Pouring

 A water bearer had two large water pots which he carried on either end of a pole slung across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it, so every day as he carried water to his master’s house he arrived with one full pot and one only half full. This went on for two years. One pot was very proud of its accomplishments, while the imperfect pot was embarrassed at its failure. Its distress at being able only to accomplish half of what it had been made to do, resulted in its speaking one day to the water carrier.

"I am so ashamed," the pot said. "Why?" asked the carrier. "Because water leaks out all the way to your master’s house and because of my crack I’ve been only able to deliver half of the load." The water carrier looked kindly at the cracked pot and said, "As we return to my master’s house today, I want you to look at the beautiful flowers along the path."

The pot was a little cheered by the beauty he saw along the way. "Did you notice that the flowers were only on your side of the path?" the water carrier said.  “If your water hadn’t poured out, this beauty would not have occurred.  What you saw as deficiency, the flowers saw as provision.”

Pouring into others matters.  The Bible says it this way...

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  -  Ephesians 4:29b

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” - Hebrews 10:24

   God has called us to do many things while we are here on planet Earth.  One of our primary opportunities is to partner together with others on their journey to reach their God-potential.  You have people in your life right now that need you.  You are their encouragement... your presence brings them comfort... and they are counting on your friendship to help them bloom.   Make every effort to pour into them... be there for them in their times of trouble... and give them the reassurance that somebody really does care.  

Maybe you feel like the pot in today’s story.... broken... unusable...  You aren’t.  God has given you the ability to cheer someone up, carry someone’s burdens, brighten someone’s day, or to let them know that Jesus Christ...the true Living Water... can put flowers where there was once dry land.  When we remember this, and really do it.... we get the blessing and God gets the glory.  

Building Up

Jamie Scott was trying out for a part in his elementary school play.  His mother said that his heart was set on it, though she feared he might not be chosen.  On the day the parts were awarded, Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.  “Guess what, mom,” he shouted, “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

Needless to say, Jamie was not awarded the lead part in the play.  Instead, he would stay on the outside... cheering on those that had all of the lines.  The world would say this was a miss in life.. but scripture says differently.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we read, “Therefore encourage one another and build another up, just as you are doing.”  Playing the role of encourager is huge in the Kingdom of God.   The world is full of those trying to drag people down.  Choose to be different.  Offer a smile rather than criticism.  Be a listening ear and empathize rather than ignore and judge.  I can promise you this, the role of encourager may never put you in a spotlight...but you won’t need it.  Instead, when you choose to become one, you’ll brighten every room you enter with the light of Christ. 

Impacting Others

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American person to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. Players would stomp on his feet and kick him. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he made an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans booed. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Encouragement means so much.  Sometimes it’s verbal... a word of affirmation or a compliment.  Yet other times, it’s not.  It can come in the form of a hand squeeze, a wink, a pat on the back, or in Jackie Robinson’s case, an arm over the shoulder.  Regardless of how it is conveyed, everyone needs to be encouraged.  The Bible talks about it in 1 Thessalonians 5

Vs.  11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Throughout the course of your life you will talk with many people.  Some will be closer than others... but all will be affected by the conversations.  What kind of impact are you having on them?  Are you building them up?  Helping them see their potential?  Reminding them of their value?   God has called us to do so.   There are enough people in this world trying to boo and jeer those you love.  Refuse to be one of them.  Choose to shine your light on the good things... point them out... lift them up... and encourage those around you to believe in themselves again.  It’s love like that that will change the world. 

A Reminder

It’s Thursday... I thought you might want to be reminded...

God is there -- “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” (Heb. 13:5)

God will protect you -- [to Abram] "I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Gen. 15:1)

God walks with you -- "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God." (Isa. 41:10)

God is there to help -- "I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isa. 41:10)

God knows the way -- "After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:4) 

God has a purpose for your life -- "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11) 

God provides rest -- "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) 

God forgives -- "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9) 

God gives grace to the undeserving -- "For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." (Psalm 84:11) 

God is faithful -- "The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people." (1 Sam. 12:22) 

God’s ways are the right ways -- "He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way." (Psalm 25:9)

God’s has a plan -- "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom. 8:28) *

When the world is whispering to you... to give up... to quit... 

When they say that you don’t have enough talent.

That you aren’t beautiful.

That you’ll never rise above it.

When they say that winning is an impossibility...

If you ever hear any word that makes you feel like less than the masterpiece that God created you to be.  

Never forget... if you are a Christ-follower... you have God.

And He is enough.

His promises are true.  

His character is consistent. 

His grace and mercy are renewed each day.

He created you with a purpose.  You may have stumbled.  You may have faced setbacks... to the point where you even wonder where He is.  He hasn’t left your side and He still hears your prayers and counts your tears.  

Life can be hard

God is good.

You are loved.

CLAP AND CHEER

Jamie Scott was trying out for a part in his elementary school play.  His mother said that his heart was set on it, though she feared he might not be chosen.  On the day the parts were awarded, Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.  “Guess what, mom,” he shouted, “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

Needless to say, Jamie was not awarded the lead part in the play.  Instead, he would stay on the outside... cheering on those that had all of the lines.  The world would say this was a miss in life.. but scripture says differently.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we read, “Therefore encourage one another and build another up, just as you are doing.”  Playing the role of encourager is huge in the Kingdom of God.   The world is full of those trying to drag people down.  Choose to be different.  Offer a smile rather than criticism.  Be a listening ear and empathize rather than ignore and judge.  I can promise you this, the role of encourager may never put you in a spotlight...but you won’t need it.  Instead, when you choose to become one, you’ll brighten every room you enter with the light of Christ.  

In the Stands

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:4

Michael Jordan is one of the most beloved sports figures of the modern era.  Many consider him the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. What many don’t know is that before each game, he’d scan the stands in search of his dad.  When asked why, Michael said,  “When he’s there, I know I have at least one fan.”  It didn’t matter if his son scored 50 points... or fouled out early... James Jordan cheered for his son.  

Our children need us in the stands.  They need to know that there is always going to be at least one person that supports them...even when they make a mistake.  The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are to encourage our children...not constantly ridicule them.  Of course, occasional discipline is necessary...but just knowing that you support them unconditionally will help them have confidence and succeed.  The world may try to boo your child... cheer louder.  They’ll be listening for it.  

Out of the Bucket

Fisherman know that when they go out to sea to catch different types of crabs, they don’t need to put a lid on their capture bucket.   Why?  Because once they’re caught... crabs never try to escape.  Not because they are unable to.. but because when one tries, the others drag him back down.  It’s what is called the “crab mentality.”  If we all can’t escape... nobody can.  

Sadly, some people are the same way.  They just can’t stand to see others happy.  If they can’t be filled with joy... neither can you.  If they can’t succeed... they’re keeping you down there with them.  The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:3 to do nothing selfishly... but consider other people as better than ourselves.  Want a cure for the “crab mentality?”   Resist the urge to keep them in the bucket... instead encourage their growth, cheer them on when they win, and help them over the hurdles of life.  God will bless your selflessness.

Impact

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American person to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. Players would stomp on his feet and kick him. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he made an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans booed. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Encouragement means so much.  Sometimes it’s verbal... a word of affirmation or a compliment.  Yet other times, it’s not.  It can come in the form of a hand squeeze, a wink, a pat on the back, or in Jackie Robinson’s case, an arm over the shoulder.  Regardless of how it is conveyed, everyone needs to be encouraged.  The Bible talks about it in 1 Thessalonians 5

Vs.  11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Throughout the course of your life you will talk with many people.  Some will be closer than others... but all will be affected by the conversations.  What kind of impact are you having on them?  Are you building them up?  Helping them see their potential?  Reminding them of their value?   God has called us to do so.   There are enough people in this world trying to boo and jeer those you love.  Refuse to be one of them.  Choose to shine your light on the good things... point them out... lift them up... and encourage those around you to believe in themselves again.  It’s love like that that will change the world. 

Look Up

Have you ever seen a field of sunflowers?  It’s one of the most amazing things you’ll ever witness.  As the sun passes overhead, the flowers turn to face it. 

No matter what.  

When the warm sun moves... so do the sunflowers.  It’s beautiful.  In unison...a blanket of bright yellow flowers all pivoting toward the source of their warmth and provision regardless of external circumstances.  

They never lose sight of the sun.  

We could learn something from those sunflowers.

When life gets challenging... we want to turn away.  Quit.  Look down.  Turn our faces from the One who immeasurably loves us. 

We want to stare at the ground... or wring our hands... or question God’s existence... 

God is nudging us to keep looking up.  Towards Him.  He wants us to remain confident... Remembering that He has never been defeated.  At anything.  Ever.  He created it all.  He’s experienced it all.  He knows it all.  And He has the power to change it all... in a heartbeat.   God wants us to soak in the warmth of His love... stay focused on His provision... and count on His consistency.   Just like the daily life of His sunflower.

As I continued to read about these plants, I discovered something else that I think might help... 

At night, the sunflowers never lose track of the position of the sun.  They don’t take the night off... they don’t forget.... they keep their faces pointed to where the sun is.  Not where it was during the day... but where it currently is.  As they sit in darkness, they remember... just because it’s no longer visible... doesn’t mean that it isn’t still present.  The sun loses no power during the night... it’s just illuminating another part of the world.  The sunflower knows this and stays pointed at it.  360 degrees... 24 hours a day... facing the source of the light.  

Ever been in a dark place?  Ever wonder where God went or why He seems to have abandoned you?   There’s a man in the Bible who felt that way.  His name was Job.  He lost everything.  His family, his property, his wealth... all gone.  If anybody had a right to curse his circumstances, it was him.  His sun had turned to darkness... and scripture tells us that Job had the opportunity to break his connection with God and stare at the ground.    Defeated.  Irreparable.  Desperate.   

But he didn’t.  Despite his circumstances... Job kept his eyes upward.  Tracking God’s every move.  Look what he was able to say in Chapter 23:

“For I have stayed on God’s paths;

    I have followed his ways and not turned aside.” Job 23:11 

And because Job kept that critical connection... He prospered.  Make no mistake... he suffered.  His pain was intense.  He thought it would never end... that He was never going to feel better...  

But then He remembered to look up.  God was there.... unsurprised by Job’s circumstances.... but rejoicing in his faith despite them.   Job continued to track God even when He couldn’t see Him, feel His protection, or fully understand the “why”.   Like the sunflower, he remembered that God was still there.  In the darkness.  When he felt most alone... God was there.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

What does that word “never” mean?  

It means never.  Ever.  Not happening.  God isn’t going anywhere.  

God knows His way into your marriage... He can find your hospital room... He was there at your wedding... He follows your children around the hallways of their school... You can’t outrun Him and He won’t go away.  God is ever-faithful... always present... unselfish... and willing to extend grace to those that haven’t even requested it. 

Feeling His warmth yet?  Even if it’s night in your life right now.  God’s still there.  Stay pointed towards Him.  

When the flowers want to see the sun, they look up.  

The Son you’re tracking is there too.  At the right hand of His Father.  Waiting for you to take that burden and lay it at His feet.  What are you carrying today?  Have you lost sight of where God is?  Forgot how much He cares?  Is it dark where you are in life?  Wondering if He lost track of you or forgot how much you hurt?

He hasn’t forgotten.  You matter to Him.  

He isn’t taking a break or pushing you past your limits in revenge for some past sin.  He isn’t hiding just to see if you’ll come looking.  He’s on the same path He’s been on since the Earth came into being.  But there’s only one place you’ll find Him. 

Look up.

Cracked Pots

 A water bearer had two large water pots which he carried on either end of a pole slung across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it, so every day as he carried water to his master’s house he arrived with one full pot and one only half full. This went on for two years. One pot was very proud of its accomplishments, while the imperfect pot was embarrassed at its failure. Its distress at being able only to accomplish half of what it had been made to do, resulted in its speaking one day to the water carrier.

"I am so ashamed," the pot said. "Why?" asked the carrier. "Because water leaks out all the way to your master’s house and because of my crack I’ve been only able to deliver half of the load." The water carrier looked kindly at the cracked pot and said, "As we return to my master’s house today, I want you to look at the beautiful flowers along the path."

The pot was a little cheered by the beauty he saw along the way. "Did you notice that the flowers were only on your side of the path?" the water carrier said.  “If your water hadn’t poured out, this beauty would not have occurred.  What you saw as deficiency, the flowers saw as provision.”

Pouring into others matters.  The Bible says it this way...

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  -  Ephesians 4:29b

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” - Hebrews 10:24

   God has called us to do many things while we are here on planet Earth.  One of our primary opportunities is to partner together with others on their journey to reach their God-potential.  You have people in your life right now that need you.  You are their encouragement... your presence brings them comfort... and they are counting on your friendship to help them bloom.   Make every effort to pour into them... be there for them in their times of trouble... and give them the reassurance that somebody really does care.  

Maybe you feel like the pot in today’s story.... broken... unusable...  You aren’t.  God has given you the ability to cheer someone up, carry someone’s burdens, brighten someone’s day, or to let them know that Jesus Christ...the true Living Water... can put flowers where there was once dry land.  When we remember this, and really do it.... we get the blessing and God gets the glory.  

Encouragement Matters

Jamie Scott was trying out for a part in his elementary school play.  His mother said that his heart was set on it, though she feared he might not be chosen.  On the day the parts were awarded, Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.  “Guess what, mom,” he shouted, “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

Needless to say, Jamie was not awarded the lead part in the play.  Instead, he would stay on the outside... cheering on those that had all of the lines.  The world would say this was a miss in life.. but scripture says differently.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we read, “Therefore encourage one another and build another up, just as you are doing.”  Playing the role of encourager is huge in the Kingdom of God.   The world is full of those trying to drag people down.  Choose to be different.  Offer a smile rather than criticism.  Be a listening ear and empathize rather than ignore and judge.  I can promise you this, the role of encourager may never put you in a spotlight...but you won’t need it.  Instead, when you choose to become one, you’ll brighten every room you enter with the light of Christ.  

Cheering Others On

Fishermen know that when they go out to sea to catch different types of crabs, they don’t need to put a lid on their capture bucket.   Why?  Because once they’re caught... crabs never try to escape.  Not because they are unable to.. but because when one tries, the others drag him back down.  It’s what is called the “crab mentality.”  If we all can’t escape... nobody can.  

Sadly, some people are the same way.  They just can’t stand to see others happy.  If they can’t be filled with joy... neither can you.  If they can’t succeed... they’re keeping you down there with them.  The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:3 to do nothing selfishly... but consider other people as better than ourselves.  Want a cure for the “crab mentality?”   Resist the urge to keep them in the bucket... instead encourage their growth, cheer them on when they win, and help them over the hurdles of life.  God will bless your selflessness.  

An Encouraging Word

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American person to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. Players would stomp on his feet and kick him. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he made an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans booed. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Encouragement means so much.  Sometimes it’s verbal... a word of affirmation or a compliment.  Yet other times, it’s not.  It can come in the form of a hand squeeze, a wink, a pat on the back, or in Jackie Robinson’s case, an arm over the shoulder.  Regardless of how it is conveyed, everyone needs to be encouraged.  The Bible talks about it in 1 Thessalonians 5

Vs.  11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

Throughout the course of your life you will talk with many people.  Some will be closer than others... but all will be affected by the conversations.  What kind of impact are you having on them?  Are you building them up?  Helping them see their potential?  Reminding them of their value?   God has called us to do so.   There are enough people in this world trying to boo and jeer those you love.  Refuse to be one of them.  Choose to shine your light on the good things... point them out... lift them up... and encourage those around you to believe in themselves again.  It’s love like that that will change the world.  

Hearing What Matters

Grayson Clamp was born deaf. He never heard a sound in his life until June of 2013 when he became the first child in the United States to receive an auditory brain stem implant. The device allows his brain to process sound the way a hearing person’s would. The first thing he heard? His father sitting over his bedside saying “Daddy loves you. Daddy loves you.”

Today as you listen to this devotional... maybe you need to hear the same thing. Your Heavenly Father loves you. He does. He is passionate about you. He steps in for you... protects you... provides for you... reaches out for you... and listens to you when you talk to Him. He never moves from your side and always has His loving arm around you when you get scared.

Don’t allow the world to cover your ears. Some people will discourage you and convince you that you are alone. They will make you feel unloved and remind you that you have made mistakes. They’ll try to distract you from God’s gentle whispers with silent betrayal and painful criticism. Don’t let them. Take some time today... close your eyes... and let God tell you again and again...

You are mine.
I’m right here.
Daddy loves you.