A Blog from Pastor Zack

The Word of God is Encouragement

I was searching through my graduate school archives this morning and stumbled across this journal entry. Pastor Bill discussed being in the word yesterday and I just found it so ironic that God led me here on the first shot and I had no idea even what I was looking for this morning. The word of God brings life to people. Prayer opens up this portal where God can work through us to bring about His plan. God may use us regardless of if we are in contact with him, but we will never see it unless we are on speaking terms.

God encourages us with His Word, and we are to do the same with our words. So often we think people need tough love, when all they need is love and then God will open some amazing doors. As you read journal entry, imagine if I would have cut them down instead of encouraging them. I have been struggling with coaching and with my family lately. It is because I have not been encouraging other people. I was thinking last night how I build a better relationship with my wife and kids. How do I be the best friend possible? How do I be the best coach possible? I love people and speak life into them, by encouraging them, just like God’s word is continually encouraging me. I wrote this in the fall of 2015.

“The grass withers, the flower fades but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8).  There is a small stone outside the gym.  It catches my eye everyday as I fly by in a hurry to get somewhere.  These words have stuck out in mind since I first felt the tug, since I first felt that fire inside to go into ministry.  One of my podcasts that I listen to everyday is Back to the Bible, and the former bible teacher used Isaiah 40:8 as his sign off.  It is ironic that Back to the Bible is located in Lincoln.  Those words have been stirring in my heart for the last week. It wasn’t until I walked out of the cafeteria today that I really had a grasp on what the Lord was trying to tell me. 

My baseball team was running and some of the guys were struggling, so I held back with them to help encourage them.  We arrived back at the school around 6:45 a.m., much later than I would have liked.  It crossed my mind to go home, but I wanted to go for a longer run and pray for the guys on my team.  I find it much easier to speak with God while working out.  My body goes into cruise control and my mind focus on my Creator. 

I started to pray for them one by one, each by name.  One I prayed that God would use him in his ministries. He teaches young children in the schools.  Another I prayed that God would let me break through his hard exterior.  I asked for comfort for one that is so far away from his child.   I prayed that they each would be a light in this community.  I asked the Lord to let the baseball team be well-known because Christ lives in us and we love others, because Christ first loved us.  About thirty minutes later I sprinted back onto campus and finished walking past my favorite sign.  I thanked God that He allowed me to attend a school that lives by the motto at the bottom of that small stone.  It vows that this institution will always stand on the word of God.

I was about to leave campus when I saw one of my players and decided to go up-stairs and have breakfast.  Our God is in absolute control. He has a plan and a purpose and I am humbled just to be a spec in that purpose.  We sat down as a team and some of the very guys I prayed for were sitting right in front of me.  We started to talk about being saved.   I learned that one of my guys had gone to prison before he turned his life to Jesus.  His story was such an inspiration to me.  The things he had gone through were amazing.  Another had a girlfriend who had a miscarriage.  He opened up about his faith, his upbringing, and what he expects from a coach.  This was the very kid that I prayed about his hard exterior. 

We even invited another young man over, who told us about attempting suicide, depression, being expelled from school.  This young man, who is disabled physically, is an inspiration. He does not let his physical limitation affect him, and he has learned Jujitsu and now teaches it.  I told them my testimony and explained to them that God uses the broken. Without these stories we wouldn’t be as effective in ministry.   I explained to them people can argue with us about theology, they can argue about our ecclesiology, but people can never deny what Christ has done in our lives.  Our very transformation is a gospel in itself.   I told them that God called me to Omaha, far away from my quiet home in eastern Wyoming.

Heading back to my truck, I stopped and read those wonderful words again.  God spoke to me as I read them. Sitting down I started to meditate on what God was trying to tell me.  I prayed and pondered what had just happened.  I reflected on what God was saying through Isaiah. We all go through changes in our lives, we all have moments come and go, some good and some bad.   Life throws us a disability, drugs take over our life, and sex and money are the focus of our being.   Obedience takes us 450 miles away from our family.   Wherever we are in life, God is always the same. His word will never change.  He is in control and he is going to use us for his Glory if we will only get out of the way and allow Him to do so.   Places come and go, people will drift away, but our God lives forever.