A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, August 26

ontrakk
2 hours ago
2 min read

1Thessalonians 5:8-15

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Today’s scripture and the devotion from the Upper Room share an important lesson for me. I invariably respond in a positive way to those who are positive and upbeat. But do I stop and ask (really ask) how they are doing? It is a pleasure to be around people who have an upbeat attitude. But like the woman in today’s devotion, they may need support despite their pleasant demeanor. There is some great instruction in this passage.

Holy Lord, help me to remember to be a giver as well as a recipient when it comes to positive, heartfelt encouragement. Open my eyes to better see those who could use my support. Amen

Becky, transforming

1 Comment

Tom Andrew

36 minutes ago

Those in leadership roles are wise to learn, remember and put Paul’s lesson on encouragement into action. I was proud of the team in place when I was serving the state. I looked for opportunities to acknowledge their work and encourage them. I found this yielded consistently better results than some negative leadership styles I had experienced or observed. I see this kind of encourager attitude in the Methodist Men group, led by Pastor Bob Stewart. He is unfailingly upbeat and supportive of the men in the group, building it from four men from two churches to twenty or so from several churches. In turn, the men are very respectful of Bob and offer encouragement to him.

Prayer…