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Key Bible Verse: I have the highest confidence in you, and my pride in you is great (2 Corinthians 7:4). Bonus Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:5–7, 12–16

As the new associate pastor, I was preaching my second sermon. A ten-year old boy sat on the front pew, swinging his feet. I tried to remember my sermon but was mesmerized by his swinging feet. After a while, I gave it up and had the people stand for the benediction.

That chubby little guy came up to me afterwards and said, "Brother Bill, how about coming to our house and having lunch?" I thought, Well, he owes me that. So I went, and met his family.

I returned to college and forgot the incident. Until a couple of weeks later, when I went to my mailbox and pulled out a letter with loose contents. As I opened it, out fell 57 cents in pennies, nickels, and dimes, plus a letter from that boy. "Dear Brother Bill," it read, "I'm sending you my egg money to help you go to school to learn to be a better preacher."

I went back to my room, got on my knees, and prayed, "O God, help me to be worthy of that little boy's sacrifice." As I continued to receive egg money for the rest of my student days a new desire rose within me. Just getting by no longer cut it, and C's were no longer good enough.

—William Hinson in Preaching Today

My Response: A person who needs to hear that I believe in him or her is _____.

Thought to Apply: Who believes in you? That person's vision ignited something. You said to yourself, "Well if they think I can do it, maybe I can." —Don Shula (coach)

Adapted from Preaching Today (114) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Father God, help me to pass the solid encouragement I've received from You on to others who need it.

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