PODCAST · religion
Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional
by Scott Iken
An encouraging word for the week to cheer you up and spur you on in your love of Jesus and others!
Episodes
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Remember
Is there something you readily forget about and can't remember what you did with it? It's alright, and even healthy, to laugh at ourselves when we forget little things. But there is one thing that should be taken very seriously and always remembered. In Deuteronomy 8, we read about...
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Questions
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on the fact that Jesus asks a lot of questions? Why does Jesus ask so many questions? Let's reflect on what we can learn from Jesus on the importance of asking others questions.
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Lean down and listen to me
When was the last time something made you sad in your soul, and that sadness led to action because you were compelled to fix it? In Daniel 9, we read of Daniel being overcome and deeply disturbed by what he witnessed all around him. So he...
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On earth as it is in heaven.
God alone is great! He alone has power that's unstoppable. He alone is the only one who grasps EVERYTHING! So, might we joyfully surrender to His will over our own.
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Cutting or healing.
Our words can wound, damage, and cause hurt. On the other hand, our words can help, restore, and rejuvenate. Cutting or healing. How are we using our words?
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Our greatest need.
If someone were to ask you, "What is humanity's greatest need?", what would be your answer? Most importantly, what does God say our greatest need is?
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It is better to...
We have all been let down by another, and we've all let others down. God, however, is perfect. Thus, it's ever wise that we take refuge in Him, that we look to Him first and foremost in all things. Let's marinate on this truth from Psalm 118:8.
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He reigns!
Psalm 97:1 reminds us that the Lord reigns. His reign is great reason for joy in our souls! Let's reflect on this truth together.
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Above all
Colossians 3:14 emphasizes the great significance of keeping love the main thing, the most important thing for us as Christians. Let's recall together why God says this is so key!
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When I am afraid, I will...
We all can count on times in our lives when we will be facing various tough situations that can be scary. How are we to handle the fears we'll all face? Let's look at Psalm 56:3 together!
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Training that truly matters.
We aren't saved by our discipline or effort. Jesus alone saves us by His grace through faith. Thank God for that! But after we're saved, we are to follow Him wholeheartedly. Discipline becomes very important for our continued growth in godliness. Let's reflect together on 1 Timothy 4:8.
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He sees us. He cares.
No matter what is going on in our lives or around us, we can know this truth -- God sees us! He understands our troubles much better than we do. He cares. Thus, we have reason to rejoice!
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God has a better way.
In God's great wisdom, He knows we need directions on loving others, on encouraging others. We don't drift toward this way naturally. Romans 12:10 speaks to us about a better way. A supernatural way.
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In God's great goodness, He is the utmost help! Is He your help?
Because of God's great kindness, mercy, and love, He wants to help us daily. There is nothing He can't help with! Let's reflect on Psalm 63:7-8.
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God promises to finish the work He has begun in every one of His followers.
We are all "under construction." In this life, we will always have room to grow. And the great news is that Jesus is the One who is "rearranging" us!
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What are you doing here?
Do you ever ask yourself that question? Do you ever sit back and wonder what the heck you're doing with your life and what God this trying to do in your life? It's helpful to think of part of Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19. Let's reflect on this together.
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What is most important?
God led the Apostle Paul to succinctly share what is of first importance. It's monumental! Let's reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
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Music mentions it. Our media speaks much of it. Many books have been written about it. God alone...
True love starts with God, The Author of love. No greater love has been shown or given than through God loving us so much that He sent His One and Only Son to save us.
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Not one of us has the capacity to always work. Nor should we. But God is always at work! He never...
God is always working! He never grows weak or weary. God doesn't get tired! He needs no rest. Knowing and remembering this gives us true stability as we walk through this life. Let's reflect on John 5:17 together!
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God has invented countless amazing things. One of the most beautiful things He created is laughter!
Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for every activity under heaven. Since God developed laughter, we know there is a time to laugh. It's important that we don't forget or neglect it. Oh how we need laughter sprinkled in our lives abundantly!
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There's a way of being critical that honors God and helps people, and there's a way it hurts.
In the Bible, God clearly calls us to be critical thinkers, yet not to be critical people. In this devotional, let's look at the difference between the two.
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As we walk into a brand new year, what is worth giving our lives to? Psalm 37:5 is helpful to...
There are many worthy causes and goals we could give ourselves to. It's excellent for each one of us to prayerfully seek out some plans and intentions we will commit to. In Psalm 37:5, we read some sound, straight forward instructions that are ever helpful as we live each day.
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Jesus embodies kindness. As we ponder His astounding kindness, may it then propel us to...
The Lord is so very kind to us! As we deeply reflect on His kindness, may it then stir us to follow His lead and graciously offer kindness to others with our words and actions.
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Do you feel alone, isolated in a barren place right now?
The Lord’s love is unimaginably deep and wide enough to nourish us if we just sink our roots into His love.
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It's no secret that much is said in the Bible about giving thanks to the Lord. Psalm 106:1 says...
God has so clearly commanded us to be full of and to choose gratitude toward Him. The fact that He has called us to this truly matters. Let's ponder the deep significance of giving thanks to God!
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Just as ongoing exercise is vital for physical fitness, to keep on loving others is essential for...
As Christians we absolutely need reminders of what we must keep doing if we are to stay healthy and strong in our walk with God. One clear reminder we're given is to continue loving one another. Let's reflect on this important command in Hebrews 13:1.
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In Psalm 119:136, we read of the Psalmist's heart breaking over...
In Psalm 119:126, we read of the Psalmist being overcome with emotion to the point of tears. What caused him to cry? Let's look at this passage, reflecting on what breaks God's heart, and on what should break our hearts too.
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Does anyone else struggle with that sense of feeling not good enough?
Thankfully God's Word answers that question and others that get to the heart of where that question comes from.
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Have you been fortunate enough to receive a well-timed word from someone? Proverbs 25:11 reminds...
There is so much power in, "A word spoken at the right time..." It's very important that we be reminded regularly that God chooses to work through us to share a good word with another! Let's reflect on this truth from Proverbs 25:11.
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We all need others. Each of us benefits from wise counsel! Proverbs 12:15 speaks to the wisdom of...
Every one of us needs to listen to others and especially to "rub shoulders" with godly brothers and sisters in Christ so we can hear from them and they can hear from us. Proverbs 12:15 speaks of the critical wisdom from God on listening to and learning from others.
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Reminders are essential in our lives! No reminder is more valuable than the one in 2 John 1:5.
Reminders are vital! That's why a variety of reminders are in our lives. In 2 John 1:5, the Lord led John to remind all Christians for all time what is so key, that we love one another! Let's reflect on this in this week's devotional.
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"I believe, but help my unbelief." There are great lessons to be learned in our seasons of doubt!
If you are in a season where you feel lacking in faith, look back to what God has done for you! Remembering the good God has done for you and is still doing can be a wonderful time of encouragement for yourself and others and can rejuvenate your faith!
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Everything on earth will one day break down and fizzle out. But one thing that will never fade is..
Jesus made the bold statement that, "Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never disappear" (Luke 21:33). The implication of this truth is to never be taken lightly. Let's take some time in this devotional to consider what we should do with such powerful truth from Christ.
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It's healthy for us to acknowledge just how small we are. Even more importantly, how key that we...
God is much greater than we can fully fathom. He knows far more than we know. We can learn so much from the prophet, Jeremiah, and how he humbly prayed, acknowledging God's might. Let's take some time to reflect on Jeremiah 10:23-24.
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The needs in our world are great. Is there anything we can do that will make a difference? Yes! How?
All we have to do is scroll through the news for five minutes and very quickly we see reality -- there is so much brokenness, so many needs, copious problems...Is there anything we can do that will actually make a difference? According to Jesus, yes! Let's reflect on what He said in Luke 10:2.
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Truth be told, life can just be flat-out hard at times. Even so, we're given this word from God...
We all face hardships. It makes sense that Jesus clearly stated that such trials and sorrows will occur in this life (John 16:33). Even so, we are given this word from God at the end of Colossians 3:15: "And always be thankful." Why does this word matter? How is this instruction helpful?
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God wants each of us to know the truth and live the truth. Why? Because the truth will set us free!
The truth matters. God is The Author of truth! Since He created all things and knows infinitely more than we do about all things, He is the One we should look to for truth. 3 John 4 reminds us of how important walking in the truth is!
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There are a variety of things we should guit. But something Jesus never wants us to give up on is...
One thing the disciples often witnessed in their time around Jesus was that He prayed a lot. Jesus clearly displayed in His own life just how significant prayer is. In Luke 18:1, we read about Jesus' call to us to pray and never give up.
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Don't we all need help with various struggles we face? Psalm 124:8 reminds us where to find it!
Truth be told, we all need help moment by moment. How vital then to remember, "Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."-Psalm 124:8
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God knows more than a thing or two! Might we ever humbly seek God's help in all things.
In life, we will often need help with direction, with guidance. For each of us, all kinds of questions will arise in which we need wisdom to know what to do. In 2 Samuel, David gives us a good example to follow on calling out to God for his guidance, listening for the answer, and following His...
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Where do you find strength when difficulties arise? In 1 Samuel 30:6, we read about the help...
When things get hard in your life, who do you turn to for help? In 1 Samuel 30, we read of a very troubling time for David and how He found strength in the Lord. His example is an inspiring reminder to us to turn to The Creator of all things to find true help and strength.
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One thing that is extremely clear as we read the book of Revelation is that there will be much...
The book of Revelation is filled with intriguing insights about what is to come. Not only does Revelation give us vision as to the future, but it tells us that we will be blessed if we read it (Revelation 1:3). Without a doubt, one thing that is extremely clear as we read Revelation is that there...
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Thankfulness honors God. Not only that, a grateful heart represents Jesus well. Col 3:17 tells us...
One of the most potent ways we can represent Jesus well is by being thankful people. Gratitude is to be a distinguishing mark of every Christian! Colossians 3:17 reminds us of this calling and privilege.
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How do you respond when God speaks to you from the clouds about Jesus? Matthew 17:5 tells us what...
In Matthew 17:1-8, we read about an incredible experience Peter, James, and John had with Jesus up on a mountain. God audibly speaks from the clouds about Jesus. What do we learn from this amazing, true story?
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Have you ever tried to walk on water? Nobody can do it, except for One. What do we learn from...?
When we look at Matthew 14:22-33, we read about a very unique, miraculous occasion in which Jesus walked on water. Let's reflect on what Jesus did and a few things we learn from it.
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Is peace possible? We all have an enemy who wants to cause chaos in our relationships. What can...?
As Christians, we have clear instructions, for our good, to always work toward peace with all people. Romans 12:18 is a powerful exhortation to take to heart! This devotional explores our call and some practical ways to live in peace with our neighbor.
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Every one of us needs wisdom daily. Fortunately, God wants to offer us His wisdom. James 1:5 says...
Ponder this for a moment: God never has to seek advice from anyone. Nothing stumps Him. He's God! He knows everything! Thus, it is always wise for us to go straight to Him for understanding. For the truth is, we all need help, and we need it OFTEN.
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Jesus paid the debt we owe and could never pay. What hope we have now! Thus, we are to encourage!
Through Christ, He has given us freedom from our sin instead of the fury of His righteous wrath that we actually deserve. Because of His love, Jesus took the cross on our behalf to save us. This is called Good News! Because of this truth of who God is and what He did for us through Christ, we…
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WE NEED God, every moment! Thus, God has called us to remember Him, to not forget about Him.
In the book of Judges, one thing that really stands out is how the Israelites were very forgetful. Judges 3:7 reminds us of their forgetfulness. Truth be told, we have the same tendency to forget about God. Thus, it's key that we remember God and continue to follow Him! May this devotional be an...
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As Christians, we are instructed to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. What does that look like?
We know the Holy Spirit has a very special role in our lives because Jesus told us so in John 16:5-15. We are instructed to follow the Spirit's guidance in every area of our lives. Let's reflect together on Galatians 5:25.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
An encouraging word for the week to cheer you up and spur you on in your love of Jesus and others!
HOSTED BY
Scott Iken
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional have?
Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional currently has 94 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional about?
An encouraging word for the week to cheer you up and spur you on in your love of Jesus and others!
How often does Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional release new episodes?
Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional has 94 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional?
You can listen to Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional?
Cheer Up! A Weekly Devotional is created and hosted by Scott Iken.
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