If you haven’t read this morning’s “After Thoughts” from today’s Scripture reading – you may want to – to fully appreciate my statement that God seems to be making a point with me about the benefit of encouragement. It will also help you understand why today’s prayer starter was another fingerprint from God. 💜
My daughters and I love to look for and share God’s fingerprints with one another. We do this because we have learned that they are a source of encouragement. This morning I was reminded through a prayer starter that it’s also good to look for opportunities and ways to encourage one another.
Let me repeat the words of “Criswell Freeman” from my reading this morning: “Are you a continuing source of encouragement to your family and friends? One of the reasons God put you here is to serve and encourage other people …”
To verify that this aligns with Scripture consider Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where he tells the believers to encourage one another and build each other up. Or, the words from the author of Hebrews, who said: Encourage one another daily as long as it is called today so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (13:24). Encouraging others is definitely a purposeful part of the believer’s life and is beneficial to both the giver and the receiver.
Why? Because not only does it allow God’s light to shine through us – which means He is glorified, but also because, as Proverbs 16:24 says: “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”.
So here’s my encouragement for today – let’s look for opportunities and ways to encourage others – friends, family, neighbors, a member of your church family and even strangers. It can be as simple as a kind word or “applauding” them for a job well done, helping with a need or sending a text or a card in the mail. Make plans to encourage someone you know who is going through a difficult time or ask God to show you opportunities throughout the day and be spontaneous with the encouragement – or both – see how many people you can encourage in one day and watch for the encouragement God will send you 💜

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