This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “A Living Sacrifice”, I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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A Living Sacrifice – Day 12

Everyone likes an encourager. Those who encourage us make us feel good when we have done the right thing, and they make us feel as though we are not a total failure when we have done the wrong thing! If I need encouragement I often pray, then open my Bible.

Romans 12:8

If it is to encourage, then give encouragement;

The Thought

Everyone likes an encourager. Those who encourage us make us feel good when we have done the right thing, and they make us feel as though we are not a total failure when we have done the wrong thing!

An encourager always has a good word to say, sometimes they encourage others publicly, at other times they are more subtle, sending just a quick text message or e-mail.

There are many encouragers in the Bible. Paul’s letters are full of encouragements to the leaders of the churches he had started.

To the church in Thessalonica he wrote:

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

Obviously the members of this church were being called to help each other along the road. In their conversations, around their meetings. Not just in spiritual ways, but in practical ways too.

Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

To the church in Ephesus, Paul sent one of his disciples:

I am sending Tychicus, to you … that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Ephesians 6:21-22

But the Bible itself is an encouragement. It is full of helpful advice for whatever situation we find ourselves in. If I need encouragement I often pray for help, then open my Bible, and read whatever page it opens at. Most times I read something there that assures me that God knows how I feel and just what I need.

But I have favourite passages too that I often turn to for encouragement.

Action

Praise God for those who have encouraged you in your faith.

Could you suggest some practical act of encouragement that some of your church could do for a needy member of the group (e.g. gardening, decorating, taking a meal round)?

Be an encourager today, even if it is not your natural gift. We can all do it sometimes.