October 23, 2011

Encouragement: October 20 ,2011

OCTOBER 20 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2011

ENCOURAGEMENT

DEFINITION:

The act of encouraging; to inspire with courage, spirit or confidence; to stimulate by guidance, approval etc; to spur on; to promote.

SCRIPTURE:

“That I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” Romans 1:12.

“That your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love.” Colossians 2:2.

“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” I Thessalonians 3:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey established a church for new believers in Thessalonica. Paul knew the importance of encouraging new Christians so that they would not be drawn away from their faith by the pagan society they lived in. Since he could not return, he sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen them in their faith.

People today continually go through times of discouragement and they need friends like us and friends like you to give them a word of encouragement. Many children today never receive a word of encouragement from their parents. This was verified by a recent study released by UCLA that said that the average father spent FOUR minutes a day talking to his child and FOUR hours a day watching TV. Children who receive no encouragement and affirmation at home will seek it elsewhere, and most likely it will be in the wrong places and from the wrong people. How then can that child feel encouraged to be successful in life and do what is right?

Look at what children are surrounded with today. They live in a POP culture, with drugs and alcohol available to them almost wherever they go, including on their school campus. They have the trash on the internet and unless a parent filters what they can see, they see the worst. They are not allowed to read their Bible or pray at school. The Ten Commandments have been banished and now an attempt is being made to take off our money the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST.

Our children live in an immoral society with all their peers looking out for themselves and they are doing only what will make them happy. And most important they live in an anti-God and anti –religious society.

Communication is one of the most important elements of a successful marriage and family. Families today are breaking up because no one gives another family member any word of encouragement. We are so quick to criticize, but so slow to encourage. Stop and think right now --- when was the last time you gave an encouraging word to your spouse, to your children, to your extended family or to your associates. No doubt there is someone you know right now who is going through a time of discouragement. What a blessing an encouraging word from you could be to that person.

Begin today by making it a point every day to call someone on the telephone and leave an encouraging message. Think about stopping on the street just to say “hello” and “how are you?” to someone. You will have scores of opportunities to be friendly and to give someone a word of encouragement. Those you talk to will feel so much better and you will feel even better. When we encourage someone there is a positive result --- we are united in love.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:10-11.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

PRAYER:

Put me in situations today where I can be an encouragement to people. Help me to seize every opportunity possible to show people that someone cares for them. And then may my life, by my words and actions, glorify Your name and bring honor to You.

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