Morning Encouragement for 11/23/2022

Good morning,

while reading the book of 2^nd Kings today, a thought crossed my mind how even the list day what the Lord says back in the Old Testament is still viable today. The two kingdoms (North and South Israel) had violated the Lord’s commandments uttered in the time of Moses. For this reason, the people would lose the prime country and be put in a substandard community. When the Lord gave Moses the commandments, it wasn’t an agreement that both sides needed to ratify, it was a one-sided agreement. By taking up residence in the land, the people signified and even agreed to the terms of the contract. In the USA today, people tend to think “this land belongs to us” but does it? The short answer is, “No it belongs to the Lord!”. For us to remain in the land, we must honor the Lord’s commands whether we like it or not. Just as the land doesn’t belong to us, neither do the children we are simply stewards and the children are not responsible for rearing them, we the parents are. So, I encourage you today to look in your backyard to be sure you are honoring the Lord’s commandments, or these children and this precious land will be taken from us by force.

Verses: Matthew 18:7-9, 2 Kings 17:1-23, Exodus 20

Famous Quote: “Not only should you embrace truth but you must love it because the truth will set you free. Most people don’t love truth because it confronts their sinful lifestyles yet they still expect God to bless them. When your lifestyle is not based on truth soon enough you’ll begin to compromise” – Billy Graham.

Father,

Please help me today to honor your commands whether I agree with them or not. You give us so much but when we turn away from you, you have no choice but to turn away from us. The world says “though much honor the government’s commandments” but you say “Honor the Lord your G-d and make no room for the Devil (Ephesians 4:27-32). When we return to you with all of our heart and restore the things we have stolen, you bless our lives in ways we would never expect. Please watch over my family and keep each one in your love. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

http://www.mikesencouragement.net

Morning Encouragement for 11/21/2022

Good morning,

As I read from Jeremiah yesterday morning about the “Potter and the Clay”, the thought crossed my mind about how it applies to all of the nations and people the world over. The nation Israel had sinned and had turned their backs on the Lord who brought them into Canaan and gave them the keys and stewardship of the land. Initially, the Lord’s design was for the nation to care for the land forever. The problem was that sin had entered the picture causing the Lord’s vessel to be broken. You see, when you came to the Lord, He began a good work in you and continues to work on it throughout your lifetime. When you stumble over sin, just like everybody else, the vessel develops a mar in it requiring corrective action(s). If the vessel is unserviceable, the clay is put back into the box of clay along with water to make the clay useable. When the Lord rebuilds us, we do not have the same ministry as we did and it might even be much smaller in size and have different dynamics to it and will always incorporate our failures and the hard lessons we learned. My encouragement for you today is, G-d is never through with us until we turn our back on Him and never turn around even to our last breath.

Verses: Jeremiah 18, Deuteronomy 31:1-6, Psalms 16, Joshua 21:43-45

Famous Quote: “…we will stand amazed to see the topside of the tapestry and how God beautifully embroidered each circumstance into a pattern for our good and His glory.” – Joni Eareckson Tada

Father,

Above all things, you love us and care about us. As humans we all sin and fall short of your glory but you are never through with us until we no longer want you in our lives. By your grace, you can separate sin from the sinner so that you can love the sinner and hate the sin; because it is possible, you admonish us to do the same for others so that they can be healed and restored to ministry. Help me today Lord to be an instrument of your healing power to a broken world. I pray for my family today that you will watch over them and keep the safe. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/20/2022

Good morning,

When you think about Elijah and Moses, you get the idea that these men were lightening rods for the Lord and they were. Moses led a nation cross country, through the Reed Sea, and to Mount Horeb. Moses was the only known man that saw the G-d’s face and lived to tell about it. The nation Israel was constantly griping about everything and everyone. The problem was that when he was given instructions for bringing water from a rock, he told the people “Must we bring forth water from this rock?” he dishonored G-d and in a way glorified himself before the people. Elijah called for a drought and it happened and then called for rain it too happened. During the drought, Elijah carred for by the Ravens near a pond. The events at Zarephath, the contest on the mountain, and the rain after the drought all spoke about G-d’s provision for the prophet no matter what the conditions were. The problem was, one word from the vile woman Jezebel and Elijah ran for his life. Elijah’s ministry would come to an end prematurely. One would think that these two clowns would be on Jesus’ “no contact list” but, the point where they fell on their sword would be the encouragement Jesus would need to face the cross. Today many of you have fallen on your sword and may feel that you are useless to the Kingdom but I tell you that you may very well be the word of encouragement somebody maybe looking for that well propel them over a hurdle to reach lives for Jesus Christ. My encouragement for you today is, no matter where you are even if you have fallen on your sword, never give up nor cave into the fears that are shaking you.

Verse: 1 Kings 17, 1 Kings 19, Numbers 20, Matthew 17:1-13

Famous Quote: “No matter what has happened to you in the past or what is going on in your life right now, it has no power to keep you from having an amazingly good future if you will walk by faith in G-d. G-d loves you! He wants you to live with victory over sin so you can possess His promisesfor your life today!” – Joyce Meyer

Father,

No one can steal us from your hands but we, through our autonomy can jump out. Elijah and Moses were your two chosen servants or “candles of the Lord”. These men faced enumerable issues in life and while it was sad to see them stumble over a hurdle, it is not uncommon because we face the same issues today. My prayer is that I will continue to be a voice of encouragement for those who are struggling so that they do not trip over the hurdle. Please watch over our ministers in the field and those on mission trips across the nation. Thank you for these precious people Lord who have given their lives in service to you – May you keep them as the Apple of your Eye. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/14/2022

Good morning,

As I read the story morning about Peter in his confession, back about my conversion, which was about 37 years ago. I had been raised Catholic, my entire life. Until that fateful night. So, I knew about Jesus or at least I thought I did. But when the Spirit of The Lord entered my heart I finally understood his mission. You see you can read all about Jesus and even pray to him but until he becomes your personal savior all of that information is simply that “information”. When Jesus gave me the keys to heaven and hell, he gave me the choice of which one to open up just like in the case of Peter.  The church Jesus built on my confession was the ministry he was calling me to and the power that would propel me from the depths of despair to freedom in His Kingdom. I was set free from self-loathing and self-hatred to being able to forgive myself. The thing is, although we are set free, we are also free to go back to that pigstye from which we came. My question for you today is, “what has the Lord set you free from?” and are you still free?

Verse: Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 103:1, Isaiah 1:19-20.

Famous Quote: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go” – Abraham Lincoln.

Father,

Thank you for your son’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvery. I am free today to live my life to its fullest because Jesus died for the sins of my life. The world may find this unimportant in the grand scheme of things but like a wedding band, this sacrifice is everything to me. Please help me today to walk in the freedom of Christ Jesus. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning encouragement for 11/13/2022

ME 11132022

good morning,

the people who came to Jesus did so for a couple reasons. First of all, they were hungry for the truth. Second, they wanted to be healed. As the son of God, he had authority over illness, and the people needed it desperately. My question for you today is, what’s stopping you from being healed? The easy answer is, “He just doesn’t want to heal me because it’s not his will.”. This answer, while convenient and certainly expeditious, is wrong. People don’t get healed because they don’t go to the source and if they do it’s only at the insistence of someone else. Until we learn that we need to look at our hearts. The challenges, motives and healing will always be almost nonexistent. The Lord wants to heal us and he wants to restore the broken areas of our life but when we refuse to come to him or doubt that he can do what he says because “the world says it isn’t possible”, healing will be elusive in our lives.

Verses: James 2:14-26, James 5:13-19, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 14:22-33

Famous Quote: “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” – Billy Graham.

Father,

the world is broken, Lord, and there doesn’t appear to be any stopping sort of like opening up a dam and expecting to put a plug in it. We need your help Lord so desperately, we are unable to stop or stem the tide of evil on her own. Our politicians are a poor choice for salvation and the government is not an answer. Our answer and our strength come from you. Lord, I am sorry for the sins of my people and I repented in Jesus’ name. Please do not cast us from your site. Lord, May my voice always be heard in your kingdom. Not because I’m somebody but because I am somebody in your eyes. Please watch over my family and keep each and every one of your heart. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/11/2022

Good morning,

There is a familiar phrase that goes like this, “you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t”. The implication is, no matter which way you go or which decision you make, it will not please someone basically, “no-win”. In today’s reading, Jesus is in such circumstances. Unfortunately, the word of God does not give us answers for every circumstance or situation. Hence the two laws that sum up all of the laws, are “love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul, and body” and, “love your neighbor as yourself”. In the Old Testament, the priests had two dice for making tough decisions. The priests would flip the dice and call it, “the will of God”. Of course, the answer would displease one group or another. If someone disagrees with our choices doesn’t automatically mean, “we have violated God’s will”? The short answer is, “not necessarily”; what it means is we have a difference of opinion. No matter which way we go, as Aesop’s fable about the man and his donkey brings out, we have to make a choice and for better or for worse stand by it. My encouragement for you today is, “consider the choices you make like, “whom you will serve” and understand that you’re responsible for the consequences”.

Verses: Proverbs 3:5-8, James 1:5-8, Joshua 24:14-28

Famous Quote: “when it comes to making decisions about your life you are the one to make those decisions. You can listen to the opinion of others however, in the end, it is you that must make the decision and live with the consequences of that decision” – Napoleon Hill.

Father,

making decisions about our life is probably the most difficult part of having our autonomy. Making a choice is easy living with the consequences is difficult. The fool who ruled the kingdom does not consider what will happen as result of easy choices. Your work because us to carefully consider our choices and not make them as one would choose a piece of candy. Help me today to make wise choices and although others may disagree with them helping honor you according the first great commandment. I pray for my family today that you watch over each and every one of them by them safely to work and back home again where we struggle with family decisions may we always look to you for guidance. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/09/2022

Good morning,

When we read the prophecies about the kingdoms that will collapse, I can understand why the people heckled the prophet because the prophecy was spoken at the height of the kingdom’s glory. Egypt was a formidable empire and kingdoms for miles around catered to it including Israel. Isaiah prophecied about Egypt around 730 BC but the nation would not be defeated by Babylon until around 605 and then the last of the empire was defeated by Rome in 30BC. With the exception of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sodom, and Gomorrah, every other nation was told what lay ahead for them if they did not repent. In the same way that the Lord warned the kings of Israel, He warns us against sin and what our end will be if we don’t repent and turn from our wicked ways. The reason He does this is that He is a merciful G-d. My encouragement for you today is that if there are areas in your life that are not in line with His precepts and laws, you use the opportunity to make things right between you and Him.

Verses:  Isaiah 20:3-6, Isaiah 30:18-22, Joel 2, Psalm 86:1-7, 2 Chronicles 7:1-18

Famous Quote: ”We must wake ourselves up! Or somebody else will take our place and bear our cross and thereby rob us of our crown” – William Booth.

Father,

Repentance is not just a “thing” it is everything. When we sin we walk at cross purposes to your will. When we walk in sin we lose out and we will never know what you had in mind for us. The children of Israel lost out on the greatest blessing of their lives and their children became the progenitors of G-d’s eternal blessing. When you look at my life, I pray that you do not see the blotch of sin but that you see a heart open and receptive to your word. I pray for my family  today Lord that you will watch over each and every one of us and guide us in our journey. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

 

Morning Encouragement for 11/7/2022

Good morning,

each of us has utilized faith whether we know it or not. When we get behind the wheel of a car, we trust and have faith in the brakes because we press the brake pedal we are going 65 miles an hour would press the brake and the car stops; if the car doesn’t stop, we know we have to get the car serviced. If we do not get the brakes fixed, and we have an accident, we are responsible for what happened; of course, we can always say “I have faith they’ll work” but that faith is misplaced. In the same way, we read God’s promises and have faith in them but we don’t do what we are told which leads us to lose faith. The thing about God’s promises is they all come with a mighty word “if”. The word “if” implies that we have to do something or do not do something. Consider the nation Israel when they left Egypt they were told, “after neighbors for gifts of clothing, silver, gold. Those items were used to build the wilderness temple. Consider also Noah how he was told to build an ark because of the coming rain. Had he said to himself, “I have faith that God will see me through” and then did not build the ark or not appropriately he too would’ve suffered the fate of mankind. My encouragement today is that when you’re asked to do something the Lord that you would be faithful to get done without asking “why?”.

Verses: James 2:14 – 26, Ephesians 2:8 – 10, Genesis 7, Isaiah 1:1 – 20.

Famous quote: “there are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things” – D.L. Moody.

Father,

Your promises are full of power and you will honor all of them provided we too are obedient to what is asked of us. If we were told to do tell someone “thus sayeth the Lord” we might do it but if asked to do something uncomfortable we struggle with being faithful and obedient without asking for your reasoning. I have never heard nor read where you have fully disclosed your plans at one time. You tell us what we need to know it. Help me today to do what you ask of me. I pray for my family and the families you have given to me to pray over. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders and workers so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land with rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/3/2022

ME11032022

Good morning,

I observed something the other day that I want to share with you. I was pouring some ketchup from a bottle, when it was full, I would put extra on but as the bottle emptied out, I used it sparingly. This observation brings to light how we treat our basic rights. When our rights are not threatened, we give them scant attention however, when there is a possibility that those rights will be taken away, we treasure them and protest when anyone tries to take them away. Consider the nation Israel and how they were overjoyed with leaving Egypt and “slavery”.  Yet, when the trouble began to brew and the people grew dissatisfied they wanted to go back to that pleasant Valley of Egypt. Throughout the years in Canaan, the people one from one enslavement to another always went back to idol worship despite what the prophets told them. Today we are not the much better nation Israel because no matter how many times we have been warned by famine drought dwindling resources etc. we do not listen. There will come a time when everything we treasure is taken away and given something we really don’t want. My encouragement is, to make use of and hold on dearly to your Christian rights and responsibilities.

Verse: Revelations 3:2-6, Exodus 19:1-6, Psalms 125, Proverbs 18:5-12

Famous Quote: “The constitutional freedom of religion is the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights” – Thomas Jefferson.

Father,

Your son died on a piece of wood 2000 years ago so that we might be free from the oppression of sin. What we do with that gift will greatly determine how we live. Having this gift presented before us means we have a choice, “live for the lord” or “live in oppression”. Help me today to live for you in all that I do. Please help me today to cherish the freedom you have given by walking in it and exercising them. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 11/02/2022

Good morning,

In times of extreme weather or the potential for it, sirens are blared to warn the people about what is coming. There are different types of people one will hear the warning and take action the other, will hear the warning and decide to wait it out. So, when the storm comes through some are ready while others are not. In the years before the exile in 586, the people were warned repetitively about what was coming some made preparations others laughed about it. Only when we rely on a bluff do we find out the hard way that we are not as resilient as we thought. In 2001 the USA had a bluff and that was “no one would attack the sovereign nation”. Unfortunately, our bluff was called. Some said that they tried to warn the US but they did not listen. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Micah, and many other prophets tried to warn the nation but they would not listen and they were completely decimated. It is very easy to blame somebody else for the mistakes we made and paid for. The word of the Lord warns us about the coming attacks, the changes in the financial system, and wars and rumors of war. If we do not listen to them and sometimes very deeply. I encourage you today to pay attention to what is going on and be on your knees praying for this nation, your families, and the world at large.

Verse: Jeremiah 6, Ezekiel 33:1-9, Deuteronomy 28, Psalms 85

Famous Quote: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” – George Santayana

Father,

Hearing the word of wisdom and acting on it are two different things. The world is full of negative news coming from every corner of the world around us. Armed with this information please help me to take it before you and pray for the nation and the world around us. May I never be so foolish as to think “it will never come near me because I am a child of the King”. The truth is, when sin is allowed to exist, it touches everyone in some form or fashion even if it does not penetrate the doors of my house. Please watch over my family and keep them safe. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

 

Morning Encouragement for 10/31/2022

Good morning,

There is a term in baseball called, “caught in a pickle”. This occurs when the runner is caught between the next base and the one that he was running from by two of the opposing team members. This term implies, “caught in a difficult position”. In life we also get caught in difficult positions where we are lost as to what to do next; in either choice, you will lose one thing or another. Consider the case of the early church in which the followers of Jesus were caught in the crossfire between Jesus and the Sanhedrin. If the people went towards the Sanhedrin and denied Jesus they would pay for it in the end. If the people chose to believe Jesus and deny the Sanhedrin they risk the chance of being excommunicated from the synagogue, from family, and friends. Either way, these people would lose. The thing is, we are not all that much better today at avoiding difficult positions than the people in the first century. We indeed have many more choices in spiritual worship places, and most certainly people stop talking to their families for years. At issue, though we lose that part of our life temporarily or permanently that we grew up with that as a part of our life of who we are. So which way to turn? We find the answer in Matthew, “come to me all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 – 30).

Verses: Matthew 11:25 – 30, John 14:6-11, Isaiah 41:8-16, Psalms 121, Ecclesiastes 9

Famous Quote: “Hardships prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny” – C.S. Lewis

Father,

You are the same G-d who led the people of Israel from one impossible situation to another and they survived although it looked like they wouldn’t make it. Mankind endures hardships all of their lives some they conquer others they falter. Yet, you love us through all of them. Help me to do what is right in your eyes and never back away. I do not blame people for falling on their swords nor for making a bad decision for good reasons, because I have been in the same place myself. From these “hardships”, come people that are humbled and pliable for your purposes. May I when I fall be the first to get back to my feet again and press on. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at https://www.mikesencouragement.net

Morning Encouragement for 10/30/2022

There is a fact about life that is hard for us to comprehend that is, we can have things for so long that we take them for granted. As an example, children who have been raised in times of wealth, begin to expect a level of living in which wealth allows them to have the niceties. When the wealth is depleted or a job that is afforded goes away it is almost like culture shock. In the time between the completion of the conquest of Canaan and the rise of the kings, the tribes had forgotten what it took to win the land. They forgot about the Lord and all that He had done for them. When the nation was invaded all of the things that define the nation was taken away which humiliated the people. The USA prided itself on being the center of power only to find out how fragile it really was. In 2001 on that infamous day in September when our bluff was called and the nation suffered a tremendous loss we lost more than just two buildings. My point is the soul thing is this, God gives us things for his glory but when we begin to think that we possess things “those things” slip from our fingers simply as the crown slipped from the head of the king when his nation was overrun. I encourage you today to cherish those who were in your life and the gifts that he would have been so graciously given and never taken for granted.

Verse: Deuteronomy 28, Hebrews 13, Romans 10:5-15, Psalms 116

Famous Quote: “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry” – Thomas Fuller

Father,

you gave us much in life, you meet our needs, and you lift us up. The problem with humans and I am no exception, they have these things in our life for so long that we forget what is like not having them. You provided a wife that would complement me. You provided a source of income a home and things that I needed. Please forgive me for every time I took them for granted. Life is precious to you father and you greatly appreciate and respect us. Help me today to always have our gratitude that I would always bless you with my life. I pray for my family Lord that you watch over them and keep each one of them safe. I pray for our military or in the United States and across the world Lord that you watch over them and their families. I pray for our law-enforcement and EMT communities Lord that she would get home safely at the end of their shifts. We do not need more stuff when your heart is forever gracious Lord may be pleased with me today in all that I do in Jesus’ name amen.

IHS MK

All of my writings can be found at https://www.mikesencouragement.net

 

Morning Encouragement for 10/22/2022

Good morning,

For 11 days my wife and I have been enjoying the warm sunshine of South East Florida. While here in FL, my wife and I did the touristy stuff and it was enjoyable. The reason it was enjoyable was that we were seeing it for the first time ever. As I was walking the water front in Fort Lauderdale, the thought crossed my mind that although the temps were conducive to wanting to winter in FL, “why aren’t the people that live here ecstatic about the state?”. The reason, I think anyway, is that living in this state just as it is for the snow birds people become so used to the surroundings that they lose the “wonder and awe” and become desensitized due to the political noise. In the same way when we accept Jesus as our savior and the Spirit of G-d fills our heart, we see life from a different prospective and become amazed at His works of beauty as though seeing the world through the eyes of a child. As wonderful as this is, eventually we lose the wonder as the noise of the world and the smog of corruption fills our lungs. It is for this reason that we are told, “unless you become as a little child …”. May you never lose the wonder and awe of G-d’s beautiful world.

Readings: Matthew 18:1-6, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11,

Famous Quote: “The most beautiful thing in the world is, the world itself of course” – Wallace Stevens.

Father,

May I never lose sight of “the wonder of this world”. You have given us this world to live in but we have corrupted it. The noise of futility and the smog of corrupted blind us to the love that is in Christ Jesus. You have made a beautiful world Lord and that has not changed. What has changed is that we have become desensitized by the continual noise. Please watch over and keep us in your love today. I pray for my family, my city of Stacy, state of MN, the USA. I pray for our military and their families, the police and their family, and the pastoral teams.

IHS MK

All of my writings can be found at https://www.mikesencouragement.net.

Morning Encouragement for 9/19/2022

Good morning,

Samson was the tallest and strongest in the nation in his lifetime. He was called from his birth to take the vow of the Nazirite. Because of his parents’ obedience in his upbringing, Samson was blessed by the Lord and afforded the position of “Judge”. The thing is though Samson had an appetite for women and because of his great strength, he considered himself to be impregnable. He believed that he could have any woman he chose. His first wife was a Philistine who would conn him into divulging a riddle. This set the stage for the battle that would ensue between Philistia and himself. Having great strength is a curse and a blessing depending on which God you serve. Samson was self-serving and it will cost him his life and any good that would have come from him. When the Lord blesses us with the gift or gifts they are in their rawest form – “potential”. The care we put into developing our gifts tells the Lord “what we think of them”. Consider an “empty box” it can either hold a large amount or scant few items depending on how they are packed. To Samson’s credit, he killed more Philistines in death than in life which is a sad epitaph because it was not the “be all end all of his mission”. My encouragement for you today is, “Commit your gifts in the Lord’s service and He will help you to pack more into your life than you can possibly conceive.

Verse: Judges 16, Exodus 28:36-37, Psalms 29, Luke 6:37-38,

Famous Quote: “Mere talents do not give glory to G-d but a humble heart” – Mac Conoza

Father,

You graciously endow us with gifts and talents when we are born. The size nor the adoration that comes from them is not the tall tale sign of our love for you, they are the fruit of a developed gift. When we do not hone our gifts, they will remain as “raw materials” that neither look nor sound good. Help me today to use my gifts for your glory that people will be fed by them and people will come to serve you. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 09/09/2022

ME09092022

Good Morning,

One of the hardest things for mankind is, “honor the vows you have made” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). The reason this is so important to our lives and that of the people we represent, is that by not honoring we become a “liar” just like the Devil; after awhile, lies become a way of life for us and it becomes our main language (John 8:44-46). Now we all have had that one person in our lives that is long on promises and short on follow through sometimes that person is “us”. The problem with this is that people become disillusioned or disenchanted and, after a while, we don’t know what to believe so we trust nothing coming from the liar’s mouth and then we become cynical. If in our churches we do not keep a careful watch over our theological stance people will stop listening to the church as we have found out over the past few decades (Crossroads Church). The Devil uses this opportunity as a platform against the Lord G-d.  The Devil whispers in our ear “Your G-d does not care about you look how he didn’t honor  ___. If I were made a god of your life, I would ___ right away”; in essence, he would use the same steps that Absolom took when forming a coup against his father David (2 Samuel 15:1-6). I encourage you Good morning, to take a careful look at the foundation of your life to see where some cracks and crevices have cropped up and then seek to fix them.

Verses:2 Samuel 15:1-6, John 8:44-46, Ecclesiastes 5:5, Deuteronomy 23:21-23, Psalms 61

Famous Quote: “Put your nose into the Bible every day. It is your spiritual food. And then share it. Make a vow not to be a lukewarm Christian” – Kirk Cameron

Father,

Above all else, we are to honor the vows we have made to you and our fellow man even if it hurts. The problem is, that we are passionate people who speak first and think last. Help me to consider the promises I make and honor them to the end of my life. The world accepts lies only when it suits them but you are not like the world. Those who come near to you acknowledge you and walk in paths of righteousness for your namesake. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 9/11/2022

Good morning,

At a mini-gathering this past week, someone told a story about our deceased son. While the story was entertaining, a thought crossed my mind that although it sounded something like would Matt would do it didn’t mean that it actually happened; basically, it was a memory distorted as it might have been it could not be validated. In the same way, In scripture there is a thing called “pseudepigrapha” which means “so-so scripture” that is, it sounds like something someone would say or do, not that it actually happened or happened in the way it was told. For example, Enoch the son of Seth walked by the seashore and then disappeared (Genesis 4:26 and Luke 3:38). Much of the OT and parts of the NT are “stories or predicated upon them. Stories can and do get exaggerated with each retelling does that mean scripture is invalidated? Not by any stretch of the imagination. The first 11 chapters of Genesis are believed to originate from Mesopotamian stories. Mesopotamia is in western Asia and the Fertile Crescent and because there was no such thing as a “computer” or a “book”, the people told the family stories as a means of tying the generations together. When we cease to remember these stories or reject them, we close off a door that ties our past to our present and future.

Verse: Psalms 78, Deuteronomy 11:18-25,

Famous Quote: “Every relationship must have a starting point so  that past errors may remain in the past.” – Mary Lydon Simonsen

Father,

Help me to remember my past is not a hammer to beat myself or others up, it is a pit that reminds me of how far I have come. The stories in scripture are in print so that we may know You and see how you have worked through sinful mankind. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 9/18/2022

Good morning,

If I were to give a subtitle to the Bible, it would be “Sinful man in the hands of a Loving G-d”. When you think about it makes sense because it talks about the imperfect man. No matter what his people went through or their vile paths, G-d still loved them just as he loves us. The thing I find so interesting about scripture is that G-d never explains why He loves us or why he puts up with our nonsense. G-d doesn’t need our help yet, He invites us to be a part of the story of His remarkable Kingdom. The people who enter His service are not “super” by any stretch of the imagination, they are the blind, lame, and deaf that are rejected by the world. From these “imperfect people” come mighty men and women of G-d who move mountains for the Kingdom. Imperfect people do not become new physically when they enter service, they become new spiritually as to have a “new song to sing”. When the world sees these people who serve the Lord, they know the face but the spirit in them is “brand new and filled with power” they are no longer the defeated person who sat and begged on the street. Are you part of the story of G-d’s remarkable Kingdom? If not, I invite you today.

Verses: Isaiah 42:10-13, Psalms 96, John 5

Famous Quote: “I have never known a man who received Christ and ever regretted it.” – Billy Graham.

Father,

You invite us to be a part of your kingdom not out of obligation nor resignation but out of a desire to work and through your creation. We are imperfect people and not deserving of anything You do for us. Help me today to honor you and with great joy carry on in the mission you have sent me on. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand whom they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).
IHS
MK
All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 9/8/2022

 

Good morning,

I met a man many years back and I shared with him the good news of Jesus Christ. He listened to me for about five minutes and then said, “I tried Christianity when my wife and I were going through marital issues. We made the Lord number one in our lives for three weeks and promised to serve him fully if you would heal our marriage”. Long story short, the marriage never got healed and he and his wife walked away from the Lord with a sour taste in their stomach for the gospel. You would think that God would really fret about us threatening to leave when he doesn’t answer our prayers or demands. The truth is, that if he worried about them and rushed to fix the problem so that we didn’t walk out he would have to constantly keep bailing us out because our first response would always be “fine I’m leaving!“ (Proverbs 19:19). When the sum total of our worship of G-d lies only in “what He can do for us”, He is put in the place of serving instead of being served; basically, He becomes a sugar daddy and little more than a vending machine.

Verses: Psalms 25, Isaiah 40:27-31, Proverbs 3:4-5, Numbers 20:1-13.

Famous Quotes: prayer is the rope to pull God and man together but it doesn’t pull God down to us and it pulls us up to him. Billy Graham.

Father,

you desire only the very best for us, you know our needs, and you know the plans you have for us. Unfortunately, it is easy to believe that unanswered prayer is a sign that you don’t exist or that’s what the devil tells us. You gave us the power of prayer, the power of autonomy, and the wisdom of Scripture to guide us. Help me today never lose sight of you, never lose trust in you, and always honor you with my life. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand who they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 9/7/2022

I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand who they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).
IHS
MK
All of my writings can be found at

Home

Morning Encouragement for 9/6/2022

ME_9-6-2022

Good morning,

You may or may not have said or heard this “promises, promises”. This is usually said when a person habitually makes promises and then for whatever reason breaks them. When people do not come through on their promises, at first, we understand and then slowly become cynical. When this Psalm was penned, the nation had been told varying stories about the “faithful G-d” yet had never seen even one thing done in their life. Then along comes this character talking about what G-d had done in and through his life. The part that is missing in the stories is where “obedience comes into play. The people were expecting the miracles as it had happened in the time of Moses however, due to disobedience, those miracles never came to fruition and, as such, they walked away from the Lord. David was the anomaly in Israel and was blessed from the time of his youth. In the same way, the Lord encourages us to be the anomaly rather than the consensus. I encourage you today to consider the promises made by the Lord and walk in obedience to the Lord.

Readings: Psalms 119:49-56, Jeremiah 29:10-13, Isaiah 1:18-31, Deuteronomy 28:1-14,
Acts 5:27-32.

Famous Quote: “Obedience is the key to all doors” – C.S. Lewis

Father,

You desire great things for us, and you have always loved your creation. When we walk in obedience, your Spirit leads us to the place of fruitfulness. When we are blessed, the world turns against us out of jealousy and envy. Please help me today to walk in obedience to Your word in all that I do despite the clamor of the world. I pray that you will continue to shake the world and its elected leaders so that they may be silenced before you. I pray for the military, law enforcement, and EMT communities that you will be with every one of them and bring them safely home. I pray over our politicians that you will continue to shake them to their core with the message of the Ephod so that they fully understand who they serve. I pray for the city of Stacy, the state of Minnesota, and the USA may your Spirit fall fresh upon us. I pray for the truckers who carry supplies to our communities. I thank you for healing our land by rain that refreshes the land and the storms that shake the heart of mankind. I pray for those who need a special touch from you today. Finally, I pray that my words will always be an encouragement to all who read these words in Jesus’ name I pray. May your peace be upon my family, city, state, nation, and world. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

IHS
MK

All of my writings can be found at

Home