Your Daily Encouragement

The Victory

this is a battle you don’t want to lose

This is amazing to think about: when we read the Psalms, we’re reading the very thoughts that were sung over 3,000 years ago in ancient Israel. These were songs for weekly worship.

And 3,000 years later, God has preserved these same songs to help us worship and to gain perspective on reality. Here is a snippet from one of the Psalms:

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory. —Psalm 118:14

This stood out to me, because this theme of strength, joy (my song) and overcoming are threads throughout scripture.

“Strength“: the ability to do all that life requires.
Joy (“my song“): fuel and encouragement for the journey.
And “victory”…oh yes, sweet victory. Let me camp on that word for a minute…

This promise of victory is something we easily skim over today. But Jesus used it a number of times to describe the reward he offers to his people.

And if we don’t understand what he is referring to we might think, “Victory over what, exactly?”

“Victory” is a powerful, powerful theme throughout scripture, and it describes those who overcome an enemy—especially an enemy that would destroy them. In the psalms it refers primarily to enemies or warlords who would attack ancient Israel, taking and destroying anything they please.

Jesus continued using this idea, but clarified our common enemy.

Your enemy is not a person, or group of people. Your enemies are not members of a rival tribe or political organization.

Your enemies are the Evil One (Satan), this World System (the attitudes and values at work around us that are in opposition to God, that work to mold our thinking and living apart from God), sin and ultimately death.

These are our common enemies.

People are never the enemy, but they can be victims of the enemy. While God made us, values us, redeemed us and calls us to Himself as King, the enemy promises a counterfeit kingdom.

The truth is that you, and everyone you know, are at risk.

Satan—the enemy of your soul—uses the temptations in our world to destroy you, your faith, your family, even your finances and your future. His goal is to destroy you utterly.

This is a battle you don’t want to lose.

This battle is waged in every generation—a battle for the souls of people. But Jesus—who purchased our redemption—also gives us the path to victory.

In the book of Revelation, he describes the victory that comes to those who follow him (the Victor), who overcame death. He says:

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. —Revelation 3:21

And keep this in mind: When you follow Christ you will not dodge the struggle; rather you will become aware of it at an existential level (maybe for the first time), realizing what is truly at stake.

In the passage, Jesus says that the victory came to those who set aside this world’s agenda to follow Christ. The victorious are those who follow The Victor who overcame sin and death and now lives forever.

Death has no hold or claim on him, and those who follow him will be victorious as well—not over an athletic competition, or a political campaign, but over death itself. Death has already been defeated. And only those who follow Christ will experience this victory.

This is why we follow him. This is why we worship him. He is the victory.

Today, live from that perspective. He is your strength, your song—and yes—your victory. Worship as if your life depends upon it. Because it does.

Love you,
Pastor Bill

Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.

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That Secret Source of Strength

in the quiet

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.—Philippians 4:13

In a world that belittles your efforts, your worth and your reputation, God’s word gives us a powerful source of strength. This strength is not available to the world at large—it is only available to those who look to Him.

When you feel the weight of reproach, fear or self doubt, remember this:

Christ is in you.

Christ is for you.

Christ is with you.

And if he is with you, there is nothing you encounter today that he doesn’t already know about. He is already covering your flank and is blazing the way before you, showing you which way to go.

Whatever you face today, look to him. Approach him in the quietness of your heart. Tell him what you need and what is on your mind. Then thank him for going before you.

Even now he is producing something of eternal value in your life that you can’t yet see. Look to him to develop his strength, wisdom and peace in you as you walk with him.

Even now he is producing something of eternal value in your life that you can’t yet see.

And remember this: You can—you can do all that he’s called you to do. If he’s called you to it, he’ll see you through it.

Allow his strength to accomplish in you what you could never produce on your own.

And why not join us this Sunday at CenterPoint? This is a great place to start, or continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. You can join us in person here in Tacoma, or you can join us online here on our Facebook live stream. Either way, look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday at 10AM, PDT.

Blessings, Pastor Bill

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I Am Convinced

here is the place you can have full confidence

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38–39

If there is one thing in life that you can have full confidence in, it is God’s love for you.

Is there anything that can ever separate you from the love of God?

Life? Death? Angels? Demons? Fears, regrets? Anxiety, bad decisions? Failures?

Nope.

None of these things.

Scripture is so clear on this. Nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from the love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ.

It goes on to say that not even the powers of hell can’t separate us from the love of God! There is nothing in your past and nothing in your present that can’t be redeemed.

That’s what the cross was all about. Which means, that when you come to Christ, you are secure in His affection.

People may come and go in our lives, but God’s love for you never will.

Ever.

He is good. He is gracious. And his lovingkindness goes on forever.

The apostle wrote “I am convinced…”

Be convinced. Don’t allow doubt to cloud your vision.

Be convinced that there is nothing standing between you and the grace and love of God. Walk with Him. Talk with Him. Make Him your first priority. Seek His will. Seek His Kingdom.

And when regrets from your past pop-up in your mind, don’t allow them to drive you to depression. Instead, let them drive you to Christ where there is hope, help and healing.

Standing with you,
Pastor Bill

If Only…

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. —Matthew 26:75

“If only…”

Ever used those words?

“If only I had worked harder.”
“If only I had started earlier.”
“If only I had chosen differently.”
“If only I hadn’t said…”

Regret has a way of monopolizing our thoughts and sabotaging our future.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, his disciples Peter and Judas both regretted what they did to Jesus. One of them betrayed Him, while the other disowned Him, by denying that he even knew Him…and they both did it in Jesus’ darkest hour.

One learned from his mistake and moved forward. The other was tormented by guilt and the fear of unforgiveness, and ended his life.

Two regrets, but two drastically different outcomes.

Join us this Sunday at CenterPoint as we discover how our regrets can help us move forward in faith. We’re continuing in our Vintage Faith series in the Book of Matthew.

You can join us onsite, here in beautiful South Tacoma, or online on our FB page here. And it all starts live at 10AM, PDT. Look forward to seeing you then.

Love you,
Pastor Bill

Say The Words

it’s good for the soul

There is a way this world does business. We all know how it works. It usually ends up with us “looking out for number one.”

But Jesus called his people to think differently—because when you think differently, you live differently. He calls those who follow him to take their cues from him, not from what we see around us in this world.

Here is a great description of what that looks like, from one of the earliest leaders of Jesus’ people. He captures Jesus’ way of thinking:

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:5–11

Because God the Son humbled himself, God the Father elevated him—giving him the name above every name.

Jesus is Lord. He is King.

And that is why we say these words, “Jesus is Lord!”—because no one else has overcome the grave. No one else can do what Jesus does. No one else deserves this title—only Christ.

Jesus is Lord!

I love saying these words in every situation.

Jesus is Lord!

When I’m happy and say it, it reminds me where my blessings come from.

Jesus is Lord!

When I’m in difficult times, it reminds me where my help comes from.

Jesus is Lord!

Say it when you’re up! Say it when you’re down. Declare it when you’re unsure of your future. Because if Jesus is in control of it all, what is there to fear? I can release worry with a single phrase:

Jesus is Lord!

Say the words!

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Never A Victim

more than conquerors

One of my earliest memories of spiritual things happened to me when I was about six or seven. My dad taught us to read at an early age, and from time to time my sister and I would spend weeks with my grandparents at their home. And they had some children’s books about the Bible. I had never seen books like this before.

As I read these books through young eyes, my mind focused on the tragedy of Jesus’ death on the cross. “Poor Jesus” I thought. I saw him as a victim of circumstances. Misunderstood and hated for doing good.

He was arrested and flogged. Then they shoved a crown of thorns into his scalp, striking the thorny crown with sticks, driving the thorns into his head. After that he was crucified to death. “How could this have happened?” I thought.

What my young mind didn’t understand, is that Jesus was no victim. Jesus was in total control—from start to finish. There is so much that Jesus said on this, which his disciples recorded, that I could write a multi-part series. But let me give a few examples that are (to me) most compelling.

First, the prophets spoke about the suffering of the Promised One, and what that would look like, over and over. Just a couple of examples are Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Psalm 22 was written about 1,000 BC and describes in detail what Jesus experienced in crucifixion, centuries before crucifixion existed. God revealed to his people in advance what was coming.

Second, Jesus repeatedly told his disciples what to expect: that he would be arrested, flogged, crucified and would die. “But,” he reassured them, “I will rise from the dead.” Still, they struggled with what that meant, “to rise from the dead.” I don’t think they could imagine Jesus ever dying.

But one of the most eye-opening scenarios in the New Testament is how Jesus had control over his arrest. John—who was present in the garden on Gethsemane that night—tells us that a cohort (speira) of Roman soldiers, with some of the temple soldiers as well, marched into the camp where Jesus and his disciples were resting.

A cohort was a 10th of a legion, which would be about 600 soldiers. The religious leaders had waited for the right moment to arrest Jesus and they devised a plan that would cover any escape attempt.

Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Jesus by leading the soldiers carrying swords, torches and clubs, directly to him. But instead of shrinking back, John says that Jesus stepped toward the soldiers, announcing loudly, “Who are you looking for?” They replied “Jesus of Nazareth!”

Jesus responded “I Am.” When he said this, John tells us that the soldiers drew back and fell to the ground. Obviously there was a moment of confusion and most likely embarrassment from the soldiers, but Jesus wastes no time in pressing them again. Looking at them on the ground, he said “Who is it you’re looking for?” They responded (I imagine somewhat bewildered) “Jesus of Nazareth?”. Jesus said, “I’ve told you that I Am he. So if it is me you’re looking for, let the rest of these go.”

Normally Jesus referred to himself as “The Son of Man”, a reference to Daniel the prophet’s vision of the coming Messiah. But faced with this mob, Jesus invokes the name of God, that was revealed to Moses—”I Am.” And when he announces who he is, the soldiers aren’t able to stand before him.

After they picked themselves up—restoring what was left of their dignity—the soldiers tied up Jesus’ hands and led him away. A crowd with clubs and swords tie up an unarmed man and lead him away.

Jesus wasn’t a victim. Jesus was victor. He surrendered to them to accomplish the very reason he had come. To restore us back to him.

And as for the tragedy of Jesus’ death: the reason he went to the cross wasn’t because he was misunderstood, an enemy of the state, or just got a bad deal. The reason he died was to pay for my sin. For your sin. Our sin was the reason he died. His love for you is what held him to the cross.

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples later wrote the purpose for Jesus’ crucifixion:

He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
—1 Peter 2:24

By his wounds, you are healed.

Jesus wasn’t a victim. He was Victor.
Jesus wasn’t a casualty, he is Conqueror. Jesus is King.

The one who conquered death and the grave—for us.
This is who we love, serve and follow. This is Jesus.

And we’ll be looking at this passage this week! Would love to have you join us at CenterPoint, 10AM this Sunday. Or, if you’re out of town, why not join us on our FB page here. Same time, 10AM Pacific time zone. Either way, look forward to seeing you then.

Love you,
Pastor Bill

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Dispelling the Darkness

How do you remove darkness from a room?

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path. —Psalm 119:105

How do you dispel darkness from a room?

By turning on the light. Darkness is simply the absence of light.

We are living in dark times. In the moment that darkness descends over your heart threatening your faith, your future, your family, your friendships and even your finances, stop what you’re doing. Seize that moment by doing two things:

First, pray. Tell God what is happening and thank him for his presence in this current event—even when it feels like he’s not there.

Second, open God’s Word and you will find light. Light to guide. Light to encourage. Light to walk. Light that leads to hope. And light to avoid the pitfalls that are undiscernible in the darkness. The book of Psalms are a good place to start.

Maybe you’d like to join me in my daily habit of reading through the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs? With this document, you can read—or listen through—the Psalms and Proverbs in a month. This is my practice every day, and I developed this document to use month after month and year after year. You can never get too much of God’s wisdom. I call it my Worship and Wisdom guide.

You can link to each day’s reading from you phone or other digital device for each day. For example, today’s reading (the 23rd) is Psalm 113-118, and Proverbs 23. You can download it here:

reading-through-psalms-proverbs-in-a-month-niv-new Download

And if you miss a day, no worries. Just take up the next day. Your goal isn’t to do every day perfectly. Your goal is to bring God’s word to light-up your path.

Today—everyday—bring your cares to him and receive encouragement in his word.

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A Love That Changes the World

change the atmosphere

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you…Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. —Luke 6:27–28; 35-36

About 100 years ago, the Times of London sent out a question to some of the brightest thinkers of their time. The question was: “What is wrong with the world today?” GK Chesterton, one of my favorite writers, replied: “What is wrong with the world today? Dear Sir, I am. Yours, GK Chesterton.”

You can’t look at our world without realizing there is brokenness everywhere. International tensions are at an all-time high. Global financial security is shaky at best. Many of us have been the victims of hatred, anger, caustic words, polarizing attitudes, tribalism. These all contribute to the problem.

But one of the blind spots of our time is to see the problems in our world as out there. “The problem is a group, an organization or a system.” Maybe you’ve heard some of these examples:

The problem is the system
The problem is racism
The problem is the police
The problem is our history
The problem is our government
The problem is the media
The problem is the republicans
The problem is the democrats
The problem is corporate greed

It is human nature to blame the problem on something or someone else.

But Jesus—as usual—shows us a better way. He tells us to lift up our eyes to see what God is doing: that His sun rises and His rain falls on the just and the unjust. He is kind and generous to the ungrateful and even the wicked.

“So,” Jesus concludes, “if God is kind, compassionate and generous to even the ungrateful and the wicked, you—be like your Heavenly Father.” See others from His perspective.

Why should we love others? Why should we be generous? Why do we not look for ways to get back at others?

Because that is how God treats you.

Jesus said: “If you’re willing to listen—here’s what you do…

Love your enemies
Do good those who hate you
When someone slaps you on one side of your face, offer the other side.
Give to others—especially those who hate you—expecting nothing in return
And when you give something to someone, let it go. Don’t demand it back.

“Wait…what?! Who does that? That’s not natural.”

Nope. That is the point. It’s supernatural.

My anger, my vitriol, pointing my fingers—whatever I may do to point out the problems I see in others, does nothing but create greater division and problems. It is only when I realize that these attitudes have fueled the fire of animosity, that I can see from God’s perspective. My life—our lives—are intertwined in our world. The problem isn’t “out there”; I am a part of it all.

And from that place I see that the only real solution is to live out God’s love in my life for others—especially the difficult ones—that He has placed purposefully in my life.

And this is crucial: these “difficult people” are there because God has purposefully placed them there. Where you live, play and work is no mistake. God has put you there for a purpose.

Can I get personal? Jesus is saying, “The good things you’ve experienced in life, your heavenly Father has done for you. Now, as you follow me, I’m asking you to pay that forward to others. Because when you do, you will truly be children of your Heavenly Father.” (Luke 6:27-36)

Let me ask you this question as I finish:

What would happen in your workplace if a couple of people began treating everyone at work this way? Would that change the environment of your work place? I think so. Treating others this way has the potential to transform your workplace.

What if a committed core of people in your city began living this way; treating each other this way? Loving people who are hard to love? Serving people who don’t deserve it?

What Jesus is teaching here is nothing short of radical.

What Jesus is teaching here is nothing short of radical.

Imagine what could be if we got ahold of this and began living it out in our city. It would turn it upside down. That is what the Spirit of God does in our life, and it is what Jesus’ disciples do.

They change the atmosphere. They live out the love of Christ and share his life-changing message to their people.

Love your enemies.

Don’t curse the dark—light a light. Be the change. Then lift up your eyes and watch what God begins doing in the lives of the people around you.

And why not join us this Sunday to discover God’s purpose in your life? We’ll be gathering for worship in Tacoma this Sunday, 10AM at CenterPoint. And if you’re out of town, you can join us on our FB page here. Look forward to changing the atmosphere with you then.

Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.

More Than You’ve Ever Dreamt

eye has not seen, nor has ear heard

I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. —John 10:7–10 Msg

Every so often I come across an ad on social media about a “ground-breaking” new technology; a new teaching; one simple life-hack that deals with ________________ (fill in the blank).

I got sucked into one recently. in the video, multiple people claimed how this new info had changed their life, and answered every question they’ve ever had! The script was engaging and (like most SM) made you want to keep listening. While I waited for the “simple hack,” they veered off into another direction, saying something like, “But have you ever wondered why…” Finally, when it came to “Click here for more information,” I was out.

Therapeutic models, Life-coaching, new technologies, all these things have a place and can be helpful. But sometimes they promise more than they can deliver.

And because we can only see life from a human perspective, our own perception is limited. That includes every system of philosophy, ancient and modern.

If you want the big picture, you need a higher perspective—because there is more to life than this life. There is a life to come. And when it comes to gaining that higher perspective, there is only one source for my money. And that is Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples that while many had come to proclaim a new way or had many followers because of their powerful personality, Jesus gives us the truth behind his coming and his purpose.

John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, records Jesus’ words for us. Here is what he said:
“I am the Gate for the sheep.” Jesus is the entrance, for us, to God. “All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them.” While others were in it for themselves, Jesus is the one who was sent by God to be that door to the Kingdom of God. And while others claimed special knowledge available nowhere else, Jesus says “My sheep saw through all that and didn’t follow them.”

“Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.” Not only will they enter God’s Kingdom, but they will find everything they need: protection, peace, grace, rest; wide-open spaces and all that comes with it.

Pasture. Peace.

One of the reasons I love the PNW is the unspoiled beauty of nature. You don’t have to drive far to get away from it all. Even in the brokenness of our world, we see glimpses of the beauty of what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. Pasture.

Then he finishes with this: Remember a thief’s purpose: “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.” A thief cares nothing about the flock. They are there to steal and destroy—to take what they want and leave nothing of value.

But Jesus says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.“

Real life. More and better than we’ve dreamt of. Forever. Not an extended version of this life, but life on a level we’ve never experienced.

Forever.

That is why Jesus came. No wonder we follow him.

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Seven Days, Final Entry

Maranatha!

Seven Days is a first-person account by John the Disciple of the final seven days before Jesus’ resurrection. Part 1 can be found here.

After 40 Days…

Jesus is gone. It’s hard to believe, but it is true.

In the 40 days since his resurrection, Jesus continued to meet with us. Numerous times he appeared to us and other disciples to demonstrate that he has, truly, risen from the dead.

Since our time with him in the Galilee, we have returned to Judea, and are staying on the Mount of Olives.

At one point while we were eating here with him, he solemnly told us: “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Knowing that the time for his departure was close, we kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

From the beginning, we had thought that Jesus was bringing a political solution to our occupation by Rome. We all thought it would be best if the Romans were driven from our country and we had the freedom to govern ourselves once more. But now I see that Jesus had something far bigger in mind.

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you—and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When he said that, I remember thinking, “So, we’re going beyond our borders—it’s not only our people anymore. Jesus has something bigger coming.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud. We watched, craning our necks, until we could no longer see him.

As we strained to see any further sight of him, two white-robed men startled us, by suddenly appearing among us—the same way Jesus would show up in these past 40 days. Out of nowhere he would appear! They said to us,

“Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Yes, he is gone. But the angels told us what Jesus himself had already said—he is coming back.

And this, my dear friend, is important for you to know: what I am writing to you here is true. I saw Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection with my own eyes. I spoke to him and heard him with my own ears. I touched his resurrected body with my own hands. I can tell you with total confidence that what I’ve written is true.

But Jesus has done far more than what I’ve written. Jesus did many other miraculous things—so that if they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written!

But I have written these so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

So…now we await his return. He hasn’t told us when it would be—he only told us to be ready.

So also, dear reader, I tell you: Be ready!

So also, dear reader, I tell you: “Be ready! For you do not know when your master’s return will be.”

Maranatha: Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Image by Achim Scholty from Pixabay

Note: Seven Days is a first-person account told by John the disciple. It begins on the night we call “Good Friday”, only hours after John has witnessed the brutal execution of his friend and teacher. Grief-stricken and in shock, John now reflects on Jesus and the amazing events of the past week, sharing his grief.

In John’s mind, it’s over. Jesus is dead. He is gone.

Then John continues by telling us that Jesus has not only risen from the dead, but the numerous times and places Jesus meets with his disciples—even 500 of them at one time—to demonstrate that he has truly risen.

Now in this final post, we finish hearing John’s story as he watches Jesus’ ascent to heaven—along with their next steps in living out Jesus' mission for our world.