Instrument of Encouragement (27 December)

Verses for the day

Rom 12:6-9; 1 Thess 5:14

Thoughts

• As we wrap up 2024 and I think about next year… and the possibilities of changes ahead in ministry, I want to continue to grow in the ministry of encouragement. In Rom 12:6-9 Paul challenges his readers with these words, ”In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Whether I have the “gift” of encouragement or some other gift, I am not sure, but by any means, God has laid it on my heart to encourage others, and to truly show love to those He puts in my path. So, I want to do what He has laid on my heart well.
• It’s interesting how, the days that I pray for someone and write an encouraging note to them, I feel that I have accomplished something. This coming year, I really want to be doing this more.
• As I do my Bible reading each day, I am going to ask the following questions. Starting with, “What do I need from God today?
  1. Do I need to be reminded of God’s love and His gift? What gift has God reminded me of in this passage? What Spiritual Gift has God given for me to thank Him and praise Him for in worship today? (Rom 1:11)
  2. Am I discouraged? Do I need encouragement to believe God? What encouraged me in my faith in this passage today? (Rom 1:12)
  3. Is there something God is putting his finger on in my life today that needs some work? What spiritual fruit does God want to work in me today? (Rom 1:13)
• Once I have finished my communion with God, I want to take what God is saying to me and share it with others.
• I realize that I can’t share all three of these things, as that tends to get rather lengthy. So I will be praying the words of 1 Thess 5:14 “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” And ask God to give me the words that each one needs to hear.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I long to be your messenger of encouragement and comfort to your children. I pray today that you will enable me to be your instrument. I want to be available to you. Father help me to minimize the distractions when I spent time with you, and be more efficient in my time so that after spending time with you, I still have time to encourage others from what you have encouraged me. And help me to be more consistent in praying for others.