7-24-2015

Good Morning All!!

          Acts 15:32; “And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.”

      Our grandson turned three in May.   This past month his dad built him a swing playset, a big swing playset.  He loves the swing but the ladder that goes up to the deck that the slide is on, well, that is a little more challenging.  The deck is about six feet off the ground and then there is a second deck level about two more feet up; a long ways when you are three.  So when Grandma and I were visiting the other night, we all went out and played.  It took every encouraging word that grandma knew but he climbed the ladder up to the first level decking.  A couple of times he wasn’t sure but Grandma kept telling him “you can do it”, “you’re almost there “; you are pretty amazing”.  Encouraged by his grandma, he climbed up without any help.

    An encouraging word goes a long ways.  Mark Twain once said he could go two months on one good compliment.  Encouraging one another is one of Paul’s instructions to all Christians.  It was a common part of many early worship services.  A Roman magistrate known as Pliny the younger wrote to the Emperor about these Christians who gather together early in the morning to sing hymns and to encourage one another to live exemplary lives and remain true to Jesus.  Encouragement benefits us as we go about our life.

    The word “encourage” means to ‘inspire on to courage.”  It means to offer words of support at a time when someone needs them; words that build and edify; words that say “you can do it” build up the body and spirit of the person who needs to hear them.  This is what the Apostle Paul and the other authors of the Bible were speaking of.  We are to offer words that help to build up the faith of those who need it.  It might be someone who is experiencing health problems or troubles in a relationship or may be facing a trial in their faith.  We are to encourage them.  We are to offer words that build their faith.

     There are many ways to do this.  Offering a prayer with them and for them is one excellent way.  Sometimes, just being there with them as they experience the event helps.  Reading some Scripture verses helps to build each other up.  All these show the other person that you, as a redeemed child of God, offer the hope that God gives us to them.  The hope that God gives us is relayed to the one in need.  You are God’s redeemed child.  You are given the keys to heaven.  You do not have to fear for God is always with you so take heart and be of good courage God has your back.

Father of mercy, we give you thanks for all those in our lives who offer us encouragement.  We give you thanks for those whom you send to lift us up and to build us up.  Give us the wisdom to encourage others when the opportunity arises.  Lead me to encourage my fellow redeemed brothers and sisters that your Word may be glorified.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret