Devotional July 3 2020Encouragement is something we all can benefit from. I remember a few years ago Lenny Johnson had come over to our home. While he was visiting I showed him some work I had done in the basement. I pointed out what I had done and he said, “good job.” His words were very uplifting and did a lot to my confidence and self-esteem.
In a similar way, as followers of Christ the need to be encouraged in our faith and in life is essential. Encouragement is vital because it helps us know if we are going in the right direction. Additionally, it gives us confidence in what we believe and it gives us hope as we continue on.
There are several passages we can turn to find encouragement in the Bible. One in particular is the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. As we read the salutation we see that Paul starts by encouraging his readers saying that they are, “the faithful.”
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul continues on to say that in Christ we are, “blessed in the heavenly realm” and that, “He chose us” and that we are, “adopted as his sons.”
Our hope and confidence is found in our identity in Christ. There are many times that the spiritual force in opposition to God would want us to forget this truth. This is why it is so important for us to be diligent in reminding others of this truth.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
Today I would like to encourage you to be that for someone. Be an encouragement to others by reminding someone who they are in Christ today