A word of encouragement goes a long way. Encouragement can give us courage and strength to overcome challenges. It can be the word that propels us to change and moves us into our destiny. An encouraging word carries life. In fact, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV) What kind of words are life-giving words? John 1:1-4 tells us that the Word of God is indeed life. If we speak to one another from the Word of God, our words have life. If we speak from the perspective of the world, our words carry death. A life bringing word is an encouraging word.
The apostle Paul understood the power of encouraging. ” Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, ” (Acts 20:1–2, NIV) Wherever Paul went, it seemed that he found a way to encourage the people around him. How can that be? First Paul was a student of the Word, a scholar. He studied the written Word and knew the written Word. Second, Paul came into a relationship with Jesus and became a follower and a student of Jesus. He spent time with Jesus until he learned the heartbeat of Jesus. Third, as Paul learned about Jesus, he learned to see the value of the people around him through the eyes of Jesus. As he saw their value, he was able to share the Love of Jesus that Paul himself had experienced with the Word. Those words brought life.
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,… ” (Hebrews 3:13, NIV) You cannot go back in time and encourage someone yesterday. Tomorrow may never come. The only opportunity to bring an encouraging word is today. If the only people you have around you today are your family, then speak a word of life to them. Tell them “Yes, you can succeed” or “You are loved” or “You are destined for greatness”. If you see a stranger, tell them that they too are loved by God. If you are faithful in encouraging people in the today you do have, you find that the future “todays” will have more and more people who need to hear the words of life.
For those who read this today, I say to you: “God’s plans and purposes for your life are just beginning to unfold. Hang on, hold on, press in and overcome. You will find the blessings of God as you keep seeking Him in all that you do. Never take your eyes off Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of your faith.”
Be encouraged!
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