January 19, 2016

Drops of Encouragement

Who was the last person who encouraged you? Who have you encouraged?

Would you believe a cough drop is the inspiration behind me asking those two questions for us to ponder?

Recently I bought an economy-sized bag of Hall’s cough drops and found a pleasant surprise. As I was about to throw away my Hall’s wrapper, I noticed the words “A Pep Talk in Every Drop” and the following:

  • “Don’t waste a precious minute.”
  • “You’ve survived tougher.”
  • “Don’t give up on yourself.”
  • “The show must go on.”

I smiled. What brilliant marketing! What wonderful encouragement! I’m so proud of Hall’s.  I will buy Hall’s cough drops just for this reason.

If a simple cough drop wrapper can make me smile and encourage me, imagine what encouragement precious you can offer someone, even to a stranger.

Encouragement is such a gift. It is even considered to be a “spiritual gift.” See below from Romans 12. A man in the Bible named Barnabas had a knack for encouraging people. In fact, his name means “Son of Encouragement.” (Acts 4:36).

Have you considered  smiling at the Target cashier and asking how she is?

Have you thanked your mom and dad for raising you and sacrificing so much for you?

How about complimenting the lady in the  Chick-Fil-A with the well-behaved children?

Or what about telling the adorable, little, elderly lady in the elevator how beautiful her scarf  is?

It might be the only positive reinforcement or encouragement he/she may get today. Today is our day to encourage, to be a Barnabas. Be encouraged, friend.

Hall's cough drop

Reflect:

–What is a recent example of someone who encouraged you or who you encouraged? Please comment below.

–How did that encouragement make you feel? Please comment below.

Renew:

–“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others; let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him to it cheerfully. “ –Romans 12: 6-8 NIV

–“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 15:5NIV.

–“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11NIV

PS. Happy, Shiny New 2016! Today is also a great day to print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free by simply adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog.  My personal mission statement is “Shine,” based on Matthew 5:16.

January 5, 2016

Shepherding: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

Lamb

As we put away our Christmas decorations and haul our brittle and dry Fraser fir trees out to the landfill for recycling, Christmas reflections still linger. Linger like the few sweet-smelling leftover needles in my living room corner and in my vacuum. My mind and heart linger, still thinking about sweet baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds.

The shepherds…Before now I haven’t thought too much about shepherds. Other than I know the Lord is my Shepherd, as it says in Psalm 23. Why are shepherds on my heart?

The word “shepherd” is used more and more as a descriptive verb for guiding and motivating, leading a family or group of people, as shepherds guide sheep. My heart’s desire is to be a good shepherd of people.

In Biblical times, shepherds were outcasts, really low in terms of social status. Supposedly, even in a court of law, shepherds’ testimony wasn’t even regarded. Shepherds were voiceless in society. But not to God. God loves to take nobodys and make them somebodys.

God chose shepherds to be the first to see baby Jesus and tell the world about Him.  Shepherds were perfect ambassadors for Jesus. They are patient, kind, gentle, faithful, nurturing. Just like the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The Lord gave a respected voice to the voiceless. May it be so of each of us.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” –Luke 2:8-12, 16-20 NIV

In this shiny new 2016, who are you shepherding?   Who is shepherding you? To whom will you tell the Good News of Jesus Christ?

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will…” –Hebrews 13:20-21a

Reflect:

–When have you felt voiceless? Please comment.

–When have you felt like a shepherd?

–Isn’t it amazing that Jesus is not only our Great Shepherd but He also is our Sacrificial Lamb? “In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'” –Revelation 5:12

Renew:

–“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” –Psalm 23:1-3 NIV.

–“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ” –Ezekiel 34:11-12 NIV.

–“I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and My sheep know Me. Just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.” –John 10:14-15 NIV.

Recharge:

–Who will you pray to shepherd this year? God as the Great Shepherd will guide you.

December 29, 2015

God Makes Somebodys Out of Us Nobodys

The Bible is full of nobodys like me. God loves to make somebodys out of nobodys. It is so refreshing to know this.

Three amazing “somebodys” I had never really noticed are only mentioned in the Gospel of Luke 2 story of Jesus’ birth–the shepherds, Simeon and Anna.

We will focus next week’s whole message on the shepherds. Earlier in Luke 2,  the Lord transformed “nobody shepherds” into “somebody shepherds” as they were the first witnesses of Jesus’ birth. They spread the word of seeing Jesus, “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18)

In Biblical times, the shepherds were considered outcasts. I love that God gave voices to the voiceless. He still does.

A few verses later, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for His purification. Enter another nobody named Simeon…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’  Luke 2:25-32

Go Simeon! What a courageous, anointed man! The passage goes on to say that Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon said about Jesus. These verses are the only time Simeon is mentioned. What an impact he made on God’s Kingdom.

Then another nobody named Anna enters the Luke 2 stage:

“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” –Luke 2: 36-38. 

Wow, Anna! What an amazing example. What a leader. What a somebody.

It’s exciting to look at a few common traits, I believe, between the nobodys God transforms into somebodys–the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and so many others in the Bible. All these “nobodys” wholeheartedly display that they are:

  1. Available to be used by God
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse
  4. Humble

Each one of these traits is a high calling. I pray to embody more of each. It’s a journey. I’m no expert. Here is what I believe to be true about each trait:

  1. Available to be used by God: God wants our availability, not our abilities. Like Simeon and Anna, they were in the temple waiting on baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Even the shepherds “hurried off” and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the manger. They were flexible and available. May we be ready for God’s service, saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit: Simeon was “righteous and devout.” Three times in slightly more than a verse the Bible mentions how the “Holy Spirit was upon him.” How do we get more attuned with the Holy Spirit? The short answer is to pray and fast, like Anna did; to spend time in God’s Word “listening” to God speak and answer us; worship regularly in a Christ-centered church; and to live a life of integrity. It seems like a tall order. That’s what grace is all about, at least in my life. 🙂
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse: Whether you are five years old or “very old” like Anna, we can be used by God. Simeon was also older because the passage said the Holy Spirit said he wouldn’t die before seeing the Lord’s Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about spiritual retirement. Whatever your age, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you. No excuses.
  4. Humble–Each effective person in the Bible and in today’s world who is the most effective leader embodies humility. Simeon prayed “now dismiss your servant in peace” (Luke 2:29b). Anna “gave thanks to God and spoke to all about the child” (Luke 2:38). They decreased as God increased (John 3:30).  Please, Lord, I pray daily to decrease as You increase.

May we be encouraged that God can use each of us for His service. As the old Christian song says, “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about the Somebody who can save anybody.”  Happy New Year, friend.

Reflect:

–Name other “nobodys” in the Bible and/or your life who God has transformed into “somebodys” for His glory. Please comment.

Renew:

–“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” –Ephesians 4:1-2.

Recharge:

–Which of the four common traits will you focus on this week? You are a somebody.

« Previous Page
Next Page »