Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 18 Sep 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 18 Sep 2007

One of the hardest things to do is to have the right balance of helping people, and when not to be too much of a man pleaser. So often we walk on the extremes, and today’s word of encouragement is letting God lead and direct. Yes, it is important that we help people, especially those in need. But if we go to the extreme it may not necessarily be the most beneficial. Paul says it best, everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. In 1 Thess 2:4 the word of God says, 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. Ultimately everything that we do, we are accountable for our actions, and God knows when we are doing things to please men and not God. Pleasing men is not just for personal gain, but it is putting people and their issues, their problems above God. It is as though we feel that if we don’t help, no one will, and not even God can help. But let me ask you this; if we take things into our own hands, and God is not reigning in the lives of those we help, doesn’t that defeat the purpose? God’s called us to help others yes, but God needs reign in the lives of those we help. Yet on the other hand, the other extreme are people who are not at all helpful, and aren’t concerned with those around them but more focused on their own needs. I need this, I need that, I want this and I want that. I need…I want… 1 Thess 5:14 Paul says, And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. God has called us all to care for others, help those in need. Today let us pray for a balance, and let God lead and direct us. God will instruct us, when we need to help others, and when we are too extreme and man pleasing. © Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 17 Sep 2007

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 17 Sep 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is: putting your faith to practice. What would be the point of calling ourselves Christians if we don’t put our faith to practice? In Philippians 4:9 the Word of God says, Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Let us today make a commitment to God, not to be flaky Christians. God’s after people who put their faith to the test, they are practicing their faith “daily”. As we all know, practice makes perfect. I believe in this season, God is challenging all of us, to put our faith to the test. Yes, it is going to hurt, it is going to be challenging, hard, but worth every drop of sweat. Every second goes by, and we cannot live that second again. In our quiet time today, I pray that we would spend quality time with God, asking Him, how He wants us to put our faith in action, in practice? Ask Him what else He wants us to do? Remember we cannot relive that second that goes by, time is ticking, ticking, and ticking…and God says to us all, what are you going to do for My Kingdom? © Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 16 Sep 2007

Heading into a new week, it is yet another challenge for us all to find the strength to look forward to giving our best at work. Today’s word of encouragement is: being imitators of Jesus.

The world is filled with lots of people buying books on famous people so that they too can be like them one day. All for the purpose of hoping that we too can have this so called great life. But all that matters is fixing our eyes on One, and being imitators of One.

Imagine what the world would be like if we all chose to be imitators of Jesus. Jesus was more than just relatable, He was more than just righteous, and pure. He gave His life for you and me. Let us look at the world today, and not complain, not get bitter at how things are. If there are problems, instead of complaining, fix it! How? By being imitators of Jesus.

There is only one self-help book that we all need, which teaches us how to be imitators of Jesus. Yes, the Bible. May today be a turning point in our lives to be imitators of one person rather than on men, who are flawed, imperfect, and nothing compared to Jesus.

Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

© Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 15 Sep 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is finding your best time with God. God has created us all differently, but even with our differences, we all must find our best time spent with Jesus. We cannot neglect our relationship with our Father.

Let us reflect upon the week that has just passed. Everyday, how much time were we really in conversation with God? We must be careful that we are not just going through the motions of reading the Bible and praying everyday. It is as though we are just filling up the quota for the day, when really our relationship with God has not grown stronger.

If our relationship with God is one that is all about filling up the quota, trying to be this Christian because it is required of us; to be honest we aren’t building a strong relationship. It is interesting how we regularly look at the people around us, and in our own minds we make assumptions about what it takes to be this “Godly” person. We look at our leaders, our friends, and family. God’s given us all great leaders’ men and women to follow, but we must realize that by imitating them it does not mean we too will be a leader, or we too will now have a great relationship with God. Any relationship with anyone takes time, takes effort, and takes sacrifice. How much so, we must do all these for our Father.

Let us be careful today, that our relationship with God is not at all about filling up this quota, or even in our Christian walk. I pray today that we never feel that our walk with God is about these things:
· IF I don’t have any disciple, if I’m not discipling anyone I’m not spiritually strong.
· If I haven’t started my own Life group, it means I’m not a good Christian
· If I have not attended the making disciples class, I can’t be used by God.
· If I have not attended victory weekend, I can’t grow
· If I am not enrolled in ENLI, I am not a leader
· If I am not serving in any ministry, I am not growing

Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives, if that relationship is weak, what would be the point of fulfilling all these things listed above? Today, let us rebuild our relationship with God and spend time with Him EVERYDAY. Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

© Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 14 Sep 2007

As we come to the end of another week, let us reflect upon our week and seek God. Today's word of encouragement is about doing something about the promises that God has given to each of us.

Imagine how great our Father is, He gave each of us gifts, talents, and promises all for what cost? But today's word of encouragement is strategic and focused. We all need to start asking God how we can take action, do something about the promises He has given us.

There are three things that God wants us to be reminded about in taking action with our promise that He has given us. Firstly claim your promises, thank God always and give glory to Him. The Second thing is Surrender and walk in Lordship. We must humble ourselves to walk effectively, to be used effectively, because no longer are we driven by our own agendas but our Fathers.

The third thing is vital. Through the Bible it was clear where many Kings, leaders, great men went wrong. They did not disciple and impart their gifts to the next generation. We must learn from their mistakes. Our promises that God has given to us, is only good for a lifetime . What happens to the work after we are dead? God's work in each of us MUST continue. Therefore, we must train and equip the next generation, impart all the wisdom, knowledge, secrets, and talents that God has given to us and give it to the next generation.

Prayer : Father, your word says to us in 2 Corin 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Lord, may this verse be a reminder to us all that the promises that you have given to us is beyond measure, is beyond what the world can define. We humble ourselves before you, and claim our promises. In Your Name, we pray that we will take action with all that you have given to us. Help us Sir! Time goes bye day by day, Lord wake us up! Father, let us hear you, let us see your burdens for your people. Jesus, we praise your name always. Amen.

© Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 13 Sep 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is restoring the enthusiasm inside us. Enthusiasm is one area in our lives that the enemy will try and rob us from having.

Being enthusiastic is not just about the things that we do, our work, our lives, and the people in our lives. When I think about enthusiasm I picture it as fuel and energy to a person’s passion, interest, and calling in life.

Imagine, what would the enemy rather have, a Christian who is full of enthusiasm over what he or she does? Or a Christian who is half hearted and lukewarm. “Wishy-washy” is the best word that describes a person lacking of enthusiasm. Wishy-washy is a person who is weak, indecisive, spineless, spiritless, and ineffectual. Therefore it is vital that we are aware of how the enemy operates, and how he will steal our enthusiasm.

Today, our Father wants to restore enthusiasm in our lives, to give us an increase of energy; He wants to fuel us with more, passion, and interest in our calling in life. Yes, our work may seem mundane, our life may seem lifeless at times, but don’t quit, don’t give up!!

Enthusiasm is the secret to fighting the devil, especially when we feel discouraged, small, incapable, weak, not good enough, and useless. The words of discouragement just seem to keep going and going and going. Today we have a choice to continue letting the enemy rob us of our enthusiasm, or we can be restored by our Father.

Psalm 80:19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

© Sept 2007 Shaun Lee

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 12 Sep 2007

Today’s word of encouragement is learning how to pick the right battles to fight. Everyday is a battle, we have choices to make, we have deadlines, but most importantly we have a work that has been started and has not been completed yet. Every soul on earth being won. The question I hope we will ask ourselves is this, what would the point be of winning a battle, any battle, if that battle does not win souls for God’s Kingdom?

The word of encouragement today is learning to pick the right battles to fight, because so often we get distracted, fighting, arguing, bitter, upset, over small issues in life which when we think about it more it was a waste of time to get emotional about. When we let our emotions take over situations, we have already lost the battle, and we get distracted of the ultimate purpose in life.

Sometimes we got to let go of the past, let go of our desires and dreams, let go of everything so that God can mold us again. Today, I hope that we will all be encouraged to pick the right battles in life, and not let the enemy distract us for fulfilling our purpose in life.

Psalm 144:1 “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” Let God be our rock, let Him train our hands for war, our fingers for battle, so we can pick the right battles to win souls for His kingdom.

By: Shaun