Encouraging Word

We learn in Genesis that God is the Creator and the Source of life. Life is a gift from God and is to be celebrated. How can we celebrate life? To celebrate means to give special attention to and to recognize and rejoice as significant. Physical life is a gift and is sacred and should be treated as such. Spiritual life is also available. There is new life, abundant life, and eternal life.

To experience new life, one must be “born again.” In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that a new birth is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Just like physical birth is necessary for natural life, spiritual birth is necessary for new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). A new life in Christ leads to an abundant life.

In John 10:10, Jesus said that He came to give us an abundant life. Abundant means plentiful, full, and complete. Without Jesus in our life, we are incomplete. Something is missing. There is a “hole in the soul,” or a void that only Christ can fill and satisfy. I believe it was St. Augustine who said, “Man’s soul does not rest until he makes peace with God.”

Spiritual life involves new life in Christ (new birth), an abundant life (full, complete), and eternal life. Eternal means everlasting and existing forever. John 3:16 says that faith in Christ leads to everlasting life. In John 11:35, Jesus says He is the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him lives after physical death. Romans 6:23 says that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. So, let’s celebrate the physical life that has been given to us and the spiritual life that is available to us through Jesus Christ!

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

Encouraging Word

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 tells us to go and share the Gospel and make disciples. A Christian disciple is a student and follower of Jesus Christ.  Discipleship is teaching and training one to become like Christ. Matthew 16:24 gives us the steps to becoming a disciple: deny self, die to sins control, and be devoted to the Savior. Once a person decides to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, there are three requirements to being a “Christ follower.”

1. Deny Self. This means to stop being selfish, to no longer serve or worship self, and to give up the myth of being self-sufficient. It also means to reject the unhealthy love of self and make room for Jesus and others.

2. Die to Sin. Jesus said to take up your cross. The cross meant death. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, we can now have victory over sin. Revelation 12:11 says, “and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”  Jesus rescued us from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23) and the power of sin (Romans 6:14).

3. Devoted to the Savior. Jesus said to “follow Him.” Follow means to adhere to, come after, and become like. He is to be our Teacher, Master, and Guide. We are to receive His teaching, follow His example, and submit to His will. Romans 12:1 says that we are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice.  Galatians 2:20 says that we are to be crucified with Christ so that He can live in us.  II Corinthians 5:17 says that we are to become new creatures “in Christ,” with the “new” overtaking the “old.”

Let’s make sure we are committed to Christian discipleship by denying self, dying to sin’s bondage, and being devoted to the Savior!

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

Encouraging Word

Beginning a new year, you normally do two things. You look back by remembering, reviewing, and reflecting. You then look forward as you resolve to focus on what goals need to be set and what steps need to be taken to be productive and successful. In Joshua 1:5-9, we are given four ingredients to success: God’s Promise, God’s presence, our preparation; and God’s provision.

1. God’s Promise. Joshua 1:5 tells us that God promises to be with us and He will never fail us or forsake us. God promises to empower us and give us victory as we encounter various tests, trials, tribulations, and temptations.  We need to be aware of God’s promises and activate them.

2. God’s Presence. Joshua 1:5-9 teaches us that we always have God’s presence. God is omnipresent and His Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the life of the born-again Christ follower. John 14:16 says the Holy Spirit will be with the Christian forever. I Corinthians 6:19 says, the believer’s body is a temple (dwelling place) of the Holy Spirit.

3. Our Preparation. Joshua 1:6-9 gives us four areas that we need to focus on. We are to:

• Be strong – able to withstand pressure and show determination.
• Be courageous – moral strength; not deterred by danger, fear, or adversity.
• Observe (obey) – very attentive; to comply with.
• Be focused – determined; and committed.

4. God’s Provision. Joshua 1:7-8 teaches the importance of Scripture. We need to read, meditate, receive, believe, apply, obey, and live it. II Timothy 3:16, 17 and Psalm 119:11, 105 tell us the value and necessity of Scripture.

As we begin a New Year let us make use of God’s promise, God’s presence, God’s provision, and the need for our preparation. May you have a very blessed 2024.

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

Encouraging Word

Temptation is universal. All of us have encountered temptation- even Jesus (Hebrews 4:15). No one is exempt or excused.

Temptation is the attraction to sin and the invitation to do something wrong or unwise. James 1:14-15 says it begins with a thought, then the thought turns to desire, and desire leads to action, and the action becomes sin. Sin leads to death. So how is the Christian to react to temptation? James 4:6-10 gives us some direction. We are to humble ourselves, submit to God, draw near to Him, and resist the devil.

Humble Ourselves. Humility is a modest view of one’s own importance. Romans 12:3 says not to think more highly of yourself than you ought. I think humility is honest self-evaluation and knowing who you are in relation to who God is!

Submit to God. Submit means to yield to the authority or will of another. We need to pray Jesus’ prayer where He said, “Not My will, but Thy will be done.” We need to exercise Romans 12:1, where we are to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice. We need to surrender to God and His will for our lives.

Draw Near to God. We need to have a close walk with God. You can draw near through the Scripture (Word of God); through prayer (communication with God); and by yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading (be filled with the Spirit).

Resist the Devil. Resist is to withstand, try to prevent, struggle, fight back when pressured, refrain from doing, or refuse. In Luke 4, Jesus resisted by using Scripture and being full of the Holy Spirit. 

I Corinthians 10:13 promises us that when temptation comes, we have a promise that God will provide a way of escape, so we don’t have to yield. So be encouraged. Even though temptation can’t be totally avoided; it can be resisted and overcome. Praise the Lord!

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

Encouraging Word

Colossians 3:17 says in whatever you do, in word or deed, do it as unto the Lord. To me, that means to do it with all your heart. With all your heart means to feel or believe it very strongly.  It also suggests being all in, not holding anything back, and being committed. This should describe our relationship with God. As people of God, we should love God, seek God, trust God, and serve God with all our hearts.

Love God. In Mark 12:30, the greatest commandment says to love God with all our hearts. This kind of love (agape) is unselfish, unconditional, unwavering, unfailing, and unending. Revelation 2:4 says that Jesus should be our “first love.” Are we in love with Jesus?

Seek God. Jeremiah 29:13 says that we will find God when we seek Him with all our hearts. Seek means to search, look for, attempt to find, desire to obtain, and pursue. Matthew 6:33 says make it a priority to seek God and His will. And Matthew 7:7-8 says to make it a practice. Continue to ask, seek, and knock. Are we seeking God’s will for our lives?

Trust God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says,“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Trust means to believe in, rely on, have confidence in, and place your faith in. We are to trust God and not ourselves; to yield to God and follow His path. Trust God no matter what!

Serve God. Joshua 22:5 says we are to serve God with all our hearts. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua tells the people that he and his house will always serve the Lord. Serve means to perform duties or services for another and to put the needs of others before our own. 1 Samuel 12:24 says,“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” Let’s follow Jesus’ example by being a servant.

With all our hearts, let’s love God, seek God, trust God, and serve God.

-Tony Cooper

Operations Director of Foster Coalition

www.fostercoalition.org

Encouraging Word

Ephesians 4:1 says, “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Throughout Scripture, reference is made to God’s call. The word call means a summons or to attract someone’s attention; an attempt to reach someone.

The Biblical meaning refers to God’s initiative to bring people to Christ and to participate in His redemptive work in the world. It is also inviting us to take a certain action or make a specific decision. There are three parts to a call: the one making the call; the call or message sent; and the one receiving the call. To receive the call, one must “hear” the call and then “respond” to the call. I believe God’s call comes in four stages:

1. Call to Repentance

2. Call to Salvation

3. Call to Sanctification

4. Call to Service

Call to Repentance. Repentance is Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is sincere regret or remorse, turning from sinful ways and towards God.  Repentance comes when we yield to the Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:7-8). In Mark 1:15, Jesus says to repent and believe in the Gospel. You have to acknowledge you’re a sinner before you recognize the need for a Savior!

Call to Salvation. Salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences brought about by saving faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 sums it up very well. God’s desire is that mankind be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance. And Romans 10:13 says, “for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Call to Sanctification. Sanctification is making or declaring something holy. It is the action or process of being freed from sin. It refers to being “called out” and “set apart” for Godly service. God needs to do a work “in us” before He can do a work “through us.” 2 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely…” And 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…”

Call to Service. Service is to perform duties or service for another and to address the needs of others. We are called to serve, not to be served. Ephesians 4:12 says, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

Answer God’s call – He is waiting!

-Tony Cooper

Operations Director of Foster Coalition

Encouraging Word

Romans 8:29 says that it is God’s will for us to be like Jesus. “…He also predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Let’s focus on three areas that will help us to achieve this. We need to have a: clean heart; a clear mind; and a close walk.

1. Clean Heart. Here the heart is defined as our command center, the seat of life or strength, and the entire emotional nature and understanding. Proverbs 4:23 says “…guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  So, what is it that we need to guard against? Sin. Sin is rebellion against God to disobey and break God’s laws. James 4:17 says to know to do good and not do it, then that is sin. Sin is damaging, destructive, and deadly. Psalm 32:1-5 and Psalm 51:9-12 talk about the danger of sin and the importance of having a clean heart. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. Clean Mind. Mind refers to where thought takes place, perceptions are developed, interpretations are made, and where we make decisions and choices. Proverbs 23:7 says that whatever a person thinks within themselves, so they are. Romans 12:2 says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  II Corinthians 10:5 says to take every thought captive. Colossians 3:2 says to set your mind on things above.  Philippians 4:8 gives guidance on what to think about. You can only focus on one thought at a time, so choose your thoughts carefully. Like the children’s song says, “Be careful little mind what you think, for the Father up above is looking down with love…”

3. Close Walk. Walk refers to behavior, lifestyle, spiritual journey, interacting with God through the course of the day, feeling His presence and power, and receiving His strength and guidance. Enoch was a man who walked with God. Genesis 5:24 says, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Micah 6:8 says that we should walk humbly with God. Colossians 1:10 says to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and to please Him in all respects. Galatians 5:25 instructs us to live by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. Maintaining a close walk with God requires that we submit to His will, be sensitive to His leading, and be serious about serving Him. 

To be more like Jesus will require that we have a clean heart, clear mind, and close walk. Let me encourage you to stay the course. 

-Tony Cooper

Former Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission

Encouraging Word

Recently, we have been hearing about spiritual revival. Revival is an awakening or strengthening of God’s people to their true nature and purpose; restoring something to a former condition; resuming an activity after an interruption or refreshing with new energy or strength. Here are some aides to revival: a clean heart, a clear mind, and a close walk with God. Matthew 16:24 provides direction on how to “stay close.” Jesus says, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” To stay close, one must seek, be selfless, submit, and be serious.

1. Seek. To seek (“If anyone wants to come after Me”) means: to attempt to find something, desire to obtain, search out, or pursue. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

2. Selfless. One must be selfless (“Deny self”). Being selfless means: being concerned more about the needs of others than your own, being a servant, denying selfish desires, or stopping self-worship! Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.”

3. Submit. To stay close, one must submit (“take up your cross”). To submit looks like accepting or yielding to the authority of another or surrendering and ceasing to resist. In that day the cross meant sacrifice, suffering, and death. It also meant dying to self-will and submitting to God’s will. Galatians 2:20 should be our testimony, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” And we should pray Jesus’ prayer from Luke 22:42, where He said, “…not My will but Thine will be done.”

4. Be serious. To stay close means, we need to be serious about serving God (“follow Me”). Being serious includes demanding careful consideration, acting sincerely, and being thoughtful and intentional. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

So, let’s be sold out, committed, and dedicated. Let’s stay close by continuing to seek God, denying self, submitting to God’s will, and being serious in our living for Jesus!

-Tony Cooper

Former Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission