[image: Purpose Driven Connection - Daily Devotional] March 12, 2009
Jesus Encouraged People<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?Q4GtvCxKC6yr6kW-L=3>
by Rick Warren
In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages
that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage: "We
who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up
in the faith" (Romans 15:1).
Jesus encouraged people, and he told those who are strong in faith to
make a point of encouraging others in their faith (Romans 15:1).
We all need confidence. When you know that someone believes in you, it
brings out your best. Jesus did this with the Apostle Peter. "Petros,"
Peter's name, meant pebble. But Jesus said, "Pebble, you're going to be a
rock. I'm giving you a new name."
When Jesus said that to Peter, the apostle was anything but a rock. He was
Mr. Impulsive, Mr. Foot-in-Mouth. But Jesus didn't tell him what he was—he
told him what he could be. He gave Peter confidence to live up to his
potential.
We all need encouragement. Over the years, I've kept an Encouragement File.
Every time anybody writes me a note, a card, or a letter, I file it. Even if
it's mildly encouraging, like "Better luck next time," or "You tried on that
sermon—good try," it still gets filed.
Then on days when I'm discouraged, down, and tired, I get out the
Encouragement File and read through all the letters and cards that I've
collected.
When you give encouragement, it needs to be genuine. So, give from the heart
and with sincerity. Encouragement also needs to be regular—don't be stingy
with your encouragement.
And encouragement needs to be specific. Instead of saying, "I enjoyed the
meal," say, "I can tell you put a lot of effort into this meal and the
seasoning you chose was perfect."
Instead of saying, "You did a good job," say, "I noticed you handled that
angry member with tact and you maintained your cool under pressure."
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest,
Calif., one of America’s largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick
is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The
Purpose Driven Church. Notice our new look? The Daily Devotional is
still the same scripture study you love and trust. But we’ve changed the way
it looks as it becomes a part of the new *Purpose Driven
Connection*<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?BYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0Iyv=431>
.
Tell us <http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?KYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0Iyk=441> what
you think. Then visit
PurposeDriven.com<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?ZYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0IyZ=451>for
more Christian guidance. Missed
out on one of the Daily Devotionals? View the online
archives.<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?LYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0Iye=461>
Did someone forward this Daily Devotional to you? Get your own free
subscription <http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?V4GtvCxKC6yr6kcn0IyT=471>to
*The Purpose Driven Connection* Daily Devotional, your daily inspiration via
email. Having trouble viewing this email? View the online
version<http://p.p0.com/YesConnect/HtmlMessagePreview?a=0iMzE-sjaxq-HJjtqmkcWfux>
. You are subscribed as [email protected]. You can unsubscribe at any time
by changing your e-mail
preferences<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?f4GtvCxKC6yr6kcn0IyI=481&s=E0984A82-CC1F-4445-B213-1B7B8D82CB03&trkid=>
. *The Purpose Driven Connection* Daily Devotional newsletter is produced by
PurposeDriven.com. Have a question or comment? Tell
us<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?QYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0IyN=491>online
or by mail at
*Purpose Driven Connection*, PO Box 8108, Red Oak, IA 51591-1108 © 2009. The
Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Read our Privacy
Policy<http://links.purposedriven.com/u.d?ZYGtvCxKC6yr6kcn0IyC=501>
.
--
'Unless you change what you do, you will always have what you've got.'
- Jim Rohn
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"tribewithavibe" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/tribewithavibe?hl=en
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
