April 1, 2008

Divine Appointments

Today’s Truth

“And when He (Jesus) went ashore, he saw a great multitude, and He felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34 NASB).

Friend to Friend

As we go throughout our busy days, we are continually met with opportunities to impact others with the words we speak. Yes, our words influence family, friends, and fellow believers. But it is the man in front of us in line at the grocery store, the woman at the checkout counter, the waiter in the restaurant, the fellow passenger on the airplane, or the neighbor across the street who might be your special assignment for the day. Those are the people that God brings across our paths that may need a word of encouragement most of all.

Jesus was a very busy man. And yet, he was never too busy to offer a kind word to the men and women who crossed His path on a daily basis. He stopped and spoke to the diminutive Zacchaeus perched in a tree to get a better look at the parade of followers. He took a break from his travels to engage in one of his longest recorded conversations with a weary woman at a well with a sullied reputation. He interrupted his schedule to comfort a mother in the funeral procession of her only son. He took time to deliver a demon possessed man who stood in his way on the shore. He noticed a lame man among many who crowded around the pools of Bethesda waiting for the healing waters to stir. He encouraged the distraught Peter after his denial. He comforted his crying mother as she stood at the foot of the cross. He instructed the frustrated fishermen as he stood watching from the shore.

Jesus noticed…and then he offered words and deeds of comfort and concern.

It appears that each of these incidents in Jesus’ life was an interruption in his packed schedule, but they were not interruptions at all. Each encounter was a divine appointment from His Heavenly Father who controlled the moments of Jesus’ days. Could God be sending us out on special assignment each time we cross the thresholds of our homes. Who will God put in your path today?

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see the people whom I pass today that need a word of encouragement, a word of acknowledgement, or a word of thanks. Help me to slow down enough to see the needs standing right in front of me. Thank you for giving Jesus as our example of how to care for a hurting world.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Now it’s Your Turn

Can you think of a time when someone, perhaps even a stranger, said a kind word that brightened your day?

Make it a point today to encourage five people that you do not know. Perhaps it will be in the work place, the grocery store or the bank. Make your errands a ministry opportunity today.

More from the Girlfriends

Words are one of the most powerful gifts that God has given us. He didn’t entrust them to zebras, cows, or cats. He gave words to man! Wow! What a responsibility. If you would like to learn about how to use your words more effectively, see The Power of a Woman’s Words by Sharon Jaynes. And for a more in-depth Bible study on Words, see The Power of a Woman’s Words Bible Study Guide.