Encouragement…
© Lee Wise All rights reserved
Knowing I have been used by the Lord
to enrich the lives of those
He has entrusted to my care
“Oh, Lord, I know that encouragement can be such a simple thing – and yet so meaningful. Show me how. In my own way. When you want me to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
At least the title fits for the season! More importantly,
I believe it reflects the quality of our lives as we strive to
live with Jesus.
May the Lord bless you in all things today!
Lee
Travel At Its Finest
©Lee Wise All rights reserved
The earthly journey I take with Jesus
while faithfully refining His gifts,
feeding His sheep, and seeking His future friends.
Here’s part two of the article I wrote a while back.
May the Lord bless you and those you love,
Lee
25 Life Lessons From One Who Lived It Exceptionally Well
Part Two
© Lee Wise All rights reserved
As mentioned in Part One, identifying the characteristics of
one of the most influential persons in the history of the
world can be a fascinating and challenging process.
Therefore, as we take one more extended glace at the book of
Philippians, I encourage you to continue seeking the One who
invaded Paul’s world, broke him, and captured his heart by
grace.
In your attempt to absorb a few brief snapshots of this
man’s remarkable way of processing life with his Savior,
invite Jesus to:
Fill your heart with his love,
Capture your heart by his grace,
And strengthen your heart with hope.
The remaining 13 examples of living an excellent life only
begin to uncover the depths of wisdom parked between the
pages of a small letter we know as the book of Philippians.
May the Lord give us grace to…
Cherish these 104 verses of Scripture,
Visualize how he worked in Paul’s life,
And respond in ways that please his heart.
~~~~ Life Lessons, Part Two ~~~~
________________
13. Consistency
Should we label faith as one of Paul’s Hallmark virtues, a
close second would be consistency: steadfastness marked his
service for Christ. (1:20; 3:3:12-14).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Strive to be a consistent person.
Consistent in your walk with God,
In your family relationships,
In the work place,
And in your places of ministry.
________________
14. Influence
He had confidence in his ability to influence those in his
“caring circle,” and he exercised that confidence (1:22).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Endeavor before the Lord to grow in humble confidence and in
using your growing confidence to influence the lives of
people in a positive manner.
Obviously, we cannot influence everyone in every way.
However…
You can influence someone in some way.
________________
15. Suffering
He understood that pain as well as pleasure envelops the
lives of those who seek to walk in the ways of Jesus
(1:29-30).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Be prepared to hurt as a believer in Christ.
Realize that pain has many faces and more likely than not
you will wear several of those faces in the course of your
lifetime.
________________
16. Teamwork
Paul understood the necessity and power of being united with
others in the passionate pursuit of Jesus and his will.
(1:27-28; 2:1-4).
United in mission.
United in care.
Unity in mission always leads to unity in care.
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Be a team player!
Encourage working as a team in your family, ministry
settings, faith communities, and workplace.
Seek unity in Christ through the power of Christ.
________________
17. Mutual Consideration
Paul realized that self-centered desires must be kept in
check by the exercise of selfless desires (2:3-4).
The desire to please myself must be forever challenged by
the commitment to please others in all the right ways, for
all the right reasons.
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Care for others.
Aspire to share in their joys, rejoice in their victories,
empathize with their struggles, and pray with them for the
accomplishment of their godly desires.
________________
18. Humility
Paul understood the place of humility when it comes to
becoming a person of excellence (2:5,8).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Place the acquisition of humility at the top of your daily
person-I-want-to-become list.
Deploy a good segment of your energies in the direction of
maintaining humility before God and man.
_______________
19. Relationships
Paul allowed others to care for him. In addition, he deeply
cared for many in his circle of compassion (2:19-30).
He understood the meaning of “the friendship factor.”
He honored others (2:29).
In short, he understood the value of maintaining significant
relationships with people.
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Value and build quality relationships.
________________
20. Thinking
Paul knew that to live right you must think right (4:8,9).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Think positive.
Think truthfully.
Think Christ!
________________
21. Contentment
Paul practiced living a contended lifestyle (4:10-13).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Value and seek contentment.
Go more than once before the Lord and renew your request to
become a person characterized as one who lives and models
contentment.
________________
22. Rewards
Paul understood the value and potential delight of being
rewarded by God (1:9,10; 3:14; 4:17).
His desire was for others to experience the pleasure of
being honored by their Savior.
It was not that he sought no reward for himself (see 3:14).
He did, however, include the names and faces of others in
his quest for a future, God honoring time of recognition.
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Desire and work for the rewards of others.
________________
23. Hope
Paul was a man of hope (1:23; 3:20-21).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Be a person of hope.
Be a giver of hope.
Help people to have hope in Christ first and always.
Then, give them hope in life any way you can.
________________
24. Faith
Paul was a man of faith (1:6; 3:15; 4:19).
Simply put: he believed God.
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Trust God!
________________
25. Love
Paul was a man who loved God and sought his glory
(1:20; 3:7-11; 4:20).
Speaking Of Life Lessons…
Love God.
Love the people God created.
And love giving God the glory in all things.
________________
Praying Together
“Oh, Lord, give us a simple — yet strong — desire to be
someone like Paul in our hearts.
Help us to do as much as we can,
For as long as we can,
Wherever we can…
For your honor and for the good of those you call us to
serve.
In the name of your blessed Son,
Amen.”
____________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. However, the copyright box in Signature One
must be used when you do so (See Signature Boxes page)
In thinking about our labor as people in ministry and the
process of balancing our desire to see so much done because
of so many needs in the world with the stark reality that it
may not all be done, I wrote the following.
On Laboring For Jesus
© Lee Wise All rights reserved
We do…
As much as we can,
When we can,
Where we can.
We do this
in our area of the harvest
While being…
Strengthened by His grace,
Encouraged by His presence,
Challenged by His vision,
And refreshed by realizing
that the extent of our influence
rests securely in the loving hands
of the One who…
Blesses our efforts,
Defines our boundaries,
And loves us each step of the way.
~*~*~*~*
Enjoy,
Lee
