Wednesday, November 28, 2012 -- Bringing Out The Best In One Another (1)

Wednesday November 28, 2012

True friends help us become the people God created us to be. Sometimes that help is as basic as encouraging each other to be our best in daily activities, daily decisions, and spiritual growth. At other times, it’s helping us discover our gifts and moving forward to use them for good.

Can we remember a time when someone encouraged us to have hope, to keep going, to do the right thing? What did that person do that felt encouraging? People loved to spend time with Jesus. Everywhere He went, Jesus told people that the kingdom of God was available to them. Jesus taught that anyone who was part of the kingdom of God was a citizen with dignity, a worthwhile servant of the King, the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Jesus called people forward to receive the wonderful gift of abundant life that was God’s intention for them at creation.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (MATTHEW 5:13-16 NLT)

Here are some things friends do to bring out the best in us:

•Friends ask questions.

•Friends laugh and cry with us

•Friends encourage us to try new things

•Friends stimulate our faith walk with God.

•Friends affirm our strengths and are not threatened by our successes.

•Friends pray for us.

•Friends remind us of hope on the other side of our discouragement.

•Friends challenge us to take a healthy risk.

•Friends stick with us when everyone else gives up on us.

•Friends notice and compliment us on a job well done – a smile, a kind gesture, a goal reached.