Sunday Writing... 8-18-19... "ENCOURAGE"

Good morning!

Today our writing, "ENCOURAGE," is about all the different ways someone can be encouraged or be an encourager.  Try to think of all those who have encouraged you in your life.  Then see how many you think you have encouraged yourself.  Maybe after reading the devotional you will think of more!

May you be blessed,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"ENCOURAGE"

by

Jan Andersen

There are lots of ways to encourage people or to be encouraged ourselves.  Just seeing someone else do something right and do it well can encourage us to emulate that.  So being a positive example can encourage others.  There are some instances when just hearing others cheer us on encourages us to continue something very difficult.  Those trusted voices telling us to keep going may be all we need to complete a grueling task.  Sometimes we just need someone to listen to us as we let off steam and work through difficulties.  A listening ear can be a real encouragement.  Other times we may actually want and need feedback.  That is when giving advice or sharing stories of similar experiences may be helpful.  There are even times when we may not want to do something, but an encourager can help convince us of what we truly need to do.  Sometimes we even need to be figuratively dragged, kicking and screaming, “encouraged” to make necessary changes in our lives in order to grow or do the next right thing.  Thank God for the encouragers!

Life can be discouraging at times.  But God can give us someone to encourage us along.  As Christians we can build one another up through worship, fellowship, and discipleship.  Praying together can be a great encouragement.  Being reminded of the great sacrifice Jesus made, the torture he suffered even though he was innocent, all in order to give us eternal life can encourage us.  He knows suffering personally, and worse than anything we are going through.  He walks with us through to the other side of every challenging situation we encounter, guiding and protecting us to the end as we remain faithful.  We can also be encouragers with those outside of christianity by sharing this love of Jesus and the Gospel message.  How greatly encouraged a lost soul would be to learn of their loving Savior, who died in their place to forgive their debt of sins and freely gives them everlasting life in heaven!

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 ESV For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

Are you being encouraged by someone?  Thank them for their encouragement.  Are you encouraging others?  Seek others out to be their encourager.  Sometimes just one little flicker of encouragement is what helps someone hang in there.   Remember our Great Encourager in heaven, who cheers us on every day!

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for your encouragement every day to keep us faithful and walking on the right path.  Help us to encourage others as well, in whatever way You have gifted us to do that.  May our words, actions and examples be an encouragement to all.  Thank you for your forgiveness when we fail at this in any way and for helping us back up whenever we fall.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.    

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Song:

You Raise Me Up

BYU Vocal Point
(Josh Groban A Cappella Cover)

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"A Christian in his surroundings should encourage everyone to be better, instead of being the one who stoops to be like everyone else."

~ Max Lucado ~

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog writers:

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett,

Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,

Bre Miller, Lynda Kinnard, Amie Spruiell,

Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa