Jim Martin's Encouragement Note #105
Taste the overflowing grace of God . . . What are your expectations? . . . Practical discipleship: ways to encourage another . . . Do you ever get tired of having to be "on"? . . . Etcetera: podcasts
(Unsplash - Joanna Kosinski)
The List of Five
Taste the Overflowing Grace of God
What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
What do you do when you are tired - even sick and tired of being tired?
What do you do when you feel confused, disappointed, or discouraged?
This morning I read again Psalm 23. Perhaps like you, I have read, memorized, and studied this Psalm. Yet, this wonderful Psalm continues to give me so much nourishment.
Psalm 23 was the first psalm I memorized. In some ways it is like looking at an old family picture. You remember the day the picture was taken. You remember the relationships. You even remember the aroma of the food in the house when this family was together.
This is a psalm that reminds us that God’s grace is overflowing.
Psalm 23
1. The Lord is my shepherd - I am not lacking anything. He provides what I most need.
2. The Lord is my host - He invites me to his banquet table and does this even while my enemies look on. He prepares a feast, anoints my head with oil, and provides a cup that overflows.
3. The Lord invites me to his house - I am his worshiper forever. I never have to leave his house or his presence.
The good news, in spite of my difficulties, is that the Lord provides. He provides what I need even in the “presence of my enemies.”
His provision is so great that “my cup overflows.” The focus here is not on how blessed we are or how much we have. Rather the focus is on him! He provides!
Psalm 23 is an invitation to you and me to taste the overflowing grace of God.
What Are Your Expectations?
At times I have been disappointed in people I looked up to. I suspect at one time or another you have experienced this as well.
Disappointment can cause a person to hold back and be less vulnerable. Others can be disappointed and become negative, critical, and even cynical.
In more recent years, I have tried to shift my focus. I realize that whatever good that comes from anyone is a moment of grace. I want to learn to appreciate each moment of grace.
Perhaps some of us have expectations of others that are just too high and unrealistic in a sinful world. Maybe our expectations of our congregation can be unrealistic as well.
Meanwhile, I have found that often my expectations of God and his activity in this world have been far too low.
In recent years, I am learning to read Scripture focusing on the character of God, the action of God, and the promises of God. Focusing on God has heightened my expectations of him while my expectations of others have decreased.
You might find the following helpful:
I find it helpful to underline, with a highlighter, every word or line that in some way describes God, mentions his action, or various aspects of his character. You might consider using one color of a highlighter for the entire Bible. You might begin, as I did, with the Psalms.
This enables you to go back to your Bible and see all the many passages that in some way describe our great God. This can be encouraging!
Practical Discipleship: 7 Ways to Encourage Others
As you begin the week, why not encourage someone else this week?
Consider the following:
1. Consider doing something kind and gracious without revealing that you were the one who did the act.
2. Consider thanking your son-in-law or daughter-in-law for rearing your grandchildren to walk with God.
3. Consider calling your adult son or daughter just to express that they deserve a "well done" from you as their parent.
4. Consider sending a note to one of your children's teachers expressing your thanks for his/her hard work for your child.
5. Consider doing something kind for someone who probably doesn’t expect this.
6. Consider thanking a nursery worker for caring for your children while you were in the assembly.
7. Consider taking your family to the restaurant they prefer, without making a negative remark about their choice.
Ultimately, discipleship is always practical. It is to allow Christ to be expressed through you. Let us be a people who seek to do what we know. Through the power of God's Spirit at work, Christ will be seen in you and his reputation will spread.
Do You Ever Get Tired of Having to be "On?"
"Hey, how's it going?" Fine, just fine.
"How is your day?" Super!
"How is your work?" Aw, it's been another great year.
Do you ever get tired of being "on?" Do you feel like you are expected to communicate that everything is wonderful, and that you are doing "fine.”
You may recall a time when you tried to honestly express how you felt about life. Perhaps the other person responded by trying to fix you.
I was having lunch with a friend and he was telling me about a sense of discontent that he was experiencing. He spoke of a close friend and his desire to talk about his discontent with him but “he is always trying to fix me!" I thought of how many times I have done the same with others. Sometimes others just want to be heard.
Life is sometimes hard. For some, life is marked by divorce, death, bankruptcy, a teen becoming pregnant outside of marriage, or maybe the betrayal of a spouse.
Yet, God doesn't expect perfect performance in order for you to live an authentic life. God loves you and values you not because you appear to have it together. God loves you even when you are a mess. No matter what you have experienced, it is not too late for God to work.
Don't give up. God hasn't.
Etcetera - Ten of My Favorite Podcasts (Especially for Ministers and Other Church Leaders)
(These are listed in no particular order of importance)
Undeceptions - John Dickson
Ask NT Wright Anything - N.T. Wright
A Bit of Optimism - Simon Sinek
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast - Carey Nieuwhof
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler - Kate Bowler
Rebuilders - Mark Sayers
The Politics of Jesus - Jim Reynolds
You’re Not Crazy - Ray Ortlund Jr./Sam Allberry
The Russell Moore Show - Russell Moore
WorkLife - Adam Grant
(Note: I did not list podcasts from churches.) I do not listen to the above ten each week. I will generally listen to a few and then alternate the following week.
I serve as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee.
Every other Monday morning, I publish this “Encouragement Note.” You can subscribe at jimmartin.substack.com. You can also find me on Facebook - @jim.martin or Instagram - @jimmartin.jm. My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging — Jim Martin
Thank you John. I have the deepest respect and admiration for you and your ministry.
Thank you Sheryl for your very kind words.