Encouraging Word

With so many graduations and promotions happening this time of year, it is good to think about your next step.  It is time to light the flame and let it burn brightly.  You are the light of the world is what what Jesus said about you!  Here is a poem to encourage you on your journey!

 

As you move on to your next step

There’s a fresh new place for you

You can do and be and have

All I have for you to do

 

Your giftings and your callings

I have surely placed them there

It time to rise and own them

They’re from Me, but meant to share

 

So let your flame burn brightly

You’re my light unto the earth

Its your destiny and purpose

And why I gave you birth

 

You are full and running over

Here’s a bow to place on top

As you choose to keep on running

Keep on growing, never stop!

Dorette 4/25/09

 

For any of you who are graduating, or even walking on toward something greater in your life, remember this thought specifically.  God gave you gifts, but they are meant to be used to bless others.  Why not commit today to rise and own your gifts, choose to perfect them through knowledge and then begin using them. How exciting it will be to see God’s people doing what God’s stamp is on their life to accomplish!  Start now, and never stop!

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One very important element in actualizing our potential is to be people of faith.  As believers, it should be natural for us to have a strong faith life.  We live by and walk by faith. So a very important key to actualizing your potential is to operate in faith – Roman 1:17 tells us that the just shall live by faith.  That’s who we are, that’s how we live. Let’s be believers who BELIEVE! Here are some ways to operate in faith.

a)   Call those things which be not as though they are as it says in  Romans 4:17, 18 The Bible doesn’t say, call those things which are as though they are. That takes no faith! When can you stop using your faith?   NEVER!

b)      Remember what God has spoken to your heart.  Don’t give up on your dreams and visions. We are God’s sheep and know his voice… Dream Big!  Go for it! Be in His will!  You are God’s son or daughter…just like it says in Joel 2:28,29…..Dream God’s dream for you.

c)      Stay optimistic – we win!  We believe all things are possible.  We speak to mountains.  We resist and rebuke the enemy and believe for victory.  Don’t be moved by what you see or what you feel.   Have a spirit of Faith – believe and speak I Cor 4:13,16  Remember and operate in this important truth –  I am not moved by the world, I am moved by the WORD!

I hope you are beginning to believe that you can fulfill your purpose on the earth.  God is into doing things in ways we don’t expect, and using people just like you.  In fact, He wants to exceed your expectations… He’s good at doing exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think.  Think about that….and be encouraged.

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Today we will continue to talk about actualizing all of your potential. Yesterday we talked about increasing your core strength. Today we’re talking about one more thing that is important is reaching your potential and that is getting better at what you are good at – find your strengths and excel. You can’t be good or an expert at everything! As it says in II Peter 1:5-11 we are to continue being perfected.  How do you do that?  Here’s some ideas.

a.   Find your strengths. Where are you strong?  Add to that knowledge.                                             Pat yourself on the back for what you do well. Start simple if you have to!

You got out of bed!  You love and serve your family. You choose joy over depression, give yourself another pat on the back! GOOD JOB! You’re a good parent, you have great discipline! Perfect your strengths!

b.   Quit kicking yourself for what you don’t do, or what you aren’t good at.   If you have areas to improve, and we all do, look at them as growth areas!  Know where your weaknesses are, but concentrate on what you do well! Quit comparing yourself with others.  Do what you do…..really well!

1. Use your time wisely. To get better at anything means you have to make time for it.  Find your time drains. Where are you wasteful with your time? Make the most of every opportunity and every moment you have.

You do have the ability to improve…and when you do you will be closer still to doing, being, and having all that God has for you!

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We are talking this week about actualizing your fullest potential.  One of the most important things you can do when it comes to actualizing your physical strength and potential is to strengthen your core. Your core is your center, or your middle!  Do you know it is one of the most important things you can do for your spiritual life as well.  How do you increase your core strength?  Here are some ideas that may get you moving – Proverbs  4:20-23 says that out of your core come all your issues. What is at the heart of your life is what is important. If your core isn’t strong, your body will suffer. Stability comes from the core – and so does reliability(!)  That’s why our core is so important.  If we want to be stable and make good decisions, we need to strengthen our foundation. Increase your core by increasing these foundational areas:

1. Read your Bible – put down the fork, pick up the Bread of Life

Thy word have I hid in my heart – Ps 91:11

1. Have a daily prayer time – pray in the spirit every day – Pray without ceasing I Thes 5:18
2. Fellowship with believers – have accountability – there is power in 2 or more together.  It is called synergy!
3. Serve – winning for God and His kingdom happens as we serve Gal 5:13
4. Control your thought life – Renew your mind…all the time. Roman 12:1-2.  Here’s a challenge – why not fast negative thoughts.
5. Control your tongue –Fast negative words!  Confession means to say the same thing. We speak the truth when we say the same thing God says.  Don’t say what the world is saying. Choose not to participate in the world’s circumstances!  We live in the world, but we are not of the world!  Change your thoughts to change your words, change your words to change your world.  Learn more about the power of the tongue in James chapter 3.

These are a few things that should come naturally if you’ve been walking with God for a while. If these aren’t a part of who you are as a believer….start now.  These foundational things will help increase your core strength and you will be on your road to reaching all that God has for you.

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Intro:

Hi, this is Dorette Schaal with an encouraging word for your day.  One of the things I am always praying for is for people to reach their potential. This week we’ll be talking about that, and I hope you see that your potential is within reach.  The giftings and callings in your life can be maximized to actualize all that God has for you.  Here is your encouraging Word for today.

 

 

This is the season for Graduations and Milestones.  Probably each of you know at least one person who is moving from one season in their life to another.  As our own daughter graduates from the Northwest College, we are so proud of her.  We are thankful that her steady faithfulness has paid off, and she gets to say she has finished a goal that was important for her, before she goes on to the next season of her life.   In the midst of momentous accomplishments….whatever that may be in your own life, we need to realize that once we make it to our goal, we have to maintain and continue to grow.  Stagnation is not an option for the believer.  Here are three important things we will address this week, so that you can actualize all of your potential.  Where you are is great, but let’s keep on growing.  Here are some great steps to keep you on track:

 

Increase your core strength – Prov 4:20-23 Out of your core come all your issues. What is at the heart of your life is what is important. If your core isn’t strong, your body will suffer. Stability comes from the inside out.  We want you to have inner strength so that you are balanced, flexible and strong.

 

Get better at what you are good at – You can’t be good or an expert at everything! II Peter 1:5-11 tells us to continue being perfected.  Find areas that you know you do well, and continue learning in those areas.  Delegate or ask for help in the areas that aren’t your greatest strengths.

 

Operate in Faith – Roman 1:17 say the just shall live by faith.  Faith is a dynamic that is essential to all areas of life. I can remember asking my husband once, long ago when we were young in ministry….. “When do we get to quit using our faith?” Of course you know the answer….never.  We live by faith and we walk by faith. It is an area we must be strong in to reach all of our potential.

 

So as you strive to reach your fullest potential, remember this: You are a blessing to the body of Christ – Strengthen your core, get better at what you are good at, and keep on using your faith.  When you do, you please God! Think of it, you make God smile!  How encouraging is that!

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Speaking words that cheer up and encourage are like finding buried treasure. They bring joy for a moment, and then often have lasting benefits!

The book of Colossians is full of buried treasure that benefits our relationships. In the second chapter of Colossians, verse 2, Paul writes, My purpose is that you may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that you may know Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are encouraged to “know and discover” all of what God has for us. He uses encouragement to help us grow in our relationship with Christ. That is what a good friend will do.

There are many circles of friendship. I look at Jesus and see that he had 3 very close friends in his closest circle, the next circle had the 12 disciples, and the next circles were larger than that. Whoever you have in your circles, make sure the ones closest to you are the ones who help you grow. You need to have people around you who speak life into you! To be a good friend, we have to do the same in our relationships. We want to be around people who fortify and defend us, not flatten and defeat us!

What are some ways you can fortify a friendship with your words? 1) Take time to really listen. 2) Think about what you would like to hear if you were in their shoes…..is it time for a 3 point sermon, or do they need some empathy? 3) Fill your words with God’s Word. Find scriptures that pertain to their situation and let it wash over them to heal and cleanse. All of us can use come refortification, and a friend can be a burden lifter.

What are some ways you can defend a friendship with your words? 1) Stick up for them! Be a loyal friend, keep your word, and use your words to guard and support them. 2) Speak honestly – don’t let them go down the path of sin, call a spade a spade! Be sure you are honest both ways, and give them credit when it is due. 3) Most of all, be a person of prayer, and pray a hedge of protection around them. Our words in prayer are powerful! Things change when we pray…..circumstances can turn around! Why not distribute some of the wonderful treasure of encouraging words to the friends in your life. It may be just what they need to find victory on their journey.

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EWORD For Kidz
Hi, this is Dorette with an encouraging word for kids today. I hope you know how powerful words are. The Bible tells us that there is the power of life and death in the tongue. I want to encourage you to speak only life giving words. Here is your encouraging word for kids today.

Hey kids, do your friends say mean things to each other? There is this weird trend to say hurtful words to friends in fun, but I am not a fan. It doesn’t matter who you are, words can hurt worse than a wound. If you have started doing that, or know friends who do, I want to encourage you to set a different standard. Mean words should never be spoken to anyone. We should never say them, and we should never hear them. That would be a perfect world, but we live on an imperfect earth, where we can be good examples and treat others like you want to be treated. Luke 6:31 tell us to do just that. I don’t like my thoughts or ideas being slammed, even in fun. I’m sure you are like that too. I know you hear people laughing when they are slamming someone else, but it is not Godly, and it is not right. You and your friends can be ones who treat others with respect, and choose to encourage instead of discourage others. What are some words that might encourage a friend?
How about these:
I appreciate your friendship
You are way cool
I think you are awesome
Your ideas rock
My mom is happy I hang out with you
You make me laugh
Thanks for helping with my schoolwork
Can I help you with yours?
Use those ideas to let your friends know you appreciate them. Make sure you use your words to build up and encourage your friends. They will grow in confidence from the words you say. Remember to say good things to yourself too! You can build up your own confidence that way too.

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What words do you like to hear from your friends? What words do your friends like to hear from you? Just in case you need some starters, here are some suggestions:
You teach me so much
I want to be like you when I grow up!
You are such a great friend
I’m glad we are friends
I believe in you
Let’s do lunch
Can I make your family dinner?
Can I help you get ready for….a party, or other big event?
You are a great…..wife, mother, friend, prayer partner, workout buddy
I’m better because I know you
I appreciate your prayers
Can I pray for you?
God is working in your life
You inspire me
I’m blessed by our friendship
I love saying those words to my friends, and thankfully those are words I have heard from my amazing friends. With too many friends to mention, I am so thankful that words from friends have encouraged me in all circumstances in my life….joys and sorrows, laughter and tears, health and sickness, and the good and the bad. And especially over 50th Birthdays! I hope you recognize the value of words in friendships, and that you let your friends hear encouraging words from you regularly.

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Are you interested in finding a good friend? How to win friends and influence people is a really good book by Dale Carnegie that was written years ago that has great advice that is timeless. If you need a friend the main key is to be a good listener. When we show that we are interested in what someone else is interested in, very often you will find a friend. I have a friend who heard me speak one time about the kind words my dad used to say to me when he was alive. He was the king of kind words. When ever I spoke with him on the phone, he would regularly mention 2 things that I have never forgotten. He always mentioned that I was a good mom, doing a good job with our kids, and he would say words that are kind about my appearance. I didn’t realize until he went to heaven in November 2005, how much I hung on his words whenever we spoke. Well, one of my sweet friends heard me say that about my dad, and now very often when she sees me, she tells me I am a good mom and that I look beautiful. Talk about a cup filler. What that made me realize is how much every mom needs to hear that they are doing a good job, and every lady wants to hear that they are beautiful. So I’m giving you an assignment!! Find a way to encourage moms everywhere with life giving words of blessing, and make sure you let all of the amazing women in your life now how beautiful and valuable they are! Your words can make a world of difference in their life.

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One of the ways friends can encourage us with words is through prayer. My prayer partner and walking/workout buddy is the dearest woman on the earth. I call her love personified. We see each other at least 2 or 3 times a week to work out and pray together. She comes to our church so I see her there too. We definitely have prayed for each other, and I would be more than confident to have her in my corner any day. She knows how to get heaven’s attention, and to storm the enemy’s gates. She is one tenacious lady who gets thing accomplished. I think everyone needs to have a prayer partner who you know you can count on. Mine just happens to be my workout buddy also. Gal 6:2 says for us to carry each other’s burdens, and that’s the scripture I think about when I think of her. She is like the scuba diver who is prepared with oxygen, flippers and a mask, who comes in as a rescue swimmer and gives oxygen so the swimmer without all the gear so they won’t drown. I think it is called buddy breathing when a scuba diver does that, and it can save someone’s life. I know having a good friend and hearing the encouraging words of a friend, not only breathe life into our soul, but put the wind back in our sail. So today, I want to encourage you…..do you know someone who can use some oxygen or some wind? Be a buddy breather, and let your words encourage your friend.

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