Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional: Recent Episodes
Scott Iken
Is there something you readily forget about and can't remember what you did with it? It's alright, and even healthy, to laugh at ourselves when we forget little things. But there is one thing that should be taken very seriously and always remembered. In Deuteronomy 8, we read about...
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on the fact that Jesus asks a lot of questions? Why does Jesus ask so many questions? Let's reflect on what we can learn from Jesus on the importance of asking others questions.
When was the last time something made you sad in your soul, and that sadness led to action because you were compelled to fix it? In Daniel 9, we read of Daniel being overcome and deeply disturbed by what he witnessed all around him. So he...
God alone is great! He alone has power that's unstoppable. He alone is the only one who grasps EVERYTHING! So, might we joyfully surrender to His will over our own.
Our words can wound, damage, and cause hurt. On the other hand, our words can help, restore, and rejuvenate. Cutting or healing. How are we using our words?
If someone were to ask you, "What is humanity's greatest need?", what would be your answer? Most importantly, what does God say our greatest need is?
We have all been let down by another, and we've all let others down. God, however, is perfect. Thus, it's ever wise that we take refuge in Him, that we look to Him first and foremost in all things. Let's marinate on this truth from Psalm 118:8.
Psalm 97:1 reminds us that the Lord reigns. His reign is great reason for joy in our souls! Let's reflect on this truth together.
Colossians 3:14 emphasizes the great significance of keeping love the main thing, the most important thing for us as Christians. Let's recall together why God says this is so key!
We all can count on times in our lives when we will be facing various tough situations that can be scary. How are we to handle the fears we'll all face? Let's look at Psalm 56:3 together!
We aren't saved by our discipline or effort. Jesus alone saves us by His grace through faith. Thank God for that! But after we're saved, we are to follow Him wholeheartedly. Discipline becomes very important for our continued growth in godliness. Let's reflect together on 1 Timothy 4:8.
No matter what is going on in our lives or around us, we can know this truth -- God sees us! He understands our troubles much better than we do. He cares. Thus, we have reason to rejoice!
In God's great wisdom, He knows we need directions on loving others, on encouraging others. We don't drift toward this way naturally. Romans 12:10 speaks to us about a better way. A supernatural way.
Because of God's great kindness, mercy, and love, He wants to help us daily. There is nothing He can't help with! Let's reflect on Psalm 63:7-8.
We are all "under construction." In this life, we will always have room to grow. And the great news is that Jesus is the One who is "rearranging" us!
Do you ever ask yourself that question? Do you ever sit back and wonder what the heck you're doing with your life and what God this trying to do in your life? It's helpful to think of part of Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19. Let's reflect on this together.
God led the Apostle Paul to succinctly share what is of first importance. It's monumental! Let's reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
True love starts with God, The Author of love. No greater love has been shown or given than through God loving us so much that He sent His One and Only Son to save us.
God is always working! He never grows weak or weary. God doesn't get tired! He needs no rest. Knowing and remembering this gives us true stability as we walk through this life. Let's reflect on John 5:17 together!
Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for every activity under heaven. Since God developed laughter, we know there is a time to laugh. It's important that we don't forget or neglect it. Oh how we need laughter sprinkled in our lives abundantly!
In the Bible, God clearly calls us to be critical thinkers, yet not to be critical people. In this devotional, let's look at the difference between the two.
There are many worthy causes and goals we could give ourselves to. It's excellent for each one of us to prayerfully seek out some plans and intentions we will commit to. In Psalm 37:5, we read some sound, straight forward instructions that are ever helpful as we live each day.
The Lord is so very kind to us! As we deeply reflect on His kindness, may it then stir us to follow His lead and graciously offer kindness to others with our words and actions.
The Lord’s love is unimaginably deep and wide enough to nourish us if we just sink our roots into His love.
God has so clearly commanded us to be full of and to choose gratitude toward Him. The fact that He has called us to this truly matters. Let's ponder the deep significance of giving thanks to God!
As Christians we absolutely need reminders of what we must keep doing if we are to stay healthy and strong in our walk with God. One clear reminder we're given is to continue loving one another. Let's reflect on this important command in Hebrews 13:1.
In Psalm 119:126, we read of the Psalmist being overcome with emotion to the point of tears. What caused him to cry? Let's look at this passage, reflecting on what breaks God's heart, and on what should break our hearts too.
Thankfully God's Word answers that question and others that get to the heart of where that question comes from.
There is so much power in, "A word spoken at the right time..." It's very important that we be reminded regularly that God chooses to work through us to share a good word with another! Let's reflect on this truth from Proverbs 25:11.
Every one of us needs to listen to others and especially to "rub shoulders" with godly brothers and sisters in Christ so we can hear from them and they can hear from us. Proverbs 12:15 speaks of the critical wisdom from God on listening to and learning from others.
Reminders are vital! That's why a variety of reminders are in our lives. In 2 John 1:5, the Lord led John to remind all Christians for all time what is so key, that we love one another! Let's reflect on this in this week's devotional.
If you are in a season where you feel lacking in faith, look back to what God has done for you! Remembering the good God has done for you and is still doing can be a wonderful time of encouragement for yourself and others and can rejuvenate your faith!
Jesus made the bold statement that, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear" (Luke 21:33). The implication of this truth is to never be taken lightly. Let's take some time in this devotional to consider what we should do with such powerful truth from Christ.
God is much greater than we can fully fathom. He knows far more than we know. We can learn so much from the prophet, Jeremiah, and how he humbly prayed, acknowledging God's might. Let's take some time to reflect on Jeremiah 10:23-24.
All we have to do is scroll through the news for five minutes and very quickly we see reality -- there is so much brokenness, so many needs, copious problems...Is there anything we can do that will actually make a difference? According to Jesus, yes! Let's reflect on what He said in Luke 10:2.
We all face hardships. It makes sense that Jesus clearly stated that such trials and sorrows will occur in this life (John 16:33). Even so, we are given this word from God at the end of Colossians 3:15: "And always be thankful." Why does this word matter? How is this instruction helpful?
The truth matters. God is The Author of truth! Since He created all things and knows infinitely more than we do about all things, He is the One we should look to for truth. 3 John 4 reminds us of how important walking in the truth is!
One thing the disciples often witnessed in their time around Jesus was that He prayed a lot. Jesus clearly displayed in His own life just how significant prayer is. In Luke 18:1, we read about Jesus' call to us to pray and never give up.
Truth be told, we all need help moment by moment. How vital then to remember, "Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."-Psalm 124:8
In life, we will often need help with direction, with guidance. For each of us, all kinds of questions will arise in which we need wisdom to know what to do. In 2 Samuel, David gives us a good example to follow on calling out to God for his guidance, listening for the answer, and following His instructions.
When things get hard in your life, who do you turn to for help? In 1 Samuel 30, we read of a very troubling time for David and how He found strength in the Lord. His example is an inspiring reminder to us to turn to The Creator of all things to find true help and strength.
The book of Revelation is filled with intriguing insights about what is to come. Not only does Revelation give us vision as to the future, but it tells us that we will be blessed if we read it (Revelation 1:3). Without a doubt, one thing that is extremely clear as we read Revelation is that there will be much praising God in Heaven!
One of the most potent ways we can represent Jesus well is by being thankful people. Gratitude is to be a distinguishing mark of every Christian! Colossians 3:17 reminds us of this calling and privilege.
In Matthew 17:1-8, we read about an incredible experience Peter, James, and John had with Jesus up on a mountain. God audibly speaks from the clouds about Jesus. What do we learn from this amazing, true story?
When we look at Matthew 14:22-33, we read about a very unique, miraculous occasion in which Jesus walked on water. Let's reflect on what Jesus did and a few things we learn from it.
As Christians, we have clear instructions, for our good, to always work toward peace with all people. Romans 12:18 is a powerful exhortation to take to heart! This devotional explores our call and some practical ways to live in peace with our neighbor.
Ponder this for a moment: God never has to seek advice from anyone. Nothing stumps Him. He's God! He knows everything! Thus, it is always wise for us to go straight to Him for understanding. For the truth is, we all need help, and we need it OFTEN.
Through Christ, He has given us freedom from our sin instead of the fury of His righteous wrath that we actually deserve. Because of His love, Jesus took the cross on our behalf to save us. This is called Good News! Because of this truth of who God is and what He did for us through Christ, we must build others up!
In the book of Judges, one thing that really stands out is how the Israelites were very forgetful. Judges 3:7 reminds us of their forgetfulness. Truth be told, we have the same tendency to forget about God. Thus, it's key that we remember God and continue to follow Him! May this devotional be an encouragement to not forget about the Lord and our need for Him daily.
We know the Holy Spirit has a very special role in our lives because Jesus told us so in John 16:5-15. We are instructed to follow the Spirit's guidance in every area of our lives. Let's reflect together on Galatians 5:25.
We are not promised a life of ease. Truthfully, we can expect there to be times when things are just flat out difficult, overwhelming, and stressful. Yet, even so, God offers His joy to us in the thick of it all. We find much encouragement from Psalm 119:143.
What comes to your mind when you think of the word devoted? What are we devoted to? Or an even more important question: what does God want us to devote ourselves to? In Colossians 4:2, we are reminded, even exhorted as followers of Christ, to devote ourselves to something very special.
In Psalm 34, we read of David praying in response to a powerful interaction he had with God that forever changed him. It led to David personally praising God and wanting to communally praise the Lord! May David's example greatly encourage each of us to praise the Lord at all times individually and together.
In God's perfect wisdom, He directs us to help one another from going adrift, from getting calloused toward God and His good ways. This is precisely why we are given clear instruction in Hebrews 3:13.
You and I are two of billions of people on planet earth. Yet, He is so acquainted with each of us that He knows the exact number of hairs on our heads. God now calls us as His followers, as Christians, to be like Him and think of others. Let's reflect on the powerful reminder of this in Philippians 2:4.
May we never forget -- God brought us into being. Each of us takes another breath because He allows it. We belong to Him! God is the "Main Attraction!" We are not. In Psalm 148, we read of our proper response to The Great God of the universe!
We're all looking for that which will bring joy to our souls. This is true because God designed us this way. Sadly, so many never find the true, lasting happiness we are all freely offered. In Psalm 119:1, God makes it clear where we find it!
Prayer is a wonderful gift from God! What power, help, and guidance are available to us directly from God through prayer. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us wisely about what to do!
When we personally come to know Jesus and put our trust in Him as Lord and Savior, a new life begins (2 Corinthians 5:17)! We aren't the same anymore. Yes, how often and how easily we can forget who we are now in Christ. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us of the new spirit God puts in us! Let's not forget.
We know this -- in this life there are many things we can pursue. Certainly it isnt a bad thing to have something in front of us, some good goals up ahead that we are working toward accomplishing. Let's just be reminded and never forget that of all the pursuits before us, none is more important than running after God and His ways!
The truth be told, as Christians, we shouldn't be surprised that trials and troubles come. God uses them, even allows them, for His glory and for our growth.
Can you remember a time when someone said something to you that was exactly what you needed to hear in that moment? Proverbs 15:23 is a reminder from God about the power of words spoken in a timely fashion. This wonderful passage is a reiteration from God to us on the potency of speaking up in the right way and time.
There is a copious amount of talking going on daily about all kinds of issues. What if there was more listening? What if we took more seriously God's eternally wise instructions on being sensible by keeping our mouths shut? How would our world be different. Proverbs 10:19 wisely warns us about talking less.
In God's great wisdom, He gave us two ears and only one mouth. Why do He do that? He alone knows all the reasons, but you can't help but assume that one reason He did that was to remind us that listening is more important than speaking.
Not long after Jesus was born, after the angel announced to some shepherds Christ's birth, and after the shepherds came to see Jesus for themselves, Mary pondered just how special it was what God had done. Let's reflect more on Luke 2:19.
Here's an important question for us all to consider: Do I want to align myself with God or align myself against God? The answer to this question is a matter of humility or pride. Let's look at Psalm 138:6.
Truth be told, most of us wrestle with worry in varying degrees. So, what does God want us to do with worry? What's really encouraging is that God gives us some clear answers from His Word in Philippians 4:6.
We have a God, the God of the universe, who is fully trustworthy! Therefore, we can trust Him always through all the ups and downs of this life. Psalm 62:8 reminds us to trust Him all the time!
Do you ever get worn down from life? Truthfully, we all will have times of weariness for one reason or another. Galatians 6:9 reminds us of our call to keep going in good for the glory of God and good of others!
On this day, at this very moment, let's be encouraged again to remember who is truly in charge. Not us. Not any human being. The Lord alone is on His throne!
Have you noticed how each day can be so different from the next? One day, life can seem so smooth. The very next day can be so turbulent and hard. As Christians, no matter what's going on, we are to choose to rejoice in the Lord.
For every one of us, there will be days in our lives when joy and excitement seem distant, but weariness seems close. So, when we're tired, running on empty in our walk with Christ, what do we do? This is where the encouragement and call to patient endurance is so key!
If someone ever tells you that following God is lame or boring, don't believe it! God knows where we find the real happiness we all long for.
One of the most assuring, comforting, and soul-strengthening truths we can be confident in as Christians is that we are never alone.
Jesus is God in the flesh! Jesus existed before anything else. He is above all, supreme, and first in everything. In Colossians 1:15-20, we read about just how incredible Jesus truly is!
Most of us have questions we'd like to ask God. Psalm 13 encourages us to bring them honestly to God along with requests, our trust, and our praise!
There's no doubt about it, we are living in times when tensions are high. Anger abounds. As a Christian, how are we to handle heated discussions, disagreements and conflict? Without a doubt, our call is to implement gentleness into all we do. Proverbs 15:1 gives us practical, potent advice.
As we read about Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, it doesn't take long to see that Jesus loved to pray. Is taking time for prayer something that truly matters to us?
What we think on and meditate on is deeply significant. Psalm 77:12 reminds us of the importance of consuming our minds with God and His mighty works.
Everyone struggles. Battles abound in lives everywhere. A kind word shared to a discouraged soul can be refreshingly sweet and helpful.
What does God call good, delightful, and fitting? Any ideas? Psalm 147:1 reminds us that singing praise to God is all of these things! Is that not good enough for us to often, with all we are, sing to Him?
Since we don't have forever in this world, prayer is vital. Communicating with the One who holds eternity in His hands is paramount!
Are there not innumerable reasons to be thankful? One of the reasons to be grateful is that God alone does mighty miracles.
All Jesus tells us is right! Everything Jesus speaks is absolutely the best. No one will guide us better, that's guarenteed!
The Lord is greatly glorified when we intentionally praise Him. So, let's take time today to intentionally speak His praises!
To personally know God's love is to truly live. We all need real love everyday. So, let's let God love us.
All of God's ways are correct. So, how do we know what's right and what's wrong? We look to God! We look to His Word that He has given us.
One potent way God helps us to remember who He is, and remember what truly matters, is through daily encouragement.
The Bible makes it clear that God desires a relationship with us, despite the fact that we turned and sinned against Him.
Acknowledging God as our Maker is vital. God lovingly made us and knows what's best for us.
Worry, stress, and depression are common in this world, sadly. Let's look at God's Word to find His guidance on how to be cheered up.