Today I will take a break from my current series to share something that happened yesterday.
For the last couple of days I was with a group of leaders I work with. One of them mentioned that they were about to read John Maxwell’s book, “Encouragement changes everything.” Whenever this person said something that was not necessarily encouraging, we joked and said, “You need to hurry up and read that book.”
Then I got home last night after having a very long day. I had an email waiting on me where one of our ministry partners, who I know personally, wanted me to call her daughter. She said that her daughter, who currently serves in the U.S. Army, was about to go to a major school, facing a major challenge, and she wanted to talk to me. Our ministry reaches people all over the world. We get lots of email requests and honestly, we cannot respond to them all. However, last night I was led to respond to this one. So I called our partner, who then conferenced in her daughter.
Once on the phone, the young lady proceeded to tell me how much Today’s Word has been a blessing to her. She went back to 2016, talked about a series I was teaching back then, mentioned specific things the Lord said through me in the series, and how it impacted her life. She then did the same for 2017. She then talked about how in January of 2018, when the Lord told me that this year would be a “Year of Expectation,” how she received that Word and how it has impacted her life. She went on to mention specific series’ I taught this year and they have ministered to her. She kept doing this all the way up to the series I am teaching right now on Abraham.
By the end of it the young lady was in tears, and I was too. I have been preaching for 22 years and doing Today’s Word for 21. God has used me to minister to lots of people (by His grace), but last night truly blessed me. I was tired from a long couple of days. I was trying to get some rest. But the Lord led me to make a phone call that truly encouraged me.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The Bible tells us that Barnabas means, “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). His parents named his correctly, because he was truly an encourager. Without Barnabas there would be no Apostle Paul. God used Barnabas to encourage Paul and many others in the first century church. Barnabas had a ministry of encouragement. I believe God has given me a similar ministry. I can talk to someone for just a few minutes, but if they were feeling down, God will allow me to speak LIFE back into them — words that will lift them up! We all need people in our lives like Barnabas, people who will encourage us when we are discouraged, and who will help us LIFT UP our heads when we feel low.
- While God has called me to be an encourager, even encouragers need encouragement from time to time. So please take the time to say a kind word to those God has placed in your life to encourage you. When are in a day when Pastors are quitting churches, and even commiting suicide, at an alarming rate. Please take a moment to share how much God has used them to be a blessing to you. Take it from me, they need it and it will bless them richly.
- Never underestimate the power of a kind word. One “thank you,” or one “I appreciate you,” can change someone’s day and even the trajectory of their life.
- There are no Lone Rangers in Christ. I know some people think they can “do it” on their own, but they are wrong. God’s call is too big for you to accomplish on your own. He has graced you to do certain things, but He has also graced others to be part of your journey. Open your heart to their involvement. Life is much better when enjoyed with others!
- Your labor of love is NOT in vain. I have been doing Today’s Word for over 21 years. For many of those years I was not in front of the camera. In the early years we did not even have a website, so the readers had never seen my face. I was not doing it to be seen. I am still not doing it to be known. I am only doing what I believe God wants me to do. But even the best of us need to be encouraged. When that young lady started basically preaching to me the things I had preached to her, with specificity, it truly blessed me. It reminded me that God was using me to impact the world with His truth and His love. We all need to know that our labor of love is NOT in vain. God reassured me of that last night. I pray He does the same for you soon.
Closing Confession:
Father, I thank You for blessing me to be an encourager, and for also sending others to encourage me when I need it. Words have power. Words can minister either life or death. I will use my words to build up and not to tear down. I will speak life and not death, blessing and not cursing, victory and never defeat. I will use my words to minister grace and encouragement to others. You live in me Father. As I head into this day, I pray as Jesus prayed. You give me the words to say. You lead me in the works to do. You use me to encourage all those I am come in contact with. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
