Dear Blogger Friends, Many of you have the gift of encouragement! How do I know? Because you encourage me every day! So many times, I have read your blog and it hit me right between the eyes! It was just what I needed that day!
But you don’t have to be a blogger for God to use you to encourage others. God can use you to encourage others in many ways, but today’s post will focus on written encouragement.
” . . . so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is … to encourage, then give encouragement” See Romans 12:5-8 NIV
The gift of encouragement is more important now than ever. Between the pressure of political correctness, the increase of Christian persecution, and the flaming arrows of the evil one, Christians need encouragement to fight the good fight of faith. God did not intend for us to fight alone. We need each other!
It is our faith in God’s Word that protects us from the enemy! It is our shield. So don’t hesitate to quote Scripture in your written encouragement.
” . . . take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16 NIV
When you write God’s Word on your blog or written note, there is power in those words and they bring encouragement to the reader by the power of the Holy Spirit.
” . . . the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled..” Romans 15:4 NLT
We all need to encourage each other!
“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 5:10-11 NLT
The Apostle Paul encouraged believers through letters he wrote from prison. (Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon) In fact, he wasn’t known to be a good speaker, but he wrote with power! (See 2 Corinthians 10:1 NIV.)
“I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!” 2 Corinthians 10:1 NIV
And don’t forget Barnabas!
“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ ) . . . ” Acts 4:36 NIV
Can you imagine!? This Joseph was such an encouraging person, the Apostles changed his name to “Son of Encouragement”!
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
I love these verses because we know that God can use our personal suffering to comfort others. Just as He has comforted you, He will comfort others through your testimony and encouragement.
“Encouragement is transfusing some of your courage into another life.” Pastor David Jeremiah, from his book The Joy of Encouragement
If your desire is to encourage and comfort others, use your gift freely! Fan it into flame by using it often!
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6
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