Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:12

What are you doing to bless the lives of your spiritual leaders? Do you pray daily for them? Do you send them notes ofencouragement? Do you thank them for their loving attention? Do you respond to their rebukes and take heart in their affirmations? Leaders don't need to be followed blindly, but often they get no support for their efforts. Let's make their work a blessing and not a burden! (Hebrews 13:17)

We are the sermons the world is heeding.-- Billy Graham

Shine ... make 'em wonder what you got
Make 'em wish that they were not
on the outside looking for it

Shine ... let it shine before all men
let them see good works and then
let 'em glorify the Lord

To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer. -- Thomas Aquinas

We can love the world, or love God. If we love the world, there will be no room in our heart for the love of God. We cannot love both God, who is eternal, and the world, which is transitory. -- St. Augustine of Hippo

Our work here is brief but its reward is eternal. Do not bedisturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes away like a shadow. -- Clare of Assisi

I Pray For Increase

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. -- Psalm 5:3

Prayer is more than asking. Prayer is more than praising. Prayer is more than thanking. Prayer is more than requesting or interceding or kneeling or humbling ourselves. Prayer is expecting that God wants us there, expecting that God hears us, and expecting that God will meet us in our prayer time and do what is best for us.

Have you ever heard the story of Jimmy Reed the jazz musician? It's said that if you listen to his albums you can hear a soft female voice in the background saying the next line to the song. Apparently, Jimmy would get so involved in the rhythm and beat of the music that he would forget the words so his wife softly whispered them to him. It reminds me of how we are sometimes. We get so involved in the rhythm and beat of our daily lives that we forget the Words to our song, but if we really listen, we can hear the Holy Spirit softly telling us what comes next.

Listen when He speaks.

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk. -- Francis of Assisi

Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. -- Thomas Moore

Our church lost a new born baby yesterday. He was with us one hour before the Lord called him back home. The blessing is how the young couple handled the situation. God was glorified by their faith.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Oprah Exposed

The tearful praying Christian, whose distress prevent his words, will be clearly understood by the Most High. -- Charles H. Spurgeon