Hebrews 3:13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.
Encouragement is to believers what wind is to a sail – it moves believers forward. We need to move forward ‘every day’.
It is the beginning of the season of our national pastime … baseball. Dave Dravecky, former baseball great, wrote in his book, “Worth of a Man”, that we should validate a person’s worth before God. He wrote, “It’s easy for us to confuse our true worth with our sense of worth. While the Bible teaches that our true worth never varies, since it’s based on God and not on us, our sense or feeling of worth can vary tremendously.” The problem is our feelings don’t always align with the truth.
Believers should ‘every day’ help other believers align their feelings with the truth.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
MUTUAL BENEFIT
1 Samuel 18:1-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Saul Becomes Jealous of David
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
Sometimes life leaves us bleeding and grasping for breath. Not every day is a sun shiny day. In the rough and tumble days we need reassurance from God and others so that we may remain faithful. David and Jonathan had a relationship of mutual encouragement. They covenanted to be there for each other and this relationship served each man until Jonathan’s death.
Encouragement in good times shows care and thoughtfulness. Encouragement in tough times reflects character.
Consider ways that you can encourage another. Be thankful to others who take time to invest in your life by encouraging you.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Saul Becomes Jealous of David
1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.
Sometimes life leaves us bleeding and grasping for breath. Not every day is a sun shiny day. In the rough and tumble days we need reassurance from God and others so that we may remain faithful. David and Jonathan had a relationship of mutual encouragement. They covenanted to be there for each other and this relationship served each man until Jonathan’s death.
Encouragement in good times shows care and thoughtfulness. Encouragement in tough times reflects character.
Consider ways that you can encourage another. Be thankful to others who take time to invest in your life by encouraging you.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
GOD – THE ULTIMATE ENCOURAGER
John 14:1-3
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
After Israel experienced the seventy-year captivity, God spoke to them through the prophet Jeremiah about His plan to prosper them and not to harm them; to give them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Similarly, Jesus comforted His disciples on the night He was betrayed by encouraging them not to let their hearts be troubled, but to trust in Him.
God is an encourager and He uses people for this purpose. Who has encouraged you in your past? Did you express your gratitude? Who have you encouraged lately?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Jesus, the Way to the Father
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
After Israel experienced the seventy-year captivity, God spoke to them through the prophet Jeremiah about His plan to prosper them and not to harm them; to give them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Similarly, Jesus comforted His disciples on the night He was betrayed by encouraging them not to let their hearts be troubled, but to trust in Him.
God is an encourager and He uses people for this purpose. Who has encouraged you in your past? Did you express your gratitude? Who have you encouraged lately?
Monday, April 05, 2010
ENCOURAGEMENT
Acts 9:27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
No other New Testament character illustrates the ability to encourage more strongly than Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement.” The apostles were afraid of Saul. He had a reputation of zealotry and cruelty. It is no wonder they questioned his confession of faith in Jesus Christ. As a Pharisee, Saul had hunted down and prosecuted followers of Christ.
It was Barnabas who stood in the gap beside Saul, leading him to the apostles and testifying concerning his conversion and bold preaching for Christ. Barnabas encouraged the apostles to bless Saul’s ministry.
We, like Barnabas, can offer words of support to a family member, coworker or peer. A little bit of encouragement can go a long way toward motivating those around you. Look what Barnabas’ support did in the ministry of Saul (Paul).
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
No other New Testament character illustrates the ability to encourage more strongly than Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement.” The apostles were afraid of Saul. He had a reputation of zealotry and cruelty. It is no wonder they questioned his confession of faith in Jesus Christ. As a Pharisee, Saul had hunted down and prosecuted followers of Christ.
It was Barnabas who stood in the gap beside Saul, leading him to the apostles and testifying concerning his conversion and bold preaching for Christ. Barnabas encouraged the apostles to bless Saul’s ministry.
We, like Barnabas, can offer words of support to a family member, coworker or peer. A little bit of encouragement can go a long way toward motivating those around you. Look what Barnabas’ support did in the ministry of Saul (Paul).
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