Acknowledge
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
So, do you acknowledge people daily, I mean consciously acknowledge them? I have this practice, one that my kids used to laugh at me about, which includes specifically acknowledging the person who is helping me. I am very intentional after someone helps me to say "Thank you, (insert name), I appreciate you, and/or have a great day." This practice is performed at Starbucks, Wal-mart, RaceTrac, and many other establishments I frequent. Now, it isn't so much the thank you part or the have a nice day part that really impacts people, it is the part of utilizing their name within the sentence. When you specifically acknowledge that person by name, you are placing value on them as an individual and show them that you really care about them. Certainly there are those times when someone is not wearing a name tag that I can't call them by name, but I make sure that my phrase stays the same of acknowledging their helpfulness and wishing them a great day. I have done this for years, but just now I have noticed how much this impacts people, and I can tell by the smile on their face. My good brother Dewayne does this kind of thing in his own way at the Starbucks I frequent, and boy the days he is not there my day just doesn't start out the same way. I think we need to remember this scripture of encouraging others and acknowledging them in all that they do. Think of a world of people smiling and happy vs. a world of people that are grumpy and frowning. Next time give it a try and see what happens, not because I want you to, but because God is kind of nudging us to do it.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Fantastic Friday #546 - Observe
Observe
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future for the wicked. Psalm 37:36-38
Do you actually sit back and observe a situation, or are you the kind of person that has to be up front and in the middle of everything? I spend a lot of time observing things throughout my week, and this week I was able to spend about 2 hours observing a baseball game and what actually goes on when I am not making the decisions. During these 2 hours a lot of things were observed by my friend and I, and not all of them met our expectations. There lies the problem, our expectations. A lot of times we observe others to match up to our beliefs and standards, the problem is no one really lives up to your own standards and expectations. However, it is good to observe regularly because we can actually see things from a different perspective. Also, sometimes it might be good to observe and see where we can improve our own lives and be less judgmental of others and the way they are living. Observe the upright and you might learn something, and observe the sinner and see how they struggle. Consider for a moment that you aren't perfect and what you do might not always be upright, however God knows your heart and will help you with your observations and guide you to develop strength and grow even closer to Him.
Have a great weekend.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future for the wicked. Psalm 37:36-38
Do you actually sit back and observe a situation, or are you the kind of person that has to be up front and in the middle of everything? I spend a lot of time observing things throughout my week, and this week I was able to spend about 2 hours observing a baseball game and what actually goes on when I am not making the decisions. During these 2 hours a lot of things were observed by my friend and I, and not all of them met our expectations. There lies the problem, our expectations. A lot of times we observe others to match up to our beliefs and standards, the problem is no one really lives up to your own standards and expectations. However, it is good to observe regularly because we can actually see things from a different perspective. Also, sometimes it might be good to observe and see where we can improve our own lives and be less judgmental of others and the way they are living. Observe the upright and you might learn something, and observe the sinner and see how they struggle. Consider for a moment that you aren't perfect and what you do might not always be upright, however God knows your heart and will help you with your observations and guide you to develop strength and grow even closer to Him.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Fantastic Friday #545 - Responsible
Responsible
22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 1 Corinthians 7:22-24
Do you ever ask yourself how you can be more responsible? Is being responsible a learned trait or something we are inherently born with? I am seeing more and more individuals in my work and outside world that are really irresponsible individuals. This irresponsibility could be anything from not showing up to something on time, to not being prepared for the meeting they are leading, or even not showing up for something they said they would be available for weeks ago. It is such a challenge these days to define what being responsible means, or is it? I heard someone this week say there was one rule out there that everyone should follow and that was respect everyone. Being responsible in our life begins with respect. Just as God has stated that we were bought at a price, we must not just take that for granted. We must be responsible individuals and love God and respect others, for God wants us to lead a righteous life which in my mind includes respecting those around us. I may not be perfect, and God doesn't expect me to be, but I do try to be a responsible human being and respectful to others.
Have a great weekend.
22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 1 Corinthians 7:22-24
Do you ever ask yourself how you can be more responsible? Is being responsible a learned trait or something we are inherently born with? I am seeing more and more individuals in my work and outside world that are really irresponsible individuals. This irresponsibility could be anything from not showing up to something on time, to not being prepared for the meeting they are leading, or even not showing up for something they said they would be available for weeks ago. It is such a challenge these days to define what being responsible means, or is it? I heard someone this week say there was one rule out there that everyone should follow and that was respect everyone. Being responsible in our life begins with respect. Just as God has stated that we were bought at a price, we must not just take that for granted. We must be responsible individuals and love God and respect others, for God wants us to lead a righteous life which in my mind includes respecting those around us. I may not be perfect, and God doesn't expect me to be, but I do try to be a responsible human being and respectful to others.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Fantastic Friday #544 - Ambition
Ambition
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:16-17
What ambitions do you have? Is there an earnest desire for something amazing, or do you look for that special distinction? I have a love language of words of affirmation, and through this love language I can get disappointed if I don't hear words often. However, am I supposed to tarry for something, or should I pursue it with all my heart. I have an ambition to make a difference in people's lives through my limited words. Over the past ten years I have briefly given the Word of God, followed by a few words of my own. What has come of this is nothing that I ever anticipated, and I have only now been able to realize my ambition to reach others weekly and how I can make a difference. This ambition was short-sighted in the past looking for acknowledgement, and now I think my ambition has developed into showing me God's Word is better than anything I can put in print. What is your ambition? Is it self motivated or externally motivated? I challenge you to take your wisdom God has given you and impart that wisdom on others in whatever manner He has gifted you. Be ambitious for the Lord.
Have a great weekend.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:16-17
What ambitions do you have? Is there an earnest desire for something amazing, or do you look for that special distinction? I have a love language of words of affirmation, and through this love language I can get disappointed if I don't hear words often. However, am I supposed to tarry for something, or should I pursue it with all my heart. I have an ambition to make a difference in people's lives through my limited words. Over the past ten years I have briefly given the Word of God, followed by a few words of my own. What has come of this is nothing that I ever anticipated, and I have only now been able to realize my ambition to reach others weekly and how I can make a difference. This ambition was short-sighted in the past looking for acknowledgement, and now I think my ambition has developed into showing me God's Word is better than anything I can put in print. What is your ambition? Is it self motivated or externally motivated? I challenge you to take your wisdom God has given you and impart that wisdom on others in whatever manner He has gifted you. Be ambitious for the Lord.
Have a great weekend.
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