HomeWord - Aug. 28, 2006

Be Liberal with Encouragement 
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:11    

Mark Twain once said, "I can live two months on one good compliment." People need your praise and affirmation. Be liberal with your gift of encouragement and always be on the lookout for opportunities to lift someone’s spirits.

A woman in my church has a ministry of affirmation. She must have stock in the local stationery store, because she is always writing affirming notes. I save those notes, and I’ve received eight this year! Her willingness to praise someone for a job well done or encourage a person who needs a moment of inspiration has given my friend a profound ministry. She'll probably never give a sermon, write a book, or be famous, but I guarantee you that in God's eyes her notes of encouragement are more powerful than almost any sermon you've ever heard.

Is there someone in your life who needs a little affirmation and praise? What better gift to give them than the gift of encouragement!       

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GOING DEEPER:

1. What effect does encouragement have in a person’s life?   

2. Today give encouragement to someone who needs it. Try writing them a note, giving them a phone call or baking them a fresh batch of cookies.

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:29

HomeWord Encouraging Parents…Building Families
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