Read: Philippians 1:3-11

Encouragement and humility are two of the greatest virtues in life.  Not only do they lift other people up, but they lift our spirits as well.  In the book of Philippians in the Bible Paul shares these virtues and others in various ways.  Take the time this week to read the whole book of Philippians to appreciate the full scope of joy, encouragement, and thanksgiving that Paul writes about.

As I considered those virtues of encouragement and humility, I remembered an email I recently received that said: The six most important words are, “I admit that I was wrong!”  The five most important words are, “You did a great job.”  The four most important words are, “What do you think?”  The three most important words are, “May I help?” The two most important words are, “Thank You!”  The most important word is, “We.” And the least important word is, “I”.

In verse 6 of Phillipians chapter 1 Paul says, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  So often we get caught up in the needs that we have as individuals and forget about the needs of those whom God places in our path each day.  Paul encourages us in that verse to remember that we are called to bring about good things in life and speak positive words of encouragement to each other.  Those words flow out of our relationship with Jesus Christ and they can also be a wonderful testimony of his love and concern for others.

Paul says, “The fruit of righteousness” comes through Jesus Christ.  Let’s remember those important words and put the focus on others instead of ourselves.  As we read the New Testament we realize that this is how Jesus lived.  His humility and his ministry of encouragement to others is a great example for us to follow.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

A man was writing at a post office desk and was approached by an older fellow with a post card in his hand.  The older man said, “Sir, could you please address this post card for me?”  The man gladly did so, agreeing also to write a short message and sign the card for the man.  Finally the younger man asked, “Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”  The older fellow thought about it for a moment and said, “Yes, at the end could you just put, ‘P.S. Please excuse the sloppy handwriting.'”

How often is it that we complain against those who do the most for us?  One of Zig Zigler’s famous quotes is, “Find the good and applaud.”  We would do good to remember that as we converse with family, friends, and co-workers throughout the week.  Too often we catch ourselves looking for the negative instead of affirming the positive.  In I Thessalonians 5:12-24 Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica and is ending his letter by encouraging them to encourage each other.  He says things like, “Live at peace with each other, don’t pay back wrong for wrong, be kind to each other, give thanks in all circumstances.”  In other words, don’t complain, but find something good to celebrate and give thanks for.  Find words of encouragement to speak into someone’s life.

In the Handbook of Short Story Writing author Muriel Anderson says that four of the most important words in her life are “Of course you can.”  She said, “I was fortunate to have a father who was good at saying of course you can at just the right moments.”  She goes on tell about one time when she was in high school and her family had moved to a city from a small town.  She had loved that small town and wrote an article about it and her time growing up there.  She wanted more than anything to have her article published in the small-town weekly paper.  She didn’t expect to be successful, though, because the paper was a weekly with a tight budget and published very little free-lance material.  “I don’t think I can get it published,” she said to her father.  Her dad responded with his usual encouragement and said, “Of course you can!”  She did and it launched her career as a very successful writer.  Our words can often make a huge difference!

Make It Personal: In a world that is often negative we would do well to be positive and encouraging.  In 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul says, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Sounds like a tall order, but it is an order that can be filled when we are living in Christ and relying on his strength and encouragement to shine through us.  Blessings to you as you find the good and applaud! 

Read: Luke 7:1-10

The story is told of two nuns who were on their way to the local nursing home one day.  As they traveled through town they noticed that their car was acting very strange and not running very well.  Two blocks later the vehicle came to a stop and they noticed the gas gauge was on empty.  They had run out of gas.  Conveniently there was a gas station two blocks down the road.

The two women looked around for something to transport a little bit a gasoline from the station to their car and could only find a bedpan from the nursing home in their backseat.  After they filled the bedpan with gas they headed back and started to pour the gas into their tank.  As they did that, a couple drove by and observed curiously what was happening along the road.  As they watched the nuns pour the gas from the bedpan into the car the women said to her husband, “Now that’s what I call faith!”

In Luke 7:1-10 there is a testimony of great faith.  A centurion has heard of Jesus and his miracles and has sent some of his people to ask Jesus for help.  The centurion had a servant who was very ill.  In verse 2 it says that he was sick and about to die.  As Jesus comes close to his house he sends another message.  He says that he is not worthy of Jesus coming to his house, but yet he would like to see his friend healed.  Jesus is amazed at the faith of this man.  He said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”  In verse 10 it says, “Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”

Recently I ran across a poem by Nancy Spiegelberg and Dorothy Purdy entitled “If I had only known you.”  It goes like this…. “Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to you with my empty cup, uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment.  If only I had known You better, I’d have come running with a bucket.”  What mountain needs to be moved in your life?  Perhaps it’s time to put away our cups and break out the buckets.

Make It Personal: How is your faith level these days?  Do you have faith that Christ will show up and be there for you in your greatest hours of need?  Have you asked?  Have you called on his name?  One thing I have learned through the years is that I should never underestimate the power of Jesus Christ in my life.