ENCOURAGEMENT
29th Jul 2015
Encouragement is such a powerful thing. It is speaking out or writing down the blessing that you have received when someone has brought words or actions that lift you up and strengthen your faith. Praise is the greatest encouragement.
It is very easy to benefit from the words and actions of our friends and family, but say nothing. Joyce and I are always blessed when we are given encouragement from those of you who receive this “Word for the Week.” Recently we have had some very significant feedback, it helps us so much to know that what we have been hearing from God is “hitting the spot” in the lives of those we communicate with weekly.
At our amazing Family Celebration last weekend we were so encouraged as all our whole family gathered around us - all 28 of them. In particular, Gillian our oldest granddaughter spoke of the blessing it had been to live in our home for a year before she went to Uni. and have a wider family who she knew were totally committed to her. She was so surprised when she got to Uni. to discover that this experience was almost unique.
The power of encouragement has had an almost miraculous effect of our grandson Jowan, who was being crushed by the discouragement of his school in Germany. Since coming to live in the UK, his educational experience has been transformed by the praise and upbuilding he has received from his new school. His work has improved tremendously and his joy and enthusiasm has been recognised by being given key responsibilities.
In 2 Corinthian 7:13, Paul speaks of the way the believers in Corinth knew how to encourage, “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”
Find someone today who you can encourage, speak out what is in your heart, you may need to make a phone call, write a letter or send an email. It will “refresh the spirit” and bring real blessing, as it did to Titus.
by Charles Sibthorpe
