Tag: encouragement

Do you pass the caller ID test?

On By Ben JenningsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

tumblr lfmvbfNjQZ1qd8s9iEncouragement- we all need it, and it’s free.  It takes some effort, but I don’t have to buy it to give it away.  It’ll help you pass the caller id test.  What’s that?  Well, let me explain…

There are some people who call me who I know are bringing me a problem, or a complaint.  Many times those people go to voicemail.  (Now if you’ve ever had to leave me a voicemail, it’s not necessarily because you didn’t pass the test.  Sometimes I’m on the other line, or the phone is in another room.  Don’t be offended please!)  But there are some people that when they call I can’t wait to pick up the phone cause I know I’ll be laughing and enjoying the conversation in just a few seconds.  I know I’ll be encouraged.

I hope that I’m in that second category for most people.  I want to be an encouragement.  It’s not that we shouldn’t ever have difficult conversations with people- we ought to hold people accountable.  Some complaints are very valid.  Sometimes problems should be pointed out and dealt with.  But even the way we hold people accountable could be in a “this is what you should do, and I know you can do with the Lord’s help” kind of way.  When we bring people problems or complaints it could be in a “this is the problem I see, but I think this could be a solution and I’d like to be a part of it being solved”.  Even these kinds of conversations can end up being an encouragement.

I think Barnabas in the Bible would have passed the Caller ID test.  I thought it was interesting in our devotion today where the writer told us that Barnabas’ name was originally Joseph.  The disciples of Jesus actually changed his name to Barnabas which means, “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36)

Who can you call, email or write and be an encouragement to today.

So, do you pass the caller id test?

Loving my Brother…Part 4

On By Ben JenningsIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

 10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Collosians 1:10

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“It’s a dangerous business going out your front door.  You step onto the road and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
I know I go a little bit into potential nerd territory to quote Lord of the Rings on my blog, but I love this quote.  I think it portrays the idea that Paul gave in Colossians 1:10, todays verse.

We’ve been talking about loving our brother, and specifically praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  In our verse today Paul uses a metaphor that he uses quite often in the new testament.  He said that he prayed that they would “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.

Those of us who want to “walk worthy of the Lord” and please him must understand that to do so will take some diligence.  There are so many traps that we could fall in.  Everywhere we turn is an opportunity to walk in some very unworthy places.

This is true for you as well as the people who we’ve been called to love and pray for.  Today- someone you know will encounter a trap.  Either they’ll step into it, or avoid it and walk worthy of Jesus Christ.  We’ve got to pray for them.

Today,

1. Pray for yourself- that you’ll walk worthy of the Lord today.

2. Love your brother or sister in Christ by praying for their walk today.  Pray that they’ll avoid the traps.

3.  Email them, call them, write them a note and let them know that you prayed for them.  You might be a real encouragement!