GREATNESS GRANTER

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.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ― Mark Twain

Are you an encourager, a GREATNESS granter?  Do you look for ways to positively impact the lives of others?  Do you strive to “believe the best” in people; seeking ways to lift them up?

Didn’t know if you knew this, but that is what Christians ARE CALLED do.

2 Corinthians 13:11, Hebrews 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:18 are a few little “encouragements to be encouragers”

Along with this one…

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Yet sadly, our culture would rather glorify the “put down”, the “Oh no he/she didn’t” and the criticism.  It’s more entertaining. Folks would rather throw rocks at someone rather than share THE ROCK with the hurting or down.

So today the message is to “encourage” the “encourager” in us.

I want all of us to ask God to help us to be more sensitive to the needs of others, to seek his wisdom to learn how to be better encouragers!

Sometimes it takes a listening ear—just showing we care by really listening to what one has to say. They might have a problem or an idea they are hesitant to move ahead with and by allowing them to unpack it might make the difference between success or continued perceived failure. 

Someone may be facing a unique challenge and just knowing that someone values them enough to listen and offer time can be an encouragement.

Perhaps they need a WORD, and nothing is more encouraging than a little dose of GOD’S WORD, shared from loving hearts and lips.

So, let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault. - Romans 14:19 (MSG)

This journey is challenging enough for all of us and it sure doesn’t need the extra burden of criticism, jealousy and gossip adding weight and difficulty!

THEREFORE:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, fighting and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31(NIV)

INSTEAD

…think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

KNOWING

…an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

Have an ENCOURAGED weekend!

I love you all! 

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE