Uncategorized | Encouraging Word

Mother’s Day Part 2

Amazing Grace Fellowship began with a group of 13 people and our family of 4 at the time, who were committed to building a great church that is reaching the lost, building the body of Christ, and preparing people for ministry, 24 years ago today, on May 15, 1988. The ministry mission statement of Helping People and Training People to Help Others encompasses the vision of Amazing Grace. We not only wanted to serve, we wanted to teach and train people to be well equipped to serve others. AGF is here to make a difference! The first 5 ½ years, AGF met at the Y. We were a church on the move! That meant everything was moved in and out each week. The current property on Eastland was purchased and AGF was built at the current location in 1993. The prime property of 60 acres across the street from the church was purchased in 1999 and developed to incorporate and the Master Plan of a large facility for all of Amazing Grace Fellowship’s outreaches including a Bible School and a educational facility on 40 acres. A large addition with a Children’s Wing, a Fellowship Wing, and a Large Youth Church was finished in 2006. The flags of many nations fly in the AGF sanctuary as a reminder of our mandate, not only locally, but to the nations of the world as well. AGF media features the weekly TV show called REAL LIFE on the CBS station KMVT each Sunday Morning at 9:00 AM. KAGF at 105.5 FM is our radio outreach and features teaching and music, 24 hours a day. Great teaching from world- renowned ministries are offered each day, with local daily programming from my husband, Pastor Lynn Schaal, the staff at AGF, and 4 times a day with me sharing an Encouraging Word for your day. Each day the station features several hours of Hispanic programming bringing Christian radio programs to the Spanish population in our area.

It is encouraging to be involved with something that you know God has birthed and anointed. He wants people to know Him, to be found in Him, to grow in Him and to produce fruit for Him. Each individual life matters, and that is what ministry is all about. To be a part of encouraging the body of Christ through this local church for 24 years, is not just a mile marker, it is a living testimony to the goodness of God. Thanks for helping us celebrate Amazing Grace Fellowship’s 24th birthday, today!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Mother’s Day Intro

Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with an encouraging word for your day. It is a good thing to remember where you have come from so that you can see God’s faithfulness and know that God’s grace has always been with you. Looking back to small beginnings keeps you grounded, and it is a great confidence builder. Celebrating past victories gives you the courage to conquer tomorrow’s challenges. I love looking back to remember, and I love to look forward and dream. Why not do both! Be encouraged today that your future looks bright!
Do you make it a habit to speak blessings over the people who have influenced, taught or helped you in your past? It shouldn’t be hard to remember people in your life who have mentored you, given you wisdom and direction, discipled you , or pastored you. We all have people in our lives who have made an effort to help us grow…in God, in parenting, in education, in our vocation, or just in living life! Have you taken time to thank God for them, and speak blessing over them? Let’s not take those important people for granted! You are who you are because of them! The word blessing comes from the Greek words eulogia, a compound word of eu and logos. Eu means good and describes something that is wonderful or very pleasurable! The Greek word logos is the English word for words. To speak a blessing is to speak wonderful, pleasurable words about or to someone. As you remember the past, why not do something in the present, maybe even today, to show your appreciation. Words are powerful! Remember that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Speak life words! Today, why not, encourage someone you know with some pleasurable words of blessing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt7

But for the joy that was set before Jesus, he endured the cross. Jesus had a goal in mind when He came to the earth as a baby. His purpose was to redeem mankind, and He set out to do it, and He accomplished it. There were some really tough places along the way. There was a whole lot of laying down the flesh. There was a whole lot of sacrifice. There was a whole lot of obedience. It we take just those three things, laying down the flesh, sacrifice and obedience as an example of how we should live, we would experience an abundantly blessed life. We are reminded repeatedly in the Word to put on the “new man”. That means taking off the “old man”. Just like a garment that doesn’t fit anymore, we take off the “old life”, and live anew in Christ. Our sacrifices don’t really even compare to what Jesus went through, but we have to make choices to surrender our own will, for the will of the Father. That really boils down to whether or not we will be selfless, or remain selfish. Lastly, we choose obedience by being doers of the Word. When we know what is right, we just choose to do it. Because the opposite is true, if we know what is right and don’t do it, it is sin. So let’s set these goals. Let’s consistently lay down our selfishness, and follow God in obedience. That is living the best life, and that is how we can reach our destination and fulfill our destiny.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt6

Go for it! Can you believe that most of the school year is over already? Do you ever stop to think about how much more you know now, then you did just 9 months ago? Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with an encouraging word for kids today. Day by day your mind is getting filled with information that will help you succeed in life. If you practice an instrument, or are involved in extra activities after school, you have probably found that if you practice on a regular basis you get better. Today I want to encourage you to keep up the good work!

Eword for kids
Have you noticed that when you practice something regularly, in the right way, you improve? Well, that is a great principle to establish in your life as a kid, because it continues when you become an adult. The areas that you want to improve, need daily, continual attention. That is why setting goals is so important. Your teachers have done this for you in school, or your parents have if you are home schooled. They want you to be at a certain place by year’s end. You can begin right now to make your own goals for your life. They can be short term, or long term goals. Do you want to be a great humanitarian, or a writer or an author, or an athlete, or a great musician, or an entrepreneur? Start now to make that come to pass. Make a goal, make it easy to understand, keep it in front of you, and then go for it! Don’t ever think young people can’t accomplish much – many before you have, and you will too! You have the power within you to do great things on this earth. Why not be a world changer? God has a great plans for you. Let’s see them come to pass!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt5

What are your goals, spiritually, emotionally, physically? Do you have a vision for yourself, for your family, and even your part in the body of Christ? So often we get concerned about just the physical, that we forget the real us, which is our spirit. Our spirit was recreated when we became born again, but our spirit needs to be fed, and we do that by the Word of God. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, the Bible tells us in Matt chapter 5, we will be filled. Ps 63 talks about the dry and thirsty land that we live in, and we know that the Living Water and the Bread of Life that we need comes from the Father, through Jesus the son, delivered by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. When we are full is when we have extra to give away. We should stay filled up, and we should grow stronger in faith as we grow older. Just like with our physical bodies, we need to believe God that our youth is renewed like the eagles, and that our bodies function in top condition even into old age. When we are in good physical condition, it is easier to fulfill our goals for reaching as many people as we can for the kingdom of God. When we are in top spiritual condition, we are ready and prepared to pray for, minister to, and bless everyone we come into contact with. We stay in top condition by doing the basics of Christianity on a continual basis. We are in the Word of God, we worship, we pray, we fellowship with believers, we serve, we give, we bless. This is one place where we need practice. Daily practice is best! Let’s meet our goals, and do great things for God.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt4

Do you have some mentors or examples in your life who you like to follow or pattern your life after? Whether it is a favorite teacher, a neighbor, a parent, or some godly man or woman you know from your church, it is wonderful to have someone to look up to and to glean wisdom from. As important as it is to have someone to look to, it is also important to remember that someone is looking to you! I usually say it this way. Have one hand up to learn, and one hand out to teach. We should be continual learners, and we should be sharing what we learn with someone else. So what kind of mentor are you? Are you involved in your church or community, or even a local school where you can help someone learn? We encourage everyone at our church to find a place to serve. It is exciting to not be just on the sidelines, but actually in the game. Another way to look at church life is like a restaurant. The ones who come early, find a place to serve and get their hands dirty (so to speak) are like the people in the kitchen at a restaurant. They get to be in on the fun of relationships and friendship, while working side by side of their brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a great place of service, but also a place of productivity. I really like the restaurant metaphor because Jesus was really big on Christians being hospitable. Find a way to be a mentor and share your gifts with someone you can positively impact for life!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt3

Have you ever thought about what you want written on your grave stone? I know that sounds a little morbid, but what few words would you like as a memorial to your life? Lots of families put a scripture that their loved one cherished, and many just put a birth date and a death date with a name. I really love what my mom had engraved on my dad’s gravestone. It says a life worth imitating. When I think about that phrase, I hope someday that can be said of me. When we look at the Bible and see the times Paul told us to follow him, like he followed Christ, or when we are told to imitate or be like Christ, it seems like that should be something that every believer should be able to say. Unfortunately, that is not so. But when we take a moment to think long term, the young teenager will be a grandma someday. Will she be proud to tell her grandkids about her behavior as a teenager? Sometimes we forget that our legacy is generational. In fact, it really is eternal. What kind of legacy will you leave? Is it one that is excellent, and represents Christ-like qualities? We have it in us, because the seed of greatness is in every believer. We become great not when we are famous, we become great when we learn to serve one another in love. That is the greatest legacy of all.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt2

I know there are many people who have had great aspirations in their life and have let life slip on by, because they never put action to what they wanted to accomplish. One thing to remember is that often the ones who accomplish the most are the ones with the most on their plates. (My great helpers with my dailyeword are an outstanding example of this! Our media team is amazing!) We admire people who are thorough and pay attention to details and can accomplish their goals because they have a plan that works. So let’s make this week a time for goal setting and a re-evaluation time. Are you wasting time on unimportant things? Put the important things first – and make a simple plan that you read daily, and then work toward accomplishing it. God has great dreams and desires for you – let’s make sure we fulfill them by following His leading, writing down our goals and desires, and seeing them come to pass! One great way to move toward the right direction is to see the end you want to get to right from the beginning. It has to do with vision. What vision do you have for your life? Do you see yourself accomplishing it before your earth assignment is done? I hope you do. That is God’s plan for you. I encourage you to start reaching for your goals today!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Goal Setting pt1

It’s already May, and all of our talk about New Year’s resolutions are far behind us now. Or so you thought! Actually, I’m not nearly as fond of resolutions as I am about goal setting. Hi this is Dorette Schaal with an encouraging word for your day. We should make goal setting a part of everyday life. (My dad would be proud! He always told us to set goals and make every move count, every single day.) Setting goals is a spiritual principle that makes sense. The Bible tells us In Habakkuk 2:2 to write the vision down and make it plain, so that those who read it can run with it. Be encouraged today to accomplish your goals! Here is your daily eword.

Monday

Here are four steps for setting and accomplishing goals, one at a time right out of Habakkuk.

1) Write it down – Typing is fine too! Just use you pen or keyboard to express what you want to accomplish. Small goals are as important as the large ones!

2) Make it plain – Keep it simple. Enough of life is complicated. Keep it easy to read and easy to run with.

3) Read it – Keep it in front of you – on your dashboard in your car, or on your mirror in your bathroom, or on your screen of your computer. Read it as a reminder and as an encouragement to yourself.

4) Run with it – Be a doer! Don’t just think about it, put it into action. Don’t put it off until tomorrow, begin today and do it now.

There is a great sense of accomplishment that comes when you achieve your goals. I am a firm believer in lists, and I even get satisfaction from checking off each item as the day goes by. If improving your life and becoming more like Jesus is what we want to do, (I hope it is!) let’s make a clear plan to get us where we want to be. Life should be an enjoyable experience with great rewards along the way. There can be joy in work as well! It starts with setting goals you can accomplish, and then seeing them come to pass. That is an encouraging way to live!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS

Excellence pt7

Sometime little things can make a big impression. The same is true in the opposite direction. Sometimes little things make a big negative impression. We can’t ignore little things or hope that nobody notices. How does that apply to our own lives? Usually we’ll give ourselves a lot more grace than we give anyone else. I think the reason we do that is because we know our intentions. For example, we know that we tried to make it on time, but we had unexpected traffic, or a sick child. But because we don’t always believe the best in others, we just think that if they had just planned better they could be on time, even though they might have had the same issues we faced. When we might have been late a time or two we think to ourselves that it is beyond our control and couldn’t be helped. Another little thing is the mentality that prevails when we’re volunteering. We may think that we’d do our best if we were getting paid, but “Hey, this is free labor, so you get what you pay for”. Another little thing is the attitude of mediocrity that says “I’ve served my time, now it is someone else’s turn”. If we all felt like that, nothing would get done for the kingdom. To combat these “little foxes” that can steal, we need to remember that even when others aren’t watching, God is. He sees the big picture and not only sees your actions, but He knows your heart. If we want to represent the church on the earth as a place of quality and excellence, it is up to us as individual members to act like it is our responsibility.

When we take ownership not only of our own actions, but of our attitudes, we can move from mediocrity to a place of excellence, and really glorify God, not only in word, but in deed as well. Is there someplace in your life where you can see a need to rise above mediocrity and go the extra mile? Why not do it today!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: iTunes | Android | RSS