Have You Encouraged Someone Today?

Ok, so confession time. I am no theologian, but this is just something that really popped out to me as I read the book of Acts these past two days. There were alot of things that popped out, important things. But I think this one is one of the more important ones that stood out to me.

As I read through the book of Acts, all 28 chapters and its verses, you can say the main thing that really popped out to me, was the number of times Paul and the other apostles are caught encouraging the church and other followers of God and Jesus Christ.

I counted, counted with alittle help from Bible Gateway and word finder, the word 'encourage.' There are twelve times that this word is used in Acts alone. There are other signs of encouragement, but the word 'encour'age is found twelve times. To me it must be alot to stick out to me.

I do believe that it is to encourage the other believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is important because there are times where this world will tear us down. And we need to build each other up. For we are all being used by God and when we see that God is using us, even if we can't see it on ourselves, it helps when others let us know. Let us know that we are following the heart of God, the will of God. That we are doing our hardest to do what He wants and you know sometimes the devil will try to tell us that we aren't working hard enough to make God proud; well, that is just wrong. God is proud of everything that we do, especially if it is for His will and glory.

I know this is something that I have been trying to do. Doing it whether anonymously or letting them who sent it. I will write letters to my brothers and sisters and let them know that doing a great work for God. I want to tell them that they are beautiful, they are a mentor, they are just like Christ. Anyway that will encourage them. Sometimes I feel corny doing it, or selfish cause I only hope that they would send me something back to encourage me. But you that's ok if I don't, cause everytime I catch myself doing that, those who I wrote those letters to come to me in person saying how much they appreciated that and well, honestly, that's encouragement enough for me. It's just to great to see that even something little like that will make people smile and get them through a day.

So I encourage you to encourage someone you come in contact daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly. Let them know how much they matter to you, cause you never know what that will do for their life.

Will you take the challenge?

**References to Encouraging in ACTS**
Acts 4:37
Acts 9:31
Acts 14:22
Acts 15:31,32,41
Acts 16:40
Acts 18:27
Acts 20:1,2
Acts 27:36
Acts 28:15

Summer Of Hope

So radio stations, K-love and Air1, are challenging listeners to get involved in their communities through alot of local organizations.

This last week on Wednesday, K-love and Air1 of Kansas City hosted a benefit concert with the band Satellites and Sirens. The cost of entering the concert was one or more non-perishable food item that would go to the Hope Network of Raytown.

Hope Network helps not only the community surrounding the area of Raytown but also the Kansas City area. They have a food pantry that serves 45 families a week. They also have a dinner every Thursday, which I am not sure how much they serve, but this last Thursday we served 541 plates of food, and many more to go plates. They also recieve some groceries from Harvesters, which they give to anyone that is able to make it to the area.

But it was such a great turnout at the concert and the band did great. It was so much fun as always working at these type of events. I had been so excited for this event pretty much since I found out about it. Yes, I like the band, Satellites and Sirens, but I was looking forward to helping and seeing how much we collected that night. I was alittle sad that I didn't know anyone that showed up from the Kansas City area. I only say that cause I saw the guys of the band at a previous concert, which too was fun.

But I guess, I was just really, really excited for the next day when we were really going to get involved with Hope Network. But I was definitely not ready for what I saw that day.

At first, I felt like that I was just at the Harvesters organizing food. I wasn't ready for the number of people I saw that we helped today. Oh man, honestly, I had to confront myself. I found myself judging. Judging. Who am I to judge? Some, maybe even most of the people that I talked to is probably so much more happier then me. I take so much for granted. I had to take a break to take a moment to pray for forgivness.

After my moment between me and God, one of the pastors came down and we talked about how it all
got started, and it just made me smile. There were alot of kids in the waiting room just playing, and
my heart for children just exploded. Oh man, I wish I had gotten a picture. They were just enjoying life, just as they may have always done. But it reminds me those children of Uganda, how they are always smiling and just having the time of their life. I have to admit that I almost cried.

God is definitely working with this organization, Hope Network. I am wanting to work with them again.

So I totally tell you.

Check out.... Hope Network of Raytown,MO, K-love, Air1, and Satellites and Sirens (hit song, Anchors, played on Air1).

Get involved with your community this summer!!!! DO IT!