Archive for the ‘Encouragement’ Category

16 Nov

Day 10/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Encouragement.

The Christian songwriter Don Moen wrote an essay about encouragement and I thought I’d share some of it with you today.  In Titus 2:6, Paul told Titus to encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  Encouragement persuades people to live godly lives and develop godly character.  We should continually encourage each other to live godly lives and develop godly character.  For instance we can:  Encourage people to resist evil when they are tempted.  Encourage people to aspire to godly character traits (i.e. loyalty, dependability, reverence, punctuality, etc.).  Encourage people to pursue holiness.

There was a man in the early church named Joseph, but the apostles gave him a nickname – Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.”  What a compliment!  Joseph’s life was so marked by his constant ministry of encouragement that it warranted a name change!  We have unlimited opportunities to encourage others.  How do we encourage others?  You know how:  speak affirming words, write encouraging notes, and make phone calls and emails.  As we dispense generous quantities of this particular “one another,” we will become more effective Christians.

15 Nov

Day 9/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Walk, Encouragement.

What’s your story?  Yes friend, we all have a story to tell.  One of the saddest things I experienced in the ministry is sitting with a widow or widower to talk with them about their spouse and they couldn’t tell me how or when their departed spouse came to faith in Christ.  Don’t let another day pass without you telling your spouse and children your story!  Remember, you are not guaranteed tomorrow so you best make good use of today!  You have so much history to share with your spouse and kids….they need to know where you came from, how you grew up and what life was like when you were a child.   Your kids need to know the story how you and your spouse met and fell in love. They need your story!  Proverbs 10:31 “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom.”  As you share your life and faith story with your family you will extend wisdom to them.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

14 Nov

Day 8/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Walk, Encouragement.

Yesterday is gone and there is no guarantee of tomorrow; all we have is today.  How much time do you waste regretting the missed opportunities of yesterday or thinking about the future?  Friend, you are not guaranteed a tomorrow; all you have is today!   Sure there may be an opportunity to make up for yesterday’s mess up or future opportunities for making money and doing business but I’m talking about the missed opportunities of touching someone’s life.  Think about all those times when you should have called a friend or family member and didn’t do it; you missed the blessing!  It’s those missed opportunities to make that call that we’ll never get back.  I learned a long time ago when those thoughts come into my mind to make that visit or call, to write a note of encouragement or send that special email or text message that the Holy Spirit was speaking to my spirit to get up and move!  You see, God knows when someone needs a special touch from you and He gives you the opportunity to exercise your faith and be obedient!  It’s a powerful thing when you contact someone and say “I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you.”  We must take advantage of every one of those opportunities.  My challenge to you today is to listen for the Holy Spirit because He will speak into your spirit when He wants you to reach out and make that contact.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

12 Nov

Day 6/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Walk, Encouragement.

Some of you reading this are stuck in a rut.  These ruts can be significant challenges; here are a few.  The physical rut – “I can’t seem to lose this weight.”  “I sleep too much, and drink too much.”  “Every time I start an exercise program, something gets in the way and I quit.”  The emotional rut – “I can’t seem to get over my divorce.”  “I have a hard time getting close to someone.”  “Someone hurt me and I can’t forgive them.”  The vocational rut – “I can’t find a job!”   “I’ve been working at the same job for years and I’m stuck.”  “I can’t decide what to do after I graduate from college.”  The spiritual rut – “My prayers aren’t getting answered.”  “I’m in the middle of a spiritual desert.”  “I’m not sure what I believe anymore.”  The financial rut – “I’m getting deeper and deeper into debt.  My financial life is a mess.”  The relational – “My marriage is hurting.”  “My kids are a mess.”  “My sister won’t talk to me.”

It’s usually hard to get out of a rut all by yourself.  Ruts cause discouragement, fear and paralysis. You may be in a rut so deep that you are ready to give up and quit.  Let me give you a push, a foothold, a fresh idea. Let me come alongside and give you some help.  First thing, do not give up….don’t quit!  There are better times ahead.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV)

Listen close to Pastor Rick Warren as he gives some great advice in times of discouragement.  If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.  You may be going through difficult times right now and feel like dropping off the planet. You’re discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.   It may seem unbearable and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore.  I just can’t take it anymore!” But you can.  You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit.   Don’t quit. Resist discouragement and finish the race God has set before you.

Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

11 Nov

Day 5/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Encouragement, Inspirational.

Friends, some of the people who need encouragement the most are those who stand before us every Sunday.  Encouragement strengthens and reinforces someone who is on the right course.  We often need encouragement, not because things are going wrong, but because we’re just tired of doing that which is right and good.  Even that which is honorable and good can, in time, become mundane and laborious.  Galatians 6:9 calls it becoming “weary in well doing.”  For instance, have you ever thought how difficult it must be for a pastor to prepare a new, fresh message each week?  Every Monday morning he starts his week with a blank sheet paper!  Even though he may enjoy research and sermon preparation, after years of preaching it can become wearisome.  How about those pastors in smaller churches who hold down a full-time job in addition to the stresses of shepherding a church?  Those guys need our encouragement.  How about those who lead us in worship? Every week, there is much time spent in thoughtful, prayerful work considering what elements of worship can encourage the church to enter into a moment of worship.   There is much time spent in rehearsals making sure that the music paves the way for powerful worship.  Friends, this week let’s encourage our pastors, worship leaders and our other ministers on our church staffs.  They need to hear from you!  Be enouraged today friends for the Lord is near!

10 Nov

Day 4/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Encouragement.

Encouragement gives hope, courage, and emotionalstrength to those who are struggling.  Jesus said, “In this world you will have problems.”  This isn’t a threat; it’s just a statement of fact; perhaps even a warning.  Life is tough.  Disappointments come, things break, people who you thought were your friends will turn on you.  Yes, even those you love the most; your spouse and/or children will make major mistakes
and disappoint you; relationships turn sour.  When these problems come, discouragement and depression are not far behind.   When discouragement casts its heavy shadow, we need a good dose of encouragement.  Every interaction we have is an opportunity to be an encourager.  Think of those you know who are stressed, hurt, discouraged, afraid, sad and disappointed.  You can be the light of encouragement to them!  Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom to know how to be a blessing to those who need a good dose of encouragement.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

9 Nov

Day 3/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Inspirational, Uncategorized.

Have you ever been at the point of giving up?  I have and I bet most of you have been there too.  What is it that gets us through those difficult times?  For me, it has been those dear saints who made it a point to be an encourager to me.  Many of them have moved away, and some have passed away.  This has caused me some sadness because I’m wondering, who will fill their shoes?  Then it hit me; maybe I’m the one who needs to be the encourager.  God puts us in situations where we need the greatest work.  If we need to learn patience, He puts us in situations where we tend to be impatient.  If we need to learn to love, He puts people in our lives that are hard to love.  Get the picture?  We all need to be encouraged, so maybe we should become the encourager.

Years ago, the great UCLA basketball coach, Pepper Rogers was having a bad season.  He was getting lots of criticism from the press, the alumni and even his wife, who was one of UCLA’s biggest fans!  Reflecting back on that time, Pepper said, “My dog was my only friend.  I told my wife that every man needs at least two friends in his life.  She bought me another dog!”  Coach Rogers needed a healthy dose of encouragement, not another dog!

Thirty-five times in the New Testament we see a recurring word pattern; an action verb followed by the phrase “one another.”  For instance, we are told to: prefer, accept, greet, encourage, forgive, comfort, wait for, and honor…one another.  Learn how to do these key verbs and you’ll learn how to relate to others in a loving, Christ-like way. 

The most frequently mentioned “one another” in the Bible is to “Encourage one another.”  Perhaps it is the most mentioned because it is the most needed!  Hebrews 3:13 says we are to “encourage one another DAILY!” 

2 Oct

5 Steps to Success

Posted by Randy Carder in Change, Encouragement.

At 56 years of age here’s where I’m at now and I imagine many of you are with me….I don’t need to be wowed by big ideas anymore.  I just want simple concrete things that I can learn and incorporate into my life to make me a better person.  I found some of those simple little nuggets of Biblical wisdom in 1Timothy 4:6-16.  I have tons of notes written in my Bible from sermons, conferences, seminars, Sunday School lessons, etc.  If I knew where these notes came from, I’d be more than happy to give credit for its authorship, but all I had in my Bible were these notes about the 5 Steps to Success. Read on and be encouraged friends!  If you want to be successful, incorporate these five steps with fidelity.

  • Right Direction – Think about your life right now.  Is the direction you are heading going to get you where you should or want to go?  If not, make a course correction.  Get some more education; look for a different job but don’t settle for less that God’s best! 
  • Right Diet – You have to find balance in your diet.  Feed your physical, spiritual and emotional body the right nutrients.  If all three parts of you are healthy, then you’ll have taken a huge step toward success.
  • Right Discipline – This is the noun, not the verb form of discipline.  Train yourself to act in accordance with the rules.  Engage in the activities, exercise and regime that will develop the skills needed to succeed.  Just as you feed on the right diet, the right discipline dictates that you stay away from these success killers: fatigue, griping and grumbling, gossip, anger,  bitterness, and lack of self-control.
  • Right Desire – Here’s the question; why do you do what you do?  Spend some time and write a personal and professional mission statement on that big question. 
  •  Right Determination – Pay close attention to details; keep the main thing, the main thing.  In your life and profession, what is the main focus?  Figure it out and don’t forget it!        

18 Jun

The Power of Music and Kristi Billington

Posted by Randy Carder in Encouragement, Inspirational, Life Lessons.

I was reminded again this morning how powerful music is in our lives.  6 years ago, Casting Crowns had a song on Christian radio called “Lifesong.”  It’s a terrific tune with a powerful message.  We had introduced the song in our worship service at FBCSalado and the folks loved it.  On February 24, 2006, our sweet friend Kristi Billington went to be with Jesus.  One of the songs we did at her memorial service was “Lifesong” because it fit her perfectly.  She really did live that song.  Here are the lyrics:

Empty hands held high, Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I wanna sign Your name
To the end of this day
Knowin’ that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
CCLI Song # 4578839

Mark Hall © 2005 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)

This morning, while driving to work, I had my Sirius radio tuned to “The Message” and Lifesong come on.  I sang that song as loud as I could and my thoughts immediately went to that service for Kristi over 6 years ago now.  I remembered the emotions I had during that service; I remember what it sounded like in the beautiful building with 600 people singing it with us.  I remember the expression on the faces of Rick, Meschill and Mattie Billington as we sang.  We celebrated the life of Kristi Billington with Casting Crowns song, “Lifesong.”

In the years since, life has been a series of ups and downs.  The downs were because I was not walking with the Lord and did not let my lifesong sing for Jesus.  Fortunately, God is gracious and always lets his wayward sons come home.  This morning as I was singing “Lifesong,” my thoughts were of Kristi and her family, the church at Salado, the kids from Salado High School and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor that rallied around the Billington family and finally how Kristi ministered to me today. 

 Her life, even though only 19 years in length, continues to have a profound effect on me and on many others I know.  Thank you Jesus for allowing me to know Kristi Billington; Let my Lifesong sing toYou!

Be encouraged today friends!  Randy

5 Sep

Bare Feet and Burned Lips

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Living, Encouragement.

The Hall of Fame prophet Isaiah knew what it meant to have bare feet and burned lips.  He recorded a confrontation with the Lord’s angels in best seller, chapter 6.  “Then I said, “Woe is me for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs.  He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away your sin is forgiven.”  Isaiah 6:5-7.

 So I’m thinking “Wow!,  if this great man of God was having some issues with personal holiness, then maybe I’m not so bad after all.”  Of course this is flawed thinking because all of us have holiness issues, right?  Just about the time I think I’m on the right track, I find myself face down with a mouthful of mud and grit.  So how do we do this holiness thing?  When the scriptures tell us to “be holy as God is holy,” who do we see about that?

 Here are a few things to ponder.

Realize what is making you unclean.  God sent his angel to put the burning coal on Isaiah’s lips.  Obviously the prophet had a problem with his tongue.  Maybe he would curse, speak untruths, or would use perverse speech.  Maybe Isaiah had an anger problem and he would lash out at the people around him.  You know where you need cleansing, so today, ask the Lord to bring on the coals!

 God initiates the cleansing.  Isaiah wasn’t looking for God when he had the vision of the Lord seating high on his throne.  This was God letting Isaiah get a little glimpse of heaven!  It was God who knew Isaiah needed cleansing to prepare him for the work ahead.  Only God is holy and only through Him can we find cleansing.

 We are cleansed for a mission.  Isaiah had a big job ahead of him.  In verses 8-12 of chapter 6 he gets his marching orders and realizes that without the cleansing of the Lord, then he would be ill-equipped for the mission.

 You only get clean when you get real close to God.  Isaiah’s personal space was invaded by an angel carrying a hot coal!  God will draw you to himself even if He has to take extreme measures to get you there!

 Many thanks to Jon Walker and his 2007 devotional on this subject.

Be encouraged today friends!

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