ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:12 (NLT)
Why do you think God can be trusted?
For me, it’s because He sacrificed His only Son to die in our place so that we could receive God’s forgiveness. We can go straight into the presence of God as His forgiven children. That’s the hope we hold.
When we experience God’s forgiveness and love, the Spirit stirs something inside us that moves us to serve or show our love to Him. But sometimes we suppress the thoughts God puts in our minds of how we would enjoy serving others. We may think that we’re not worthy of serving God in that way, or that we might fail.
We benefit from being around others who encourage us to express our unique way of serving. Sometimes people can see gifts in us that we don’t see in ourselves, and we can see those gifts in others. I may be reluctant to take a step to serve, but I'm more likely to try if someone takes a step with me.
This may be one reason we need to get together with other believers regularly, so we can encourage one another to take the steps God is nudging us to take. What if there were a place, or a set of people, you could meet with regularly to give and receive encouragement? Do you think you could ever receive too much encouragement? It’s like eating. I may get full at one meal, but I need more after a few hours. I crave the opportunity to give and receive encouragement from others, and I’m grateful to have people who will serve alongside me.
APPLICATION: Who do you meet with regularly for mutual encouragement in your relationship with Jesus? If no one, ask someone today to begin meeting with you to discuss questions like these:
- What have you heard or read from the Bible that was significant to you this week?
- How can I pray for you?
- What do you appreciate about me, or what next step should I take?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me and allowing me to serve You. Lead me to someone who can help me build my relationship with You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?