The Power Of Being A Good Listener

Quote of the Day:

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced world, everyone wants to be heard…

but very few take the time to truly listen.

We’re quick to respond.

Quick to interrupt.

Quick to share our opinion.

But there is real power in slowing down and choosing to listen.

Being a good listener is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.

A Simple Story

A man once sat quietly beside a friend who was going through a difficult time. He didn’t offer advice. He didn’t try to fix anything.

He just listened.

After a while, the friend said, “Thank you… I didn’t need answers. I just needed someone to hear me.”

That moment didn’t require words—

it required presence.

Why Listening Matters

1. It Builds Trust

When people feel heard, they feel valued.

Listening says, “You matter.”

2. It Shows Love and Respect

You don’t have to have all the answers.

Sometimes love is simply paying attention.

3. It Brings Understanding

You can’t truly help someone if you don’t first understand them.

4. It Sets You Apart

In a noisy world, a good listener stands out.

Scripture to Reflect On

James 1:19 (KJV):

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

A Little Humor 😊

Someone once said:

“God gave us two ears and one mouth…

so we should listen twice as much as we talk!”

That one hits home, doesn’t it?

Encouragement for Today

You don’t need a microphone to make a difference.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all.

Listen without interrupting Listen without judging Listen without planning your next response

Just listen.

Because when people feel heard…

they begin to heal.

Challenge for March 28

Today, ask yourself:

👉 Am I really listening—or just waiting to talk?

Then make a change:

Give someone your full attention Put the phone down Look them in the eye Be present

Closing Thought

Being a good listener doesn’t require talent.

It requires heart.

And when you truly listen…

you become a source of comfort, wisdom, and connection.

Easter Reading For 2026– Mark 15 & Mark 16

https://youtu.be/EIHn_7pafas?si=VOX7tS_38MrhuSbL

Mark 15, 16 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 3/27

https://youtube.com/shorts/hvG44KZdmbk?si=A7vJ_EAOc7XKC90g

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

3/27–Start Your Day Off Right Series

Quote:

3/27–Don’t Compete

Story:

Are You a Leader? A young girl was filling out an application for college when she came across the question: Are you a leader? She thought for a moment and then decided that she had better be totally honest. 

Her answer was “No.” She was afraid that because of that answer, the college would reject her application. However, one month later she received a letter back from the school that read: “Dear Candidate, We would like to inform you that this year we have already reviewed more than a thousand applications. To date, there will be some 1,322 new leaders attending our program next year. 

We are in the pleasant position to inform you that we have accepted your application because we felt it was imperative that leaders have at least one follower.”

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Humor:

Can You Spare A Minute Or So 3/27?

https://youtube.com/shorts/BwmAFOkoW08?si=_DApB6zR8NKwG6cy

If you can’t find five minutes, could you spare one or two?

3/27–Can  You Spare A Minute? 

3/27–Sometimes when you are in a dark place you feel like you have been buried, but really you’ve been planted!

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The Power And Joy Of Being A Good Helper

Quote of the Day:

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” — Charles Dickens

Introduction

In a world where many are focused on getting ahead, gaining recognition, and being served…

there is something incredibly powerful about choosing to help others.

You don’t have to be famous to make a difference.

You don’t need a title to have an impact.

Sometimes the greatest thing you can be…

is simply a good helper.

A Simple Story

An elderly man was struggling to carry his groceries to his car. People passed by, busy with their own lives.

Then a young man stopped, smiled, and said, “Let me help you.”

It didn’t take long—just a few minutes.

But to that elderly man, it meant everything.

As they finished, the man said, “You don’t know how much I needed that today.”

That young man didn’t change the whole world…

but in that moment, he changed someone’s world.

What Makes a Good Helper?

1. Willingness

A good helper doesn’t wait to be asked.

They look for opportunities to step in.

2. Compassion

They care about what others are going through.

They don’t just see people—they feel for them.

3. Humility

They don’t help for applause or recognition.

They help because it’s the right thing to do.

4. Consistency

They don’t help just when it’s convenient.

They make helping a way of life.

Scripture to Reflect On

Galatians 6:2 (KJV):

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

A Little Humor 😊

Someone once said:

“I always want to be helpful… unless it involves getting up off the couch!”

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? 😄

Encouragement for Today

Helping doesn’t always require something big.

A kind word A listening ear A small act of service A moment of your time

These simple things can carry great weight.

You may never fully know the impact you make—

but God sees it, and people feel it.

Challenge for March 27

Today, ask yourself:

👉 Who can I help today?

Then act on it:

Send that encouraging message Offer that helping hand Take time to listen

Don’t overthink it—just do it.

Closing Thought

You don’t have to have it all together to help someone else.

Sometimes the best helpers are those who understand struggle.

Because when you help lift someone else…

you rise too.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 3/26

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

3/26–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

3/26–Everyday!

Story:

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. 

He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. 

One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” The guests responded with phrases like, “Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir.” 

It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, “I’m sure she had it coming.”

Scripture:

Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Humor:

3/26–Priest’s Collar

From Sister Joyce

The Strength Of A Good Follower

Quote of the Day:

“Before you can lead well, you must learn to follow well.”

Introduction

In a world where everyone wants to lead, stand out, and be in charge…

there is incredible strength in knowing how to follow.

Being a good follower is not weakness—

it’s discipline, humility, and wisdom in action.

The truth is:

Great leaders are first great followers.

A Simple Story

A young employee once worked under a respected supervisor. Instead of trying to outshine or challenge him at every turn, he chose to listen, learn, and support.

He showed up on time.

He did more than what was expected.

He respected leadership—even when it wasn’t perfect.

Years later, when leadership positions opened up, guess who they chose?

Not the loudest.

Not the most talented.

But the one who had proven he knew how to follow.

What Makes a Good Follower?

1. Teachable Spirit

A good follower is always willing to learn.

They don’t assume they know everything—they stay open.

2. Faithfulness in Small Things

You don’t wait for a big opportunity to prove yourself.

You prove yourself in the small, everyday moments.

3. Respect for Authority

Even when you don’t fully agree, you carry yourself with respect and honor.

4. Reliability

People can count on you.

You do what you say you will do—every time.

Scripture to Reflect On

Luke 16:10 (KJV):

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…”

A Little Humor 😊

Someone once said:

“If you think you’re a leader but nobody is following you…

you’re just taking a walk!”

Encouragement for Today

Don’t rush past the season of following.

This is where:

Character is built Trust is earned Wisdom is developed

God often prepares us in the background before placing us in the spotlight.

Where you are right now is part of your preparation—not your limitation.

Challenge for March 26

Today, ask yourself:

👉 Am I following with the right attitude?

Then take one step:

Listen more closely Serve more willingly Support someone in leadership

Be the kind of person leaders are thankful for.

Closing Thought

Being a good follower doesn’t make you less important.

It makes you ready for more.

Because when you learn to follow with excellence…

You position yourself to lead with integrity.