of this too often. I have been prayed for many times for healing; that I would leave my wheelchair and walk. It has been prophesied, more than once, that I am seen healed. But I remain in a wheelchair, dependent on others for almost everything. I have been sick since March of 2000. I admit to being jaded.

Jesus said that if we asked for anything in His name, He would do it. But Jesus also told Paul, when he asked three times for removal of a thorn in the flesh that His grace was enough and would prevent conceit because Paul had seen so much (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). Paul was able to boast in his weaknesses and hardships, but I am unable to speak as Paul did. I do not boast in my illness. I want to be able to do this, but I cannot.

It is common for the Bible to have two things that seem to be in conflict. The two Scriptures that I cite are balancing truths. Both are true, but it makes it very challenging to know which one will apply in a certain circumstance.

Hope is powerful. Even those not walking with God are given a measure of hope. I see it in those who gamble. A casino may be posh, winnings may favor the house, and odds may be contrary, but a gambler convinces himself that this time it will be different, because of his hope. Hope, along with faith and love, is one of the big three concepts that Paul talks about (1 Corinthians 13:13). The power of hope comes from the one in whom I trust. Is the one in whom I trust able to fulfill my hope?

God has not instructed me to never pray like He told Paul. I persist in prayer even though I see no results. The Lord’s Prayer is well known, but Jesus went on teaching His disciples to pray with persistence; so I do. I keep on asking, looking, and knocking. I hope in God most of the time. Some are healed, and some are not. I find a formula impossible. I cannot predict what God will do next. God wants me to trust Him. His sovereignty is not subject to my formula or predictions. He only promises to make this sickness to somehow work for good. Satan wants to destroy me and the goodness of God. He does not want me to bring glory to God. I despise Satan’s temptation, and continue to wait for the goodness of God, whether or not I am healed.

“(1) God is ENOUGH for every circumstance, (2) His PRESENCE is the answer, and (3) His FRIENDSHIP is our ultimate reward. Through the simplicity and purity of God's love, and through the force of Hope in God, cities will be redeemed, hearts will be reached and the vulnerable will be cared for.” ~ Bob Hartley, www.bobhartley.org

For further scriptural study: 1 Peter 4:12-19, Luke 11:5-10, Romans 15:13

5. VISION

How to Fly Like An Eagle

God will make sure you are not overwhelmed by your difficulties

People suffer setbacks of many kinds. Christians are not immune from trouble or suffering. Jesus suffered while on Earth. He says that we will suffer too. It is not surprising or unique. It is vital that we clearly understand our destiny, our vision of the future, in order to endure any difficulty. In Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NLT), “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.’”

I have had a big dose of both trouble and suffering. Several times in dreams people have seen me walking. I have been prayed for too many times to count, but I am still in a wheelchair. It seems slow for the fulfillment of the vision, but it will come. No one can cause unnecessary delay. God’s will be done (on earth as it is in heaven).

Anxiousness, anger or impatience will not cause fulfillment of a vision of healing to occur sooner. Hard work or my willpower will not move the hand of God faster. He has given me hope, now I wait, my destiny will surely come. While I wait God expects me to take action. I am not relieved from being a Christian. He still wants me to turn the cheek, go the second mile, pray for my enemies, and overcome evil with good. I want to belong to this subculture, to be part of this minority.

Certainly I have trouble. My family suffers because of my condition. God wants me to respond well; to react as He would. Like Job I do not see the full picture. I put on the armor of God, and spiritually fight principalities and powers of evil through prayer. I trust that God will turn what Satan meant for evil to good in my life and that of others. I want to fly high, like eagles. God certainly has the power to do whatever He wants to do, including defeating Satan, but He has chosen not to heal me yet. There is still some good that He sees in my being disabled. The Scripture out of Isaiah 40:28-31 was my mom’s favorite passage. It reads, “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (NLT).

Perhaps your dreams remain unfulfilled. Trust that God has your best interests in mind. He loves you and wants the best for you. The trouble that you face will be used for good in your life. God will make sure that you are not overwhelmed by your difficulties.

For further scriptural study: Proverbs 29:18, Romans 15:1-7

6. FAITH VS. PRESUMPTION

Feeling Sorry About Your Circumstances

God’s way is certainly different from my way

It has been heartbreaking to watch so many Christians go through financial hardship, foreclosure, or bankruptcy. The disruption in our financial system affects us all. If I had my way this would not happen. But God does things His way. His will is done not mine. There is tension between faith and the presumption that I know what is best in a particular circumstance. God has given me knowledge and wisdom, but I still don’t see clearly, I agree with the Scripture, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” 1Corinthians 13:12 (ESV).

His own brothers betrayed Joseph. Joseph served in an unbeliever’s house (death of a vision), was unjustly accused and thrown into jail (double death), yet he could see how God was using it for good. Even though he could not see a way out of slavery or jail, he trusted in God. God did the “impossible.” Not only did He set him free, but also God gave Joseph great authority and a high position (supernatural fulfillment).

When Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, unjustly accused, and forgotten in prison, it seemed like poor training for leadership, a bad resume, and a detrimental background. I would have given Joseph the best coach, an experienced mentor, and great schooling to prepare him to lead. But God had a better way. Trust, faith, and belief was more important to Him. God wanted to overcome evil with good. God showed that He could do the impossible.

The Apostle Paul was also thrown into prison. Rather than feel sorry for himself, he wrote his most joyful letter to the Philippian Church, which has brought comfort and joy to millions. What Satan meant for evil God turned into good. The suffering was tangible and prison was real, but God was greater than discomfort and pain. God will use the troubles and difficulties in each of our lives to help others. Deliverance from prison and adversity may look attractive to us but God has ways that will bring good out of evil circumstances.

I may think I know the best way; my ego says this is a good path. But I do not see clearly. I cannot see ahead. My best projection into the future is based upon what I have known in the past. Hit over .400 and you are considered a great baseball player even

though 60% of the times at bat were failures. Babe Ruth was a great home run hitter but he was also a strikeout king.

God sees ahead. He knows the future. It is common to see His way as difficult, even crazy. I may presume to know what is best, but I’m just guessing. I can trust the Spirit of God to do what is best even when I do not understand. I cannot accurately predict the future. I agree with the admonishment by the Apostle James, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” James 4:13-17 (ESV).

You may feel like God has abandoned you and that you can no longer do His work or will. Always remember that God is merciful and forgiving of whatever troubles you. We may not understand His ways but it is important that we trust Him and His ways to be far superior to the world’s way. God sees the big picture. The Apostle John is instructed to “come up here” (Revelation 4:11). He had a new perspective looking at the earth from heaven. It’s the same way with God. He sees things that we do not see from an earthly perspective.

“I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” ~ Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China

For further scriptural study: 1 John 5:4

7. PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Living A Happy Life

Seeing everything as a glass half full

It may seem odd that pursuit of happiness is included in the US Declaration of Independence. God is pleased that the phrase is included. God wants His children to be happy and to be full of joy. Just like I want my kids to be happy, God wants His kids to be happy.

In looking forward to heaven we are looking for eternal happiness – true bliss – eternal joyfulness. Each of us is driven to avoid pain, physical and mental, and look for God to give us eternal freedom and happiness. God promises that we will have “pleasures forevermore.”

In the book Gross National Happiness by Arthur C. Brooks, those who are religious are happy compared to people who are secular. “In 2004, 43% of religious folks said they were ‘very happy’ with their lives, versus 23% of secularists. Religious people are more likely than secularists to say they are optimistic about the future. Secularists are nearly twice as likely as religious people to say ‘I am inclined to feel I am a failure.’” It is common for those who are “religious” to serve those who are diseased, poor, or distressed. Despite this religious people are more likely to be happy with their life. Whatever you are doing God is pleased when you enjoy it. Even though it may mean changing messy diapers or doing common labor God wants you to be happy and content, “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” Psalms 144:15 (NKJV)

Just like God, I am optimistic. In spite of a bad economy, lack of jobs, and a pitiable political outlook, I can look at the future with hope, joy, and pleasure. Even though we serve God wherever we are (even in jail or when suffering) we are commanded to consider it joyful (James 1:2-4). Even though it does not make sense we can be joyful. My greatest growth has occurred when it has been the darkest, when it has been the most difficult. As my pastor said, “I love winter.”

“I can work for the Lord in or out of prison.” ~ Charles W. Colson

We have brothers and sisters all over the world who are experiencing persecution. Even though these times are not pleasant, God wants us to be enjoying Him. Even though I am in a wheelchair and confined to my home, God wants me to be happy. I cannot say

that I am there yet, but I am on the way. I want to be happy in what I do despite my limitations.

When the Apostle Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water, he was doing an impossible thing. As long as he focused on the Lord and not on the circumstances that surrounded him he could do the implausible (Matthew 14:22-33). In the same way we do things that seem impossible when we focus our attention solely on the Lord and not on circumstances around us that try to drag us down and neutralize our trust in Jesus.

For further scriptural study: Psalms 16:11, James 1:2-4

8. PLENTY

The Satisfaction From A Job Well Done

How hard work brings happiness and contentment

“The truth is that relative income is not directly related to happiness. Nonpartisan social-survey data clearly show that the big driver of happiness is earned success: a person's belief that he has created value in his life or the life of others.” ~ Arthur C. Brooks

God is not poor. God also made people to work. Many people do not believe in hard work, but it is a good thing to do. It is through labor that we receive rewards of hard work. It is through work that God provides for each of us, “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty” Proverbs 28:19 (NLT). The plenty, or abundance, that we enjoy is directly attributable to the level of work that we do.

God has enabled each of us to work and receive from the fruits of our labor. From the very beginning we can see Adam given work to do. Tending the Garden of Eden may not seem like work but it was. Our work does not depend upon a good economy. Like Isaac we can count on God, “A severe famine now struck the land . . . When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow” Genesis 26:1-13 (NLT). I am not saying that prosperity is guaranteed but we should always have faith in God regardless of what we see going on around us.

We live in a society that rewards hard work. Unlike our counterparts in many other countries, Americans have a strong work ethic. You can look at statistical comparisons at the amount of work that is done in the United States vs. other countries. The reward for hard work is part of the Judeo-Christian heritage that we have in the United States. Hard work is part of our cultural beliefs. One of the areas that makes America exceptional is the level of work that is performed.

Work is given by God. Avoiding work is not obedience to God. Seeking to avoid or minimize work is trying to set up a form of utopia that cannot exist in this earth. Many people have tried to avoid work but avoidance has negative consequences.

Because of my disability I have been unable to work as I once did. Meaningful work would be wonderful for me. It is fascinating that things that were so routine and

expected at one time, like taking out the trash or putting gas in the car, I highly value now. I have been in a wheelchair nearly as long as I was a city manager. During this time of disability God has provided for everything. I am confident that He will continue to provide, and if He wants me to be back in the workforce He will make a way for that to happen. It is through a job well done that we are able to enjoy happiness.

“I don’t believe in a law to prevent a man from getting rich; it would do more harm than good. So while we do not propose any war upon capital, we do wish to allow the humblest man an equal chance to get rich with everybody else.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

For further scriptural study: Proverbs 3:9-10, Luke 12:15, Mark 6:41-42

9. BROKENNESS

The Importance of Failing Well

How God uses broken people for mutual benefit

Broken bread fed thousands. Crushed grapes created a miracle. Broken bread and pure wine is a symbol of our salvation. Jesus was broken for you and me. He gave everything for us.

One of the gifts to us is both death and the cross. This seems wrong. But, like pain, It is a paradox. It is backward. It is upside down. Death and suffering is a blessing. It does not seem like a gift, but it is. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” John 12:24 (ESV).

God breaks and disciples every child of His (Hebrews 12:6). It is through difficulty that we are broken. You and I tend to have strong minds, strong wills, and strong emotions, so it is difficult to break a person in order to make him usable and pliable to do God’s will above his own desires. The trouble is the big “I.” In the middle of sin is a big “I.” Our self-interest too often gets in the way of the interest of God. When Jesus was on the earth He told us that He only did the things that He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). Jesus was spiritually sensitive to the will of God.

“We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot

Going through tough times is not fun. But it is in difficult times that we learn and grow the most. This is what I have experienced. It was in trying times that I became willing to change. Loneliness, unable to satisfy a boss, encountering impossible circumstances, or facing unanswered prayers, lead to a willingness to try something different. I never would have seen my need for a savior if everything was smooth sailing. I am glad that I encountered trouble. It did not feel good at the time, but it led me to a much better life.

For further scriptural study: Hebrews 4:13, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 21:44, 1 Corinthians 11:24

10. FEAR & PEACE

Do Not Be Afraid

Having Peace in the middle of chaos

There are several different kinds of fear in the Bible. When the Bible talks about fear of God I am not referring to this type of fear. I am speaking not of reverence or awe but concern about your physical well-being. Whenever an angel or someone from heaven appeared to human beings the first thing they would say is to not be afraid. When Jesus walked on the water His disciples were afraid and the first thing that Jesus said was do not be afraid (Matthew 14:22-32). Jesus also said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” John 14:27 (ESV).

An unknown author said, “Please be patient. God has not finished with me yet.” We can each say this about ourselves. Undoubtedly, it will take an entire lifetime for God to work out of us things that are unholy. Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV). Like Paul we can be certain that we will not die until our purpose on Earth is completed. Paul also gave us the secret to peace when he said, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” Romans 8:6 (ESV).

At one time I was afraid of death. I did not know the future; I only knew the world around me. Even when I became a Christian I retained my fear of death. I no longer feel this way. I have learned enough about heaven and the kindness of God to realize that death is a benefit not something to fear. My mind is always set on the Spirit. The apostle Paul said that he longed to be in heaven but stayed here on Earth for the benefit of others. He was very responsible to make sure that he fulfilled all of his obligations.

We serve a God who loves peace. He wants us to live in peace. The conflict that comes from anger, strife, arrogance, envy, jealousy, or selfish ambition is unnecessary. You and I do not need to live this way. God wants us to have peace in our relationships with others. These things do not cause peace. We can see this in the healing of the demoniac man who lived in caves and broke chains in order to escape any capture. When Jesus delivered him from having many demons inside, the man was at peace and those in the nearby village became afraid. The fear that they had was not reasonable or necessary (Mark 5:1-20).

Without peace in our personal relationships it is very expensive to us both emotionally and physically. Little is settled or made right through fighting and conflict. Why did Jesus want us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, or take a log out of our own eye? Why did Jesus want us to settle a matter before it went to court? Why does Jesus want us to love our enemies and forgive others? Do not all of these things lead to conflict if we demand our own way? In 2 Corinthians 5:18 (ESV) it says that we have the ministry of reconciliation, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” Reconciliation is a form of bringing peace. We have peace with God and we can have peace with our neighbor.

For further scriptural study: Luke 12:4, John 14:27, Ephesians 2:13-17

11. Strong Foundation

I Have Built My House, Have You Built Yours?

Who to cry out to when there is trouble

There is an old American folk hymn, from the early 1800s, named “How Firm A Foundation.” We choose our foundation. I have chosen to make Jesus Christ my foundation. My worldview, the way I see everything, is built upon this foundation. Jesus said that the wise man will build his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24).

I have found nothing else to be solid, secure, and dependable. A President, Congress, Supreme Court, or Constitution cannot be counted upon. Whenever I experience extreme distress, I do not call upon any of these for immediate help. I call upon God for help, salvation, or rescue. I know who has real power, and the One who is a firm foundation. Help is not found in a business, church, or music group. I do not cry out for help from McDonalds, Google, or a community leader. I cry out to God, because I know He has all the needed power, and I know that He is full of love, mercy and grace.

Because I am not normal you might expect me to be bitter or to reject God. I am not and do not. When I first became sick, I had a “crisis of faith.” I knew that God had the power to heal. I also knew that He loved me. It was hard for me to see the difficulty that I was experiencing as an act of love. I considered it to be from Satan, who wanted to destroy me. We live in a war zone. There is a battle between good and evil. I choose freely. I choose goodness. Without the ability to rebel against God, to be or to do evil, I would be a robot with no ability to love.

Through the difficult times God has proven to be a solid foundation. It is an easy thing to accept good from Him. It is hard to accept suffering. Even though I do not understand what God is doing, or why, I trust Him to only do good and loving things. I struggle to consider my sickness as joyful, even though God wants me to be happy. But the same God who said rejoice in all things also says to put on the full armor that God provides and stand against Satan (Ephesians 6:10-18).

For further scriptural study: Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, James 1:2-4, Philippians 4:4-7

12. FAVOR

God Is For Me Every Time

Trusting God in the middle of difficult circumstances

“Favor is when I [God] dip you in honey and the blessings of God start to stick to you. Favor is the supernatural charisma of Christ that comes upon you so your will become irresistible in transactions for the Kingdom . . . Without favor there is not a person in the Bible who would have succeeded in what they were destined to do.” ~ Lance Wallnau

We want God to be on our side. We want to succeed in all that we do. If God is for us who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) Our definition of success may differ markedly from God’s definition. Reading the beatitudes or the other commands stated by Jesus in His speech recorded in Matthew 5-7 we are given a completely different perspective about what sets us apart. One thing that is clear throughout the Bible is that a prerequisite for the favor of God is to do what He says to do.

God wants to bless us. But blessings look very different than they would if I was god. God gave us the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt as an example. Not only did God deliver them but also He gave them favor so they did not leave empty-handed. Favor was a gift that God gave to them. The Israelites did nothing to earn such favor. They were slaves to Pharaoh. It was a gift freely given to them.

In the same way we will never earn the favor of God by being righteous. But its important to remember the nature of God. He is generous and merciful. Because He is good, He always brings good out of evil. Good will always triumph over evil. It may look bleak or slow but goodness will win. The Israelites were in Egypt for 400 years but when God eventually acted on their behalf they became an irresistible force.

I have been sick since 2000. I would not call this success. But I am confident that God has some greater purpose that I do not yet understand. I know God’s character, traits, and ways. He will use this for good. I do not know how but I trust Him to do so because I know Him.

Further scriptural study: Genesis 39:21, Exodus 12:36, Luke 1:30, Luke 2:52, Acts 2:46-47

13. SINGING DESPITE DIFFICULTY

Saving Your Seed Corn

Singing in the midst of difficult times

Years ago there was a story about planting seed and harvest in Leadership Magazine. The story talked about a hungry African family. The son came to the father very excited because he had found a bag of seeds inside a shed. The father said that the seeds could not be used for food, but had to be saved for planting a crop the next season. Even though the family was malnourished because of lack of food, the seed corn had to be saved in order to have a crop the next season. When planted (put into the ground with weeping and faith not knowing if it would grow) the seed grew into plants that produced many ears of corn. It was this corn that provided food for the family. So the verse about weeping when they plant their seed and singing when they bring in the harvest came true, “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest” Psalms 126:6 (NLT).

In the same way many people are experiencing impoverishment because of a lack during these difficult times. What is important today is that we do not eat our seed corn, but save it for the next season. It is encouraging to know that there will be another season for each of us, “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” Genesis 8:22 (NLT). The recession will not last. It is a difficult season to live through, but there is a harvest right around the corner. We will yet sing when we return with a harvest.

A great deal of our stress is self-imposed. God tells us to not be anxious for anything (Philippians 4:6). Worry and anxiety will not change our circumstances. It only increases our stress. In order to live in peace and contentment our only option is to trust God, “casting all your anxieties on him” 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV).

I do this for many things but not everything. When I fail there is self-inflicted stress. God has not complained or turned away from me. He still loves me. My disobedience affects me and those close to me, but I do not live in disobedience but in anticipation of a better day ahead.

For further scriptural study: James 1:2-15, Acts 16:25-26, Ephesians 5:19

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