Be a BR

Sometimes you need a slight push to help you get out of a rut.  I was in this very place with my blog.  I have over 40 blogs started in “DRAFT” status but have taken a brief hiatus from my blog.  I guess the new wore off or maybe I worried people thought all I posted was doom & gloom death stuff or maybe I felt I wasn’t being effective enough.  Whatever the reason, I have been struggling and praying to God that if it’s his will for me to start back with my blog to help me find the words.

It is so easy to doubt ourselves and talk ourselves out of things.  I am my own worst enemy.  I was pleasantly surprised when our preachers gave a shout out to my blog.  What an awesome compliment!  Brother Ricky recently lost a sister and not only preached her funeral but preached it on his birthday.  What a great example of a selfless act!

I actually owe BR much credit as he was one of my biggest encouragers when I contemplated creating this blog.  He also has been frequent to post on my blogs or tell me at church what he thought.  There are so many times I may hear a good sermon but in my rush to get to the next event, I don’t take a few minutes to let the preacher know that I appreciate him and heard what he said.  A preacher is like a doctor in that he is literally on call 24/7.  His earthly pay doesn’t nearly reflect the responsibilities placed on his shoulders, but I have to believe his pay will be bountiful in heaven.  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”- Colossians 3:23-24  I decided to think about ways we could all be a little more like Brother Ricky as a great encourager to others even when we don’t always feel like it.

Remember when everyone else moves on.  After a loss or major event, people reach out through various ways but eventually life returns back to normal for everyone but those directly affected.  This is when someone like BR shines by encouraging and checking on you.

Inspire by leading by example.   Even when you don’t feel like it, lead by example.  You could be what encourages someone else to do the same.  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Comfort others– This is one area that preachers are born to do.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Know- Know that no matter how much we plan, we are not the ultimate planners.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13

Yield- Yield to God’s plans and not man’s.  “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”- James 3:17

A big thank you to Brother Ricky Phillips for his inspiration and encouragement.