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Encourage one another day after day.

as long as it is still called “Today”,

lest any of you become hardened

by the deceitfulness of sin. 

~ Hebrews 3:13

 

Good morning dear sister!

This is the day that the Lord has made! He has made a plan this very day just…for….you! A new day to rejoice in His goodness, to thank Him for His faithfulness, to marvel at His infinite, all-encompassing, unsurpassable glory!

I find it intriguing that this verse calls us to encourage each other day after day, as long as it is called ‘today’. These words were written almost two thousand years ago! I have a hard time imagining what life was like way back then. Although it looks like, despite the advancement of science and technology, the sinful human condition has remained the same.

Life was difficult and uncertain 2,000 years ago, even for the wealthy and rulers of the kingdoms. One had to guard against other tribes or nations determined to steal their land, their livestock, their spouse/s and/or children. There was the chance of floods or droughts wiping out food supplies, or the constant menace of plagues and illnesses. In addition to all that, there was always the threat of persecution, prison or death; particularly for the followers of a new sect led by a ‘madman’.

If we compare life on this planet today, we seem to have pretty much the same worries over territory, climate, pandemics, cancers and persecution. Many people around the world suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ. Countless more are starving, warring and dying for lack of medical attention. It is easy to just shake our heads and moan about how discouraged we’re feeling or what a sad place the world is in today. God’s perfectly created earth has been corrupted by the sin of humankind.

But why should we be sad? God has given us a directive to counteract the woes of this world! He calls it ‘encouragement’, The Greek word ‘encourage' translates to a call to the side of another, to comfort or offer to help or to strengthen another. As believers, we need to encourage every other believer we encounter today!  We need to take every God-given opportunity to elevate every person we meet, especially those of the household of the faith.  

How do you do that? Perhaps with a word of affirmation that will cheer someone on to keep hitting their goal, such as ‘You did a great job, your hard work really paid off!’. Or something like ‘Your teaching made me see something that I never realized before, I see that more clearly now.’  

Other times encouragement is more of a comfort; perhaps reaching out by sending a text, email or card letting someone know you’re thinking of them. Calling someone or simply sitting or praying with them, uplifting them by making them feel cared for and remembered. 

The most active form of encouragement is emboldening each other to step into a new level of trusting God! Leaving more and more of the flesh behind as we venture into all the good and edifying plans God has for His children! (That’s you and me!)  We don’t have to move mountains ourselves because we know and belong to the Mountain Mover! 

The basic idea of encouragement is to lift someone up, to motivate them to move forward, to bring them to a better place than they were before. We might not see that with our eyes of flesh, we might not think we can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us, but we must not let ourselves be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Put aside all such lies and ask God to open your spiritual eyes and ears to His promises and faithfulness. Ask Him for wisdom in that moment, and He will not mock you for asking. (James 1:5)

We can start with smaller steps; listen for the voice of God when we are with someone, then say what He says to say! Even when we don’t think we can hear God’s voice, saying something that will edify that person will open the gates to allow all fruits of the Spirit to pour out of us without us even thinking about it! That, my beloved sister, is the Holy Spirit flowing through you! 

Remember, the Greek word for the Holy Spirit means the One who comes alongside, a comforter, defender, helper. As we become more practiced in encouraging others, the Holy Spirit will make us more and more aware of what kind of encouragement an individual needs. Then, as a bonus, we will be built up as well as we see our edifying words bearing fruit in someone else's life!

Isn’t that just like our Abba? He gives us the greatest gift of His Holy Spirit and when we allow Him to use our voice to bless others, He blesses us even more!

God has called you to be an encourager! Try it, you’ll like it!

Wow, I’m feeling pretty good today, thank God that He doesn’t leave us on our own!

With joyful love, your sister, Celeste