In Nov 2006 I wrote about "encouragement" in GOODSTUFF. This week, an editorial by Charles Swindoll, the Chancellor at Dallas Theological Seminary, refreshed my memory as to how important, and rare, that is! 

    Swindoll quoted William Barclay from his book Letter to the Hebrews: One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement It is easy to laugh at men's ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another." 

    Those are good words for us right now. There is a lot going on all over the world currently that is definitely discouraging news. An encouraging word is like a breath of fresh air, and it is easily done. Like kindness is so satisfying, and so helpful. Why don't we do more of it? 

I    n Romans 1.12 (Ampl) it says: "That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Isn't that wonderfully simple! We can encourage and strengthen and comfort each other by simply sharing our faith in Jesus. Have you tried to do that for anyone today? Could you?? Has anyone encouraged you in this manner this week? 

    O.K. I suggest that we make this coming week, one in which we are going to lavish genuine encouragement on everyone we can, including ourselves!....while we still can. It not only will not cost us nothing, but will also blow fresh air, comfort, strength and encouragement all over the place. 

Aren't God's ways marvelous!?

bh June 14, 2008
Blog: http://blog.bertsgoodstuff.com