We all need help staying on a godly course to become the courageous men and women the Creator wants us to be. In Be Encouraged: A Daily Devotional, Volume 1, Gregory A. Johnson lays out a road map of prayers, scriptures, and stories that will motivate others to love and perform good works. Unlike the long-term demands of a year-long devotional, this shorter thirty-day version will be more practical to complete. The devotional can also be used during holy times, like Easter and Christmas, to reinvigorate one’s spirituality or to sustain faith during spiritual trials.  

 

Each day begins with a theme like “How to Live With Fearless Confidence,” “Why Does God Not Answer My Prayers,” and “Where to Find Safety in a World Gone Mad.” Johnson’s provocative commentary on the day’s theme is followed by well-chosen scripture and a prayer that emboldens the reader to set forth on achieving his or her goals. The easy-to-read selections are relevant, full of conviction, and blessed by God’s grace.  

 

The devotional is more of a spiritual experience than a how-to book. Heeding the command of Hebrews 10:24-25, Johnson asks his readers to “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  It is a reminder that the prayerfulness and stillness found in a Sunday church can also be had over Monday morning coffee or during a break in our bustling workday.

 

The devotional will help focus the reader’s attention to turn to God on a daily basis. With its passages celebrating hope and shouting down sin, the book serves as a powerful reminder of the divine presence in all our lives. Like all devotionals, its acts of prayer, scripture, reflection, and suggestions for action will bring you daily to a place of renewal. For instance in one entry called “How to Look At Your Circumstances Differently,” Johnson admits that he may be tired or even somewhat depressed when he goes to his place of prayer. But he comes out another person, strengthened, and full of gratefulness. The day’s prayer ends with a call to action, “Instead of being burdened and anxious, help me be patient as I pray, allowing you to work in each situation.”

 

Readers will enjoy the book’s practicality, relevance, and inspiration. Its down-to-earth style is cultivated by a pastor who has ministered to folks from every conceivable walk of life. Johnson answered God’s call to ministry in 1988 and hasn’t stopped since. The ordained minister is a Christ follower whose desire to encourage people to walk in the path of Jesus goes far beyond church walls and Sunday services. His ministry has reached society’s haves and have-nots alike. He has ministered in homeless shelters, halfway houses, and prisons. He has also worked for two Fortune 400 companies as well as with the governor’s office for technology in Kentucky.  His devotional brings true spiritual nutrition for every hungry reader and listener. 

 

We are in the Lenten season—one of my most favorite seasons of the year. 

 

Every year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2012, this year) and continues until Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012). It is a wonderful season on the Christian calendar, being observed by Christ followers, Protestants and Catholics alike, who desire to fast something in recognition of our LORD's sacrifice for us. 

 

It is good to give the cost of what is given up during Lent to the work of the ministry, and the time associated with what you give up to good works of faith and justice (Isaiah 58). What are you giving up for this year's Lent? It's not too late to start today. The Spirit within you will help you decide as you pray and ask the LORD.

 

Christ gave up much to be our Savior. He left the riches of heaven and was birthed into poverty. As He walked this earth, He experienced hunger. He experienced homelessness. He experienced rejection of people. He experienced the loss of a close friend, weeping at the entrance of Lazarus's tomb. He experienced injustice, being falsely accused. He experienced those closest to Him being nowhere to be found in the time of His greatest need—His disciples hid in fear as He hung on an old rugged cross. He experienced pain and suffering. He experienced feelings of forsakenness by people and by God. He experienced the sting of death. Yes, Christ gave up much to come into our world and take the penalty of our sin—death.

 

As we live reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made for each of us, be reminded of the resurrection. Some only celebrate an empty tomb once a year on Easter Sunday. The Christian church celebrates an empty tomb each and every Sunday.  It would do us good to celebrate an empty tomb every day of the week. Because of the resurrection, we are given life—abundant and eternal. 

 

Also be reminded that, as a Christ follower, you have resurrection power dwelling within you. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16, NIV).

 

Aging, sickness, and disease take a toll on our bodies. The longer we live, the more we realize the limits of our earthen vessel. The outside may be wasting away, but those who have been birthed into the Kingdom by the Spirit are continually renewed on the inside. The Spirit brings life!

 

Beloved, you have resurrection power residing within you. The Spirit will keep you renewed on the inside as the outside steadily heads back to dust.