ENCOURAGER
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.
Romans 15:1-2 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Let’s talk for a moment about the importance of encouraging others. Paul tells us the strong “must be considerate of those who are sensitive.” He goes on to say we do this not to please ourselves but for others to “build them up in the Lord.”
I think about the way Jesus responded to Peter in the gospels. Peter’s name meant “pebble”, but Jesus spoke to him and said he was going to be a rock not a pebble (Matthew 16:18). Jesus used His words to encourage Peter to be something he was not.
At this time Peter was the one who seemed to get his mouth talking before his brain got into gear. He was impulsive and often had his foot in his mouth. But Jesus did not dwell on what Peter was, Jesus talked about what Peter could be.
When we want the Holy Spirit to use us as an encourager, we don’t focus on what someone is but on what they can be. When I pray with someone, I ask the Spirit to give me prophetic prayers to speak over them. I want them to hear encouragement from the Spirit not just from my intellect.
It is important that our encouragement be honest and not just flattery. We need to be careful we don’t have lines we use to speak over everyone.
We also need to be specific. Instead of telling someone they did a nice job on a project why not be specific about the fact they obviously spent a lot of hours giving attention to so many details. The more specific the greater impact the encouragement has.
In our present culture it seems many people thrive on being critics. I am often reminded of a great quote, “A statue has never been built in honor of a critic.” Criticism is easy. Anyone can find the faults and mistakes. It takes someone special to be an encourager.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to be an encourager. Help me to see people the way You see them and to speak life over them.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
I want to always be lifting others.
I want To encourage myself and others in the name
Of the lord .