YOUR GIFT

Probably all of us can remember a special gift that we have received at some point in our lives. I don't think I'll ever forget the pellet-gun I received when I was about 11 years old. I wore it out! Gifts are not just meant for receiving but for giving. We all have a special GIFT that we can give others, it is the gift of encouragement. Mark Twain once said, "I can live two months on one word of encouragement". Most of us need more than that! The Scripture speaks of a man whose name literally meant 'Encouragement', it was Barnabas.. 'Son of Encouragement'. That was really his nickname given to him by the Apostles in the book of Acts. Barnabas was a person who must have given that GIFT wherever he went and to whomever he could. Think of the inspiration and help he must have been to people he encouraged through his words and actions. Think about what it does to you when someone encourages you. Encouragement builds CONFIDENCE within us. Telling someone 'You Can', 'You Will' or 'You are able' has a dynamic affect on our attitude about something we may be trying to do or are doing. When we receive a word or act encouragement it also lets us know that we are VALUED. The sense of value and worth is something that many people are needing. We have a society filled with people who feel that they don't belong, or that they are not good enough. We have a gift today to give them. It is the gift of Encouragement. I challenge you to find three people this week to give this GIFT to. Encourage someone, it may be a gift that comes back to you when you need it most!

Pastor Tim