How many of you like to be liked?  (My hand raised higher than anyone else.)  There’s just something about other people approving what we think, say, or do, that gives us a smile.  I don’t know anyone, who at any age does not want their parents to be proud of them.  Feeling as if someone admires us is similar to getting up to a breakfast of biscuits & chocolate gravy!  We are excited and it just makes us feel good down in our belly.  We are creatures that crave to be praised!  We want to be popular & feel as if we matter.  When I post a new status on Facebook or pin something to Pinterest, I am always super excited to see how many “likes” I get.  Even on this little ‘ol blog here, I am loving the “likes”! Each “Like” is similar to getting a present.  (And who doesn’t love presents?)  I always look to see who my likes are from.  Because it’s important to see who’s agreeing with you, isn’t it?  It’s great to feel like you are favored!  I don’t think I am alone in this.  I read in an article there was a study of 200,000 employees.  They were trying to find out why their productivity was low.  Do you know what the outcome was?  It did not involve wanting more money.  A need to feel appreciation & affirmation topped the list, of what they wanted from their superiors.  You might say, affirmation was a basic human need

If the church at Corinth had a Facebook page today, I think the apostle Paul would use the “Like” button, to show his enthusiasm for them.   He surely was one to be an encourager to the church at Corinth. 

I Corinthians 1: 2-5 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Paul continually & purposely showed his appreciation to God for the church.  When we see others who are striving to obey God-let’s show our appreciation to them.  There’s not a person on Earth that does not like to feel appreciated & loved.  We need to thank God for the work He is doing through them.

I am so thankful for you & that you came by to visit with me today.  It has been such a whirlwind, since school started.  You know better than anybody what it’s like to be busy!  Please think of someone you can encourage today.  Then, go do it!! I will do the same, but for now, I have to be going, because I should be washing clothes!

**Parts of this was borrowed from Our Daily Bread-MarvinWilliams