DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY – IT'S TIME TO IMPROVE OUR EXPERIENCE.

There's always room for improvement. It's the biggest room in the house. - Louise Health Leber.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. – 1 Cor 13:11. TNIV

In his book, “Folk Psalms of Faith” Ray Stedman tells a story of a woman who had been a school teacher for 25 years. When she heard about a job that would mean a promotion, she applied for the position. However, someone who had been teaching for only one year was hired instead.

She went to the principal and asked why. The principal responded, "I'm sorry, but you haven't had 25 years of experience as you claim; you've had only one year's experience 25 times."

During that whole time the teacher had not improved. This is truly a tragic story, and one I am sure, that we as Christians do not want said about us. How can we improve so that our experience is constantly improving? Here are some principles that I believe will help us…

1. Develop a Lifestyle of PRAYER.

By looking to God in Dependence, and acknowledging how much we need Him. Let us express our dependence to Him... Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Heb 4:16.

2. Develop a Lifestyle of STUDY.

By looking in God's Word for Direction, finding counsel and guidance from the Holy Spirit... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. - Ps 119:105.

Let us make it a priority of knowing God through His Word... Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Tim 2:15.

Return the Cross to Golgotha I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles; But on a cross between two thieves: on a town garbage heap; at a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek...

And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse and soldiers gamble. Because that is where He died, and that is what He died about. And that is where Christ's people ought to be, and what church people ought to be about. - Source Unknown.

3. Develop a Lifestyle of FAITH.

By looking at our world with God's Perspective, and believing God is at work in our lives. We can do this by responding to His truth through obedience... Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Heb 11:1.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Heb 11:6.

4. Develop a Lifestyle of EVANGELISM.

By looking around for God-given Opportunities, sharing God's grace with those He brings into our lives and opportunities, by being examples in our walk of faith...

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - 2 Pet 3:9.

The young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty." So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel. – Source Unknown.

This encouragement is designed to improve us in our experience, so let us strive to improve in these principles, knowing God gives us the grace and knowledge of Jesus, to do so. Improve!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to improve my experience. Help me to develop a lifestyle of prayer, study, faith, and evangelism, that I may bring glory to your Name. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray! Amen!

Be Encouraged!
GBYAY