TIME FOR A TEXT?

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

A week or so ago my wife Beth was giving a little talk to our volunteer staff on the dynamics of communication. She was emphasizing that there was more to the message than merely the talking.

The sad truth though is “real” communication is a lost art these days.

Much of it has been reduced to “hashtags”, 140 character blips, posts, texts and sound-bites. We have become broadcasters instead of communicators.

But did you know that GOD has called us to be communicators?

In fact He asks us to not just be communicators but to be “encouraging communicators”. We are to be "blessers".

It is true.

Ephesians 4:29

…say the good things that people need—whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you.

Yet many of us feel too overwhelmed or feel like there isn’t time or bandwidth to encourage someone else.

But there always is.

Our social media world while not greatly suited for “real communication”is a great platform for encouragement and blessing.

I bet you didn't know it but the Bible knows the impact of positive text to a friend.

Proverbs 12:25

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

I know it can be hard to do given the busyness of our schedules and the demands on our time. Kids, jobs, organizational requirements, and packed schedules are true time drainers.

But carve out a little space for encouraging others. Use the tools you have. There is always time for an uplifting tweet. Waiting in line at the grocery, fire off a positive post!

Hebrews 10:24

…Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out

GOD loves it when we do! GOD says blessing and encouraging others is our “job”. So I think we better get to work huh?

1 Peter 3:8-9

…bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life

and see the day fill up with good,

Here’s what you do:

Say nothing evil or hurtful;

Snub evil and cultivate good;

run after peace for all you’re worth.

God looks on all this with approval,

GOD says if we want OUR days to FILL UP with GOOD, then we are to encourage others to experience the same!

So what do you say?

Take a second. Find someone in your sphere of influence, your circle of friends that could use a little boost and do what GOD asked us to do.

Bless ‘em! Encourage them! Communicate!

You will be blessed!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney