Coffee With Pat Ministries

Encourage One Another
Author: Pat Aman

“Christians are to be encouragers and not discouragers. Pat Aman

In our churches and our world today, we need to be encouragers–building one another up, inspiring one another, and strengthening one another in our faith. God has called Christians to be encouragers:

1 Thessalonians . 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Hebrews10:25 “Let us encourage one another…”

Hebrews 3:13 “Encourage one another daily…”

Although God has commanded us to encourage one another, sometimes, we do just the opposite.

Since we are human beings, at times, we…Discourage one another instead of encouraging one another.

We seem to concentrate on people’s weaknesses and faults instead of their strengths.

We seem criticize others instead of complimenting them on their good qualities. And we seem to tear down instead of building up.

Lets look at two reason we should be encouragers and not discouragers.

Why should we be an encourager?

Because being an encourager, we can change someone’s life!

In Acts 13:5 – When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper, a young man named John Mark was an enthusiastic worker for the Lord. In fact, he loved God so much that he accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. However, along the way, John Mark decided to return home and leave the missionary effort.

Acts 15:36-40 – Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. Barnabas wanted to invite John Mark to join them for another journey, but Paul did not want too. As a result, the partners went separate ways, Barnabas with Mark and Paul with Silas.

Can you imagine how devastating it was for Mark when Paul refused to let him go on the next missionary journey? He could have been so discouraged that he quit the ministry or even gave up on God. However, Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) stood beside his friend John Mark despite his past failure and encouraged him in the work of the Lord. He lifted John Mark up and gave him another chance and inspired him to continue in the ministry. Barnabas’ encouragement changed John Mark’s life.

Think about it, what would have happened if Mark had quit? We probably wouldn’t have the Gospel according to Mark.

Each time we encourage someone, it may change the course of his or her life.

To often we can diagnose people unfairly and label them a failure. Moreover, we treat them as failures. However, in reality, we should believe in and encourage them and when we do, we can change the course of their lives.

How can we encourage others?

We need to look for the best in people and not the worst.

We all have weaknesses. No one is perfect. And since we are all frail human beings, we could pick each other to death with criticism.

But if we look at people’s strengths and good qualities, we will enjoy each other and build each other up.

We cannot dwell on people’s weaknesses, but instead we should focus on their good qualities!

If we look for the best in people and not the worst, we will always find something good in everyone.

We must look for opportunities to encourage others.

When someone does something good in your eyes, simply tell them.

It will make a world of difference to that individual.

If you enjoyed someone’s prayer, tell them.

If someone becomes a Christian, encourage him or her in their faith.

If someone at your work does a good job, give them a pat on the back.

If your children do something good, give them praise. Children constantly need encouragement because it builds up their self-worth and importance.

Brethren, we need to be a people of encouragement! The Bible commands us to do this. By being an encourager, we can change someone’s life, and we can build people’s self-worth.

It is so easy to get caught up in tearing others down. But this mindset is worthless. There is nothing good that can come out of discouraging others. So if you are constantly tearing people down, it is time to stop it and start building them up with kind words of encouragement.

When we leave this earth, do we want to be remembered as encouragers or discouragers?

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976…