ENCOURAGING OR DISCOURAGING

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.  So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”

Isaiah 41:6,7 KJV

We encourage or we discourage each other by our words and our actions.  Never forget that Jesus said that what we do to others, we also do to Him.  I think all of us want to be an encouragement to Jesus.  Are we encouraging Jesus by our kind and loving words to each other and to Him?

What about our spouse and children and our parents and grandchildren?  Are we an encouragement to them?  Are we encouraging them by our kind words and loving actions or are we discouraging them?  All of us need to be encouraged.  May God help us to be an encouragement to one another.

Our pastors need us to pray for them and also encourage them.  Pastors are human and they get discouraged just like we do.  When is the last time you prayed for and encouraged your pastor?  It only takes a few minutes to wait in line to shake hands with our pastor and say thank you for the sermon.

Heavenly Father, I have lost track of the many times You have encouraged me as You tenderly dried my tears with kisses.  You are such a precious Father and I love You.  Thank You for all You have done for me.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 6, 2015