God uses people to encourage and bring comfort to other people. To encourage means to spur on, to inspire with confidence. Comfort is the act of consoling, giving relief in affliction. The Bible tells us repeatedly that God is our comforter:

Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (NKJV)

Isaiah 51:12a – I, even I, am He who comforts you. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (NKJV)

God not only comforts His people, but as He comforts us, He encourages us to follow His example and comfort others.

As Joshua was about to lead the Israelites into the promised land, Moses was told by God, "Command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him." (Deuteronomy 3:28a NKJV) The apostle Paul expresses his desire "that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." (Romans 1:12 NKJV)

As we watch what is happening in our world today, many feel fearful that we are entering the last days. The apostle Paul describes what will happen when the end comes:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (NKJV)

Did you notice the encouragement that God gives us from His Word regarding the end times?

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (NKJV)

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (NKJV)

Regardless of how things appear, I want to give you the most encouraging and comforting words that I could recommend to anyone: God is sovereign and in full control! We can trust Him implicitly!

Can you think of someone who needs a word of encouragement and comfort today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which You tell us is magnified even above all Your name. We thank You that Your Word is true and that we know the end of the story. Just when everything looks its worst, You show forth Your sovereignty in power and judgment. Thank You for the comfort and encouragement that You give to us, Your children, as we travel through this pilgrimage on our way to glory. Help us always to be an encouragement and comfort to others. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

All this made us think of another reunion day coming in the future. At our age, we have many brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone home to be with the Lord. One day, we'll be going home, too, and there will be a reunion that will never end! It's because of Jesus Christ's resurrection victory over death that we have a confident expectation of a heavenly home. The reason that we can be confident is that the promises in God's Word are true:

John 14:2-3 – [Jesus said,] In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5:8 – We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (NKJV)

1 Peter 1:4 – [You have] an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. (NKJV)

Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (NKJV)

A Christian's faith is always to be placed in what Christ has done for us: none of us would have a heavenly reunion if it weren't for our Lord! My grandmother experienced this as she lay on her deathbed: she suddenly opened her eyes wide and said, "Dorothy! Jesus!" and went home. Dorothy was her daughter who had died as a small girl. Because of the promises in God's Word, the ones left behind knew that they were witnessing grandmother's glimpse of her reunion just before she left this earth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have given us Your Word and that Your Word is true. We thank You that because of Your great love in giving Your only Son as a sacrifice for our sins, we have the promise of a heavenly home and reunion. Help us always to be faithful in keeping our hearts toward home and our eyes on Christ and the promises of Your Word. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Although my brother is my "best friend", I have an even closer friend!

Proverbs 18:24 – A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NKJV)

This One Who sticks closer than a brother is Jesus Christ.

Just as my brother was always there for me, so Hebrews 13:5 says that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. My brother's sticking with me through my seasons of rebellion and wickedness makes me realize more than ever that God's love is not based on any goodness of our own but on grace alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)

In times of bitterness, brought on by myself, expressing words from anger in my heart, my brother never criticized me or put me down, never retaliated or held it against me. In the same way, God forgives and forgets our sin, not holding it against us.

Colossians 2:13-14 – And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (NKJV)

God has blessed me richly in giving me a brother who is such a great model for my life! I learned far more by his example than he will ever know. I love my brother dearly! The righteousness of Christ is an even better example for us to live by.

2 Peter 1:1b – To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Romans 8:16-17 tells us, as Christians, "that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (NKJV). Seeing as this is so, may we all live in the righteousness of Christ and seek always to be a credit to the holy name that we bear.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for family. We thank You for brothers and sisters who are faithful friends, in both our families of origin and our adopted Christian families. We thank You for our Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who is closer than our earthly siblings, because Your Spirit indwells us and Your Word lives in our hearts, with the promises that Your Word reveals to us regarding our standing in our heavenly inheritance through Christ. Help us to be living examples of brotherly love to all we meet in our journey through life. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

It was Sunday evening, and we were already tired just thinking about the following week. I had committed myself to entertain four days in a row, Thursday through Sunday, ending with a benefit for a cancer patient in one of our local halls on Sunday afternoon. It's not so much playing the music, but rather packing equipment in the van, driving to the destination, unloading it, and setting up — and then when we're finished, it's the same routine in reverse.

Monday morning was a beautiful day and I had work to be done. The phone rang — Tuesday? Sure, why not? Now we're playing Tuesday as well. It's not easy for me to say no! For stressful times like these, every Christian should make it a practice of memorizing God's Word. A couple of verses come to mind:

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (NKJV)

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

I knew that the Lord would give us the strength that we needed to meet the demands of our commitments.

Sunday afternoon brought great feeling, and a relief to have our last commitment at the local hall a great success. Our local cancer patient had a huge crowd, and we entertained for two hours. When we were all packed up, we tried out a new restaurant that had opened up in town. When we got to the restaurant, it was pretty full, and we knew a good number of the people there. Another couple that we knew dropped in and sat beside us, and we had a great visit.

When we had finished our meal, the waitress came over, and I was getting ready to pay our bill, when she said, "I have some good news for you. Your bill is all paid for!" Someone had paid for our bill and left. What a pleasant surprise! We were very thankful.

I said to my wife, "Isn't that just like our heavenly Father: He not only gave us the strength we needed for the week, but He also paid for our supper." I feel like a blessed man: strength for the journey and a free meal! God is good!

When we are willing to help others in need, it never goes unnoticed by our Lord!

Proverbs 19:17 – He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given. (NKJV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, so often we don't take the time to stop and consider what You do for us: things that we take for granted and so often don't recognize in our hurried world. So often You show Your love and benevolence toward us in simple ways with pleasant surprises. Help us to have eyes to recognize and appreciate the variety of ways that You demonstrate Your love and care for us in all things, both big and small. May we show our gratitude to You by being faithful to Your will, and love others as ourselves, always being willing to pass on the same care for others as You have shown to us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Many years ago when I was a young man and a Christian, but not living for the Lord, my life was not what it should have been. Driving from south-western Ontario to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I picked up a hitchhiker in northern Ontario.

When we started across the prairies, we were pulled over by the police for a routine check. It was discovered that the hitchhiker was wanted out in British Columbia. After they searched my vehicle and his luggage, we were free to carry on. The hitchhiker went with me as far as Calgary. Unknown to him, the police informed me that he would be picked up when he got to British Columbia.

As we were driving along late at night through the prairies, suddenly a blanket of black energy filled the area about 10 to 15 feet in front of my vehicle. The edges were rolling and pieces were detaching, like little elves running and beckoning me toward the ditch. It was hard to see, but when a vehicle approached, its headlights were in my eyes.

The hitchhiker informed me that he wasn't seeing what I was seeing. At that, the hair on my neck must have come to attention, as I suddenly realized that I was under attack from the enemy. I pulled over to the side of the road, got out, walked behind my vehicle, and prayed, asking God for forgiveness because of my lifestyle at that time, and for deliverance from this attack.

I got in the car and continued to drive. The blanket of black wall was still there, but suddenly, the most beautiful golden glowing fire came under the black blanket and lifted it up to about 10 feet above my vehicle. Every now and then, a piece of the black would roll under the golden fire, and the fire would come under it and lift it back up. I travelled the rest of the trip to Calgary being protected by the golden fire!

The verse that comes to mind is this:

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)

This experience has caused me to ponder through the years. Why? And why me? What was the purpose? Did it have something to do with the criminal in my car? All I know for sure is that it did indeed happen. I believe that I was under demonic attack, and God answered my prayer for forgiveness and delivered me. My walk as a Christian was restored, and that was good!

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (NKJV)

If we are ever in such a situation, there are a couple of things to remember. If our heart tells us that there are things in our life unpleasing to God, we need to ask for His forgiveness, and then pray for deliverance from the situation. He will hear and answer.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word where we find truth and answers to our questions. There are times when we don't understand things that take place through experiences in our lives, but we do know that all things work out for good to those who put their trust in You. We thank You that Your angels surround and protect us. We thank You for answered prayer, our strength and our deliverer, our rock and our fortress. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Some time ago, I was talking with some people about the Lord and our lives as Christians, along with experiences that we have had in life. They were using words like "God spoke to me", feeling that they had a word from God, and talking about an experience they'd had "from God", when that same experience happens to non-Christians and those in the cult world.

A feeling or an experience can be misleading. We need to be sure that our feelings match the clear teaching of God's Word. The whole point of the Reformation was to re-establish the uniqueness of God's Word as our only source of truth. Feelings are not the way to discern truth from God. It has been my experience that these people aren't knowledgeable in Scripture.

There are two principles here. Firstly, God's Word is more sure than any experience; and secondly, we are to test the spirits to see if they are from God. For example, if someone says "God spoke to me", and what they claim that they were told contradicts the clear teaching of God's Word, then they were listening to the wrong source and receiving the wrong information.

As Christians, we are admonished to study God's Word:

2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)

We must also keep in mind that, as well as hearing from the wrong source in the mind, many also listen to the wrong sort of teachers and are led astray because they listen and believe without checking the message against God's Word. They don't know Scripture and are easily led away by deceivers.

We should not neglect the privilege and joy that we can have as children of God to study and know His Word. There are those in our world who would love to have a Bible. We take so much for granted. If there were more students of God's Word, there wouldn't be so many deceived.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that we live in a hostile world, and we know, according to Your Word, that we are engaged in a mighty warfare. We thank You for Your Word and for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We thank You that our foe has already been defeated by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we have the victory through our risen Lord! May we be obedient to Your command to study and know Your Word, that we may grow in our Christian walk and be faithful, discerning warriors for the cause of Christ. In His name, we pray. Amen.

This all reminds me that God's Word compares our tongues to a fire:

James 3:5-6 – Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (NKJV)

An unruly tongue that gossips can do much harm to others. It can ruin another's credibility and reputation. As a fire can cause great destruction, so gossip can destroy the lives of those it affects. Shaming and bullying on school playgrounds and on social media are examples of how destructive words can be, especially when young people are led as, a result, to commit suicide.

Christians should be very careful with our speech. In fact, the Bible has harsh words for those who don't bridle their tongue:

James 1:26 – If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. (NKJV)

If we hear gossip about another, don't repeat it!

Proverbs 26:20 – Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. (NKJV)

Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (NKJV)

1 Peter 3:10 – He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. (NKJV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You, realizing that in and of ourselves, without You, we are nothing. We are in a spiritual battle as long as we are in this world. Help us to guard our tongues so that we always give glory to You and never do harm to anyone. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.