I find that God is regularly providing opportunities for me to be an encouragement to others. Sometimes I miss them or get distracted with my own issues. But when I'm paying attention to the prompting of the Spirit, and obeying His leadings, then people get encouraged.
One of the books I'm reading now (Spiritual Leadership, by Henry & Richard Blackaby) provided another dose of encouragement to me tonight about, well, encouragement. Blackaby says that spiritual leaders constantly look to recognize the success of others and give encouragement and support as well. To take this a step further, I believe it's also important to encourage others in their growing relationship with the Lord. We are to seek to glorify God in all that we are and all that we do. Giving encouragement to one another helps us succeed in this goal.
What typically happens is this - when you encourage someone else, it usually comes right back to you. It may be simply in the satisfaction of being an encourager to someone who needs it. The Lord may also measure it back to you through the encouragement of someone else. Either way, both parties win.
I received some nice, timely encouragement through an email tonight. God knew what I had been struggling with this week, and he used a specific person to give me the encouragement I needed tonight to keep the faith and keep fighting the fight. Man, God is good!
So, here's my encouragement to you. Pray and ask the Lord to give you a list of five (5) people you know that you can encourage in the next 48 hours. Then, pray about ways to give that encouragement - phone call, email, card, letter, visit, make a meal, etc. Finally, go and give the encouragement.
Do all this as unto the Lord. Fully pleasing Him, not to bring glory to yourself, not expecting anything in return. And watch what God can do, for the ones you encourage - and probably for yourself as well.
Pastor Randy
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ramblings of a Man on Spring Break - Part 2
More things I think......
Study Your Letters
Another question I asked my students today: "how many of you NEVER study for an Algebra test or quiz?". Not surprisingly, the majority of them raised their hands. Now, some of them are making A's in my class - but some are not. My next question: "when will you know that you need to study math?". My students' answer: "when I start failing". Way wrong answer! If you wait until you're failing to start studying, you'll already be way behind. And, more importantly, you really won't know how to study. Create the right habits now, not later. Don't make me come over there.....!
A Passage of Scripture that will Change Your Life
Read Mark 9:14-29. I mean really read it, meditate on it, pray on it, listen to what God says. Wrestle with verses 23-24: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes....Lord, I believe; help my unbelief."
American Idol Finale
Remember - you heard it here first. The finale will be Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze. I think Lee is finally getting it. Look for Lee to win in a shocker.
Healthcare Reform....and Other Nonsense
I agree we need reform....but not Obamacare. But my bigger concern - our country is spending money it doesn't have. Trust me - when I spend money I don't have, God brings the hammer down on me. What if he brought the smack down on our country for doing the same? Just saying......
My Kindergarten Poem
Funny the things you never forget.....this was my poem I recited at my Kindergarten graduation ceremony. I don't really remember much else from then, but anyway.....
F is for fish that you catch in the lake. When mommy fries them, what a good meal they make.
Ok, stop laughing.....
Pastor Randy
Study Your Letters
Another question I asked my students today: "how many of you NEVER study for an Algebra test or quiz?". Not surprisingly, the majority of them raised their hands. Now, some of them are making A's in my class - but some are not. My next question: "when will you know that you need to study math?". My students' answer: "when I start failing". Way wrong answer! If you wait until you're failing to start studying, you'll already be way behind. And, more importantly, you really won't know how to study. Create the right habits now, not later. Don't make me come over there.....!
A Passage of Scripture that will Change Your Life
Read Mark 9:14-29. I mean really read it, meditate on it, pray on it, listen to what God says. Wrestle with verses 23-24: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes....Lord, I believe; help my unbelief."
American Idol Finale
Remember - you heard it here first. The finale will be Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze. I think Lee is finally getting it. Look for Lee to win in a shocker.
Healthcare Reform....and Other Nonsense
I agree we need reform....but not Obamacare. But my bigger concern - our country is spending money it doesn't have. Trust me - when I spend money I don't have, God brings the hammer down on me. What if he brought the smack down on our country for doing the same? Just saying......
My Kindergarten Poem
Funny the things you never forget.....this was my poem I recited at my Kindergarten graduation ceremony. I don't really remember much else from then, but anyway.....
F is for fish that you catch in the lake. When mommy fries them, what a good meal they make.
Ok, stop laughing.....
Pastor Randy
Ramblings of a Man on Spring Break
Some things I think.............
Don't Blame the Clown
There was a news story this week that said people were protesting against McDonald's. Seems they think that Ronald McDonald is to blame for childhood obesity. I guess the idea is that Ronald makes those children obsess with hamburgers and fries. Well, here's a news flash - those children can't drive themselves to McDonald's, they don't have the money to buy the happy meals, and they are certainly only acting their age. What about you parents? Who's fault is it anyway when the kids eat too many burgers and fries? Just one more way that parents are not owning up to their responsibilities. Please, don't blame the clown.
Math Rules
I asked my math students today to answer this question: can you live in a world without math? As there are in every crowd, a few students wanted to argue with me and answer this question "yes". But with every argument, I think I proved that the world God made is influenced in some way by math. Some things are obvious, some take a little more thought. God made math - not entirely sure on what day (a little ministers joke, ha ha!). We can see it woven throughout all of creation. You rock, God!
Humbled for God's Glory
God continues to humble me under His mighty, powerful hand. Webster defines humble this way: not proud, not arrogant, reflecting a spirit of submission. Yep, that's what He's doing in me! In pretty much all of my life. Sometimes the weight seems hard to bear - but that's when I learn more about trusting His strength. Pour it on, Lord!
Powerful Worship Song
Just bought the new Passion CD, Awakening. Bought it mainly for new Chris Tomlin song, "Our God". Here's some of the text - I'd like to sing it in worship at WBC soon.
Water You turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You, none like You
Into darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You, none like You
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God
Pastor Randy
Don't Blame the Clown
There was a news story this week that said people were protesting against McDonald's. Seems they think that Ronald McDonald is to blame for childhood obesity. I guess the idea is that Ronald makes those children obsess with hamburgers and fries. Well, here's a news flash - those children can't drive themselves to McDonald's, they don't have the money to buy the happy meals, and they are certainly only acting their age. What about you parents? Who's fault is it anyway when the kids eat too many burgers and fries? Just one more way that parents are not owning up to their responsibilities. Please, don't blame the clown.
Math Rules
I asked my math students today to answer this question: can you live in a world without math? As there are in every crowd, a few students wanted to argue with me and answer this question "yes". But with every argument, I think I proved that the world God made is influenced in some way by math. Some things are obvious, some take a little more thought. God made math - not entirely sure on what day (a little ministers joke, ha ha!). We can see it woven throughout all of creation. You rock, God!
Humbled for God's Glory
God continues to humble me under His mighty, powerful hand. Webster defines humble this way: not proud, not arrogant, reflecting a spirit of submission. Yep, that's what He's doing in me! In pretty much all of my life. Sometimes the weight seems hard to bear - but that's when I learn more about trusting His strength. Pour it on, Lord!
Powerful Worship Song
Just bought the new Passion CD, Awakening. Bought it mainly for new Chris Tomlin song, "Our God". Here's some of the text - I'd like to sing it in worship at WBC soon.
Water You turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You, none like You
Into darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You, none like You
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God
Pastor Randy
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