Two Factor Authentication - Use it!

Taking a break from my normal Bible-based blogs to provide information about the importance of two-factor authentication for any account you login to online. If you aren't using two-factor authentication, you need to start right now!

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-factor authentication is a process by which you utilize two different sources for authenticating with an online service. For example, having a one-time code sent to your phone upon logging into a website that you must provide the website with in order to complete your login. Google has a great page that explains it in detail.

Why is Two-Factor Authentication Important?

When it comes to securing your information online, you can never be perfectly secure. Devious people will always try to stay one step ahead of cyber security. While having two-factor authentication may not keep you completely secure (as the Black Lives Matter activist @deray found out), it definitely is better than not having at all!

The idea is that it's much harder for a bad actor to compromise your account when they have to have access to an additional piece of information that is separate from your password.

Set it up now!

I've listed a couple of websites where two-factor authentication is available. If you have an account on these websites, set up two-factor authentication now! Another great site that has information about websites that use two-factor authentication is Turn On 2FA.

1. Google (Gmail, YouTube and other Google products)
2. Yahoo
3. Facebook
4. Twitter
5. Instagram
6. Snapchat
7. Bank Of America (They call it SafePass)

Bottom line, if you use an online service, look for their two-factor authentication documentation and turn it on!

The "Why" Is Still There

Planning. Organizing. Knowing what is to come. I rely on all of these to remain sane. As someone who grew up with an abnormal amount of anxiety, I can attest to the fear and frustration that can come from feeling lost in chaos. I'm also a realist and I know these three things are not always possible. Deadlines change, limited time prohibits organization and very rarely can I know one hundred percent what is to come.

To combat uncertainty as a child, I would ask a multitude of questions: "When will we get there?", "What are we doing tomorrow?", "What if I feel sick at school? Will I be able to go home?" and "What if my parents don't pick me up and someone else takes me to their house and now I'm in a different family and my parents don't know where I am and… and…?". These questions were my attempt to obtain knowledge of what was to come and to feel safe.

While your questions might not have been as irrational as some of mine, I know you asked similar questions when you were a child. As humans, we have an inherent curiosity that begs to be fed. This search for understanding is of course not reserved for our childhood, nor is it limited to natural things. We begin to question the supernatural and I've found, of all the questions I ask of God, the most frequent is "Why?"

Yes, I ask "when", "how" and "who" quite often but most of my questions still center around "why". Questions like, "Why has this not happened?", "Why is God waiting to answer this prayer?", "Why will this person not come along beside me and support me?", "Why do I feel so unimportant and overlooked?" have been common in my walk with Christ at times and I imagine I'm not alone. We all deal with "why".

As Christians, we know the Lord is in control of all and, in times of triumph and sorrow, He remains constant. So, why do we ask "why"? I believe one of the reasons we ask God "why" so often is because we are uncertain of what is to come. We fear what might be around the corner and we want to be in control. After all, when we are in control, we believe we are able to choose when, where and how life happens.

I haven't found many times where God flat out explained why He was going to do what He was going to do but one such instance was with the Israelites regarding their journey into the Promised Land. In Chapter 23: 28-30 of the book of Exodus (the account of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery) we find a time where God provided the "Why":

I will send terror ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land. (emphasis mine)

In this portion of the chapter, God was explaining to the Israelites He would be with them as they advanced into the Promised Land. I'm not sure if God was trying to stave off more whining from the Israelites or if He was just being verbose in His wisdom but He chose to give them a reason why!

Let's stop and think about this. Would God's reasoning for not driving the current inhabitants of the Promised Land out in a single year change, or be less valid, had He not explained it? Of course not! God is omniscient (a fancy word that means He knows everything) and, as such, He is infinitely better at planning and providing—He knows what is to come! It stands to reason then, even when we don't know why things are the way they are—why God allows certain things to be the way they are—God still remains in control and is the most capable to provide for us.

It's easy for us to feel fear in uncertain times. Maybe your job is to be dissolved soon and you're unsure how you are going to be able to provide for your family. Or maybe you've started a business and it isn't growing as much as you expected. Maybe your family is growing and you have no idea how you are going to be able to afford another mouth to feed. Regardless of our circumstances, we can be certain God has everything under control—even when He doesn't reveal the "why".

As you go throughout your day, catch yourself each time you begin to ask "why" of God. Determine if you are doing so because you are truly seeking wisdom or if you are questioning God's ways. In everything you do, if you work at it for the Lord, He will provide (Colossians 3:23-24). Allow yourself to be content with God's timing and provisions. After all, God's perfect "why" is still there even when it's not made known to us.

A Walk With Christ

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "a walk with Christ". Truth is, many Christians don't have a walk with Christ, they have a "sit and stare at their belly buttons singing Kumbaya soaking in more and more knowledge about Christ without doing anything with the knowledge" type relationship with Christ. Okay, hear me out before you assume I'm judging you. I struggle with this too!

I love learning as much as possible about anything and everything so it's very easy for me to soak in as much knowledge as I can about God's word. In fact, I can focus so much on becoming more knowledgeable, it's easy for me to forget to put what I know into practice.

It is true we must know why we believe what we believe so we can be prepared to defend our faith and ourselves from Satan's schemes (2 Timothy 4:2) but even the demons know of God (James 2:19)! The Bible is clear that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love others; in fact, both are equally important (Matthew 22:37-39)! Why then do we focus so much on loving God by only focusing on our knowledge of Him?

The truth is, it's easy.

It's much easier for me to put effort into a relationship with an omniscient God who loves me unconditionally than it is for me to put effort into using my knowledge of Him to love others. I mean, let's face it, God has given me, through no effort or warrant of my own, the only access available to an eternity with Him through the death of His Son on a cross. My neighbors? Great people, for sure, but they'd never do that!

The problem is, by only cultivating my relationship with God and ignoring the implementation of my knowledge of Him, I am missing the other half of the two greatest commandments! Instead of searching for more knowledge (another devotional, Bible study, etc.), I should instead discipline myself and apply the knowledge that I have!

So what am I saying? Am I suggesting Bible Studies and collections of devotionals are bad? Of course not! However, we should never find ourselves forgoing the wisdom and righteousness from Christ that comes from applying the knowledge we have of Him (Romans 2:13).

Do you find yourself seeking to know more and more about Christ but your "walk with Christ" consists more of knowledge than application? I encourage you to find ways to strengthen your "walk" with Christ by applying His teachings! Volunteer at your church, look out for the "least of these", show kindness in all situations--love others! Allow yourself to be put into uncomfortable positions for Christ and ask that He use you to lead others to Him. When you do, you will experience a greater understanding of the Lord and His love than any knowledge alone could provide!

Pain's Potential

An unfortunate consequence of our fallen nature is our susceptibility to pain. Pain is inevitable. We all encounter pain both physically and emotionally. No matter how hard we try, no matter how fast we run, pain has the potential to overpower and run us over. The question is, must pain always end in despair and defeat? Is there a reason why God allows us to experience such sorrow?

As a survivor of a brother who committed suicide, I know all too well the depth of depression, confusion and overwhelming emotional exhaustion and pain that life can bring. My brother, Carson, suffered from Bipolar Disorder and would swing back and forth through times of mania and deep, debilitating depression. He would have his good days and he would have his bad days. Unfortunately, the pain that he had endured for so long eventually became too much to bear and he chose to take his own life.

Your pain may look different. Maybe you're going through a tough time with your spouse and you're not too sure things are going to work out. Maybe you've just been notified that your position at work has been cut and you no longer have a job; a job that you've relied on to support your family. Or, maybe you're struggling with loneliness and, no matter how much you try, you feel like you are never good enough for anyone. No matter what experience you've had with pain, its potential remains the same: pain either petrifies or proclaims.

When we experience pain, it's easy to become petrified. In our sadness and despair, the easy thing to do is to seclude ourselves from anything and everything. We may slip into depression and find ourselves only interested in the solace of our beds. We may even choose to neglect friendships, family and even God! It is during these times that we should find our way back into the word of God. In 2nd Corinthians, we are able to read over Paul and Timothy's shoulder and see what message they had for the church in Corinth. Right off the bat, Paul and Timothy remind the church that God is the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3b NIV).

I know what you may be thinking: "If God is the source of all comfort, why am I in so much pain? What reason could there be for me to experience such torment?" These questions are normal; in fact, I imagine God expects this to be our reaction to the pain that He allows in our lives. Paul and Timothy knew that the church in Corinth needed to understand pain's potential so they continued in verse 4, "[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV)

Here we see pain's great potential: The comfort we receive from God when we experience pain can serve to proclaim God as the source of all comfort! Thought it may be easy to wallow in our pain or to blame God for allowing us to go through it, there is greater potential for pain to be used to promote God's sovereignty and grace! We have a choice! We can either allow pain to petrify us and waste its potential, or we can allow it to proclaim God's provision in times of need!

What pain have you experienced? How are you handling it? Although there is definitely a need for a time of grief and reflection, God never meant for us to be petrified by the pain He allows us to go through! Choose today to be the beginning of allowing the pain you've experienced to proclaim the grace, love and comfort that only the Lord can supply. Share your story with others and make yourself available to be a soundboard for God's ability to provide! Don't allow pain's potential to be wasted; rest assured, God can, and will use your pain to bring Him glory!

Wise Counsel

Life does not happen without bumps and bruises. Thanks to our fallen nature, we often find ourselves in situations where we're faced with drastic decisions that can make or break business deals, scholastic or career paths, relationships and more. At these uncertain times where we may feel confused, lost or just down-right stumped, how can we maximize the potential for making the best decision? The answer: wise counsel.

"Plans go wrong for lack of advice;  many advisers bring success." Proverbs 15:2 NLT

As a human who's lived longer than a second, I've come to realize I don't have all the answers. Sadly, not only have I made decisions in the past without seeking counsel, I've also made decisions in spite of wise counsel. These decisions inevitably end up costing me time, money and pain. Oh how I wish I would have taken the words of Proverbs 15:2 to heart! Whether it was my pride convincing me I was more than capable of making decisions on my own or a lack of life experience, these past decisions persist as feelings of regret.

Fortunately wise counsel is everywhere! Or... is it? We live in a time where we are more connected and more marketed to than any other generation before. In an instant, we can access information on any subject, anytime, anywhere; advertisements for the latest self-help books, support-groups and leadership conferences bombard us at unprecedented rates; friends we knew in the past but no longer have real relationships with provide opinions about our lives on all the popular social sites. With all of the potential "counsel" that comes at us from all directions, how can we know for sure what counsel is actually wise? Surely, not all counsel is directed by God (1 John 4:1)!

"... test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21

In 1st Thessalonians 5:21, the Apostle Paul instructs the church in Thessalonica to test everything and to hold on to what is good. But what is "good"? As Christ-followers, we believe the Bible is God-breathed and is useful to teach us what is true (2 Timothy 3:16). To discern whether or not the counsel we receive is wise or whack, we must test the counsel we receive against God's word!

"Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage [...] people with good teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2

Receiving wise counsel is one thing; giving it is another! How can we provide wise counsel to others? This time, in 2 Timothy 4:2, the Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to be prepared to communicate God's truth to others at all times. As Christ-followers, we must do our best to consistently learn from God's word. By familiarizing ourselves with the Bible, we become sharper tools for Christ and the wisdom we gain from it can then be used to counsel others!

Are you in a situation where you're faced with a decision that can have drastic consequences? If you aren't now, the time will come where you will be! Seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), pursue wise counsel and then, if the counsel you receive seems legit, confirm it as such by stacking it up against God's word!

Do you find that people are drawn to you for advice? Make sure you put aside time on a consistent basis to dive into God's word. When you do, not only will you be able to give wise counsel, you will be more able to test the counsel you receive!

It's been a while...

I used to blog a lot. In fact, when I first started thecoblog, I would almost post every other day. At the time, I wrote posts that were meant to be devotionals for friends and family that needed guidance as well as to remind me of the way the Lord wanted me to live. Unfortunately, life got busy and I moved on to other things to fill my time and the blog slowly began to become less and less a part of my routine. I hate that.

So, I have decided that I am going to do my best to update thecoblog more often. A lot has changed since I first started blogging... I'm married, I have a daughter, my wife is pregnant with our son, I've become a pastor and much more. It is my hope that I will be able to use these life experiences to share wisdom that I have learned.

I love helping others, especially spiritually. I hope to bring back more devotional style posts that, if anything, will bring me closer to Christ. I also have a love for other things like animation and computer programming. Who knows, maybe I'll be posting on these things as well.

All in all, I have an urge to renew my journey here on thecoblog and I hope you will join me.

Don't Hurt The Body

As Christ-followers, we are all one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. Knowing this, why do we bicker about silly things? Isn't it obvious that such jabber portrays an attitude of divisiveness?

Yes, there are hills that we need to die on (the pillars of faith), but when we argue about things that are "gray", more times than not, the world interprets our bickering as division and an inability for God to produce change in the lives of those who follow Him! How do we expect to draw people to Christ when we are so determined to argue a point, philosophy or tradition that ultimately carries no weight in regards to salvation?

Furthermore, while it is our duty to "correct, rebuke and encourage", we are commanded to do so "with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2; also see 1 Peter 3:15). I grow tired of "Christian Commentary" on blogs and news articles because much of it is malicious and divisive instead of gentle and humble!

I don't know about you but my eternity is secure because of my faith in Christ and the sacrifice He made for me. I don't want to hurt God and His Gospel by acting as if my argument is much more powerful than anything He could ever do for another person's heart.

How about you? Do you contribute to such harmful bickering? Are the things you say, the comments you leave, the blogs you write or the emails you send hurting the body? Remember, we are all a part of the Body of Christ. Please, don't hurt the Body.

From Sponges To Mirrors

Gathering together at church with fellow believers to worship the Lord is an amazing thing. To be able to feel the comfort of God in a group setting produces an atmosphere of hope, belonging and support that are essential to every Christ-follower's walk. Going to church and meeting together with fellow believers is indeed what we are called to do (Hebrews 10:25), but, what happens when the only thing that separates us from the world is that we make an effort to show up at some place once a week to worship and learn about the Lord?

While knowing what God wants in our lives by studying the Bible, praying, and meeting with fellow believers is important, a healthy walk with Christ is not defined by having vast knowledge about Him - it is defined by seeking God's will in our lives and then actually applying what we've learned. We are not called by Christ to be sponges alone (that is to learn, learn and then learn some more), we are called to be mirrors - to actually do what we've been taught!

In John 13, we see a great example of a time where Jesus is giving the disciples an opportunity to soak in what He is teaching (v. 15) and then calling them to mirror Him. We read of Jesus, the Son of God, washing the feet of His disciples showing them that "slaves are not greater than their master" (v. 16). In other words, if Jesus, the Savior of the world, will stoop down and wash the feet of mere mortals, there is no one who should not be willing to stoop down and help others as well, regardless of who they are. After Jesus' instruction to His disciples, He seals the deal by telling them to mirror what He has taught them, "Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them" (v. 17, emphasis mine).

It is true that knowledge about God's word is important in order for us to be mirrors of Christ and, yes, we all must be sponges sometimes in order to become cleaner mirrors, but, if all we do is soak in information in order to feed our brains and don't actually apply what we learn then we are way off from where Christ wants us.

Do you put more emphasis on obtaining knowledge rather than actually applying what you know? If you are a new believer, it is obvious that you won't have as much knowledge of how God wants you to live as a veteran believer would. That is ok! Read your Bible, go to church and seek out the counsel of fellow-believers but do not let the soaking in of knowledge be what defines you as a Christ-follower! Regardless of where you are in your walk with Christ, make every effort you can to actually apply what you know! It will be then that you will be Continuously Overwhelmed with Blessings.

Time Keeps On Ticking

When I was younger and in school, I was amazed at how slowly the school year would go and how fast the summer would pass. Even though I perceived time differently in each instance, time remained constant and I could not recover the time that had ticked by. Although at the end of each summer I had wished that I could recover the time that had flown by, looking back I am glad I was given the opportunity to get an education and to use my time in a way that would help my future.

The same is true for our lives as Christ-followers; God has given us a certain amount of time here on Earth and we are responsible for using it wisely. The amazing thing to note here, though, is that while using our time wisely in school helps our lives and future here on Earth, the benefits of using our time wisely for Christ can make a huge impact not only on our lives and our future but its possible they can influence the lives and eternities of others.

As Christ-followers we have been given the Great Commission by Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) and it is our responsibility to use our time wisely to accomplish it! In Psalm 39:4, King David says, "Lord, remind me how brief my time on Earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered–how fleeting my life is." When I read this Psalm I have mixed emotions. Part of me screams, "Lord! Come soon! I'm so tired of the trials of this world!" The other proclaims, "Man! I've got so many things here that I love and enjoy! I wish my life was longer!" Regardless of how we feel about our time here on Earth, the reality of how fleeting our lives are remains unchanged.

Do you feel you use your time wisely for Christ? It's not wrong to take time to relax, play games, and recoup but using our time wisely and in a way that will impact lives for Christ is very important, especially since the time we are given is limited. I'm not sure about you, but at the end of my life, I don't want to wish that I could recover the time that had passed. Instead, I would rather look back and be glad I was given time to be used by Christ and to have an impact for Him

Transformed By An Open Heart

I recently sat down at a local coffee shop to read my Bible but instead ended up in conversation with two married folks about Christianity. The conversation began lightly with the admiration and awe that we felt in regard to Christ because of God’s answer to a prayer that we had all been praying about. We then moved on to multiple topics about religion, God’s place in the world, the belief that the Bible is God’s inerrant word, and how many paths there are to Heaven. The wife was very attentive during our discussion but the husband, whether it was because he was hard of hearing (I believe he was in his late 60’s) or because of stubbornness, would barely let me speak.

Before I continue my story, let me first mention that I understand that we have to be very careful in our discussions to not segregate people to the point that they do not see and understand what is most important: Christ’s love. Also, I recognize that petty arguments about Christianity with believers who are new or weak in their faith--arguments about things that are morally gray--many times do not end the way either party wants and are also spoken against in scripture (Romans 14:1). That being said, when the Bible speaks of something in a black and white manner--in a way that leaves no question about the author’s original meaning--we should be full and ready to correct and rebuke those who say otherwise in the most gentle, patient and humble way possible (2 Timothy 4:2).

Realizing that the husband was my elder, I respectfully and gladly held my tongue when my conscience allowed; however, once the words he chose to speak contradicted what the Bible says, my conscience could no longer allow me to be silent. Despite his claim that he believed the Bible is God’s inerrant word, he admitted that he believed that there are multiple ways to Heaven. When I asked him how that could be since Jesus specifically said in John 14:6 that He is the only way, he became very defensive and told me that I needed to have an open mind about things.

It has become very apparent to me that, in the last couple of decades, the United States (at least) has not become anti-religion but anti-Christianity. There has been a major trend towards having an open mind to everything and a closed heart to Christ. The Bible, however, calls us to not only open our minds but to open our hearts!

God does not ask us to leave our minds at the door. In fact, God is not above divinely providing intellect and rationalization to those who need it (Luke 24:45), but a heart that is open to God always produces a much more open and complete mind than a closed one. Romans 12:2 shows us that, when we are obedient to Christ and do not conform to the patterns of this world, He will transform us into a new person and change our minds to be more in line with His perfect will for our lives!

Do you belong to the “Open Minds, Closed Hearts” group like this old man does? Do you sometimes struggle with allowing God to transform you into a new person by transforming the way you think? Although this world says that freedom and unity are produced from an open mind to everything and everyone, an open mind is never truly free or open unless it has been transformed by an open heart to Christ. Throughout your day, make a conscious effort to do what you know God wants you to do and open your heart to Him. If you do so, He will open your mind in ways you could never imagine.

From Point A To B

What I am about to reveal is going to blow your mind. In fact, not only should you take notes, you should probably sit down as well. Are you ready? Here goes: It is much easier to get from point A to point B when you are able to see where you are going. Ok, so you’re probably not as enlightened as you thought you were going to be but what if we applied this obvious fact to our spiritual lives?

In John 12:46, Jesus shouts to the crowds, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” By this Jesus was letting the crowd know that His ultimate mission was to show and provide the way from point A (our earthly lives) to point B (Heaven); all He requests is that we trust in Him (v. 44). Ironically, even though we understand that spatially it is easier to get from point A to point B when we have light to see, spiritually many consistently and willingly ignore this fact and remain in the darkness of this world.

Although, as humans, we are not perfect and we will sometimes stumble back into darkness, the mark of a true Christ-follower is one who is always walking towards THE Light (Jesus Christ). Are you daily spending time with Christ so that He can illuminate your life? Does your lifestyle allow Christ’s light to shine through you? Christ came in order to illuminate our lives with his grace, mercy and love. Through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, those who accept Him will no longer remain in the dark but will be consumed by Christ’s light which can never be extinguished (John 1:5).

In Courage: Experience Enhances Encouragement

Imagine a kid named Billy. Billy, being a young kid, doesn't understand that humans and electricity don't mix and therefore isn't aware that, when he sticks something metal into an electrical socket, he will experience a jolt he'll never forget. Like most kids, all it will take is one shock for Billy to lose all curiosity about the effects of electricity on the human body. In fact, Billy, having experienced the bite of the surprised-faced sockets that taunt all who pass their space on the wall, will be quick to inform his friends that sticking a piece metal into something with electrical current is not a good idea. Even though Billy is most likely frustrated that he had to go through the pain and agony of being electrocuted, his friends will be spared from having to experience that same pain if they listen to his wise council.

The same is true for all things that we have experienced or will experience in this lifetime--good or bad. Because we live in a fallen world and we are given free choice, there will be times in our lives where we'll go through trials, tribulations and plenty of pain. There will also be times when we'll make dumb decisions that cause us to miss out on certain blessings that God had prepared for us. These times may not be enjoyable and we may be confused as to why God would allow us to go through them, but, if we allow these "shocking" experiences to teach us and mold us into the people God wants us to be, we can use them as leverage in encouraging others to avoid things that would lead them into similar situations. Not only that, they will also help us relate with and encourage those who may be going through (or have gone through) the same experiences.

Romans 5:3-4 says, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." The endurance and strength of character that we develop because of the experiences that we go through allow us to be more confident in our hope of salvation. This confidence isn't limited to us alone though; we are able to share this hope of salvation confidently because of the endurance and strength of character that our experiences have provided. Rejoicing about problems and trials because of how they enhance our ability to encourage is a much better use of our time and energy than allowing ourselves to be upset about them.

Are you constantly bitter about the experiences that God has allowed you to go through or do you use them to encourage others around you? It's important to realize that the impact we are able to have on others can be drastically influenced by the experiences that we go through. Even though the hard times God allows us to undergo aren't fun to deal with, the experience that we gain because of them have the potential to be the best tool we can use to encourage others. Don't hide the wisdom that comes from experience. Allow God to use you, regardless of whether or not you feel useable, and allow the experiences you've had to enhance your ability to encourage others.

In Courage: Bipolar Encouragement

Hopefully by now you see the enormous power encouragement can have if it is actually put into practice. Unfortunately, encouragement is not bias towards being used only for good. When we encourage someone, we have the opportunity to either encourage them to do what is right or to do what is wrong. Encouragement's bipolarity, or its potential to be used by two extremes (good or evil in this context), can be a dangerous thing as it gives evil the same amount of access to its power and influence as it does to good.

Peer pressure (which is nothing more than a glorified term used to describe evil encouragement) is a very common use of encouragement for negative purposes. Like many, throughout my school years I was faced with plenty of peer pressure. There were times when my peers would pressure me to do drugs, go to parties to get drunk, mess around with girls, and plenty of other things that the Bible clearly says to stay away from. Fortunately for me, I grew up in a Christian home where things like that were discussed and I was able to steer clear of what I was being pressured to do.

But what about the people who were baby Christians at that time or weren't Christians at all? Were they able to steer clear from all of those things? I suppose we'll never know. However, based upon the fact that many of my old school friends are now consumed by lifestyles that God never intended for them to have, I think it's safe to say that either a lack of good encouragement or a surplus of evil encouragement in their lives gave way to the lifestyles that they chose.

It's quite possible that we may be the only positive encouragement someone is exposed to. Therefore, it is very important for us as Christians to get in a habit of encouraging others to do what is right. One way to do this is to watch what we say: "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (Ephesians 4:29). We must also realize that proximity, or nearness in location, isn't necessary for encouragement. You don't have to be within speaking distance of someone in order to encourage them. Actions speak louder than words, thus we must make sure our actions provide a good example that will encourage others to do the same.

Are you doing your best to be an encouragement to those around you by watching what you say and by keeping your actions in check? Or do you encourage others to do things that are not right? The sooner we realize that encouragement is bipolar, the sooner we will be able to put into practice the kind of encouragement that God wants us to produce: encouragement that causes others to see God and His will for their lives more clearly. We should not be like the wicked people that Romans 1:19-32 talks about; people who do things that are detestable to God and, even worse, encourage others to do the same. We should strive to be examples of the amazing life-changing love that God provides for all that choose accept Him.

In Courage: Here's Your Cue

Now that we have a comfortable understanding of encouragement, it's important that we take steps to actually put encouragement into practice. Encouragement can be likened to a cue ball from a pool table. The cue ball itself has a lot of potential (i.e. it is the means by which all the other balls are to make it in the pool table's pockets). But, without the force of the pool stick moving and directing the cue ball where it needs to go, it's potential can never be actualized--the cue ball becomes useless. Likewise, encouragement that is never spoken or acted upon is worth absolutely nothing.

In order for encouragement to work, it must be put to use. For example, any responsible parent would tell you that, in order to "train up a child in the way he should go..." (Proverbs 22:6a), he or she must spend a great deal of time encouraging good behavior. Otherwise, if the child's good behavior is never recognized or if they are never encouraged to do better, it's quite possible that they may become frustrated and discouraged. This could ultimately hinder them from improving their behavior or reaching their full potential (Colossians 3:21).

The flow of encouragement between parents and children isn't the only example of a circumstance or situation where encouragement is crucial. Any relationship (whether it be a marriage, dating relationship, friendship, accountability group, etc.) should be full of encouragement. For example, if your accountability partner is struggling with something or has done something wrong, one way to encourage them would be by letting them know you are willing to help them fix the problem and by reminding them of the many verses in the Bible that promise that the Lord is in control. In the same way, if the person you are dating or are married to did something good for you or something that you enjoyed, encourage them to continue to do so by letting them know that you liked it.

As you can imagine, encouragement is a tool with many uses. It can be used to correct someone in a gentle and humble way, convey what behavior you enjoy/expect or help someone feel empowered in order to do something. However, just like the cue ball's potential can never be actualized if the pool stick does not utilize it, the benefits of encouragement can never be brought about if it is not put into practice. Encouragement is too precious to not be used in our everyday lives. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you by being an encouragement to others? if not, do not wait any longer to vocalize or show encouragement. In fact, consider this your cue.

In Courage: Encouragement Defined

Because we live in a fallen world, there will be times when we will want to quit trying to be the people God has called us to be. We'll go through times of uncertainty about where God wants us to go or what He wants us to do. We'll be faced with trials that cause us to believe God has left us and that we must continue alone. We may even begin to believe that living life for Christ is not worth it and He couldn't possibly be the only way to Heaven. What do we do during these times and how can we help our fellow Christ-followers make it through them as well? The answer is encouragement.

What does encouragement mean? According to Dictionary.com, encouragement means to inspire with courage--to provide "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear." I don't know about you, but I have realized that I become most passionate about living my life for Christ when I surround myself with fellow believers who constantly encourage me to allow God to change me and mold me into the person He wants me to be. Let's face it, Christianity is not a lone ranger lifestyle. We are relational beings and, as such, we need to bind together and lift each other up (Hebrews 10:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11).

It's important to understand that encouragement should be a two-way street. Not only should we get into a habit of encouraging others, but we should also surround ourselves with people who are encouraging to us. Paul understood this and mentioned it in his letter to the Christians in Rome (Romans 1:12). He knew that encouragement should be a practice that is carried out throughout the whole community of believers, for even those who encourage others need to be encouraged themselves!

Are you an encouragement to the people around you? Are you making an effort to be with other believers in order to encourage and be encouraged? Throughout His time on earth, Jesus constantly encouraged His disciples. We too should encourage others by reminding them of the amazing and undeserving love that Jesus provides and by being there for them during the hard times that this life brings. As you go throughout your day, think of some ways that you can become a better encourager to those whom God has placed in your path and make some plans to meet with fellow believers so that you can be encouraged as well. Take comfort from the fact that we do not live this life alone; Christ is faithful to us and surely will be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

A Winning Witness

Imagine a witness on a witness' stand in a courtroom. This witness is being asked a series of questions about a certain event because he or she had a first hand account of what occurred. As this witness is being questioned, a jury of people (who were not present at the event the witness was) are listening intently and soaking in all the information they can in order to paint a picture of the event in their minds. This witness begins to describe the event using words only understandable by rocket scientists and the jury is unable to comprehend anything he or she says. After completing the questions, the witness leaves and the jury realizes that, because they weren't able to understand what the witness was talking about, they are no better off than they were before.

As Christians, we are witnesses to the life-change that only a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring about. We know first hand the many blessings that God has placed in our lives because of our obedience in maintaining this relationship. Because Jesus' love is so wonderful and because of the wonderful opportunities He gives us to conform our ways closer to His, we sometimes get excited and begin to witness to others using big words and spiritual truths that only mature Christians have come to understand. Being this excited is not wrong, in fact, we should be extremely excited! However, when witnessing to someone who doesn't understand much about the Bible or God's plan for their lives, it's important we take a gander at the Bible to find the best way to talk with them.

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul is talking to the Corinthian church about how he first came to them to tell them about God's plan through Jesus Christ. He tells them in verses 1-5 that when he came to them he didn't use lofty words or brilliant ideas to tell them about God's good news. He reminded them that he decided to concentrate only on Jesus and His death on the cross. He also mentions that his preaching was very plain and contained no wise or persuasive speeches. Paul did this because, as we see in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2a, the Corinthians were not mature enough in their walks with Christ to understand a lot of "spiritual truths" (see 1 Corinthians 2:13b). He told them that he had to talk to them as though they "belonged to this world or as though they were infants in the Christian life" and he had to "feed [them] with milk and not with solid food, because [they] couldn't handle anything stronger."

As you can see, Paul gives us the perfect example of how to witness to others and how to help new believers grow. Paul shows us that, if we are witnessing to someone who isn't a mature believer, we mustn't use words or ideas that they will not understand. This can actually be counterproductive because "people who aren't Christians can't understand the [spiritual truths from God]" (see 1 Corinthians 2:10,14). We should concentrate "only on Jesus and His death on the cross." By sticking to the basics of God's good news and a personal relationship with Christ, you are not only giving them "food" that they are able to "eat", but you are showing them that a relationship with Christ is not based upon knowledge of theology or advanced apologetics but on their choice to place God at the center of their lives.

When you tell others about Christ, do you use lofty words that they are unable to understand? Are you shy when it comes to witnessing because you don't feel like you know enough? While a deeper knowledge of Christ's plan for our lives and other deep spiritual thoughts are important, we should be careful to not cram a "steak" into the throats of those who are only infants. Witnessing to others should be about meeting someone on their level and going from there. Always start with the basics and then build a relationship with them where each of you will become more mature in your understanding of God and His plan for your lives (see Proverbs 27:17). Just like the witness in the courtroom was no help to the jury, if we don't explain God's good news (the Gospel) in a way that someone can understand, they will most likely be no better off than they were before.

The Wisest Counselor

As humans, we are characterized by the inability to make a decision that takes every single piece of information into account. Decisions like where to live, what car to buy, who to marry, who to hang out with and how to live our lives are very important decisions that can have major consequences if the right decisions are not made. Because we are finite (or limited) in the amount of knowledge that we possess, those of us who are wise seek counsel when making a decision that requires a lot of attention to detail. To facilitate our efforts in making sure our decisions take into account as much information as possible, we have devised practices like checks and balances, boards of directors, congress, etc. Even so, none of us are perfect and, more times than not, our decisions turn out lacking complete wisdom.

So when hard decisions come our way, what should we do? Should we depend on human knowledge to help us through? No, as Christians we have the awesome ability to know the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16). Through the light of Holy Spirit's direction and the Word of God, we are able to find our footing and walk where the Lord guides us. Sadly, instead of seeking the wisdom and counsel of God found in the Bible and through fellowship with Him, many times we seek the counsel of those who who think that the guidance of the Holy Spirit is foolish (1 Corinthians 2:14)--those who are not Christ-followers. The problem with seeking the counsel of those who believe the Word of God is foolish is that we're back at square one: the counsel we are receiving is fallible and does not take all information into account.

Isaiah 40:12-15 reminds us that, when it comes down to it, God knows everything and His counsel cannot be topped, "Who else has held the oceans in His hand? Who has measured off the heavens with His fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does He need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach Him what is right or show Him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand."

Do you allow the will of God to be your ultimate decision maker? Do you involve prayer, meditation of scripture and fellowship with fellow believers in all of the decisions you are faced with? God is so much bigger than what we comprehend Him to be; we have no room to boast about our wisdom because the wisest of counsel here on Earth is much worse than even the least from God (1 Corinthians 1:25). No one can teach Him and no one can trump His knowledge. So, as Christians, the deciding factor in all that we do should be His will. We must meditate on the Word of God and allow our lives to conform to the life He wants for us, not the patterns of this world. Throughout your day, be aware of the amount of decisions you make and strive to seek the counsel of God in order to find what it is He wants you to do. You will find that His counsel is perfect and just, and through your trust in Him, your relationship with and dedication to Him will grow.

Evanescent Storms

Anyone who has ever been to Texas knows that the weather fluctuates quite a bit. As a native of Texas, I have become accustomed to the drastic changes of temperature that are produced by the weather and I have learned to adjust on the fly. A perfect example of such a radical change of temperature happened this past week when the temperature went from mid 80's to below freezing overnight. I had quite a bit of work to do that day and I had decided that a little weather wasn't going to stop me from getting it done. After finishing at work, and being told that the offices were going to be closed because of the bad weather, I got in my car and drove home carefully navigating over icy bridges and around numerous wrecks. After driving what seemed double the normal amount of time, one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen took place. As I pulled into my neighborhood, the clouds parted and the late afternoon sun streamed through as if it was reclaiming it's rightful territory.

When you think about it, all storms fade away. Although they may not always be easy to deal with and they may come at inconvenient times, they don't last forever. In a letter written to Jewish Christians who were going through a "storm" of suffering, Peter explains that trials are only temporary and a faith that endures is a genuine one:

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Although a personal relationship with Christ is an extraordinary thing and provides us with eternal security, Jesus doesn't promise that we won't suffer here on earth. In fact, He tells us that the world will hate us because we love Him (John 15:18-19). However, we can know that everything we go through, whether good or bad, is under God's sovereignty and is ultimately a part of His plan for us.

When you are going through a hard time, do you blame God for not being there? Or do you make an effort to allow God to strengthen you through it? We can be sure that we will go through "storms" of trial and suffering, it's just a fact of life, but we can also be sure that these "storms" are evanescent (temporary) and that, no matter what, God is always there. For just like the sun is always right behind the clouds, so too the Son is always with us and His glory will shine through to redeem those whom rightfully belong to Him.

Not By Might

Throughout my life I have been given certain responsibilities that require a lot of work and determination in order to complete. Many times, before undertaking the work required to finish these responsibilities, I'd think to myself, "This is too hard! How am I going to do this? I'm never going to finish!" Like me, I am sure you have been given certain tasks that require you to do a lot of work as well and maybe you have even had the same negative thoughts as I have. These stressful times in our lives can end in frustration and disappointment if we forget that only by the power of the Holy Spirit can anything of lasting value be completed.

An account of an assignment that required a lot of work and determination can be found towards the back of the Old Testament. In 586 B.C., God brought the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, against the people of Judah because of their constant disobedience. Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Jerusalem (which is in Judah), burned the Temple of God and took the survivors from Judah as exiles to Babylon to become servants to the king and his sons (see 2 Chronicles 36:15-20). In 539 B.C., King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon and in 538 B.C. the exiles returned to Judah to rebuild the Temple (see 2 Chronicles 36:22-23). Finally, 50 years after its destruction (536 B.C.), the Temple's reconstruction began (see Ezra 3:7-11). However, because of their enemies' interventions, the exiles were unable to completely finish the Temple (see Ezra 4). After this, opposition put a halt to progress and there was no further work done on the Temple for over 10 years.

Through His prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, God told the exiles to resume work on the Temple. Zerubbabel (who I will refer to as Zeru for your mouth's sake), the governor of Judah, was given the responsibility of making sure the task of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem was carried out (see Ezra 3:2, 8; Haggai 1:1; 2:23). As you can imagine, the assignment of rebuilding the temple wasn't a simple task. However, through the whole ordeal, God gave encouragement to Zeru through His prophets. In Zechariah 4:6, God revealed to Zeru that the Temple would be completed "not by force nor by strength, but by [His] Spirit".

As you can see, Zeru and the people of Judah went through a time where the task they were given was humongous and the opposition was strong. Nevertheless, God was always with them and ultimately, it wasn't force, strength or any other ability given to man that completed the assignment; it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that the monumental task was overcome.

When you are faced with a large project or a difficult time, do you react as if what you have been given will not be enough to make it through? Or do you rely on God to fill in the gaps of your abilities? We can and should take comfort in the fact that, as Christians, we do not have to rely on our own strengths or abilities in order to do the Lord's work. For "[God] takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love" (Psalm 147:10-11). Remind yourself throughout the day that you are not alone in the tasks that God has given you. He will prepare you to overcome what He has called you to do. All you have to do is be faithful to Him and count on His unfailing love.

Forever Hope

Pierce, my eight year old brother, is going through the stage of his life where he becomes anxious during the times when our parents aren't around. This past week my parents went on a vacation and were gone for four days. The day they left, Pierce came to me and asked, "Collin, when you were younger and mom and dad went on vacation. How did you make it through?" After thinking a bit, I looked him in the eyes and I told him that our mom and dad would give me a prize to look forward to when they came back so that I would think about the prize instead of the anxious time I was going through. I then told him that, if he could make it through the days that our parents were gone, I'd take him to get some ice cream. His face lit up and I could tell that he was already starting to feel better and was ready to take his anxieties head on.

Just like a trip to get ice cream gave my youngest brother hope and something to look forward to, so too does the prize that God offers us at the end of our days here on earth. Philippians 3:14 says, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Paul was sharing with the Philippians that, although he had not reached perfection (verse 12), he was choosing to focus on "forgetting the past and looking forward to what [lied] ahead" (verse 13).

There is no doubt that you will go through hard times that will test your spiritual endurance, but how do you respond to these times? Do you focus on the hope you have in Christ? Or do you allow the evil one to make you feel worthless? Because we live in a sinful world, it is easy to become discouraged when trying to live our lives for Christ. We may begin to feel that what we have to offer for Christ is not worth anything or that we are not usable by Him. Although there will be times when you will feel like you've lost all stamina and you want to give up, take time to focus on the hope you have through Jesus Christ. For "though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:16b-18)