July 14, 2009
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DEVOTIONAL: Encouragement
Each week I prepare a devotional for our Leadership/Staff Meeting. This week I was asked to look closer at “encouragement”. My encouragement to you is that you apply God’s Word to your life….as you not only believe….but follow Jesus each and every day…….my encouragement toi you is that you will see a transformation and find hope that wasn’t there before.
How can we encourage others?
It is encouragment to others to work along side them, to have them involved. It is more than “hollow” praise….it is praise in action. Barnabas was a great encourager. When we encourage others they see Christ in us and ultimately see Christ in themselves…..the key is…..encouragement helps others see Jesus.
Acts 11:23-24 ( TNIV )
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ( TNIV )
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.Encouragement is personal and relational. It affirms others work and the work theyare doing for God.
Philippians 1:3-6 ( TNIV )
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.As leaders, we see people who struggle and often struggle ourselves. Encouragement given and received gives us strength from the compassion we experience.
1 Samuel 23:16 ( TNIV )
16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
How do we communicate encouragement?
Words are like that double edged sword….they can both help and hinder encouragement. Choose our words wisely and use words and thoughts that are uplifting.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ( TNIV )
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Ephesians 4:29 ( TNIV )
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.God’s promise to us:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 ( TNIV )
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
