You Are Someone’s Best Hope

“Even On Your Worst Day, You Can Be A Student’s Best Hope” is the title of a book written by Manny Scott.  It is also a great reminder for you and me.

Even if you are not an educator you have an opportunity to be someone’s best hope today.

A kind word.
A smile.
A good deed.

Even if your day turns sideways stay strong and be prepared to serve someone who needs some help.

When you’re feeling down, feeling tired, and feel like you just want to get the day over with, one of the quickest and best ways to regain some positive energy is to help somebody else.

Stay strong.  You are someone’s best hope and inspiration today.  You are a difference maker. 

Believe it, and live today with more than a purpose to just survive it.  Someone needs you to stay strong and they will be better because of it.  You will be too.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How can simple actions like a kind word or a smile significantly impact someone’s day, even when you’re not feeling your best?

2. In what ways can helping others serve as a source of positive energy and resilience for yourself?

Finding Strength In Weakness To Serve Others

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV‬
[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

When we face hardships, insults, and difficulties, it is an opportunity for Christ’s power to shine through us.

As Christ followers, we don’t have to rely on our own strength.  Instead, we can embrace our weaknesses, knowing that they make room for God’s strength.

When we feel inadequate or overwhelmed, let’s remember that Christ’s power rests on us. This divine strength enables us to serve others with love and compassion, even when we feel weak.

Our struggles become testimonies of God’s grace and power, encouraging others to lean on Him as well.

So, delight in your weaknesses, for they are the very moments when God’s strength becomes evident.

Trust in His grace, and let His power flow through you to serve and uplift those around you.

Be Blessed!

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How can embracing your weaknesses allow God’s strength to work through you to serve others more effectively?
2.  In what ways can your personal struggles and challenges become a source of encouragement and support for those around you?

Divine Moments and Gifts:  Embracing God’s Timing

Today, I want to continue a thought about Monday’s moment that I shared yesterday.

Have you ever thought that what you do, where you do it, the relationships you have, and the moments that present themselves can all work together and even be “divine, pre-ordained moments?  I have, and I do believe it. 

As a Christ follower I believe that God has given gifts to each of us that can be used to build up each other and the church.  (I Cor.  12: 4-7)

I believe we are called to continue to grow our gifts and be excellent in what we do for the glory of God and to let those talents be used by him, in His divine timing. 

Several years ago I sang at a funeral towards the end of my tenure at a school I was serving.  After the service the wife of the man who had passed away said “God brought you here, and kept you here for this moment”. 

Wow!  Humbling.  Powerful.  Thought provoking.  Could it be that I wasn’t there for the work, the championships, or the experience? 

Was I brought there to that church, with that small group, and develop those relationships to minister to the family in their time of need? Everything prepared and working together for that one moment?

Monday’s sharing of a writing that I wrote last week?  Yes, it fit into the book, but did I have those thoughts, write those words, with that scripture passage just for the book? 

Did God know that they would be needed to be shared with someone as an encouragement a few days later?  He certainly can, and He did. 

Every talent and gift that you have is just that.  A gift.  A gift to be used for good, and if you commit to using it for God it is amazing what He will do with it, and the time that He will use it. 

Continue to develop and fine tune your gifts, then let them be used in moments that are divine and ordained by God. 

God often shows up in the small moments and he wants us to be available and do so as well. 

Be Blessed and Be A Blessing.

The Moment Is Now

I share this as an encouragement, not as a “look what I did”.  I share this to help you be on continuous lookout for moments you can step into. 

I was driving to Sioux Falls on Monday to get my laptop repaired, or get a new one, due to water damage from water getting inside of our condo in Okobiji.  (Turned out to be the latter).

A few days ago a friend had told me he had been diagnosed with cancer and would be meeting with his oncologist on Monday. 

I had sent him a message before telling him we would be praying for strength, peace, and wisdom for him. 

While I was driving on I-90 I got a message from him asking if I had any scripture passages that could be an encouragement to him. 

I remember thinking…well, I’m driving, have an appointment (which I always allow extra time), and it could probably wait another hour until I get there, and then I can respond.

Then, REST STOP 1 MILE.  There’s the opportunity and this is the moment I need to step into now.  He asked and needed the encouragement now.  I talk about the moments and stepping into them, and it was time to act on it. 

So, I pulled off into the rest area, parked, thought for a moment, and then remembered I was currently writing the chapter in “The Pursuit” on the Pursuit of Strength. 

Last week I wrote and used a scripture passage from Psalm 46:1-3.  I was able to pull up that writing and share it with him, and then continue on to Sioux Falls. 

Could it have waited an hour?  Probably.  But, did it have to?  No.  The rest area exit was the opportunity and I felt like the moment was right there and I had the choice to make, and needed to respond to that request right now. 

What’s the purpose of this?  Not for you to respond to me and say “good job”.  I write this to encourage you to step into the moments that come your way to be an encourager. 

Can the moment wait sometimes?  Maybe, but if it only takes a few minutes and you feel that it could be needed immediately, then do it.  Step into it now. 

Trust your heart. 
Trust the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  
It’s always the right choice. 

‭Be Blessed!

Finding Strength In Stillness:   Transforming Adversity Into Opportunity

Embrace Seneca’s wisdom:
‘To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.’

Life’s challenges may seem overwhelming, but your mindset holds the power to transform them into stepping stones.

In the face of adversity, find your inner calm, for it is within this stillness that you discover your resilience.

By refusing to let misfortune overpower you, you take control of your narrative.  Let every trial become an opportunity for growth. 

Your strength is unwavering, your spirit unbreakable.  Face challenges with calmness and watch them crumble before your unwavering resolve.

I’m cheering for you.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1. How can cultivating a calm mind in the face of adversity transform challenges into opportunities for personal growth?

2. In what ways does maintaining inner calmness during difficult times help you take control of your life’s narrative?

Empowered By The Spirit:  Finding Strength In Your God Given Gifts

‭1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV‬

[4] Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
[5] and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
[6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
[7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Embrace the unique gifts God has given you to pursue strength and purpose.  1 Corinthians 12:4-7 is a reminder that while we possess different talents, it is the same Spirit working within us.  

Our diverse abilities are used together under one Lord, serving a divine purpose.  Whether your gift is teaching, healing, serving, or encouraging, it is God who empowers you to use these talents.

Every gift, no matter how small it seems, contributes to the common good and reflects God’s glory.

You can find strength in knowing that your unique talents are a gift from God and that your contributions are vital to the body of Christ.

In moments of doubt, remember that your gift is divinely ordained and meant to bless others.

Use your God-given talents to pursue strength, finding resilience in serving and uplifting others.

Through your unique gifts, you can inspire, heal, and bring hope, shining God’s light in a world in need of His strength and love.  That is a strength worth pursuing.

Questions to Ponder and Pursue

1.  How does recognizing your unique talents as gifts from God strengthen your sense of purpose within the body of Christ?

2.  In what ways can you use your God-given talents to inspire, heal, and bring hope to those around you?

Life Isn’t About One Day, It’s About This Day

How many times do you say “maybe tomorrow?” 

On Friday you may say, “that can wait until next week.”

How many times do we say “I’m not ready yet?”

Change that mindset. Today, this Friday, is filled with opportunities that only today will offer.

Be ready and do what needs done today?

This may be the only day you have an opportunity.  You don’t want to say maybe tomorrow, or next week,  then be stuck with “what if?”

“What if?” Is a bad place to be.

Today is about Today! 
This Day! 
This Moment!

Be about it.

I’m cheering for you.