Hey Friends,

Everybody needs a cheerleader. Most of us would not be where we are today if someone had not been in our corner cheering us on. Who was it for you?

For Henry Ford it was Thomas Edison. “The pioneering automaker was introduced to Edison as ‘the man trying to build a car that ran on gasoline.’ When Edison heard this, his face lit up. He slammed his fist on the table and said, ‘You’ve got it. A car that has its own power plant; that’s a brilliant idea.’ Up to this point, Henry Ford had dealt with many naysayers and discouragers. He had just about convinced himself to give up, but along came Edison and spoke faith into him. That was a turning point in Henry Ford’s life. ‘I thought I had a good idea, but I started to doubt myself,’ he once said. ‘Then came along one of the greatest minds that’s ever lived and gave me his complete approval.’  A simple vote of confidence helped launch the automotive industry. We don’t realize the power we hold.”

Any of us can be like Edison and be a cheerleader for someone else. We all need people to believe in us. When Jesus called His disciples he did not focus on their faults, but on their potential. Cheerleaders are always looking for, praying for, and hoping for the best in others. The Bible says, “Encourage each other…”

I’m sure you have heard the story of the principal that called in three of his teachers and told them they were the best teachers in the county. They were going to be given the most gifted kids in the school. At the end of the year those teachers had gotten those kids 30% farther than the rest of the kids.

The principal called the teachers in at the end of the year and told the teachers the truth. The kids you taught this year were chosen at random. They were not the most gifted kids. The teachers said that was O.K. because they were the best teachers. The principal had to confess that they were also chosen at random. They got farther because they thought they could.

Most of us rise to the expectations of those around us cheering us on. Who is in your corner? Whose corner are you in? Are you raising the expectations of those around you? “The power of life and death is in the tongue.”

Use your tongue for positive and not negative. Be an encourager not a discourager. You can be a cheerleader and God will use your words.

Just a thought.

Love ya,

Pastor Chris