Give Encouragement in a Baker's Dozen

The phrase "a baker's dozen" comes from as early as the 13th century, during the reign of Henry III according to "Wikipedia".  The story is that bakers who were found to have shortchanged customers could be subject to severe punishment including "judicial amputation."  Therefore bakers would often give 13 loaves of bread for the price of 12 as a precaution.

The phrase "a dime a dozen" simply means something is very inexpensive (cheap).  We also have the 12 days of Christmas, which comes by the dozen, and eggs that can be purchased by the dozen.  Oh, how could I ever forget that Krispy Kreme donuts comes a dozen to a box.

There are things mentioned in the bible that came by the dozen.  Twelve tribes of Israel, twelve disciples, and twelve gates of pearl are a few of the twelves' mentioned in the bible.  Fact is that the word twelve is mentioned 187 times in the bible, 22 which are in the book of Revelation.  The number twelve in scripture seems to indicate authority.

I want to challenge you today to find a dozen people that you can make a difference in their life.  It may be the clerk in the "marketplace" or it may be your neighbor that overslept this morning and is late for work.  It may be your spouse or maybe your children.

There are many different ways to encourage others.  Social media, texting, and e-mail are a few ways that broadens our opportunity to be an encourager.  Everyone needs encouragement and you may be the person that God wants to use to make a difference in someone else's life.

I am sure that today there will be at least a dozen people that God will place in your life that you can make a difference.  You can help make their day a day of misery or you can help "make their day" a day of rejoicing.  Criticism comes a dime a dozen (It's cheap) but encouragement needs to come in a "baker's dozen".  In fact you may want to go ahead and encourage 13 people instead of 12 just to make sure you don't short-change anyone with a word of encouragement.

"Give us this day our daily bread."

Matthew 6:11 NKJV