Read the following passages of scripture: Matthew 14:22-27-
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Acts 9:26-27 – When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul, on his journey, had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Acts 11:25-26 – Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year, Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
What are these passages of scripture speaking you about? What do they teach us about Jesus?
Are you an encourager? Do you struggle with encouragement? We all need encouragement. Life can be so hard, and we, as humans, can get so discouraged. God knew this and made a plan for us believers to be encouraged by one another. For some people, this is a gift for others. They can encourage others so easily, while others struggle to form the right words to encourage others. Our relationship with Him is to be personal, and with our walk with Him – our journey- we can then share it with others to encourage them. It is hard to walk the Christian walk. There will be times when we will need to encourage each other to continue in the Christian life.
Jesus is a great example of being an encourager. The Bible is filled with examples of others, encouraging one another. We need to continue this message and be an encourager to others. Look at the verse above in Acts 9 and 11. Barnabas ministers to Paul through encouragement. Barnabus gave Paul support. Do we do this for other believers? Barnabus went to look for Paul when he became discouraged. A whole year Barnabus and Paul were together preaching the gospel. This helped Paul and encouraged him. WE need to encourage one another through our words, actions, prayers, and each other’s presence.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another and build one another up. Are there any corrections you need to make in light of this instruction from Scripture?
Is there anyone that comes to mind that you need to encourage? What is one small way you can encourage them today?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for knowing us so well that we would need encouragement. I pray that we will be examples amongst one another in encouraging one another. God, give us ways that will encourage others around us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
