Posts with the tag “encourage”
A Holy Plan to Follow
by Curt Dodd on June 29th, 2025
“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love.” - Hosea 10:12If we are going to live a holy life, we need a holy plan to follow. First, we must make a personal commitment to live holy. Hosea says, “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love.” Proverbs 20:7 says, “The righteous lead blameless lives.” God will not force us to make holy choices. We are no... Read More
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The Power of Community
by Curt Dodd on April 7th, 2025
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)As believers, our community is the body of Christ. Yes, we have a personal relationship with Jesus, but we were never meant to follow Him alone. That’s why J... Read More
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Come and See
by Curt Dodd on April 1st, 2025
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. (John 1:37-39) After Jesus was baptized,... Read More
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A Word of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on March 18th, 2025
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. (Psalm 20:4-5) I can’t forget the moment when I opened a short, encouraging card from a friend of mine and read this verse out loud. Apparently, he knew I needed the encouragement and blessing this ve... Read More
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Signs Of True Revival
by Curt Dodd on February 24th, 2025
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14Many of us long for revival in our nation, but what does true revival look like? It’s not about politics or temporary excitement—it’s about deep, personal transformation.Thr... Read More
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Live Medium
by Curt Dodd on November 17th, 2024
So in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. - Romans 12:5As members of the body of Christ, we are designed to be family to each other. Sometimes, the people we lean on the most aren’t our blood relatives but those from our church family—the ones who show up when we’re in need, who pray for us, who help us carry our burdens. In these moments, we experien... Read More
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Encouraging Words
by Curt Dodd on October 30th, 2024
Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18) For years as a pastor, I have walked the grief road with those who are saying good-bye for a final time at a gravesite to a dearly cherished loved one. When I open the Bible to these words (especially from verse 13 to the end of the chapter), it changes the atmosphere every time. Although the grief process has a journey to co... Read More
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The Purpose of Your Pain
by Curt Dodd on September 21st, 2024
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Are you going through a difficult season right now? Did something unexpected happen, leaving you disappointed and confused? Did someone cl... Read More
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Sit With Those Who Are Hurting
by Curt Dodd on September 16th, 2024
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. – Hebrews 13:1When we hear about one of our brothers or sisters going through a difficult time, we need to come in when the whole world goes out! Whether they are struggling in their marriage, with their health, or with their kids, that is when we need to come alongside them.When you sit with people who are struggling, you are saying, “I may not ... Read More
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Wait in Obedience
by Curt Dodd on September 14th, 2024
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1... Read More
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Jesus Is Standing with You
by Curt Dodd on August 23rd, 2024
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) When you serve Christ, you are never alone; Jesus is standing with you. Isn’t that comforting? Isn’t that a great reason and reminder why we should be totally devoted to Christ? I believe so! I know it is easier said than done, especially when we are going through a tough and lonely season. Maybe you are walking thro... Read More
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Handling Stress
by Curt Dodd on July 31st, 2024
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout... Read More
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Making Sure
by Curt Dodd on May 7th, 2024
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 Yesterday, we began talking about th... Read More
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Are You Confessed Up To Date?
by Curt Dodd on April 5th, 2024
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16 When I was in my first year of seminary, a missionary named Bertha Smith spoke to a class I was in. She was a godly woman who had given her life for ministry. As she stood before our class, she looked through her glasses at u... Read More
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Blessing Your Children
by Curt Dodd on March 16th, 2024
Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come…Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains,” (Genesis 49:1, 26) If you are a father, or you hope to be a father someday, God wants you to bless your children. More important than providing for them financially and physically, He wants you as a fath... Read More
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No Sin Is Too Big
by Curt Dodd on February 21st, 2024
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Have you ever committed a sin which caused you to be overwhelmed with guilt and shame? Have you carried the burden of your mistakes by yourself for quite a while? Have you ever said, “There is no way God could ever look past this sin? It’s just too big.” If any of tho... Read More
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Making Sure
by Curt Dodd on February 12th, 2024
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20Yesterday, we began talking about the t... Read More
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Jesus Is Standing with You
by Curt Dodd on January 24th, 2024
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) When you serve Christ, you are never alone; Jesus is standing with you. Isn’t that comforting? Isn’t that a great reason and reminder why we should be totally devoted to Christ? I believe so! I know it is easier said than done, especially when we are going through a tough and lonely season. Maybe you are walking thro... Read More
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Jesus Is the Messiah
by Curt Dodd on December 25th, 2023
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) One of the greatest debates in human history has been whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. The word “Messiah” means “anointed one.” It is the description of the individual who the Jews were expecting to usher in the redempti... Read More
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Waiting for Healing
by Curt Dodd on November 11th, 2023
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (1 Samuel 16:23) Waiting for healing can be a long and agonizing process. When you are in pain, experiencing discomfort, and need help; you want the Lord to intervene immediately. You want Him to remove this struggle from you... Read More
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Fearless Confidence
by Curt Dodd on October 16th, 2023
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days... Read More
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Wait in Obedience
by Curt Dodd on September 14th, 2023
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1... Read More
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Do You Need To Get Up?
by Curt Dodd on July 16th, 2023
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5There are a lot of peopl... Read More
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Your Heavenly Father
by Curt Dodd on June 18th, 2023
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him – his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:4-6) Father’s Day can be a tough day for many of us. If you didn’t gr... Read More
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Bless Your Children
by Curt Dodd on June 17th, 2023
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) These are some more ways you can bless your children: The fourth thing you can do to bless your children is to speak, because you know the power of your words. Do you realize how powerful your words are? Your actions back up your words, but we bless our children with words because they need... Read More
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Jesus Is the Only Way
by Curt Dodd on May 4th, 2023
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Over and over again in Scripture, Jesus describes the exclusive way for us to get to the Father. That way is through Jesus Christ and Jesus alone; there is no other way. Jesus makes this very clear when He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father e... Read More
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Come and See
by Curt Dodd on April 1st, 2023
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. (John 1:37-39) After Jesus was baptized,... Read More
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A Word of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on March 18th, 2023
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. (Psalm 20:4-5)I can’t forget the moment when I opened a short, encouraging card from a friend of mine and read this verse out loud. Apparently, he knew I needed the encouragement and blessing this vers... Read More
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Protecting Your Marriage
by Curt Dodd on February 10th, 2023
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)When you get married, other married couples are constantl... Read More
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The Zeal To Serve
by Curt Dodd on November 21st, 2022
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11)Service is very important when it comes to following Jesus. God does not want you to sit on your blessed assurance and just live out your Christian life. He wants you to practice serving Him. However, if you don't keep your zeal alive, your spiritual fervor to serve will not be prominent. You won't want to s... Read More
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Boldly Standing for Christ
by Curt Dodd on November 5th, 2022
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Revelation 12:11) Let me tell you a story about a guy named Matt. He was a high school student in a church I pastored in Houston many years ago. We had been emphasizing in our church the importance of taking a stand for Jesus Christ. Accordingly, we were looking for opportunities to share our faith. One day, M... Read More
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It’s Not Too Late
by Curt Dodd on November 4th, 2022
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) You might be wondering, “Is it too late for my whole family, or one family member to be saved? I know they have never given their life to Christ.” How many of you have a family member on your mind right now? You know... Read More
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Engaging in Christian Community
by Curt Dodd on October 31st, 2022
There are two very important reasons why we need community and connection within the body of Christ. First, we need community to hold us accountable. Notice the first three words in today’s verse, “And let us…” That means being connected with others. God intends for us to be in relationship with people, and accountability comes as part of that relationship. All of us need accountability. We need p... Read More
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Wait in Obedience
by Curt Dodd on September 14th, 2022
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1... Read More
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January
Building Men Over MembershipsAre You Encouraging Others?Committing Others To ChristSharing Your StoryFaith Beyond Your FamilyGod’s Purpose In Your PainAligned PrayersPraying with PowerA Defining EncounterA Desire To ServeA Faithful and Helpful FriendRestoring Broken RelationshipsThe Power To RestoreA Guilt-Free LifeA Hand Of BlessingA Heart Of RepentanceAllowing God To Do The ChangingAre You Feeling Stuck?Trust His HeartBe Ready For InterruptionsFull of the Holy SpiritDefeating DepressionPowerful Prayers and a BurdenThe Triumphal EntrySurrender Your Life to ChristGratitude Is The Gateway To ContentmentGratitude Is A Defense Against AnxietyDealing With DoubtFocus On The WordGiving and ServingListening Instead Of Talking
February
3 Keys To A Heavenly PerspectiveA Faith Rooted in FactA Faith That Draws or DrivesWhy Support Israel?The Danger Of Being Full Of YourselfLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureGod Is All-SufficientGuided By ProblemsJoy In The Midst Of ProblemsRemember Who God IsA Brand New Glimpse Of JesusA Call To God’s ChurchA Childlike FaithA Christ-Honoring EpitaphA Church On FireA Faithful and Helpful FriendA Personal AnswerA Public AnswerBe Sensitive To Your WitnessAwakenings and Quiet TimesCraving Spiritual MilkEmbracing Your Second ChanceSigns Of True RevivalResisting EvilBe DifferentBe AstuteBe Loving
March
Witness with Your WordsGod’s Word Is EnoughStay Rooted In The TruthA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouHave You Met Christ?Focus on the GiverEncountering God’s GraceStanding Accountable Before GodBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardImmeasurably MoreLiving in DenialYour Salvation MomentWhat Does It Look Like To Be The Church?A Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementWhen You Need Hope The End Is Near Stand on the Word of GodA Gracious GiftCelebrating Through BaptismThe Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentGod Draws Us to HimselfFind Rest in the LordBearing The Burdens Of OthersPrioritizing Your Love For Christ