IN-Courage

Pastor Roy talks about a new scientific discovery that is saving millions of lives from Dengue Fever. How encouraging is that? Did you know that a lobster diver was sucked up by a whale this week? He survived and told his story. We each have a story to tell. Is it about the worst thing that has happened or the best thing?

Pastor Roy looks at what God asked Joshua to do after Moses died. It wasn't just one battle, one river crossing, or one hardship that was ahead. The Bible talks about great promises for those who endure great difficulty. Today we are encouraged by those promises. There is a crown waiting for those who wear ashes.

Pastor Roy brings this week's episode from Utah. He talks about traveling across the country and seeing all of the different old growth forests, rivers, canyons, and deserts. He sees God's hand in all the beauty and diversity around him just like the writer of Psalm 104. The Creator of the Universe cares about every detail of nature and our lives.

Pastor Roy talks about the uncomfortable word, "CHANGE." God asked Abraham to have faith and trust Him. Sometimes we are asked to do the same. As Pastor Roy transitions into a new season of life we can take encouragement from God's Word and the story of God's faithfulness to Abraham. 

Pastor Roy quotes the author of, The Happiest Man On Earth, Eddie Jaku who said, "Shared sorrow is half sorrow, but shared pleasure is double." His remarkable story of loss and the rebuilding of his life after the Holocaust brings us encouragement. 

In today's talk, Pastor Roy takes a lesson from Habakkuk who was able to keep praising God even though he had lost almost everything.  We can take encouragement in knowing that God is eternal and gives us a certainty beyond today's circumstances.

We look at the words of Paul when he talks about how we are children of God and as such, we have so much potential. 

Pastor Roy gives some practical ways to lift those around you with simple things like a smile, giving positive praise, or celebrating someone's achievement; you can make someone's day a little brighter.

Today Pastor Roy tells stories of people who became wealthy over night from unforeseen inheritances. We may not become instant millionaires, but we have the hope of a bright future in heaven.  

We sometimes forget that one of the most effective sources of encouragement is prayer! We no longer feel alone or burdened when we give those anxious things to the Creator.

There comes great encouragement when we see that Jesus calls us into His kingdom with authority.  Pastor Roy reminds us that we are called sons and daughters who have purpose.

Pastor Roy reflects on one of Jesus' parables today.  The son who asks for his inheritance squanders it away is welcomed back home with open arms. Maybe God just knew from the beginning that we would blow it and need a Savior to welcome us home. The encouragement today is that no matter how much we have messed things up, God is waiting for us to come back and make things right.

You don't have to have it all together to find encouragement.  Learn from your failures, remember your value, and boost your confidence this week.

What would you do if your coworker won a car and then gave it to you after you had been riding your bicycle to work through the winter? Pastor Roy shares a great story of generosity that became contagious.  

When our world feels like it is shaking under our feet, we look for something solid, something unshakably true. We find that in Jesus.

Watching a sunrise or sunset can bring about a sense of hope and encouragement when things aren't going as planned. Pastor Roy looks at the mental and physical health benefits of sunshine. It not only lifts your mood, but helps you sleep better at night!

These simple words, "it came to pass..." are used so many times in Bible. It's interesting how with the passage of time things change and get better. We are no longer living with arctic cold temperatures and as the COVID vaccines are getting distributed, we are seeing fewer deaths and illnesses. We can take encouragement that those things are coming to pass.

A new research study found that making plans for your future brings about a sense of control and contentment. It can be something as little as dinner with friends or as grand as a vacation next summer, but writing something in their calendar made people feel more happy.

Studies show that incorporating little things like a gratitude journal and spending a little time volunteering brings about big results in a person's attitude and mood. Pastor Roy shares several of these little things that you can do today to improve your mood and outlook on life.

There are good people going above and beyond to serve and protect. These particular stories of police officers and healthcare providers will remind you of the incredible good that can come out of bad situations.

Don't get stuck looking at a situation with your head down and get frustrated. Today Pastor Roy IN-Courages you to look up and see the whole field.

Pastor Roy talks about the different kinds of peace. What does it mean to have or find peace? Where can you achieve this Shalom kind of peace?

From plummers who gave away time and money to ensure that seniors had heat and water during the pandemic to a migrant farmer's son who reached for the stars to become an astronaut, you will be encouraged by today's stories of people dreaming BIG.

When we hit a finger with a hammer we forget about the other 99% of our body that is functioning well and just focus on the pain. We see the events of this week and can let them overwhelm us or we can refocus on the good things around us.

Pastor Roy tells the story of several people who came from nothing and grew small business ideas into huge corporations. Each of us has the potential to start something new in this new year.

Imagine with Pastor Roy what it would have been like for the shepherds to be visited by angels and how they would have reacted to the Good News of the birth of the Messiah. It's not a cute and cuddly scenario of a store bought nativity scene.

Pastor Roy looks at the struggles that Mary and Joseph would have faced that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The political, religious, and social strains would have been less than ideal for the birth of the Messiah, and yet God chose to use this young, uneducated people to bring Jesus into the world at just the right time.

Pastor Roy Rhodes talks about the stars in our galaxy and the atoms that make up everything. The incredible God of the universe that crafted all of this still loves you intimately and knows every detail of your life.

Throughout the pandemic people have been adopting new ways to lift their spirits. Today Pastor Roy talks about some of those things and the best "Good News" of all. As we head into Christmas we are reminded that Jesus came to bring us hope.

Pastor Roy talks about his time in Germany and the impact that seeing an oppressed verses free Berlin had on him. The freedom that we have as Americans has inspired gratitude. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

We grow weary with the worry and sickness in this world. Jesus promises us a yoke that takes our weakness and makes us strong.

Pastor Roy Rhodes talks about two encouraging things today. The vaccine for COVID-19 appears to be effective and hopefully ready soon. The second story of encouragement is about a WW2 veteran's road trip around the country to see the places on his bucket list.

Coming to you from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Pastor Roy talks about the changing seasons of life. Just as the leaves change and Fall turns to Winter, these changes aren't necessarily bad. Solomon had great wisdom when he wrote that there is a season for everything.

Today you will hear stories about food banks funded, funny signs in Texas, coral reefs re-growing in Virginia, electrical grids in Africa, and plummeting crime rates in the Philippines. There are SO many good things going on around the world.

Something that Pastor Roy has learned through this pandemic is that COVID is like a weird friend. This time of difficulty has pushed him to set more goals, take more risks, and appreciate the people and blessings around him.

Things are changing everyday in the Fall. The leaves are rustling and changing, the animals store their seeds, and delicious fall fruit comes into season. Pastor Roy shares some interesting facts about his favorite season in this week's episode about the diversity of Fall.

We can become easily discouraged about the political derision going on right now, but when we bring things down to a local level we can find joy and meaning in our everyday lives.

We get inspired by stories of people who against all odds didn't quit, but persevered through years of what most would call failure.

We each have our own love languages or ways that we like to receive love. Today we talk about learning other people's love languages so that we can bless and encourage them.

There are little things that every day people can do to end racism in their world. When we each do these things we can create a better world for everyone.

Today Pastor Roy looks at a couple of under dogs who use creative means to bring joy and success to their seemingly hopeless situations.

When we look at the redwood trees that sustained detrimental wildfires, we see that they continue to grow taller despite the burns and scars of the outer appearance. We are also made to be resilient.

American's were polled and rated the things that bring them joy. You would be surprised at the simplicity of most of these things.

We don't often see mercy displayed in the political arena or anywhere else for that matter. Pastor Roy shares some extraordinary stories of mercy and forgiveness in today's episode.

Pastor Roy Rhodes shares incredible stories of reunions with family members that seem almost too good to be true!

Pastor Roy shares a few inspiring stories of great generosity. He hopes to spark a little generosity in each of us to get out of our comfort zone and do something for someone else.

Pastor Roy Rhodes helps us find the good in our bad situation. Just like during World War I, when women found a new respect in the work place and gained the right to vote, we can find the good during this pandemic.