It’s almost August and a good time to hold ourselves accountable.
Do we make clear and repeated efforts to say and do encouraging things to each of our family members?
Are we known within our congregation as a person who seeks to encourage everybody? Or just a certain few that are our “peeps?”
If I go through our church directory and cannot recall a time when I encouraged each person who attends, then I’ve got work to do.
I need to look for opportunities to encourage each person in my life, even if I’ve never received encouragement from that person.
The Apostle Paul clearly had the gift of encouragement and it overflowed once again in chapter 14 of his letter to the church at Rome:
“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (NLT).
If I’m not encouraging all the people in my church circle, I’m falling short of what God expects from me and what others need from me.
I’ve got work to do.
Perhaps you do, too, in your circle of influence at home and at church.
Let’s aim carefully.
Let’s let our love for God overflow into the lives of others as we thank them for the good things they do, the kind words they say, the helpful gifts they provide, the disciplined commitment to attend worship and read the Bible and for their God-honoring choices to vigilantly resist Satan’s temptations.
It’s what faith family members are supposed to do.
As always, I love you
Martin
