Encourage one another

Romans chapter 12 verse 8 in NLT says “if your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging”. Someone said encouragement is like verbal sunshine. I like that!

Often it takes courage for us to step out and pass on a good word. Hebrews 10:24 says “let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works”. Verse 25 goes on to say, “and let us not neglect our meeting together, as some do, but ENCOURAGE one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

“Encourage” in the dictionary, is described as “give support, confidence or hope”. The free dictionary puts it like this “to impart courage, inspiration and resolution; to cheer (on), embolden, inspire, inspirit, embolden.” How powerful is that!

Encouragement is not flattery. Flattery is said to be “excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one’s one interest”. Encouragement is to build up another person, speaking the truth in love; acknowledging the gifts and talents and value of someone else, in sincerity and honesty.

So let’s consider how we can put courage into someone else – and if we are encouraged by someone, let’s be gracious and receive. I love Psalm 27:14 AMP “Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord”. We can “let our hearts take courage.”

Shalom

Kath