Encouragement.....

Bro. Phillips has started teaching on Wednesday night on Encouragement and it has encouraged me. It made me want to start studying more on it, because if there is anything in this world we need to do that is to encourage one another in the Lord.

What is encouragement?

• To encourage someone is to comfort them with the Word of God in such a way that the person is motivated to lead the Christian life and continue in the Lord's service.
  
• To encourage is to be an instrument of grace. It works out of compassion and love and care for the other person, not judgment and condemnation and accusation.

I have thought about this and thought about my own life and of someone encouraging me. My personal testimony is due to encouragement. When I started the job I work at now North American Adjusters, Inc. I became encouraged in the Lord and through that encouragement there was a friendship that was built that is just everlasting.

Who has been an encouragement in your life?-Or this is how my friend was an encouragement to me in my life at the time I needed it the most.

• She really listened and didn't immediately tell me I was wrong.
  
• She understood how I felt.
• In this relationship I felt like a winner. I think she felt that I was special.(that is how I felt)
  
• I could be honest with her and wouldn't have to be phony and didn't fear the results.
  
• I could disagree with her and wasn't afraid of getting her angry.
• She always had time for me.
• I felt like I was safe in talking to her.
  
• She always saw hope for me no matter how bad things seemed to be.
  
• She respected me for myself.
  

I learned it is not always just about saying the right things -although-

Think about this.....Who has been a discouragement in your life?

• This person never listened to me when I needed to talk and was always to busy.
  
• Nothing I could do was right, no matter how hard I might try.
  
• I felt constantly put down
• The person only noticed my bad points.
  
• This person is unpredictable never know what is next.

In the bible their was encouragers......

• Barabus - "Son of Encouragement" Acts 11:19-26 He was a person sensitive to others needs, he was Generous (Acts 4:36-37) and he was willing to stand beside others.He was not envious at the success of others, he encouraged others to get involved, he had patience, he was content to work behind the scenes.

• Moses - He was willing to let Joshua have something he did not get (Det. 3:26-29)
• God - Ps. 138:1-3
  

1 Thess 5:11 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do

As Bro Phillips has been teaching encouragement is a gift....

• It is FREE - It may cost you time of creativity, and thoughtfulness-but that is what make encouragement so appreciated. It requires something from you, not just something from your wallet. You do not have to go to a department store, or anywhere to get encouragement it is a gift that can be delivered from anywhere. Just writing a simple letter, email, or text can make someones day alot brighter and encourage them to keep on keeping on. Encouragement is one of the most beautiful gifts that you can give. A little word can make a difference whether it is a child, or an adult the results of encouragement can be life changing.
  

If there is nothing else in my life that I can give I want to be able to give encouragement! Be blessed!