August 30, 2026. Read Acts 3:20-26
Words of Hope and Life.
As Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, he shares how it’s all about Jesus. We are told to LISTEN to everything Jesus spoke and for anyone who doesn’t listen will be cut off from any hope of heaven when they die.
If we could just understand that Jesus’ words are truly words of LIFE and HOPE, then we’d want to read God’s word, go to church to learn more of God’s word, and hang out with other Christians so we could encourage one another with words of life and Hope. Plus, we’d want to share these same words with those around us.
Back in March, I took on the assistant coach for junior high track. I’d stand in the hallway waiting for the team to gather. I saw Hajara as she walked by me and said aren’t you going out for track (I asked this because she was my number one competitor the previous year). She smiled and said no. I was flabbergasted and asked her (in a joking but serious manner), why aren’t you going out? And I began to tell her how awesome she would be for the team and spoke a lot of words of encouragement to her. She smiled and appreciated all the compliments but she wasn’t going to go out. Then it hit me, I wasn’t talking to Hajara, I was speaking to her sister Solama who did not go out for track last year, LOL.
So every day at school when I saw her walk by, I continued to tell her how awesome and gifted she is. One day I asked her if she knew she was Awesome. She didn’t think so. I challenged her to go home, look in the mirror, and say, “I am awesome.” Next day at school she walked up to me with a big smile and said I did what you told me to do. I responded, do you know why you’re awesome? She said why? I said because God made You awesome. You’re one of his awesome creations.
Now, everyday when she sees me she comes up to me. Yesterday, she told me she looks forward to my words of encouragement. People like to hear positive and encouraging words of life and Hope. I haven’t had a chance to share the ultimate hope in Jesus, but I am praying for that open door.
I pray we all look forward to seeing and spending time with God daily.
