Category Archives: Encouragement

Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Sanctification, Witnessing

GOOD OR EVIL


1 THESSALONIANS 5:15

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” 

What an interesting use of words, but you have to go back to the original language to really see why. You see, “repays” carries the idea of a payment or repayment. That is usually a good thing, but in this situation it’s bad. You’ve heard the expression “payback.” Well, that’s the idea here. It’s getting back at someone.

And the other words that are interesting are “seek after.” That’s one word in the Greek, and it can also be used in a good way or a bad way. Here, of course, it is a good thing. It means to earnestly pursue something. It’s your passion. It’s what drives you. You just can’t stop.

APPLICATION

This is an easy application, if you will teach it. Children naturally want to “get back” at someone who has done them wrong. We all get that naturally. It’s part of our sin nature. Our job as parents is to lead our children to Christ who can transform that nature into His nature. Then, like Him, they will desire what is good for others, not payback.

One of the best ways to teach your children to do good towards those who try to harm them is to teach them to pray for them. It’s really hard to try to “get back” at someone you are praying for. Your child may even suggest a way to actually do something nice for that person in the name of Jesus. Encourage that. 

Who is giving you a “fit” right now? Is there someone at work who just has it in for you? Perhaps, God forbid, there is someone at church you can’t get along with. Begin by praying for them. We never know what is going on in a person’s life, but God does. Then ask the Lord to use you to do good to them. Find a way to bless them. What happens might surprise you.

O Lord, I know all I deserve is payback for my sins. I do not deserve Your blessings. But because of Your Son, Jesus, I am declared righteous. Help me see others as deserving of that same righteousness.

Standard
Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Surrender, Witnessing

DID I LEAVE ANYONE OUT?


1 THESSALONIANS 5:14

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 

My daughter is planning a wedding! Yep, I am gaining a son-in-law, or as I like to say – a son. They are both busy planning the invitation list. What started out as a small little wedding has naturally grown to a larger event. That’s okay. It’s their wedding, and they want their friends and family there to celebrate with them.

Paul is making a list here in today’s verse for the Thessalonians. He wants them to reach out to the unruly, fainthearted, weak and well…everyone. Now that’s a pretty exhaustive list. In fact, the word “everyone” comes from the word that means not just all, but each and every part that makes up the whole. So, Paul is saying, “each and every person.”

APPLICATION

You will need to teach each of these commands separately to your little Johnny or Susie. I would hold off on the admonishing one until they are older. That takes some skill to do correctly. But it is still a most valuable skill to have.  

Teaching them to encourage, help and to be patient, though, can ONLY be taught by modeling that for them. Sorry about that Mom and Dad. You are the one that has to practice this first. Then your children will see what it looks like.  Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to do what the Lord asks you?

So many of us want to admonish, but we don’t want to encourage, help or show patience. We don’t have the right to admonish someone we are not willing to encourage, help or be patient with. Is that you? Commit today to start at the bottom of that list (patience) and work your way up. See what God will do through you.

Father, You have given us the perfect example in Christ. He showed us patience, help and encouragement so that admonishment wasn’t as necessary. Help me model Christ in my interactions with others.

Standard
Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Parenting, Praise, Thanksgiving

ATABOY


1 THESSALONIANS 5:13

“and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” 

Do you know that term – Ataboy? Well, it refers to patting someone on the back for a job well done. It means holding someone in high regard. Or as Paul says, “esteem them very highly.” Have you done that lately to someone? Have you given them an “ataboy”?

Of course, Paul is referring to those in verse 12, to those who teach us and lead us. Go up to your Pastor next week and give him a pat on the back and say, “Pastor, I really appreciate all you do for our church and for me personally. I am praying for you today.” You cannot imagine how much that will mean to him. Most of the time he hears negative stuff and complaints. You will truly bless him.

APPLICATION

Help your little Gertrude or Elrod make a list of people they want to give an “ataboy” to. It could be a teacher, preacher, babysitter or another leader in their life. After you make the list help them make a homemade card of thanks. Those homemade cards are not only fun to make, but they carry a special meaning to the recipient.

I keep a “Smile File” in my office where I keep all the cards I receive from children. I got one recently from a group of girls in our AWANA program. Knowing they took the time to color it and write a personal message meant so much to me. It was a simple gesture, but it blessed my socks off.  Teach your children to do that – to bless others.

Is there someone today you could bless that way? I bet they need it. Shoot them an email card or GIF or a personal text. It is so easy to do that in our digital world. Make a list of people you want to bless in that way. Then do it and sit back and watch them receive it. I promise you will be blessed as much.

I want to thank You first of all, Lord. You deserve all my praise and adoration for salvation. I esteem You very highly in love.

Standard
Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Love, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Praise, Thanksgiving, Witnessing

WHO DO YOU APPRECIATE?


1 THESSALONIANS 5:12

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,” 

If you have ever attended a middle school or high school ballgame, whether it be basketball or football, you have probably heard this cheer.  “2, 4, 6, 8, who do you appreciate…” Am I right?  It didn’t matter if your team was good or bad. The fans were going cheer for them. 

Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians and us to show our appreciation (literally, to remember) those who teach and lead us in our faith. Many churches and communities have “Clergy Appreciation Days.” This is a day set aside to recognize and show appreciation to our spiritual leaders. We would do well to do that in some way.

APPLICATION

“Carl, this isn’t a very spiritual devotion today.” Well, hang on. Let’s make this apply to us and our families. One thing that is sorely missing today in our society is valuing our spiritual mentors. We must teach our children to honor and respect those people God has placed over them. Lack of respect for authority is running rampant in our country. Of all people, Christians should lead the way in honoring our leaders.

How do we teach that? It begins at home. Holding your children accountable for disrespectful behavior must be done. Modeling respect for your leaders, even if you disagree with them, teaches our children to do the same. I truly believe God places people over us in life to teach us. We may question that sometime, but if we trust the Lord, we will honor Him by honoring those He has chosen as His instrument of instruction in our lives.

Whom are you complaining about right now? Are you picking apart your Pastor without any measure of honor and respect? Apply this verse to your life today. Ask the Lord to show you when you are NOT appreciating those who teach and lead you.

I am thankful, Lord, for those whom You have placed over me. I repent of any disrespect or dishonor I may have shown. Help me to learn from them what You would have me learn.

Standard
Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Family, Fatherhood, Inspirational, Love, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Sanctification, Thanksgiving, Witnessing

BE A BUILDER


1 THESSALONIANS 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 

Imagery can be so important when you are trying to explain something to someone. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, is doing that so well in this verse. He instructs us to literally build up others (to help them stand firm) and also to encourage them (to come alongside them). I get this picture of a tree that is planted in the ground and then braced and supported tightly until it takes firm root.

Unfortunately, too many of us are too concerned with tearing others down and kicking the supports out from under them. We don’t want others “standing over” us. We would rather see them fall that appear to be over us. I pray anyone I have the privilege to mentor becomes MUCH more than me.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you a question. Do you want your children to succeed? Do you want them to achieve more than you? Most parents would quickly say, “Well, of course, Carl.” Their achievement over your achievements makes you proud, not jealous. Their surpassing of your goals is a reflection of you, not an overshadowing of anything you have done.

Why is it, then, that we can’t do the same thing with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ? Why do we compete with them for the top rung on the ladder? Teach your children to be that person who, for the betterment of the Body, is willing to stay at the bottom of the ladder to hold and support it, rather than kick people off on the way up.

How do you encourage and build up your fellow believers? Who are you personally mentoring right now? If you aren’t sure what the answer is to either of those questions, let me encourage you right now to take a moment to ask the Lord to put someone in your life to whom you can do that. We can’t do this Christian life alone and neither can others.

Lord, You have created us to need each other. Let me encourage someone today. Instead of tearing someone down, help me build someone up.

Standard