Daily Encounter by Dick Innes - Copyright by ACTS International - Used by permission - www.actsweb.org/detoday
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
The word encourage simply means to put courage into another -- something we all need to receive regularly.
Years ago -- I was little more than a kid -- one of the men in our church squeezed my arm affectionately and spoke a kind word as I passed by him.
I've never forgotten that tiny touch which to me was a big encouragement. Some years later I recall how in my beginning days of ministry after speaking to a youth group one of the members in attendance said to me, "Thank you for being God's messenger to me today." I've never forgotten her words and those of many others along the way either. (Sadly, though, a cutting word can have the opposite long-term effect.)
Encouragement. So easy to give, costs nothing, and worth its weight in gold.
As Leo Buscaglia said, "The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt." 1
Be sure to encourage--and put courage into--someone today, especially your own loved ones.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the people who have encouraged me along the way. They are greatly appreciated. And please help me to be an encourager to someone else every single day just as others have encouraged me. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Leo Buscaglia, cited on Inspirational Peak! http://www.inspirationpeak.com/
"I have known ninety-five of the world's great men in my time, and of these eight-seven were followers of the Bible. The Bible is stamped with a Specialty of Origin, and an immeasurable distance separates it from all competitors." -- W.E. Gladstone (Prime Minister)
FATHERHOOD
From the Good Clean Funnies ~ Thanks to Wanda Fox in Pennsylvania for sending this!
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
The word encourage simply means to put courage into another -- something we all need to receive regularly.
Years ago -- I was little more than a kid -- one of the men in our church squeezed my arm affectionately and spoke a kind word as I passed by him.
I've never forgotten that tiny touch which to me was a big encouragement. Some years later I recall how in my beginning days of ministry after speaking to a youth group one of the members in attendance said to me, "Thank you for being God's messenger to me today." I've never forgotten her words and those of many others along the way either. (Sadly, though, a cutting word can have the opposite long-term effect.)
Encouragement. So easy to give, costs nothing, and worth its weight in gold.
As Leo Buscaglia said, "The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt." 1
Be sure to encourage--and put courage into--someone today, especially your own loved ones.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the people who have encouraged me along the way. They are greatly appreciated. And please help me to be an encourager to someone else every single day just as others have encouraged me. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Leo Buscaglia, cited on Inspirational Peak! http://www.inspirationpeak.com/
"I have known ninety-five of the world's great men in my time, and of these eight-seven were followers of the Bible. The Bible is stamped with a Specialty of Origin, and an immeasurable distance separates it from all competitors." -- W.E. Gladstone (Prime Minister)
FATHERHOOD
From the Good Clean Funnies ~ Thanks to Wanda Fox in Pennsylvania for sending this!
Four expectant fathers were in the hospital waiting room, while their wives were in labor. The nurse comes in and tells the first man, "Congratulations! You're the father of twins!" "What a coincidence!" the man exclaims. "I work for the Twin Star Enterprise!"
The nurse returns a short while later and tells the second man, "You are the father of triplets!" "Wow, what a coincidence!" he replies. "I work for the 3M Corporation!"
When the nurse comes again, she tells the third man that his wife has given birth to quadruplets. "Another coincidence! I work for the Four Seasons Hotel!"
At this point, the fourth guy faints. When he comes to, the others ask, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? I work for Seven-Up!"
No comments:
Post a Comment