Tag Archive for: Encouragement

Don’t Ruin the Ride Home | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Do your kids love or dread getting in the car with you? Watch and find out how to make rides with you a joy for your kids.

Game Plan: (hear these words directly from Jesus to you)

“And now, dear brothers and sisters…Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” Philippians 4:8, NLT

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29, NLT

 

Time Out:

Does your child enjoy their car rides with you?

Do they feel that you coach them so much on the way to a practice, game or performance that the ride is no fun?

Do they feel your unconditional love and the joy of sport or do they feel pressure, criticism and disapproval?

What would you like to hear on a day when you missed some easy shots, forgot to hustle a couple times, fumbled the ball, or failed to stand next to the coach so he’d remember to put you in the game.

Do your kids dread or anticipate riding with you to games or school? Are you encouraging them or tearing them down? Make their rides a joy.

Go Deep:

God’s message for you in letters to Philippians and Ephesians is simple:

Think about the positive. Look for what you can praise.

Don’t ever speak in a negative, demeaning or discouraging manner to your children.

Use words and tone that uplift, encourage and truly help them.

  • “I love to watch you play.”
  • “You’re an awesome teammate.”
  • “I love your hustle and the way you keep going no matter what.”

Make sure the car ride home is fun for your kid.

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Big Tip and Free Prayers | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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What would Jesus do at a restaurant? Watch and find out.

Game Plan: (hear these words directly from Jesus to you)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34, NIV

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV

Time Out:

Imagine Jesus at a McDonalds or Wendy’s? Across the counter He greets a weary single mom or distracted teenage employee.

Would He buoyantly use her name, caringly smile and find a clever way to elevate and dignify her? Might he use humor to lift her spirit? Might he even shock her with a crazy $20 tip?

I can see Jesus being extravagantly winsome with a financially-strapped server at a greasy diner or dingy pub. Even His huge tip would pale compared to what follows his whispered question, “What hard thing are you facing?” Gently taking his hand, Jesus then prays for the young man…and changes His life.

If we think of our interaction with people from a selfish and consumeristic standpoint, we will be transactional.We’ll want to get more from them than they get from us.

Go Deep:

Let’s stop hesitating to bless people.

Let’s pray for and anticipate situations to bless people.

If you are afraid to pray out loud in a restaurant or for the person at the check out register, smile, use their name, and tell them they do their job well.

Perhaps you’ll ask, “What could I pray about for you?” Regardless, as you walk away, you can pray that God show His love to them, bless them and meet their deepest need.

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Outbless Others | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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There’s a way to compete and win…that let’s others win too. Take a look and see how it works.

Game Plan:

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for you to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” I Peter 3:9, ESV

 

Time Out:

What did God do for you when you didn’t deserve it?

Did He bless you so that you could be a bucket that stingily collects blessings?

Or, did He call you to be a funnel that joyfully passes blessings through to other people on God’s behalf?

If we think of our interaction with people from a selfish and consumeristic standpoint, we will be transactional. We’ll want to get more from them than they get from us. But, we won’t end up happy, nor will we add value to the relationship.

I want to treat people well on God’s behalf. Let’s invest in the future of our relationships by aiming to go above and beyond normal in blessing others.

If we think of our interaction with people from a selfish and consumeristic standpoint, we will be transactional.We’ll want to get more from them than they get from us.

Go Deep:

In every situation, with every person, in every interaction…out-bless other people.

Be kinder to them…more patient with them…more forgiving to them.

Be more encouraging and positive with them. Be more generous to them.

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Love Trumps Stats | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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It’s not fun to be the LOSER of the Super Bowl. Are you or your kids feeling too much of the society’s “I don’t measure up” judgments? Try out this antidote to not measuring up.

Game Plan:

“The prodigal son – a miserable loser in society’s and his own eyes] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:20-24 ESV

Time Out:

The Prodigal Son’s dad was prolific in grace and generous in affirmation! Are we? Parents, mentors and managers have much power to recalibrate a battered attitude and lift a discouraged soul. Are you paying careful attention to the countenance, circumstances and spirit of your spouse, kids or teammates? Is there a risk to valuing, honoring and encouraging someone who’s not feeling like a winner?

Parents, mentors and managers have much power to recalibrate a battered attitude and lift a discouraged soul.

Go Deep:

Have a chat at dinner, bedtime, on the phone or in the car with someone special to you that needs to hear that they are a winner. Affirm that they have a ton to offer, and they’re loved unconditionally. Remind them of their best traits and what they mean to you. Make it clear what God has done to love and affirm them as His cherished kid. Celebrate them.

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Crazy Glue and You | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Is there more friction than flow in your marriage? I’ve been there. It will take more than crazy glue to mend differences. Maybe this week’s devotion will help.

Game Plan:

“Think about how all this [difference] makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, “I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,” would that make it so? If Ear said, “I’m not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,” would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.” I Corinthians 12:14-18, MSG

“He [God] makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” Ephesians 4:16, NLT

“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” I Peter 3:7, NLT

Time Out:

Have you been struggling with how different you and your spouse are?

Apply the analogy of sports to marriage. You both have different skills, personalities and roles…and you only win when you support each other.

Is it time to fully accept that God made you different and God gave your spouse to you?

Have you been struggling in dealing with the differences between you and your spouse? Get in line. Differences are natural. Handling them requires the supernatural.

Go Deep:

Validate your spouse for their gifts and different style.

Thank your spouse for how they help and complement you.

Apologize for chafing at their differences and not being sensitive to them.

Adapt to help your teammate thrive. Helping your team helps you.

Assure your kids…tell them you’re different on purpose and you’re glued for life.

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Be An Epic Encourager, Dad | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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My dad was a crazy encourager. Watch and see if you are too.

Game Plan:

“Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21, NLT

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8, ESV

Time Out:

Dads, if we think our job is simply to not aggravate our children, we’re reading the Bible wrong. Did you want your dad solely to not aggravate you, or did you want him to encourage you, validate you, and praise you?

Our job is to give our children courage and confidence. That means we need to see far beyond their immaturity, mistakes and lackluster efforts. We need to look for the Philippians 4:8 stuff – positive, commendable, praiseworthy things.

Dads, if we think our job is simply to not aggravate our children, we’re reading the Bible wrong.

Go Deep:

Fathering is rooted in identity. Many of us struggle because our dad didn’t give us the validation and courage that comes from knowing that we are beloved sons of a perfect Heavenly Father. Look at all the encouragement God has for us imperfect and sinful people. Now go on a quest to find the good, the positive, and the potential in your children. Make it your daily goal to fill them with confidence and courage.

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Take the Consumer Marriage Quiz | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Here’s a quick way to spot if you’re doing things in your marriage that make things worse:

Game Plan:

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12, ESV

Time Out:

Take this quick quiz as it relates to your marriage:

  • Am I “wise in my own eyes”?
  • Do I think my motives and behavior are normal but that my spouse’s are not?

When I trust my own feelings and my own judgments about myself and my relationships, I am acting “wise in my own eyes”. And that is foolish. It leads to false expectations, disappointment, and criticism. It cancels serving your spouse and positions you to wait on being served.

The consumer marriage quiz exposes our pride, our narrow view of things, our selfishness. It exposes our foolishness. But there is good news. Humility leads to wisdom and God invites us to gain His wisdom.

The path to wisdom is devoting yourself and your time to reading and meditating on God’s word.

Go Deep:

The beginning of wisdom is humility, respecting God with awe and reverence.

Humble yourself and seek wisdom. The path to wisdom is devoting yourself and your time to reading and meditating on God’s word. Seeking wisdom and improvement in relationships is a request we make of God.

Be willing to examine yourself, not others. Then, you will be wise in others’ eyes…and make your relationships better too.

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Consuming Kills Love | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Want to know what kills love? Check out the email I received.

Game Plan:

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[a But if you are always biting and devouring one another [in selfishness, bickering and strife], watch out! Beware of destroying [consuming] one another.” Galatians 5:13-15, NLT

Time Out:

Are you too well trained as a consumer? Do you expect to get a great deal in every area of life? Have you let that self-centric consumerism drift into how you view your spouse, your marriage or relationship? Do you argue or pull away from your spouse because they didn’t behave the way you wanted? Have you let sensual entertainment or pornography turn sex into consumption? Porn kills love. Consumption kills love. It’s time to shift from consumer to investor in your relationships.

Love is putting the interests of another ahead of yourself. God loves you while you do not deserve it.

Go Deep:

Consumption is not love. Love is putting the interests of another ahead of yourself. God loves you while you do not deserve it. He models an investor relationship. Decide to be an investor. Express gratitude. Compliment. Apologize. Forgive. Pay Attention. Meet someone else’s need. Ask your spouse how you can best love them and add value to your relationship.

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Do You Have FOMO? | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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I fear missing out on good stuff. Do you? Watch and set yourself free.

Game Plan:

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2, NLT

Time Out:

When we fear missing out on something, do we fear that life won’t be good unless we reach out and grab something that others have? When we fear missing out, are we demonstrating that we have yet to find true contentment? When we fear missing out, have we not learned that contentment is knowing Jesus… and that His plan for us is good, pleasing and complete. God has a paradox for us. If we give up and let go, we gain the most possible. If we give our bodies fully to God, desiring relationship with Him and His cause above everything else, we’ll be worshiping Him in a way that allows Him to change us to be the best and most joyful version of ourselves.

God has a paradox for us. If we give up and let go, we gain the most possible.

Go Deep:

Don’t let the Facebook-fueled and advertising-saturated culture of selfish consumerism rip you off. God alone is the source of pure joy and contentment. Stop trying for too much in too many ways, all at the same time. Ask God for contentment. Clue…it’s knowing and serving Him. Commitment brings freedom…Commitment requires focus…Focus will gladly skip lesser things to seek the best.

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Consumer or Investor? | Facing Your Blitz Weekly Video Devotion

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Is it time for a reminder of what vitalizes and what corrodes friendship and marriage?  Take a minute and align yourself with the Relationship Investor Paradigm.

Game Plan:

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13, NLT

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” [Family sticks together in all kinds of weather.] Proverbs 17:17, NLT

Time Out:

Jesus loves in a way that initiates, perseveres and always does what’s best for us…He invests!

Have you been doing more consuming or investing lately? In relationships, not finances! Do you wait for people to apologize to you first? Do you have expectations of him or her that you don’t communicate? Is there some bitterness or resentment growing?

A consumer in relationships is focused on what treatment I’m going to get. The consumer is asking, “Who is going to be kind to me?”

Ask yourself, “Have I been long-term or short-term oriented in my marriage, relationship, or friendships lately?”

Go Deep:

As you read those questions…you realized that there is someone you want to apologize to. Follow through. Make an investment in them and the relationship. As a relationship investor, you may say something like:

“Hey, I’ve not valued you as well as I want to I was wrong.” “I’m sorry.” “Will you forgive me?” “Going forward, how can I encourage and help you?”

How about this? Every morning, remind yourself and ask God to help you be an investor, not a consumer. I think you’ll find that the investment will multiply

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