THREE HELPFUL R's

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)

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

Recognize the work of GOD in others.

Revel in worship.

Respond in surrender. – Pastor Mark Brooks.

These were some of the key takeaways from yesterday’s Palm Sunday encouragement.  And I thought they were quite good, quite fitting for this forum, the OFH for sure.

So, let’s unpack them a little and apply them as we start our week together.

Let’s all seek to recognize the work of GOD in others.

The Apostle Paul was quick to thank GOD for those around him (Philippians 1:3), his encouragers, his supporters. 

Can we do the same today? 

Can we strive to see the BEST in people?  

Can we put aside our inherent competitiveness long enough to delight in the success and the favor of others?

I was speaking in Parkersburg West Virginia over the weekend with over 200 folks dedicated to helping others in addiction.  And on the surface, these folks were my “competition”; I mean if someone was improving in their facilities then they weren’t in mine and mine pays the bills.

But as I told so many of them there and reiterate here, there is NO competition when it comes to helping folks find their recovery, their voice, their life. And while that should be obvious, for some it isn’t.

Yet I love seeing the work of GOD in others.  

I love to watch as GOD inspires others, equips others, and elevates others. I love affirming them! 

It is a blessing to see folks like my friend Pastor Tim Craft a lifelong heroin addict now bringing countless people to the Cross and recovery.

So, don’t ever become so self-absorbed that you fail to see the beautiful work GOD is doing in around those in your path. 

Revel in it.

Support it.

Fan it.

Encourage it. 

And I know sometimes your ego will try to get in the way (mine sometimes does), don’t let it. 

Mother Teresa said it this way,

“I believe in person to person. I see Christ in every person I touch, it is as simple as that.” – Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Second, revel in worship; self-explanatory. 

Carve out time for some genuine praise today.  In the car, during a walk, maybe now as you are reading this. 

Have you praised Him?  Create an atmosphere of worship in and around you.

let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. – Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

And lastly let’s give this day (and every day for that matter) to GOD.  

Let Him lead. 

Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can.

Dwight L. Moody

The man or woman who is wholly or joyously surrendered to Christ can’t make a wrong choice – any choice will be the right one.

A. W. Tozer

Simple enough?

Recognize GOD.

Revel in worship.

Respond in surrender.

Have a blessed day.

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE