Pass It On!
Do you have a critical spirit? Watch this video to learn more about living a Spirit-filled life.
When is the last time someone said to you, you did a good job! You look lovely today! I really appreciate your kind spirit! Thanks for being a good friend! When was the last time you said that to someone?
I was recently challenged about using more positive words of encouragement. I think you can agree that there is enough pressure of negative words inside our heads and from outside forces that we don’t need to waste our energy on that. God made us to enjoy Him and to enjoy life in a world of harshness. He is our source of identity. So let’s pass it on……
1. Praise God
“Bow down and worship the Lord our Creator! The Lord is our God, and we are His people, the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture” (Psalm 95:6-7).
It is so easy to come to God with my list of needs and wants. Don’t get me wrong, He desires that in His Sheep. He is there 24/7 with open arms. However, there are so many verses in the Scriptures that remind us to praise and worship Him. A lot of my prayer time is on my drive back and forth to work. I have been challenged to spend time in thankful reflection of His majesty and His character. “Everyone on earth now trembles and worships the Lord, majestic and holy”. When I praise Him, I draw closer to Him, increase my trust in Him, and love Him even more. He never changes. He gives back 100 fold. The friendship is strengthened. What a privilege we have to praise God and enjoy who He is. In our society, people love to ‘name drop’ who they know and who they met. We know the Living God who hung each star, keeps the solar system in place, changes the seasons, and holds us like a shepherd does a lamb!
2. Praise Others
It seems easier to criticize and judge. It doesn’t take much effort. Taking the time to see people for who they are, investing in their lives, and being patient with them is a risk and time consuming. Listen to what Paul says to his friends in Thessalonica. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. Paul lived it. He was unjustly persecuted, thrown in jail, and beaten. Yet he made sure he encouraged and praised his people-world. When we are truly wanting to bless someone with praise we are not attempting to make them proud. Human hearts crave honest and truthful support. Look around you and see who you can encourage today without expecting anything in return.
When we praise, our hearts become less hardened and bitter. When we praise, we give of ourselves and take our eyes off our selfish needs. When we praise, we see the enjoyment of our life and a God who unconditionally loves us and we can in return pass it on.
Look around your people-world and make a mental list of those you can encourage. Take a few minutes to just praise God for His majesty and holiness. We were made to pass it on!!!
Father God, I am gratefully honored to tell You how wonderful and caring You are. You are King, and I adore You. Thank you for being such a Mighty Rock where I am safe in a world of instability. I honor You today! Thank you! Amen.
Questions: Why is it important to spend time praising God and praising the people we come in contact with?
About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Worship on the Go, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: appreciate, challenged, criticize, encouragement, energy, harshness, job, judge, linda goodhand rodgers, negative words, praise, proud
