Who understands anything when there is chaos? When everyone is speaking at once, who do we listen to? What is the focus when there is so many things grabbing our attention? The answer that is there is only chaos and noise and things happening.

“⁴⁰But all things should be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40 (ESV)

Without order, there is nothing to truly focus our attention. There has to be something to focus on to really get things done. In fact there are studies that have confirmed that the humans can only have concentrated focus on one thing at a time. Yes, people will tell that they are really great at multi-tasking and they truly believe that, but reality is that they are task switching and not multi-tasking. They are moving from item to item quickly and giving full attention to the one at the switch and the other is left out.

There has to be order and focus for things to really take effect. Since we are not able to focus on multiple things, the chaos that some say they thrive in is just giving them nervous energy and creates more work for their brains and subsequently the rest of themselves. There has to be order and not the constant bouncing from one topic to the other.

“²⁶What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up…³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,” — 1 Corinthians 14:26 & 31 (ESV)

I know that everyone wants to be heard and not left out. There is also limited time in a lot if not all situations and some may not have an opportunity to share and encourage. This is where order must take shape. There has to be a plan to ensure that everyone has their opportunity to be heard. There has to be order to that which occurs for the even to worthwhile and meaningful.

No, not everything that is spoken or shared will be for everyone, but that is the reason for the order. There has to be the opportunity for everyone to be heard and everyone to have an opportunity to hear and decide for themselves. If the order is not there, then the loudest and most domineering is the one or ones that are heard and all else is left out. Just because the message is loud, does not mean that it is meaningful, it is just loud. The encouragement for all others may come from what was not heard and that would be a travesty to deprive someone of an opportunity to be encouraged. For those that do not find that which is being spoken at the moment useful, they would also have the opportunity to turn their focus elsewhere for the moment and come back at the next speaker or presenter.

In the order there will be encouragement for everyone. That encouragement may not come at the same time for each one, but during each presentation, someone will find encouragement and during another someone else. It is this order that allows for the focus on the one and thereby allowing that human to concentrate and find the encouragement meant for them.

Where are you looking for encouragement? Are you finding yourself in the chaos looking for that one nugget? What if you placed yourself and operated in a more orderly environment so that your focus could be on the one thing and you would be able to find the encouragement meant for you?

As a Christian, I know that it is my role to be the one who encourages. I am to serve others knowing that I am doing the work of God. I am to give of myself to ensure that others are taken care of. But, I too need to be encouraged.

I have seen too often in society that the Christians are vilified for standing up. We are looked upon as though somehow in order to be a Christian, we are to simply be quiet and pray. We are to only give and care for others. And, when we do not, for whatever reason, we are treated as though we are somehow in the wrong. We are in a position of adversity no matter the situation. We need to be encouraged, if at minimum, to continue the work. Paul, understood this and in his letter to the Romans, expressed that he draws on the encouragement of others to continue his work for the Lord.

“¹¹For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹²that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.” — Romans 1:11-13 (ESV)

Paul was doing the work of Christ in every corner of every place that he went. He brought encouragement and teaching and love. Here in his letter, he clearly states that he needs some too. He indicates that seeing and interacting with fellow Christians brings him comfort and energy. He feels the love and acceptance and warmth of brothers and sisters in Christ. He is able to be encouraged by those that are seemingly in need of encouragement.

I know that when I am doing work and witness growth and learning in others, I am given energy to continue with the work to see more of it. I have heard and use the saying, “if see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it”. I do not know where it specifically came from, but here I want to relate it to the encouragement I get from others. When I am in an environment where I gain encouragement through the growth and learning of others, that is the something I like and I have to recognize it and take that into the next. By recognizing, I am energized to see it again and again and again. That encouragement drives me to continue.

I have to remember to be encouraged, not through the recognition of others, but through the fellowship and opportunities to see growth in others. It is the growth in Christ that gives me energy. It is the encouraging of others and recognizing their positive response that encourages me to continue doing more of the same.

What encourages you? Are you so caught up in being the one that encourages and it is lost as to the reason you are doing the work? What if you took the opportunity while encouraging others to recognize the encouragement you are receiving in return for the growth and learning of those you encourage?

I remember when I was selected by the church to be ordained as a deacon. I and Lori thought, how in the world as I am less than 40 years old and will be tasked with leading the church in its spiritual growth. I was truly taken aback that others would see me as mature enough to take on such a role.

The fact of the matter is that God chooses who He chooses. There is a reason that we are tasked with what we are tasked and He knows where we are in our relationship and journey with Him. God knew that the time was right for me and selected me as a result. I may not have “felt” ready, but God knew I was.

Now, what to do with this task that God has given. First, I have to remember that I would not have been select unless I was mature in my faith and my walk with Christ. I would not have been asked to lead if I were not ready to lead. I would need only to remember that as a leader, it was my role to build up and bring others closer to Him.

“¹Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, ²older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” — 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (ESV)

I found myself in the middle of those in the church. I was not of the older generation, and was not part of the youth. I was right there in the middle. I had to be the one to encourage the growth of others. I had to be the one who encourages.

God is not looking for the dynamic, larger than life individual to do all of the work He has planned in this world. He is looking for those who are close to Him and mature in their relationship and faith. He is looking for you. He knows where you are and what you can accomplish. He needs those who will build others up and those who will help them grow in their own faith and relationship with Him. He is looking to bring others into the leadership role and that starts with your being the on who encourages.

What is your role in where you are? Are you gliding along? What if you took to the role of the one who encourages to build others up into the mature followers of Christ they can be?

“¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV)

And there you have it, the recipe for service summed up in just one verse from Paul’s letter. As a servant, I am to act with others in that way to get them going/moving toward the goal. I am to coach them with encouragement, and help and patience, all while ensuring that they are indeed moving and not just sitting idle waiting for the world to come to them.

I have said before and fully believe that I have found my mission in improving lives through growth and learning, and that can only happen with an approach of service using the recipe listed above. I have to take on the characteristics of service and know that I am guiding others in their movement toward the goal.

It may not seem like much and that there is no real action happening with this recipe. I will remind that doing for someone is not doing them any favors. Giving them everything will not provide for their prolonged success in what they do. It is important that we teach them so that they will have the better chance of sustained success and will be able to overcome future adversity.

“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” — Unknown

Above is an oft quoted proverb that hold true today, and is paramount in this recipe. I have to teach to fish so that the receiver will be able to feed themselves over and over and over. By simply giving them all/everything, they will continue to come to me again and again with hand out and asking me to “fix” things for them. When teaching them, they will come to me again and again, only now they will be telling how they overcame.

I have to remember the recipe and provide for the needs of others through encouragement, help, and patience. I have to know that the others will get it, I only have to serve them with the know how and then support them and watch their growth.

What does you service look like? Are you giving fish to other? What if you followed the recipe for service and provided the encouragement, help, and patience needed to teach them to fish for themselves?

This morning I was reminded that it is important for me to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes, those that have found Christ. I have to remember that it is my fellow Christ followers who are running into adversity and are being persecuted daily and are struggling as I am with making it through each day.

“¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

I may struggle daily with the work I am doing for Christ. It is difficult when it seems that I do the work and get little to no acknowledgment of the work. I seem to do and do and do and all I seem to get is more of the same. It is frustrating and frankly it hurts to feel as though there is no appreciation for that which is done. I am not looking for my name in lights, no. I would like to at least have some appreciation sent my way. But, that is not why it is that I do the work. It is not for the appreciation or acknowledgment. It is for the work and the idea that it is the right thing to do and continue doing. I need the encouragement of the work and knowing that I am doing it for Christ and not for me.

I have to remember that there are many others that are likely struggling with the same. It is my duty to give them encouragement and do the work to help them. I have to make sure that I am lifting them up so that they will have some of the same weight I experience removed so they will see the good in what they do and not just that work being the work. I have to remember to give them the reward of appreciation and acknowledgment to get them through so that they will be willing and able to continue doing the work of Christ.

It is not about me. It cannot and should not be. I have to remember my fellow Christians and build them up so that they will continue the work and not grow weary in doing so. The lost world needs Christ, and my fellow Christians need to know that they are doing the right things in working to bring Him to that world. “Encourage one another” is not just for the world, it is for Christians everywhere as we look to do the work of Christ. We will feel defeated, we need to be built up for that shot of energy needed to continue.

Who are you encouraging and for what reason? Are you looking to build others up for accomplishments in the world? What about your fellow Christians and encouraging them to continue with the work of Christ?

Over the past week I have been seeking to be satisfied. I have had a rough time of things and am looking for some satisfaction with where I am and where I am going. I was looking to find that satisfaction in others and their interactions with me. I was looking for others to display their gratitude to the work that I have been doing for and around them. I have been looking for the chance to be recognized for making a difference and longing for the satisfaction of seeing the success in others and knowing that I was part of the reason for that success.

“⁴Some wandered in desert wastes,

finding no way to a city to dwell in;

⁵hungry and thirsty,

their soul fainted within them.”

— Psalm 107:4-5 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded that I was not alone in my seeking to be satisfied. I was wandering and hungry and thirsty and was not finding what I was looking for. I needed a place to look and find it, so I turned to God this week and asked simply for comfort and guidance.

“⁶Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

⁷He led them by a straight way

till they reached a city to dwell in.

⁸Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

for his wondrous works to the children of man!

⁹For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

— Psalm 107:6-9 (ESV)

After reading this morning, I realize that I turned the right way. Over the past couple of days as I remembered to turn to God, I have been able to move past the need to be satisfied by others and their actions. I have found the gratitude from God in all that He has given to me. He is giving me comfort and guidance to seek satisfaction in Him and what He provides as opposed that which man cannot. I have to remember my actions and know that I will find satisfaction on in God and not in man.

Where are you seeking your satisfaction? Are you looking to find it in the realm of man? What if you turned to God to give way to Him and all that He provides for your satisfaction?

I am satisfied with what. I believe that I am blessed and that I am satisfied and content in my existence here in this world. But, with what am I satisfied.

“⁵who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

— Psalm 103:5 (ESV)

It is with good that I am satisfied.

Good: b (2) praiseworthy character – Merriam-Webster, Online

The above definition is only one of the many found based on whether an adjective, noun, or adverb usage of the word. Yet it is the one that I believe is meant here. I have been satisfied with praiseworthy character. I have been recognized and “good”. I have been identified with integrity and love and care. I have and should be raised up for all that is from Christ as he was the example of that “praiseworthy character” in the face of all.

I have been blessed by the Lord and now is my turn to bless Him in return. I have to remember where it all came from. Not from anything that I have done (except that I accepted the gift given). I have the example to shape from and that example is Christ. I have to remember to turn that blessing back to Him and give all glory to Him for saving me from the pit of despair that is this world as I await arrival in my forever home in heaven.

I have to bless the Lord with payment forward to others to ensure that they have the same opportunity for satisfaction. I have to give the blessings afforded me to others. I have to be generous with all that I have as I remember that which I am satisfied and content with are just the good “praiseworthy character” provided to me by Christ.

I am satisfied with what, that “praiseworthy character” that was given freely to me by Christ. I am responsible to bless Him with all I am as I thank Him for the gift.

What are you satisfied with? Are you still looking for the monetary things to bring you happiness in the moment? What if you were to accept the blessings given by God and then give that blessing back to Him for your satisfaction?

“⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” — Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

I read this morning the beginning of “The Sermon on the Mount”. I was reminded that we, as Christ followers are blessed. Not due to all of the great monetary wealth and power that society touts as winning in the world, but through the spiritual wealth that comes with being a follower of Christ.

What is it that give satisfaction, it is being hungry and thirsty for righteousness. Not money and power. It is seeking righteousness. And where is it found, right here with me, in me, given by Christ, thanks to the salvation He gave. Jesus tells us that we are blessed as we are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness, and reviled. I am not going to get “rich” in this world as a follower of Christ. But, I will be blessed.

I want to stop for a moment and make it clear that being wealthy is not wrong. God will provide and we are to be doing the work of the LORD in all that we do. For some, God will provide wealth that is to be used for His work, so there is nothing wrong with the wealth and/or the pursuit of it. It is the pursuit of it “at any and all costs” where there has to be caution. Satisfaction will not come from the wealth, but from the work done for the LORD.

Be blessed and be satisfied with all that God provides. He knows best what is needed and will make sure that we have those things here in this world. Being poor or mourning, or meek or hungry are not the end of it all. When we are doing the work of the LORD, we are blessed with those characteristics and can be content and satisfied with the results of the work we are doing for the LORD. Jesus called us blessed and I have to know that I am and be satisfied.

What are you looking at as satisfaction? Are you still looking at monetary gain as that which satisfies? What if you looked more at those characteristics of those identified as blessed by God and accepted that as satisfaction?

Knowing it was worth it is always something to behold after the fact. All of the work, all of sweat, and all of the tears are suddenly accepted as part of the process and then celebrated once the results have been realized. But what about before.

“¹⁰Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.”

— Isaiah 53:10-11 (ESV)

Here I see that the Lord knew of the sacrifice of Jesus well before it was to happen. I see the grief and sorrow being experienced. I see the pain. Yet, I also see the fact that with all of this, God knew it to be worth it in then end for me. God gave into the anguish and allowed Jesus to suffer through the agony of death for me. It was worth it for all of this to take place.

It was worth it to Abraham to follow the direction of God and move to the sacrifice of Isaac. The anguish that can be felt in Abraham is something that I hope I never have to endure. Yet, he did as asked regardless of the pain he was feeling or would feel. It was worth it to fulfill the actions and allow God to do His will.

Too often I believe that doing the right thing is too hard, maybe not in action, but in the suffering of the consequences. I do not want to be held to account for something that could be avoided. Yet, I have to also believe that is the point. I have to be willing to do the right thing in spite of the suffering. I have to know that the consequences are worth it in the end due to the rightness of the choices and actions. I may not realize in the moment the satisfaction of the actions, yet I have to know that God will only put me in positions that bring Him glory and allow me to serve Him for His good.

What are you avoiding due to the consequences? Are you not taking action because there is a lack of seeing or feeling the satisfaction? What if you had faith that doing the right thing was worth it in the end and that due to doing the will of God will bring about satisfaction?

There is such a difference in what is believed to be the good things. Even reading the passage this morning in God’s word, it could be confused if only reading a few of the words. I begin with this verse:

“⁷All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” — Ecclesiastes 6:7 (ESV)

At first glance, it appears that the appetite for success and gain is what is important and that when it is not satisfied there is loss for the individual. But what is that success? In the first part of the verse, there is the statement of toil is only for the surface and little fulfillment. I have to look to the verses before to find where the satisfaction should come from.

“³If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.” — Ecclesiastes 6:3 (ESV)

Now I get more context and am pointed to where the satisfaction should be coming from. Not from the gathering of things or wealth or status, but in the gathering of goodness. Satisfaction in the soul, not in the wallet or for all to see.

The good things are those that may not really have the monetary value as that value is fleeting. As of my writing this morning, inflation is through the roof and salaries are stagnant for those of us in what may be considered stable jobs. Wealth is fleeting with the inflation and the fact of lower value. Yet, there are plenty of good things to be satisfied. Life with Christ, family in your presence, friends to fellowship, and many more, of which do not immediately bring a financial windfall.

I have so much to be thankful for and to be satisfied. I have to remember that satisfaction is not in the monetary and those things specifically that others can “see”, but in the good things that impact the soul and bring the joy of the LORD.

Where are you looking for satisfaction? Are you looking for the monetary value of things for your “happiness”? What if you looked at the satisfaction from the good things that build up the soul and not necessarily the wallet?