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We must never underestimate the power and effectiveness of our encouraging
words. Our words of affirmation and positive reinforcement can do so much
to change the outlook of someone else who feels discouraged. The Lord has
given each of us the ability to encourage those who are discouraged and
lift up those who are feeling low. We don't need to have a special
anointing to share an encouraging word, but simple love for our fellow man
is enough to find something special to say to lift them up and encourage
them to continue on. Be encouraged and know that you have the ability to
say something nice to someone else and in doing so you'll be filling hearts
with cheer and motivation to believe in themselves. (Romans 12:4-8)
I hope this message challenges your heart to be an encourager who lifts
people's spirits helping to change the direction of their lives for the better.
FUNNY BUSINESS
In 1968 I was “surfing” TV channels when I caught the closing credits of a
PBS telecast called “Funny Business.” I had long wanted to get into the
cartooning business, but had no idea where to begin. I copied down the
address and wrote to the host of the show, Jack Cassady, asking his
professional advice.
A few weeks later I got an encouraging letter, in his own handwriting,
answering all my questions about drawing materials and requirements for
submission. He went on to warn me that there would be a lot of rejections
at first. “Don't get discouraged!” he warned. Jack went further, saying
that my sample cartoons were good and worthy of publication.
I got excited and sent in some of my best work to two nationally known
magazines. My reward was the receipt of two form rejection letters, so I
gave it up as a bad job and forgot about any further attempts at cartooning.
19 years later I was shocked to get a second letter -- out of the blue --
from Jack Cassady. It read as follows:
“Dear Scott; I was reviewing my ‘Funny Business’ mail file when I ran
across you letter and copies of your cartoons. I remember answering your
letter. The reason I'm dropping this note is to again encourage you to
submit your ideas to various publications. Sometimes encouragement in the
funny business of graphic humor is hard to come by. I am encouraging you
to hang in there and keep drawing. I wish you lots of luck, sales, and
good drawing.”
I hadn't even thanked him for that first letter! Again, I dragged out my
art brushes and set to work on the sample strips now known as “Dilbert.”
It finally caught on.
As “Dilbert” became more successful, I came to appreciate the enormity of
Jack's simple act of kindness. I did eventually thank my friend, but I
could never shake the feeling that I had been given a gift that simply was
too big to ever pay back.
How can you ever return or repay a kindness like that? Just reach out to
some person who is in position to use your encouragement, and pass it on.
Do it for somebody who knows you have nothing to gain. There's no such
thing as a small act of kindness.
By Scott Adams, creator of “Dilbert”
Only God in Heaven knows of the dreams that were never realized because the
people lacked the encouragement to press on and continue until Victory
became theirs.
We as God's children can be that catalyst to nudge people with our life
affirming words giving them confidence to believe in themselves just as God
believes in them.
Let us become world changers adding to the lives of others showing them how
special they really are.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus declares “But I say unto you, That every idle word
that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of
judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou
shalt be condemned.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: YOU STILL HAVE HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem62.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: VICKIE'S WAY TO A NEW LIFE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony94.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
