Encourage one another and build each other up

[Hosanna]

All of us need encouragement. It is a tool that increases our confidence and inspires us to act with courage, spirit, or strength. That is what we need! We don’t need anyone around to discourage us; instead, we need “encouragers” in our lives. Because we all encounter difficulty while we are running our race and trying to reach our goals, we all need encouragement.

I think when we encourage each other we are sharing God's love.

Agapé is a love which comes from a God who is love. It is love lavished upon others without a thought of whether they are worthy to receive it. It is this kind of love that is to characterize the Christian.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:11–13

At least 55 times in the New Testament we are commanded to love. It is one of Scripture’s most repeated, inescapable directives for the believer. It touches us in all of our relationships and affects us in each of the many roles we play—as parents, spouses, children, friends, and fellow believers. It even defines the way we are to respond to our enemies.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43–44


Christ provided the crowning example of this when from the cross He prayed for those who were abusing Him. And Romans 5:8–10 tells us He died for us even when we were yet His enemies.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:8–10


Believers are to follow the way of love, to do everything in love, to serve one another in love, to live a life of love, to speak the truth in love, to put on love, to pursue love, to spur one another on to love, and to love not only in words but in actions and truth.

We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and to bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love. And God is concerned that we grow and mature in this love. Three times in Paul’s epistles and once in Peter’s writings we are told to continue to grow in love.

 

[Kenny]

All of us need encouragement. It is a tool that increases our confidence and inspires us to act with courage, spirit, or strength. That is what we need! We don’t need anyone around to discourage us; instead, we need “encouragers” in our lives. Because we all encounter difficulty while we are running our race and trying to reach our goals, we all need encouragement.

I think when we encourage each other we are sharing God's love.

Agapé is a love which comes from a God who is love. It is love lavished upon others without a thought of whether they are worthy to receive it. It is this kind of love that is to characterize the Christian.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:11–13

At least 55 times in the New Testament we are commanded to love. It is one of Scripture’s most repeated, inescapable directives for the believer. It touches us in all of our relationships and affects us in each of the many roles we play—as parents, spouses, children, friends, and fellow believers. It even defines the way we are to respond to our enemies.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43–44


Christ provided the crowning example of this when from the cross He prayed for those who were abusing Him. And Romans 5:8–10 tells us He died for us even when we were yet His enemies.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 5:8–10


Believers are to follow the way of love, to do everything in love, to serve one another in love, to live a life of love, to speak the truth in love, to put on love, to pursue love, to spur one another on to love, and to love not only in words but in actions and truth.

We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and to bear the fruit of the Spirit which is love. And God is concerned that we grow and mature in this love. Three times in Paul’s epistles and once in Peter’s writings we are told to continue to grow in love.

Awesome OP! I was just thinking about how we're to encourage each other. I think it's really important and I know that it works.

I have a few words of encouragement for you.

You have been promised that nothing can defeat you. Nothing. So stand tall, warrior girl, because you are mightier than you know. Your prayers, your unyielding faith, your words of truth have the power to make the enemy tremble. Not because of who you are but because of whose side you fight on.

I encourage you to keep posting your devotions on love, they are outstanding.

 

[Hosanna]

@Kenny

Ok
Let’s start with what matters most:

You’re loved. I don’t know why it’s so hard for us to deeply, wholly believe that’s true. I’ve heard again and again the whispers of doubt. Can I be a different voice, a louder voice, in your life today?

You really are loved.
Just as you are.
More than you know.

There’s nothing that can change that in your life. Not a bad day, not a mistake, not all the ways you may sometimes worry you fall short. Nothing. So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let the words wrap themselves around your heart.
I am loved.

It’s wonderfully true.
That means you don’t ever have to prove yourself. You don’t have to strive to earn the affection your heart most longs for. You can be free from continually pursuing more and yet never feeling like enough.
You’re loved in a way that is secure forever. The God who spoke the universe into being has said these words to you: “I love you.” And what he says can never be altered. In a world where so much may change, you can trust that his love will always stay the same. Your heart is truly safe with him.

Now. Tomorrow. Always.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Ps 103:11–12.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39.

We love Him, because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19.


Holley Gerth, If We Could Have Coffee...

 

[Johann]

Amazing

 

[Hosanna]

Amazing

Yes God is amazing isn't he.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live.
—PSALM 63:3–4

 

[Johann]

Yes God is amazing isn't he.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live.
—PSALM 63:3–4

Reminds me of 1 Cor. 13.

 

[Hosanna]

Reminds me of 1 Cor. 13.

Exactly, they don't call it the love chapter for nothing. I know what you're talking about because so many things that I read remind me of 1st Corinthians 13. That always gives me a good feeling. When you know that you have some of God's word in your heart.

 

[Fool4Christ]

Here's an encouraging word that show the value of the Right Words.

A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!
Proverbs15:23.

The right words to encourage us when we needed encouragement. When we were wrestling through a decision the right counsel that was needed at that moment. An apt answer. It brought joy to us. The words in season like that are so good to our souls.

Solomon writes once again about the value of well-chosen words (Proverbs 15:1–2, 4, 7). He observes that an appropriate answer delights both the hearer and the speaker. The emphasis here is on words which are especially well-timed and fitting to the moment at hand. Not only is it joyful for the person who can give such an answer, it's a blessing to the one who hears. For that to happen, the speaker needs to pursue wisdom (Proverbs 2:1–7) and discernment (Proverbs 15:14; Hebrews 5:14) and the hearer needs to be receptive (Proverbs 5:7; 15:31).

This ideal response might be a word of encouragement, explanation, praise, love, exhortation, or even a word of rebuke. Jesus is the best example of someone whose answers and words brought joy to those who received them. His words brought life, healing, comfort, and hope. Even the officers of the chief priests and Pharisees admitted, "No one ever spoke like this man" (John 7:46). Our answers and words, too, should bring joy to those who ask for a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Like the Philippian believers, we ought to hold fast the word of life (Philippians 2:16) and share it with others so they may have an opportunity to know the joy of salvation. https://www.bibleref.com

 

[Grace ambassador]

 

[Azriel]

Bump for this Thread.

Continue Encouragement

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:11

People die a thousand deaths of discouragement as their daily lives sap courage from their hearts. We all need courage, primarily from the resurrected life of Christ. He is our hope. He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is our life. Because Christ is in you, you may be able to share the dose of courage a friend needs to make it through another day. Don’t underestimate your ability to dispense courage. Your kind word and warm smile are encouraging. So are your generosity, your presence, your listening ear, your investment of time, and your wisdom. Your encouragement builds up others.

When Satan tears people down, you build them up. His goal is the demolition of faith, hope, and love. Your God-given mandate is the building up of faith, hope, and love. Where Satan discourages, you encourage. Like an opponent in a chess match, he is trying to deceive others into thinking they are trapped with no way out. He plays for a checkmate of discouragement, but you have courage and hope in King Jesus. He already has the devil checked, and there’s no possibility of a stalemate. So use eternal encouragement to deliver others from the devil’s delusions. Take courage from God so you can give courage to others. Lead others to this same fountain of eternal encouragement so they can drink from it when no other encouragers are around.

Courage is to the soul what food is to the body. It is satisfying at the time but exhausts itself quickly, so dine at the table of God’s encouragement regularly. His Word is sumptuous, satisfying, and encouraging. Dispense His Word to others in doses of daily encouragement. Human words are hollow compared to the meaty words of Scripture. The Bible is a reality check. It’s full of bold encouragement—when you are immersed in the Holy Scriptures, you are covered with encouragement.

It is not possible to consistently feed on the Bible and not be encouraged! Believe His Word, and you will be encouraged. His promises are true—He has forgiven you, He has accepted you, He loves you, He walks with you, and He desires you. This is encouraging! Be encouraged so that you can encourage others.

Encouraging others is also encouraging. When you see a person breathe a sigh of relief, you are encouraged. When you see them do the wise thing, you are encouraged. You train a child in the way he should go. Then he lives for God, and you are eternally encouraged. Give courage, and you will receive courage. Choose the high road of encouragement over the low road of discouragement. Anyone can discourage, so don’t be just anyone. Be a Barnabas (“son of encouragement”)—God will be pleased, and you and many others will be encouraged.


Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional