Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Including You

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

You ever had a day where you just were not feeling the spirit?  I have had some days where writing a devotion was work and not inspiring.  The words were not there and the spirit was not in me.  I focused on God’s words, and tried to make sense of it.  However, something just was missing.  Nonetheless, I willed myself to figure out what to say, and then put it all together.  As I hit the ‘send’ button, I prayed, “God, I am not sure if what I wrote was your intent, but I pray that it is your words that can help someone.”  Low and behold, a person wrote me back saying, “Thank you, Kent!  That is just what I needed to hear.”  At that moment, I felt the spirit in me come alive, and this feeling of humility came over as the encouragement motivated me throughout the day.  None of this would have happened if that one person had not said to me a simple ‘Thank you’ note. 

We should never underestimate the power of our words to positively impact others. The words of Paul in today’s verses is a simple but powerful reminder.  First, it reminds us that there was a choice.  God, who is ever righteous, could have chosen to write us off for our sinful ways.  However, He chose to send His son instead so that we can be saved.  Second, it gives us hope saying even should tomorrow be our last day that we will have our day with Christ, and we will live with Him not for a day or a year but forever.  Thus, we should be already be filled with joy knowing this will happen.  Understanding this, Paul says we being already encouraged are to remind others so as to encourage and build them up.  It does not say to question, reject, or criticize.  We tend to fall to the latter because that is always the most noticeable and easiest to point out.  We can always find fault in something.  However, Paul says to look toward the positive for as I have found, just one positive mention can awaken the Spirit that dwells within us and can make someone whose lost hope inspired and make a person who is empty whole again.

We are not made to live this life alone.  While people may fail us, God never fails, and in Paul’s words, encouraging and building each other up can strengthen us for as David said:

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.
(Psalm 40:30)


So if you are not feeling encourage, encourage others because in it, you yourself may find encouragement.  How can you look to build someone up today?  Who can you partner with that can be a source of encouragement when you are lost?  My prayer is that we fight through our circumstances to encourage others with the hope that they are not only encouraged but also be a source of encouragement for others . . .  including you.  Amen.

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