Platform Admin
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
While Paul’s exhortation here is excellent, it is the style of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. But in our lives as Christians, our knowledge always exceeds our obedience. So more often than we like to think, we need to remind each other of what we are doing right and just simply say, “Hey, you’re doing well; just keep doing what you’re doing!”
My Prayer…
Faithful Father, thank you for noticing and keeping record of the things I’ve done that are good and pleasing to you. Please help me to keep doing those things that please you, only better, that you may be pleased and glorified. In Jesus name. Amen.
Bible References
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Paul instructs many times through out his letters of encouraging one another. In fact the apostle himself was a great encourager. Even in the last part of our verse today he is encouraging them; “just as in fact you are doing.” In our world today this is somewhat of a lost mentality, people it seems would rather criticize each other than give an encouraging word. But this should not be so for children of God! We are to obey God’s Word even if we don’t exactly “feel” like doing so. It is a matter of choosing to encourage rather than going along with our old sin nature and being a discourager.
I have noticed in my own daily walk that when I encourage someone it just makes my day a little brighter. It puts us in the right mind-set when we encourage others. If all we do is complain all day and walk around with a attitude of negativity, then we are going to become even more negative, and not a true representation of Christ. God has called us to a higher standard than that! We are children of the living God of the universe, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37), so what do we have to be so very negative about? Of course there will always be trials and tribulations we go through but we know that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and He has given us the Holy Spirit which indwells us and enables us to go through times of hardship with peace and joy instead of turmoil and defeat. So be an encourager, it is good for the soul, and it pleases God!
When we take into account the great love that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has shown to us, this should motivate us to show love and concern for each other, thus living an example of Christ to the lost world around us. Jesus always went around helping those He came into contact with when He was on this earth. Lord help us to do as He did and be a source of encouragement and help to those that He places in our lives from day to day!
Thank You Jesus for dying for me, help me to be a positive example of You and Your love in my daily life, for Your glory and honor, Amen!