Week Four, 2014

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)

I enjoy being a devotional writer, a ministry I started for my Bible fellowship class nearly twenty years ago, and have continued each week since then. My mailing list has grown over the years and several publishers re-direct to their audiences in the thousands over six continents.

I am humbled with the feedback I get from people I have never met and never will, but whose lives I have impacted. One in particular, a man named Stephen in Bangalore, India writes me faithfully each week. His notes are such an encouragement to me.

Several years ago, I received a note from a man in Kenya. He said he was a new Christian and had been asked to lead the village’s weekly Bible study. He said he didn’t know what to use until he read my weekly Thoughts on Life and then used it to share with those in the village.

I am amazed that in this new world of international electronic communication that I can sit at my desk and reach the most remote places in the world for Jesus. With humility, I thank God that I can do this ministry.

My only goal is to encourage others in their faith and they in turn encourage me. Encouragement is one of the greatest powers in the world. We all need it. Sharing a kind or positive word, paying a compliment, giving a hug or a pat on the back, recognizing someone for a job well done. These are all powerful ways to boost the mental and spiritual state of those around you.

The writer of Hebrews says it well. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Encouraging others is a way to stir them up to love and perform good works. That’s pretty powerful stuff especially in a world that seems geared toward tearing us down. Encouraging Someone Is easy, but powerful. It just doesn’t take much to encourage others.

How much effort is it really? Drop a note, send an email, publicly praise someone. None of these take much time, money or effort. Yet they can stir us up to love and good works.

Encourage someone today and be prepared to receive back even more. In addition to making others day, it will make you fell so good when you are in a mood of encouragement.

Harvey Firestone, the renowned American tire industry leader said, "It's only when we develop others that we permanently succeed". Leadership is All about people and our challenge is to move people into areas where they can accomplish, with excellence, their jobs. Leadership is translating vision into realty for our team. General Dick Abel

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Words by Billy Graham:

The famed movie director Cecil B. DeMille once told me that his film The King of Kings, made during the silent-movie era, was seen by an estimated 800 million people. I asked him why he didn't reproduce The King of Kings with sound and color. He replied, "I will never be able to do it, because if I gave Jesus a southern accent, the northerners would not think of Him as their Christ. If I gave Him a foreign accent, the Americans and the British would not think of Him as their Christ. As it is, people of all nations, from every race, creed, clan, can accept Him as their Christ."

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Faith tells me that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there.

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at www.thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog.

The items appearing in this publication are the personal thoughts and based on true life experiences of the author, as well as various articles, quotes and humorous stories contributed by others. Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to John.Grant@johngrant.net. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2014