BOA #103 - Encouragement is Life on Life! - a podcast by Dr. Stan Ott

Consider how intensely personal spiritual encouragement may be.

For example, the apostle Paul writes, “we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”  I Thessalonians 1:8

Paul and those with him didn’t just share ideas or concepts or faith but their own lives, that’s as personal as it gets. He makes no mention of activities, programs, books or resources (not that they don’t play a role), but simply the encouragement of life on life!

Later he observes that, “we exhorted each of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” I Thessalonians 1:12

Here we see encouragement is not only personal, it’s very focused on spiritual encouragement. More that “you can do it, be strong, hang in there, keep your chin up,” its imploring people to live in a manner worthy of the Lord who loves them.

When is the last time someone looked you in the eye and spoke in ways that encouraged your Christian life? When is the last time you spoke in such a way to someone else?

Be conscious of the people in your life and look for appropriate ways to encourage their relationship with the Lord of their lives.

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