Encouragement - what do you think of when you hear that word? For me, I automatically think of the word "uplifting". How many of you have friends who are awesome encouragers? How many of us have friends who like to discourage people or they themselves are discouraged. There are going to be points in all of our lives where we get discouraged. There will also be points in our lives where we will be encouraged by someone. Then there are also times where we need to step up and encourage someone. I think it is so important to live life on this earth as an encourager. The truth is, "everybody needs encouragement". A challenge to myself and you is to take the time to encourage someone each day this week. With this being Thanksgiving week, we have so much to be thankful for. Thank those around you that mean a lot to you and have helped you to become the person that you are today. Be an encouragement to those around you rather than a discouragement.
Today I listened to a message from Thomas Road Baptist Church and wanted to share the notes with you:
November 18, 2012
Ben Gutierrez
Everybody Needs Encouragement
· There is not one person who does not need encouragement.
· Often times the people who need encouragement the most don’t ask for it.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
We go through hardships –> God promises to see us through –> He delivers His encouragement through people –> He allows us to get back up again!
1. Everybody Experiences Hardships.
a. Vs. 5
2. God Will See You Through!
a. “…there was no rest…” -- “I was filled with joy”
b. How is that possible?
How do you know that God is trustworthy?
1. It is God’s character to Encourage the Discouraged!
a. Vs. 6
b. “BUT GOD WHO ENOURAGES THOSE WHO ARE DISCOURAGED, ENCOURAGED US…”
c. When you come alongside and encourage someone who is beaten down you are being Jesus to them.
2. God delivers His encouragement through people.
a. How do you encourage?
i. BE A COMMITTED FRIEND!
1. Just be there.
2. Vs. 6b
ii. BE A LOYAL FRIEND!
1. Says, “I will be there for you”
2. Some of us need to be that type of person, and some of us need to accept the loyalty of a friend.
3. Vs.7
4. LOYAL = “Zelos” (Greek) = “to be zealous and/or jealous on behalf of…” OR “To have Zealous Jealousy!”
We practiced this afternoon and just did shooting during practice. At the end of practice I did some running to do some extra conditioning and then headed home. It was nice to have a quiet and relaxed evening tonight. My sisters baked some salmon and then we ate some leftover pasta from the day before. We were going to try to bake some egg plant, and we actually did, but it didn't turn out that great.
Tonight I watched the movie "Brave" - I thought it was pretty good! The neat thing to me was that there were triplet boys in the movie :)
Well, it is bed for me soon. We have 2 practices tomorrow. We have lifting at 9:30 a.m. and then afternoon practice at 3:30 p.m. If it is good weather I think I am going to go with my sisters on the tram to a bazaar to buy some fresh fruits and veggies and then grab a bite to eat at a restaurant near the bazaar. It should be a fun morning and then we will have a few hours to chill before heading to practice in the afternoon.
I hope you all have had a great Monday!!
November 19th - "Jesus Calling"
LEAVE OUTCOMES UP TO ME. Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and Companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. When our path leads to a cliff, be willing to climb it with My help. When we come to a resting place, take time to be refreshed in My Presence. Enjoy the rhythm of life lived close to Me.
You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to Me.
Psalm 27:13-14 “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Exodus 5:13 – “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”