Years ago I had a children’s pastor who encouraged us at a Sunday night service to really strive to read the Bible, to focus on the word of God. He encouraged us that there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs and if we ever had a time that we didn’t know what to read, we could turn to the chapter in Proverbs that correlates with that day of the month. This connected with me, I am a logical thinker, and having something consistent and straightforward was easy for me to follow.
So for many years now I will read the Proverb that correlates with that day of the month, and in that consistency I see the truth of God’s word stand firm when the experiences of my life seem to shift and change. As I am writing this today it is Sunday May 12th, so follow me to Proverbs 12 and discover some of these truths that are waiting to be found today.
In Proverbs 12 the author describes many good things that follow the righteous way of living, and many bad things which follow those who are more concerned with themselves. one verse that stands out to me today is: Proverbs 12:25 – “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” NLT
This past week I was able to partner with a group of people who desire nothing more than the kingdom of God to be known in the nations of the world. A group of people who give so much to advance the knowledge of God’s love among the nations. Students from a Christian college raise money and join together in teams to travel to nations around the world to share the love of Jesus. Pastors and mentors come and train and disciple these students for a week before praying and sending them out to serve missionaries around the world.
The community that I have found in this group has shaped and transformed my life over the past 8 years. Even before I became a student in college, this group of people affected my life. The goals and vision for this program are not set on promoting themselves, but on promoting the kingdom of God. This group of people Encourages others like no other group or team that I have been a part of in my life. The soul of man needs encouragement, it needs compassion, it needs hope, joy, and peace. This community has learned the lessons of being a people who love Jesus more than anything else.
I want my life to be a life of encouragement to others. I want the things that I do and say to bring glory to God and to point others to Jesus. I never want to hold so tightly to what I have that people I encounter who are in need do not receive what they need.
reachthisworld.org 