Three ways to encourage one another 

Three ways to encourage one another

How do you serve the Lord?  What are you good at doing?  Are you good at organizing or helping others? These are skills from the Holy Spirit. My gift from the Holy Spirit is encouragement. Beloved, we read from 1 Corinthians and Romans about gifts.  The Apostle Paul shares about the skills each believer receives–teaching, preaching,  and the gift of encouragement.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6 NIV”

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12: 5-8 NIV

The definition of encouragement is to give support, confidence, or hope to (someone). Encourage is in the Bible nine times. I love to look up verses with certain words and see how many times the word is in the Bible.

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11. KJV.

In the glimpses of God’s beauty, the trees preparing for winter are losing the leaves–turning red, yellow, and orange.  The edible fruit is colorful; the red, yellow, green apples, yellow and green zucchini, and the beautiful orange pumpkins are vibrant colors the riper the fruit. Beloved, the colors we see in the sky are breathtaking. So much to be thankful for and every reason to feel encouraged.

Who can you encourage today? There are three ways to inspire. The first is to pray for one another, be liberal with praise, and help each other by sharing your gifts.

Beloved, times are hard, yet we can support one another. Encouragement is all about lifting one’s Spirit. A kind word or deed goes a long way. Sometimes, we can listen, and this is encouraging.

Father God, You are the giver of every good and perfect gift from the Holy Spirit. Thank you for giving us individual skills that help others. Would you please allow us to use our talents in a positive, encouraging ing way? In Jesus’s name, amen.

Where can you serve God today?