Encouragement for Today Podcast

In today’s episode, you’ll hear a devotion written by Lynn Cowell based on John 1:35-37, which says, “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus” (NIV).

We hope today’s devotion reminds you of God’s promise: His Word will always produce fruit when we are bold enough to speak up and share His Truth. 

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What is Encouragement for Today Podcast?

Life can be so challenging sometimes — we each understand this all too well. It’s not only the big things that seem out of our control, but it's also the little things we face each day. We forget our keys. A friend cancels on us. Our bank card gets declined. We wake up anxious. Negative thoughts fill our mind. It doesn’t take much to leave us feeling hopeless, confused, exhausted or stressed. We wonder what God has to say about what we’re experiencing, but sometimes just getting through the next few hours is hard enough. That’s why Proverbs 31 Ministries created the Encouragement For Today Podcast — a collection of 50 devotions to help you start your day with a biblical perspective you can carry with you no matter what lies ahead.

Pushing discouragement away, I again prayed the same prayer. I had begun to wonder if the truth I was sharing was making any difference at all. I know, both from God’s Word and from experience, that the troubles we experience in this life have their answers in One: Jesus. But was this truth I was sharing getting through to anyone?

In John 1, we read of the work of John the Baptist. In verses 19-28, John bravely tells the religious people that there is one who stands among them, “the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (v. 27).
The next day, in verses 29-34, John’s proclamation grows stronger as he sees Jesus coming toward him, and John declares, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (v. 29)
Day 3, John again plainly speaks the truth, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (v. 36) Two men hear the words John has boldly, consistently declared, and as a result, they follow Jesus.

Day after day, John the Baptist sowed seeds of truth into the people around him. Whether to those deliberately questioning him or to those merely within earshot, John boldly spoke the truth of Jesus’ identity. He consistently shared who Jesus was and why He came.
You may feel that while you’re stepping beyond your own fears and audaciously sharing who Jesus is, nobody’s listening. Day after day, you keep speaking of who He is and what He has done in your life. You may wonder if any of it matters.

I would guess John the Baptist may have experienced the same thing. Who doesn't, when they share of the One most precious to them? Yet, John was consistently bold. We don't know how many listened and had their lives changed, but we do know of these two men mentioned in today’s key verses: “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

These two heard John’s words and followed Jesus.

They heard and followed.

Let’s choose to be on the list of those moved by John's testimony. Like John, let’s not give up sharing Jesus, who He is and what He has done for us.

Especially don’t give up because of what you don’t see. We won’t always see or know who we are impacting when we share Jesus. Your children, friends and loved ones might roll their eyes, walk away or even say they don't believe what you believe. The woman at work may seem as hard as stone, but the one around the corner of the cubicle is desperately listening.

Keep speaking up, because someone is listening. You may not know it. You may never know this side of heaven, but God has given us this promise: “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11, NLT).
When we share the Truth of God’s Word, He is sending out His Word through us. He promises us that His Word will always produce fruit. It will always accomplish what He wants it to and “achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it” (Isaiah 55:11b, NIV).

So today, be bold. Keep speaking. Keep sharing. Keep trusting that while you may not see what is happening, God is at work and “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV).

Heavenly Father, thank You that my work is simply to share Your Word, and Your work is to bring the fruit of change. Help me to stay brave and consistent for the one who is listening. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.