ENCOURAGING OTHERS (ESPECIALLY BELIEVERS) THROUGH FAITHFUL LIVING

BIBLE PASSAGE:
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift 
to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually 
encouraged by each other’s faith. 
(Romans 1:11-12)

MEDITATION:
Paul knew the value of encouragement, 
and especially for those who were diligently serving the Lord.
He also knew that it was not one-sided, but encouragement flows both ways.
Lastly, Paul knew that the best encouragement for believers 
was to have an active an undeniable faith that could be observed by others.
Not an insincere faith that is strictly for show, 
but a genuine faith of dedication to the Lord who died for them.

Paul knew there was a distinct difference between ‘religion’ and ‘faith’.
He lived in a world where ‘religion’ created its own set of standards 
that were different than what the Lord expected from people of faith.
It is easy and doesn’t take much effort to be ‘religious’, but it takes 
a person of strong character and commitment to genuinely live a life of faith.

ACTION:
Does your faith encourage others?
Nothing blesses another person more than when you 
walk in the center of God’s Will and allow Him to work through you.
Serving the Lord can be daunting at times, and just a little encouragement 
from other believers can create new energy in those actively serving Him. 
Encouraging other believers 
is one area where every Christian can serve the Lord.

Always make your relationship with the Father your first priority. 
Pleasing Him through an active and sincere faith shows your true love 
for the One who died to give you freedom from sin, and a promise of eternal life.
Rather than looking around to see who notices your ‘religion’,
look to the Father who sees your earnest and heartfelt ‘faith’ in action. 
When you do, He will guide you in how to encourage other believers.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I pray that You will give me the sensitivity I need 
for loving and encouraging others. Help me to let You speak to them 
through me. Show me how to love and encourage others in the same 
way You love and encourage me. Give me strength and courage to 
live the faith I profess on a daily basis. Thank you for Jesus and how 
He proved His love of everyone by going to the cross for our sins. 
Create in me a greater love and commitment to You. Thank you for 
loving me.” 

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