Tag: <span>encouragement</span>


“Encourage each other” 1 Thessalonians 5:18


How are you?” is how we often begin our conversations. It is part of the North American culture – we say it out of habit.

But how often do we take the time to look in people’s eyes or discern facial expressions or body language or even read between the lines of an e-mail?

Several years ago, I had a disagreement with one of my co-workers and words were said that hurt me deeply. I felt so alone and rejected; however, God – always alert to our needs – prompted a friend, who knew nothing about what happened, to call and tell me that the Lord had prompted her to pray for me. “Was I okay?” she asked. Her call was very encouraging.

The next day, someone at work offered to do me a favor. This person was not known for going the second mile. Again I knew it was the Lord and I was encouraged.

The following Saturday I picked up some clothes from my seamstress. As I was about to leave, the seamstress said to me, “How are YOU doing?” Now, she had been my seamstress for over five years and never before had she asked me how I was. Who prompted her? The Lord. Again, I felt very encouraged.

Such a small thing can make such a difference! When you notice someone who looks sad or pressured, take the time to pray for him or her, send an e-mail or a card or simply ask, “How are YOU doing?” It will make their day.

Father, we all seem to be so busy. Cause us not to be so focused on our “to-do lists” that we don’t take the time to look into people’s eyes and ask them, “How are you doing?” Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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Further Reading

•  19 Ways to Encourage Others

•  I Like to be Encouraged

•  Salvation Explained


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thoughts by Katherine Kehler Thoughts by Women

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)


I enjoy being a devotional writer, a ministry I started for my Bible fellowship class nearly twenty years ago, and have continued each week since then. My mailing list has grown over the years and several publishers re-direct to their audiences in the thousands over six continents.

I am humbled with the feedback I get from people I have never met and never will, but whose lives I have impacted. One in particular, a man named Stephen in Bangalore, India writes me faithfully each week. His notes are such an encouragement to me.

Several years ago, I received a note from a man in Kenya. He said he was a new Christian and had been asked to lead the village’s weekly Bible study. He said he didn’t know what to use until he read my weekly Thoughts on Life and then used it to share with those in the village.

I am amazed that in this new world of international electronic communication that I can sit at my desk and reach the most remote places in the world for Jesus. With humility, I thank God that I can do this ministry.

My only goal is to encourage others in their faith and they in turn encourage me. Encouragement is one of the greatest powers in the world. We all need it. Sharing a kind or positive word, paying a compliment, giving a hug or a pat on the back, recognizing someone for a job well done. These are all powerful ways to boost the mental and spiritual state of those around you.

The writer of Hebrews says it well.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Encouraging others is a way to stir them up to love and perform good works. That’s pretty powerful stuff especially in a world that seems geared toward tearing us down. Encouraging Someone Is easy, but powerful. It just doesn’t take much to encourage others.

How much effort is it really? Drop a note, send an email, publicly praise someone. None of these take much time, money or effort. Yet they can stir us up to love and good works.

Encourage someone today and be prepared to receive back even more. In addition to making others day, it will make you feel so good when you are in a mood of encouragement.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Further Reading

•  Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Muriel Larson

•  Suffering – Spiritual principles to meditate on during hard timese

•  Salvation Explained


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thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men