YOU CAN BE BLESSED BY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE!
BIBLE PASSAGE:
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)
MEDITATION:
Every person you know (or a stranger) needs to be encouraged
at some point (or points) in their life. Everyone needs to have
someone in their life who is willing to listen to their concerns,
and assure them they are loved.
Read this account from someone who did not
waste her opportunity to show and feel love:
I can remember some of the most tender moments with my
mother. We would just sit at her dinner table and talk. She
would tell me what she was thinking, usually about her time
with my father or other special memories from her past. I
would listen to her intently, as if I were hearing her stories
for the first time. I knew that meant a great deal to her.
But then came one of the most painful days in both our lives.
My mother had a devastating stroke. She was paralyzed and
could no longer speak. From then on, she couldn’t say anything
to me – not a word. Although that was extremely difficult to bear,
I was thankful we had not wasted the opportunities God had
given us to express our love for each other. It gave me comfort
to know we had not taken those times for granted. I was certain
my mother understood how very much I cared for her.
“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
(Galatians 6:10)
As we meditate on this instruction from God’s Word, the following
may be helpful in our efforts to encourage and show His love to
others (this is what God expects of us when we belong to Him):
Express your care and concern for other people:
Tell others what we appreciate about them (they want and need
to hear it). Many individuals we know may be under tremendous
pressure, or having emotional suffering, and they are in desperate
need for someone to encourage them and lift their broken spirit.
It is God who expects us to be sensitive and respond to their need
for love. Remind them of God’s love and His provision, and also
let them know of our own sincere concern for their well-being.
And if you greet only your own people, what are you
doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
(Matthew 5:27)
Show your affection with a caring hug or act of service:
We may come in contact with people who are anxious for someone
to lend them a hand. Don’t ignore them and expect someone else
to help them; we need to seize the opportunity God has given us
to show the love of Jesus by helping them in their time of need.
We need to find ways to let them see the love of Jesus through
us and our actions. Never forget that even those who seem to
be independent (a ‘do everything’ type of person), will have
times when they also need help.
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with
them two miles. Give to the one who asks you,
and do not turn away from the one who wants
to borrow from you. (Mathew 5:41-42)
Love others patiently:
It may take a long time for some to appreciate the truth of God’s
Word. They may be continuing down a path of sinfulness with a
lack of concern for anything related to God, but instead of giving
up on them, we need to continually pray for them faithfully.
It will be worth it when they finally embrace the Father’s love
and choose to follow Jesus in obedience. If we do not pray for
them, who will? God gives us many opportunities to show His
love to others, and we will miss His blessings if we ignore the
ones He has placed in our paths.
Care for other people with gratefulness:
The truth is we will find that some individuals are difficult
to minister to. We need to ask the Father to fill us with His
love for them, and help us understand their burdens. Rather
than being judgmental of them (which is God’s position), we
should thank the Lord for the opportunity to encourage their
hurting souls, and then encourage them.
Let’s be honest, too often our advice to others is based on our
own opinions of what they need to do. We need to stop doing
that, and learn to base all that we say and do on God’s Word
and His instructions (we need give Godly advice in a Godly
manner).
Express your affection generously:
When was the last time you gave freely to another person
without expecting anything in return, simply because you
cared? When we expect something in return, we are robbing
ourselves of the ‘joy’ of giving (and allowing God’s love to
flow through us).
God blesses us so that we might bless others, so we need to keep
our eyes open for ways to show people His goodness through
sacrificial giving. If we know someone is sick and/or hurting,
then we should spend some time thinking about:
“What can I (not someone else) do that will show them
God’s love through me?” Is there anything they need
done that they cannot do right now due to their current
situation? Could I take them some food that will provide
them with several meals? Can I offer to go to the store or
pharmacy for them?
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work
and the love you have shown him as you have
helped his people and continue to help them.
(Hebrews 6:10)
Love others tenderly:
Be sensitive to the emotions of others, and pay careful attention
to what they say to us (be a good listener). Many have come to
know the Savior because a friend took the time to listen to them,
and assured them that they cared about their concerns.
There is a reason God gave us only one mouth and two ears.
Some of us can enjoy a little too much the sound of our own
voice. One way we can improve our patience (commanded by
God), is to purposely spend extra time listening to others,
rather than planning what we will say next.
Think about this: if we allow others to complete what they
are saying (without interrupting them in a rude fashion), we
might be surprised to hear them say exactly what we were
going say to them based solely on what they have said so
far (if we will listen to them in the same way we want them
to listen to us).
Always be forgiving:
When we begin to feel angry or resentful towards the people
the Lord has called us to encourage, we need to remember
how many times God has forgiven us. We should show our
compassion to them in the same fashion God has shown His
mercy to us.
We may not be able to control how others treat us, but we
can always choose to respond to others in a manner that
honors the Father.
But if you do not forgive others their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins.
(Matthew 6:15)
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
(Luke 6:37)
Care for others with devotion:
When we are dedicated to someone, and when we have
concerns for someone, we will support and defend them
when they face heartaches and difficulties. We will not
abandon them when challenges or problems arise.
We will stand by others in their time of need; and they
will appreciate our sincere loyalty (even if they fail to
tell us, so we should not do anything with expectations
of any words of gratitude).
Carry each other’s burdens, and in
this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2)
Love others cheerfully:
Develop the ability to always remain positive in all circumstances.
Through Christ, there is always hope, regardless of the situations.
We need to do our best to help others cling to the promises of God
whenever they are going through trials, or suffering of any kind.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
(Proverbs 15:13)
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22)
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to
each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your 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, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it
cheerfully.
(Romans 12:6-8)
Each of you should give what you have decided in your
heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Note:
Most of us have heard sermons that use this verse when
speaking about tithing, but it can also be referring to
being cheerful when sacrificially giving of ourselves
and our love for the benefit others.
Share your affection honorably:
Nothing blesses another person more than when we walk in
the center of God’s will and allow Him to work through us.
We need to always make our relationship with the Father
our first priority.
And when we do, He will guide us in how to best encourage
and love those around us. When we genuinely love Jesus,
He will lovingly show us how to love others.
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is
the one who loves me. The one who loves me
will be loved by my Father, and I too will love
them and show myself to them.”
(John 14:21)
In Summary:
We should never forget that God wants us to be useable by Him.
His earthly ministry is His effort to make sure everyone will be
with Him for eternity. But think about this – God has equipped
us so that we can meet His expectations for our inclusion in His
ministry on earth!
What an awesome responsibility and privilege! It should also
be encouraging for us to know that God considers us valuable,
even if others do not.
However, Satan will make every effort to discourage us from
participating in God’s ministry. He will plant all kinds of
ideas in our mind to increase our selfishness, and block all
our efforts to become selfless. Thoughts like:
“Let someone else help others, after all God may be wanting
to use them for a special purpose and your efforts will get
in the way of what He is doing right now. You can help
wait and them the next time they need someone”
“Tell others you will pray for them and even if you forget
to pray, you have encouraged them by your promise to
pray. Telling them once that you will pray is enough,
you don’t need to follow-up in any way (phone call,
text, visit, card, etc.)”
“Praying is enough, you don’t need to go out of your way
to do anything else. After all, you have things within your
own life and family that you need to take care of.”
“You need help and encouragement too, but nobody is
coming to your aid and helping you in your time of
need, so why should you help someone else when you
are hurting?”
“Those who are actively serving the Lord have everything
together, so they really don’t need any encouragement or
help. They don’t need someone trustworthy who will listen
to their concerns and challenges confidentially.”
ACTION:
What about you? Is there someone in your life who needs to
know how much you (or anyone) care about them? Is there
someone who would benefit from your kind words or listening
ear? Do you know of someone who could use your concern and
compassion today?
Never forget that those serving Him (pastors, missionaries, etc.)
need encouragement too – they have disappointments and
challenges that others may not know about. Satan unleashes
his intense efforts to discourage them and make them fail. If
he can make them fall, then he knows it will create doubt and
skepticism in the minds of many others.
Is there someone who would benefit from your kindness today?
Has God impressed upon you someone He wants you to minister
to in some way? If so, don’t ignore His call, but make the most of
the opportunities He has given you to show His love to others.
Look at these instructions from Jesus:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
(Matthew 28:19-20)
We never know how long we have to make a difference in another
person’s life. But, we do know that God gives those who belong to
Him many opportunities to participate in His earthly ministry.
Don’t be guilty of rejecting or ignoring these chances to be part
of His ministry, but be thankful that He feels you are important
enough to be used by Him.
Share His love with others verbally, physically (hugs), patiently,
gratefully, generously, tenderly, forgivingly, devotedly, cheerfully,
and honorably. Then observe how He changes and enriches the
lives of others as a result of your obedience to Him (He will also
enrich our lives when we love, help, and encourage others).
Think about the times you have gone out of your way to help or
encourage someone in response to the opportunity God has given
you. Contrast those thoughts with the times you knew God wanted
you (and not someone else) to unselfishly do something for another
person, and you either procrastinated or chose to ignore His calling.
Obedience opens the door for more of His blessings, doesn’t it?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I pray that You will provide me with
the sensitivity I need for loving and encouraging others.
Help me to love and encourage others in the same way
You love and encourage me. Teach me how to let You
speak to them through me. Thank you for Jesus and how
He proved His love for me (and everyone else) by going
to the cross for our sins. Lastly, I pray that You will show
me how to love You more and more every day. Thank you
for loving me and blessing me much more than I deserve!”
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