verseoftheday

To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Proverbs 17:26 ESV I was in a cafe yesterday and there was a group of  people gathering there and in moments I pigeon holed them in my mind, labelled them, judged them... I'd imposed a fine. Imposing a fine on them in my mind without even meeting one of them...and realised that this was what I did. This has become my habit. Ouch. It was easy to do. And it was fun. Ouch! "To impose a fine on the righteous is not good" The person behind the counter had the name "Trainee" on their badge. Asking that person what their actual name was, telling them they were doing a great job was not hard. It took 15 seconds. It's the opposite habit. Rather than impose a fine, give a blessing. But to do that I had to look. Look See See people #proverbs #somethingtochewon #habits #seepeople #beanencourager #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs! To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Proverbs 17:26 ESV Almost sounds like Donald Trump - "fine a good man? Not good. Not good" What is going on that this was written? Good people being persecuted because they're good. Wouldn't happen here would it? Except in my head. Where I judge people as being to perfect so I don't feel so bad. Where I focus on a good persons imperfections so mine don't look so big. Rather than celebrate their strengths I look for their weaknesses. I hear the misstep, the missed note. I focus on the stumble  I whine I complain I strike the good person. I fine the righteous. To make me look better to me, to feel better about me. Ouch! And in that I miss the goodness, the image bearer of God, the beauty, the heart. And it takes work to unwind those thoughts, those habits, to celebrate others wins, to look for the good, encourage strength in others...

(the gifts you sent) They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:18-20 NIV Paul is winding up his letter to the church with thanks. Is it a bit over the top? I got an email the other day and the closing line was "May God bless your work tenfold". Over the top? These are encouragers, heart warmers, connecting the person, their actions and point us back to God. Their point is to leave us warmed. Encouraged Strengthened. When people get a communication from me are they warmed? When people leave my place are they encouraged? "A blessing does something. It's the leading edge of love." Your words matter. They bring light in the darkness, replace the cold with warmth #speaklife #beanencourager #blessings #yourwordsmatter #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs! Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good (encouraging) word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25 Amp In today's NZ Herald is a story about NZers & their battles to overcome addiction: "Someone showing they care about a person is most often a catalyst for users getting help..." Someone showing they care. An encouraging word. We can all do that... What weighs us down, keeps us up at night, worries & anxieties...they're all different, but words can bring help & healing. Restoration. Jesus is the Word. The ultimate hope and restoration...but today, you & I are able to be Jesus in someone's life, to speak a word of courage, of hope & of restoration. Just do it. You can :) #Jesuspolitics #lovepeople #beanencourager #speaklife

I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it... Philippians 4:10 MSG Paul is re connecting to this church community & appreciative of their support - which has been from a distance. In our time, no one is far away because technology has closed the gap... Is there a "Paul" in your life who you can encourage? Maybe a pastor, parent, friend, ministry leader...the person who preached on Sunday or led worship... Those in leadership need our encouragement & support too... #lovepeople #beanencourager #loveyourpastor

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes... James 3:1-2 NLT Our pastors, church leaders, worship leaders, Bible teachers...they already have plenty of pressure on... & now Paul piles on a bit more... The easy thing is for us to be critical of those who are leading... But we could choose to be encouraging. Flick the people who were up front at church on Sunday a text or email or WhatsApp or whatever... They need to know that we're on their team :) Just like Paul they probably already know when they've made a mistake so choose to encourage... #lovepeople #beanencourager