Go and Encourage One Another

Romans 15:5-6  " May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."



               How often do we take for granted the gift of another day of life?  All too often, I'm sad to say.  Do we use our days for God's glory?  Are our own selfish desires put before the needs of others?  Each day, we are given opportunities to encourage one another.
             "We spend much of our time working or engaging in pleasurable pursuits of our own choosing. However, God wants our priorities to reflect His purposes—namely, to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others through a life of service and sacrifice (Matt. 22:37-40).  We can protect our future by yielding to the Spirit’s control and living out what Scripture considers most valuable: knowing God and obediently serving Him. Make sure that you put Him in charge of your mind, will, emotions, and appetite." [intouch.org]
             “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Sometimes this means inconveniencing ourselves to care for the interests of others or receiving that help when we ourselves are in need. After all Christ has done for us, it’s a blessing to be His hands and feet in loving one another.
            As believers, we should not just care about our own comfort and welfare, but also for that of the lost.  We are the representatives of God's love.   Matthew 25:40 "‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
            M. Henry offers a few ways to encourage one another..."We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good example one before another. And it is the duty of those especially who live in the same vicinity and family thus to comfort and edify one another."
            As for myself, I write this blog specifically as a way to encourage others and myself.  Putting my experiences into written words reminds me of God's love and faithfulness.  I would encourage you to journal about your own walk with God.  There are many different ways to encourage each other...a simple smile, a note of thanks, a thoughtful prayer, a lending hand in time of need,.... and the list is endless.  Find your way to be an encouragement to another.

4 ways to show someone encouragement this week

1] Make it Sincere--be truthful, not flattery

2] Make it Specific-- share verses that pertain to what that person may be going through

3] Make it Public--share the gospel to 'your' world

4] Make it Personal-- share your own story how God has worked in your life