WORD ALIVE … Bringing the relevance of God’s Word to our everyday life. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BE AN INSPIRATION TO SOMEONE (Vol 1; No 112) God wants “us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and I my faith will help you” (Romans 1:12 NCV). We are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Jesus did not give up on those that were bruised; neither did He put out the smouldering wick (Matthew 12:20). Do we help to fan into fire the smouldering flame in someone’s life or do we help to extinguish the faint flame entirely? You can play either of the two roles in someone’s life: you can be a fire lighter or fire extinguisher. The former inspires and encourages people; they help to fuel their faith and ignite their passion. Thomas Carlyle said, “A great man shares his greatness by the way he treats little men.” Be an instrument that God can use to give strength to the weak, restore the backslider and give life to the lifeless. John Maxwell said, “Every person has seeds of greatness within, even though they may currently be dormant. But when you believe in people, you water the seed and give them chance to grow. Every time you put your faith in them, you’re giving life-sustaining water, warmth, food and light. And if you continue to give encouragement through your believe in them, these people will blossom in time … The best way to show people your faith in them and encourage them is to focus your attention on their strength … By emphasizing people’s strengths, you’re helping them believe that they possess what they need to succeed.” You are either a lifter or limiter of people. There is no limit to what people can do if you believe in them and do not limit them. It was William A. Ward that said, Flatter me, and I may not believe you Criticize me, and I may not like you Ignore me, and I may not forgive you Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Let us be instruments of encouragement, inspiration and strength to people, rather than instruments of discouragement, demoralization and devastation. Just a right word from you can help to boost one’s morale. This will strengthen his spirit and cause him to have faith in himself and in God and face life with a more determined will. German Philosopher and Poet Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe said, “Correction does much, but encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.” We are enjoined in the Bible to: “Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. Tell everyone who is discourage, "Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue." Show mercy towards those who have doubts. Save others, by snatching them out of the fire.” - Isaiah 35:3,4 and Jude verse 22 & 23 GNB Look around you, there are many people who think they have come to the end of themselves and are therefore on the verge of collapse. You can do something to help them. A hand stretched out to them in love may help them to get up on their feet again and continue life with renewed hope and strength. Someone that receives such a kind gesture from you will always be grateful to you. Besides, one always feels great when he has been a source of help to somebody – it is always a thing of happiness and fulfillment in life. And that is what life is all about – giving a hand of love to someone that needs it. The lyrics of this hymnal portray it: Lonely hearts to comfort, weary lives to cheer This is our Endeavour, this is our Mission here; Seeking out the lost ones on the mountains cold, We would gladly bring them to the shepherd’s fold. Pressing on together, doing good to all, In the name of Jesus lifting those who fall; To the poor and friend less give with open hand This is our Endeavour, this is the Lord’s command
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 06:55:12 +0000
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