Don't just send flowers

En·cour·age: to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten. To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment. To stimulate growth; spur onward in personal development
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I was 22, far from home, following a dream with my wife and infant son, broke, and exhausted.  God sent a friend, Tom Johnson, who was the epitome of an encourager.  Tom gained nothing by befriending me. But, he was filled with the love of Christ Jesus, and love simply overflowed from his heart.  One day, in October, 1977, knowing I needed a better job to support my family and follow my calling, he took me to meet his supervisor, told that man that I was a good guy, then quit on the spot, recommending me for his job!  

The book of Acts tells the story of a man first known to the church by his real name, Joseph. He sold his possessions and gave the money to the church to help those in need. He came alongside of Paul, when the church was still very suspicious of the motives of the former Pharisee and offered his endorsement.  Over time, people forgot Joe’s real name and he is known to us by his nickname: Barnabas.  Why that name? "Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus." (Acts 4:36, NLT)    Son of Encouragement!

The world is filled with critics, complainers, and mean people. Even those who are not actively hurting anyone are sometimes so absorbed in their own lives that they take no note of the people who are living and working around them.  Because God’s Spirit lives in you and in me, because He is loving, because we are loved – we need to be like Barnabas.

Let’s look for opportunities to lend courage, hope, and confidence to others.  It isn't enough to passively love each other. The Bible says, “If your gift is to encourage others, do it! . . . And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. . . Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:8-10)  Another passage teaches us to be creative in the ministry of encouragement! "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24, NLT) Don't just send flowers!

Need some practical suggestions about how you might be an encourager today?

a. Send a note of sincere appreciation to someone who has served you sacrificially.
b. Take note of a person who's work is 'behind the scenes' and sincerely compliment their efforts.
c. Offer to pray with a friend that seems overwhelmed by life, then pray a positive prayer full of words of blessing.  Don’t preach a sermon disguised as a prayer!
d. Roll up your sleeves and lift someone's burden for a couple of hours. Mow their lawn, watch their kids, cook their dinner, or take them to a movie.
e. Actively listen when someone opens their heart. Don’t ‘fix’ them with advice, just let them unburden their heart to you.

It is easy to point out another's flaws. It is easy to 'see' (in our self-important opinion) why our sister is in the jam she's in. We are tempted to excuse ourselves from caring, aren’t we?  After all, we reason, "She made her own bed, let her lie in it."  That’s exactly what Barnabas would have thought, right?   No, I don’t think so.

Here’s the word from the Word - “Encourage one another and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

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We Will Stand

 

But I I don't care what label you may wear,

If you believe in Jesus you belong with me.

The bond we share is all I care to see

And we'll change the world forever,

If you will join with me,

Join and sing,

Sing.

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand,

Together, we will work until He comes!

There's no foe that can defeat us

When we're walking side by side,

As long as there is love,

We will stand.

The day will come when we will be as one

And with a mighty voice

Together we will proclaim that Jesus

Jesus is King

It will echo through the earth

It will shake the nations

And the world will see

See that

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand,

Together, we will work until He comes!

There's no foe that can defeat us

When we're walking side by side,

As long as there is love,

We will stand.

James Hollihan | Russ Taff | Tori Taff

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