DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY- ENCOURAGEMENT.

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. - William Arthur Ward.

When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. - Acts 11:23.

The Duke of Wellington, the British military leader who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, was not an easy man to serve under. He was brilliant, demanding, and not one to shower his subordinates with compliments. Yet even Wellington realized that his methods left something to be desired. In his old age a young lady asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again. Wellington thought for a moment, then replied. "I'd give more praise," he said. - Bits & Pieces.

All around us there are plentiful needs for encouragement, and the Church should be the one place where encouragement will always be found. Many who are in the background, and who think they have very little to offer, are an important part of the kingdom, and they have been given the ministry of encouragement.

On the other hand… there is too many who seem to believe they have a ministry of discouragement, they always see the difficulties. For them, every silver lining has a cloud.

But we, who are followers of Christ, we who are spirit filled believers, are to be about the business of encouragement, lifting heads that are disheartened, and comforting the downtrodden!

Everyone needs recognition for his accomplishments, but few people make the need known quite as clearly as the little boy who said to his father: "Let's play darts. I'll throw and you say 'Wonderful!'" - Bits & Pieces.

What is the uniqueness of true encouragers? Encouragers put the needs of others first, they serve others… But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matt 20:25-28.

They try to meet each others needs… Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others - Phil 2:1-4.

A compliment can be a great motivator, particularly if you put a little thought into the why, when, and how of delivering it. Be sure to comment whenever someone on your staff keeps working in the face of rejection, handles a difficult situation well, catches an error, given another employee a helping hand, sells a particular product for the first time, or gives you a lead that proves fruitful.

Most of the time, a compliment should be given in public, either at a meeting or on the company bulletin board. If the situation is delicate, convey your praise through a personal note that the employee can share with his family. As with all rewards, praise should be given immediately after good performance to provide the greatest reinforcement. - Bits & Pieces.

The ministry of encouragement does not involve great personal gifts of speech, or musical talent. Encouragement can be done by anyone who will endeavour to see those around them through the eyes of Christ, and there is a great need for people who will lift up rather than put down. It is a gift that we all must cultivate, or many who are downtrodden, will be ground into the dust.

Loving father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be an encourager! Help me to lift up the heads of people that are disconsolate, help me to be an encouragement to my fellow Christians, and to look out for their interests as well as my own. I ask this, in the wonderful name of Jesus! Amen!

Be encouraged!
GBYAY