40 Days of Encouragement
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 15| ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 15| ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (NIV)
You’ve probably heard that there are many “one-anothers” in the New Testament. Some have counted 59… I won’t argue with that.
But the critical thing that Paul – writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – is telling the church here (and that means us too) is that we should FOCUS on ENCOURAGING one another.
We are living in an increasingly self-centered time in history. People seem to be more “me-centered” than in any time I can remember in my past. WIIFM – What’s in it for me?” – seems to be the way most approach life.
And so, on the contrary, Paul is writing that we should focus on building and encouraging others.
Now, if you feel like YOU need some encouragement, let’s consider what it would mean for an entire church if EVERYONE did this verse. If everyone sought out someone else to encourage, there would be enough to go around, and everyone would get encouraged!
This kind of thinking is really contrary to how our society typically thinks today. Fewer and fewer care about others, and more are focused on self-satisfaction and happiness.
The Scriptures teach that “…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
So, if you and I are in Christ, then we should NOT be a WIIFM person (What’s In It For Me), but rather one who is focused on encouraging OTHERS and building OTHERS up. Paul, in fact, commends the Thessalonians for DOING just that.
If you’re not currently encouraging anyone, why not pray and ask the Lord for insight into someone you know who needs encouragement and DO IT. Maybe a phone call, an email or text, or a face-to-face, but do something short, simple, and sincere.
Prayer: LORD, help me to be a DOER of Your Word and not a hearer only. Show me someone, to encourage and help me to do it. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (NIV)
You’ve probably heard that there are many “one-anothers” in the New Testament. Some have counted 59… I won’t argue with that.
But the critical thing that Paul – writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – is telling the church here (and that means us too) is that we should FOCUS on ENCOURAGING one another.
We are living in an increasingly self-centered time in history. People seem to be more “me-centered” than in any time I can remember in my past. WIIFM – What’s in it for me?” – seems to be the way most approach life.
And so, on the contrary, Paul is writing that we should focus on building and encouraging others.
Now, if you feel like YOU need some encouragement, let’s consider what it would mean for an entire church if EVERYONE did this verse. If everyone sought out someone else to encourage, there would be enough to go around, and everyone would get encouraged!
This kind of thinking is really contrary to how our society typically thinks today. Fewer and fewer care about others, and more are focused on self-satisfaction and happiness.
The Scriptures teach that “…if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
So, if you and I are in Christ, then we should NOT be a WIIFM person (What’s In It For Me), but rather one who is focused on encouraging OTHERS and building OTHERS up. Paul, in fact, commends the Thessalonians for DOING just that.
If you’re not currently encouraging anyone, why not pray and ask the Lord for insight into someone you know who needs encouragement and DO IT. Maybe a phone call, an email or text, or a face-to-face, but do something short, simple, and sincere.
Prayer: LORD, help me to be a DOER of Your Word and not a hearer only. Show me someone, to encourage and help me to do it. Amen.
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