Put today’s devotional into action right away with “19 Ways to Encourage Others”

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Be intentional today to stand as one loved by God, with purpose and dignity. Reach out in kindness to someone today and feel His love flow to you and through you. God’s love, given generously through you, has a way of coming full circle back to you.

You have much to give! Stand tall! His grace will shelter you and protect you. His grace will fulfill you. His grace will enable you to step forward and not shrink back. His grace will enable you to give CARE even when you desperately want to receive care yourself. His grace is given to you in order to be given away. Let His grace flow to you and through you as you care in the ways He has made you to uniquely show His love. It will fill you up in an unexpected way.

Four ways to show C A R E today:

C – Compassion = concern, kindness, consideration.

As you go through your day today ask God to show you where and how you can show kindness, consideration and concern in a meaningful and simple way to someone on your pathway. When you feel the nudge, take the time to respond. Show consideration.

A – Appreciate

Show appreciation in an intentional and specific way to someone whom the Lord highlights on your radar screen today. Be genuinely appreciative. Say “thanks”.

R – Reach Out

Don’t wait for others to take the first step to greet, speak, say or do something. Be ready to reach out in the moment you become aware of the choice. Go first.

E – Encourage

It costs nothing to say a sincere and encouraging word. Be aware today that you have the power of life and death in your tongue. Bite your tongue when careless words want to spill out. Ask God to fill your mind and heart with His goodness toward others. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Use your words to build.

Prayer to help action CARE in your life:

Father God,

Today my heart yearns for love. To answer that yearning, please help me to extend CARE to those in my circle. Let me feel Your lavish love toward me today and help me to pass it out. May consideration, appreciation and encouragement mark my attitudes, words and actions today as I reach out with Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Question: How are you going to show compassion, appreciation, reach out, and encourage someone today?

“And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You!” (Isaiah 64:7)

God is reachable and tangible. In fact, throughout the scriptures we see God reaching out towards His people and continually drawing them to Him in a real way. From Genesis through Revelation God makes Himself known. The question is not whether God wants contact with us, but whether we have awakened our spirit man, our inner man, to God and are rousing ourselves to take hold of Him.

The term, “stir up” literally means to “awaken, arouse and revive”. Now, more than ever, there is a cry within the heart of people to know God. They are sincerely reaching out and grabbing hold of God so that He becomes a reality in their lives.

I want to encourage you that any time you read about God in His nature, begin to ponder on whether or not you have experienced Him those ways. As your read about God as your Jehovah Jireh, ask yourself how you have experienced Him as your Provider. The same goes for God as Your Righteousness, Healer, Peace, Joy, Lover, and so forth. Begin asking God to take you deeper into Himself in those ways.

In the season that we are living in there is a mandate to stir ourselves up to take hold of God. The world has a strong pull. It is always easier to be brought down than to raise the standard. It takes less effort to remain complacent rather than seeking God and desiring His manifest presence and glory within our lives. But it is not nearly as fulfilling.

The book of Mathew says that the Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. There are times we need to be an aggressive people, warring for His promises to become reality within us, and within the earth. One of those promises is in Hebrews 11:6 which says that God rewards those who seek Him.

Let’s wake ourselves up to God in a real way. Let us seek Him and surrender our spirits to His Spirit so we may know Him more deeply and rise up as His glorious people throughout the earth.

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you want to be so real to me. I yield myself and all that I am to you. Make Yourself known to me, oh God. Breathe on me and take me deeper into yourself, so I may dwell and abide in You. Holy Spirit, teach me and guide me, drawing me even closer into Your presence and glory. Amen.

Question: How are you experiencing God in new and exciting ways?

Are you feeling ready to walk away from a relationship – are you possibly even considering divorce? We want to pray for you.

“I needed to hear that”, Kelly said with a catch in her voice. The layoff notice had come as a complete surprise. Anger and panic had welled up within her.
Sue had listened to her vent. Then she had spoken quietly and gently reminded Kelly that God knew of this turn of events. He would direct her through the unknown path. He could be counted on to guide her. He would give her wisdom. Kelly’s heart was comforted and strengthened. She was encouraged to go on and her heart softened at the reminder of God’s care.

God’s Word alerts us that in difficult times our hearts can go astray. They can become hardened and turn away from God.

We all know that wondering of “Where is God?” when something significant does not go as we had hoped or planned and life seems to tumble around us.

We live in a world that acknowledges God less and less. Often the choices of others affect us in hard ways. Politics at work, relationships with those we care about, finances, even health issues. We can feel alone and our faith can feel slippery as we walk.

When clouds gather in our lives we can begin to allow unbelief into our hearts. It’s very subtle and slips in. We pray less and our Bible sits unopened more. When we don’t understand God, unbelief creeps in. It can harden our hearts to the point where we tune out God even when He speaks to us. We can find rebellion creeping up on us if we are not monitoring our hearts. Listen to God’s words to us…

“See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

God knows the tendency of our hearts toward unbelief. That’s why He counsels us in these matters. We need to be aware of keeping our hearts soft. God’s call to “Encourage one another daily…” helps build a reservoir within our own hearts … it helps keep our hearts soft.

It is easy to be deceived into thinking God doesn’t have our best interest at heart, especially when things don’t go well. We need to guard our hearts against unbelief and rebellion and know that, in those tough places, He is there to guide us through and teach us.

When you feel unbelief slipping into your soul and find rebellion nibbling around the edges of your heart, seek out spiritual encouragement. Walk and talk with a friend and be honest in sharing your need of prayer. Do a Bible study on a topic that grabs at your heart. Choose to spend some time with God and cry out to him from the depths of your soul telling Him all the things in your heart. Choose to turn toward Him. God will encourage you even when people aren’t there to. Choose to draw near to Him and ask Him to help your unbelief.

When we receive encouragement in our soul from God, we are then in a position to give encouragement. You cannot offer something you don’t possess.

Then, when you hear despair in the lives of those around you or in the emails of those writing to you, you will be equipped to encourage them with words from Scripture, or a gentle reminder of God’s everlasting love even when the road ahead is obscured.

It’s an amazing circle. Daily speaking of God’s care will not only encourage others and bring comfort, strength and hope…it will also encourage you and help keep your own heart soft and your faith strong.

It’s an amazing circle…”He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” ( Proverbs 11:25).

Pay attention to God’s warning against unbelief. Our faith in Jesus is our most valued treasure. If you loose it there is nothing of true value left. Guard against an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Turn to Him and ask Him to speak to you. Watch for those whose hearts are turning away and ask God to give you encouragement to share. It will build you up as you do.

Father God, I know the tendency of my own heart to grow hard around the edges with unbelief and even rebellion at times. I choose to draw near to You and ask that You would encourage my heart and help my unbelief. I need You to refresh my inner being and give me strength.

Encourage me through Your Word. Give me a greater desire to read it and to pour my heart out to you. Give me people in my life who will share with me the encouragement they receive from You. Help me to encourage others whose hearts are growing hard in difficult times. Daily be my source in everything I pray, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Questions: How does unbelief and rebellion start to take root in ones life?  How can you be ever ready to help those that are in despair around you?

Are you facing a challenging day today? Our mentors are here if you’d like someone to talk to.

“For those who are LED by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans?8:14).

Think about your past week for just a moment. What has been leading you through your days?

•    Are you being led astray in your faith by the company you are keeping?

•    Are you being led by a rushing busyness that brings unrest to your heart and mind?

•    Are you being dragged by your emotions?

God calls us to be LED by the Spirit of God. But it’s not always an easy thing to wrap your mind around. Here is a tool, in the form of the acronym LED, to help you intentionally allow yourself to be LED by God’s Spirit today.

Romans 8:14 “For those who are LED by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

1.    L- Look for His mercies

Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

EVERY MORNING God’s love and faithfulness are fresh to draw upon. His care is unlimited. His plan is not for us to be “consumed” by the circumstances and cares of our day. Turn your thoughts to His love and faithfulness before our feet hit the floor in the morning and as you drift off to sleep at night.

Psalm 92:2 “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening”

Sandwich your day between declaring His love afresh over you in the morning and in the evening thanking Him for His faithful care.

2.    E- Encourage daily

Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Take the time to get into God’s presence to allow His word to encourage your heart. Listen for His still, small voice as He nudges you to offer a word of encouragement to others as you go through your day.

All of us can be deceived by the lie, “You are all alone”. Especially at times of loss or crisis or difficult days. Our hearts can begin to harden and we need the daily encouragement of our Lord and of each other as we share the journey of life.

3.   D-Declare Thanksgiving

Psalm 50:23  “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

Thanksgiving is so much more than the trite “be thankful” or “have an attitude of gratitude”. These are good reminders to keep a thankful outlook yet thanksgiving is so much more.

It is a DOORWAY that actually opens the way for God to show His salvation, for God to amaze us and bring His plans and purposes to pass. It prepares the way for God to come into our lives and our circumstances. WOW!

Father God, today I want to be LED by Your Spirit in a fresh way. Show me Your mercies today as I look for them. Encourage my heart and show me who I can also encourage. And give me a fresh outlook of thanksgiving that I might open that door that prepares the way for Your deliverance in my life. Fill me with rejoicing and thanksgiving for all You are and for Your never-ending love and faithfulness to me. I love You Lord and I look to You to lead me this day. In the name of Jesus I pray,amen.

Questions: What has been leading you this past week? Are you being led astray in your faith by the company you are keeping? Are you being led by a rushing busyness that brings unrest to your heart and mind? Are you being dragged by your emotions?

While we live in a society where efficiency is at an optimum, it seems that words of encouragement may have become a lost art. In an electronic messaging world the human touch is often a welcome surprise. Encouragement is a gift that each of us have at our fingertips.  Take this study to discover how we can utilize it to bring joy into the lives of those around us.

Are you hurting from the pain of having lost someone ? We want to pray for you.

“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). “Provoke one another to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

In our busy, often harried 21st century lives, we desperately need encouragement. We are constantly told to work harder, achieve more, study more diligently, drive a newer car or own a bigger home. Life’s circumstances and our own failures can quickly drag us into dark holes of discouragement and even despair. The writer of Hebrews says “encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

But just a bit later that same writer gives us words that seem not so comforting, so soothing, so uplifting:  “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Another translation says to “provoke one another to good works.” Spurs have sharp edges and provoking—even from good friends with kind motivation—can easily aggravate.

Author M. Robert Mulholland writes, “The often disturbing, upsetting intrusions of others enable them to become agents of God’s troubling grace in our pilgrimage.” Both encouragement and stirring up are necessary for our pilgrimage. Without the first we can sink into despair. Without the latter we easily become satisfied with living within the confines of our comfort zones. True Christian community involves both.

Questions: Can you think of someone that you speak an encouraging word to?  What causes you to become discouraged? Tell us about a time when someone spoke an encouraging word to you just at a critical time in your life.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: The power of encouragement

About the Author Marilyn J. Ehle

Are you feeling ready to walk away from a relationship – are you possibly even considering divorce? We want to pray for you.

“I needed to hear that”, Kelly said with a catch in her voice. The layoff notice had come as a complete surprise. Anger and panic had welled up within her.
Sue had listened to her vent. Then she had spoken quietly and gently reminded Kelly that God knew of this turn of events. He would direct her through the unknown path. He could be counted on to guide her. He would give her wisdom. Kelly’s heart was comforted and strengthened. She was encouraged to go on and her heart softened at the reminder of God’s care.

God’s Word alerts us that in difficult times our hearts can go astray. They can become hardened and turn away from God.

We all know that wondering of “Where is God?” when something significant does not go as we had hoped or planned and life seems to tumble around us.

We live in a world that acknowledges God less and less. Often the choices of others affect us in hard ways. Politics at work, relationships with those we care about, finances, even health issues. We can feel alone and our faith can feel slippery as we walk.

When clouds gather in our lives we can begin to allow unbelief into our hearts. It’s very subtle and slips in. We pray less and our Bible sits unopened more. When we don’t understand God, unbelief creeps in. It can harden our hearts to the point where we tune out God even when He speaks to us. We can find rebellion creeping up on us if we are not monitoring our hearts. Listen to God’s words to us…

“See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

God knows the tendency of our hearts toward unbelief. That’s why He counsels us in these matters. We need to be aware of keeping our hearts soft. God’s call to “Encourage one another daily…” helps build a reservoir within our own hearts … it helps keep our hearts soft.

It is easy to be deceived into thinking God doesn’t have our best interest at heart, especially when things don’t go well. We need to guard our hearts against unbelief and rebellion and know that, in those tough places, He is there to guide us through and teach us.

When you feel unbelief slipping into your soul and find rebellion nibbling around the edges of your heart, seek out spiritual encouragement. Walk and talk with a friend and be honest in sharing your need of prayer. Do a Bible study on a topic that grabs at your heart. Choose to spend some time with God and cry out to him from the depths of your soul telling Him all the things in your heart. Choose to turn toward Him. God will encourage you even when people aren’t there to. Choose to draw near to Him and ask Him to help your unbelief.

When we receive encouragement in our soul from God, we are then in a position to give encouragement. You cannot offer something you don’t possess.

Then, when you hear despair in the lives of those around you or in the emails of those writing to you, you will be equipped to encourage them with words from Scripture, or a gentle reminder of God’s everlasting love even when the road ahead is obscured.

It’s an amazing circle. Daily speaking of God’s care will not only encourage others and bring comfort, strength and hope…it will also encourage you and help keep your own heart soft and your faith strong.

It’s an amazing circle…”He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” ( Proverbs 11:25).

Pay attention to God’s warning against unbelief. Our faith in Jesus is our most valued treasure. If you loose it there is nothing of true value left. Guard against an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Turn to Him and ask Him to speak to you. Watch for those whose hearts are turning away and ask God to give you encouragement to share. It will build you up as you do.

Father God, I know the tendency of my own heart to grow hard around the edges with unbelief and even rebellion at times. I choose to draw near to You and ask that You would encourage my heart and help my unbelief. I need You to refresh my inner being and give me strength.

Encourage me through Your Word. Give me a greater desire to read it and to pour my heart out to you. Give me people in my life who will share with me the encouragement they receive from You. Help me to encourage others whose hearts are growing hard in difficult times. Daily be my source in everything I pray, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Questions: How does unbelief and rebellion start to take root in ones life?  How can you be ever ready to help those that are in despair around you?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Feeling pressure to be perfect? We can pray for you.

As a mom, I sometimes wish for simpler days when I had one thing to do. The multiple duties of motherhood constantly fragment my attention. There is the need to teach, to discipline and encourage my children; to organize schedules, to drive and volunteer; to cook and clean; to study, to write and lead. In the midst of the urgent, it is easy to lose sight of what is important.

It isn’t just my problem. We all get distracted; we all forget what matters most.

That is why I love God’s promise to Jeremiah:

“They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them” (Jeremiah 32:38, 39).

Because the people of Judah had forgotten God’s commands and followed other gods, God sent Babylon to destroy their nation and take the people into exile. God stripped away the outside stuff of their lives, so that they would be able to focus on Him alone.

But in the middle of their trouble, God promised to give them singleness of heart and action. He promised to be their God. God Himself would give them the ability to fix their attention solely on Him.

He will do the same for us if we ask Him.

Great and Awesome God, give me a singleness of heart and action so that I will always fear You. Teach me to walk in Your ways and focus on You alone.

Questions: Is it difficult for you to focus on God alone? Why? How does it help to know that God is the one who gives us singleness of heart and action?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

When peace eludes us and anxiety seems to rule our hearts and minds we have a resource to use and a choice to make.

Listen to the great WISDOM God offers to us in Colossians 3: 15-17…

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Do you hear it?  God invites us to LET the peace of Christ RULE in our hearts; it’s what we are called to.  Put God’s WISDOM to work in your heart today.

W – Walk with God – thank Him and choose to look at your world with eyes filled with thanksgiving.

I- Investigate God’s word – keep it close and ask God to speak to you as you read it.

S – Share what He teaches you – encourage one another with the wisdom from His word.

D – Delight in Him – keep gratitude singing in your heart.

O – Open your heart – keep listening even as you do your daily tasks – he will speak to you

M – Make it a habit – give thanks and praise him everyday.

Do you see how thankfulness and gratitude are mentioned 3 times!  We so often need the reminder!

Put that attitude along side the priority of the Bible and maintaining encouraging friends and everything you do and say will be revolutionized!

Follow God’s wisdom. Choose today to LET peace RULE in your heart… and be amazed at the difference it will make.

Father God, how I need Your wisdom in my heart today. By the power of Your Holy Spirit I choose today to LET peace RULE in my heart. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Questions: Let’s take some time and list some of the things that we are thankful for. How can you put God’s wisdom to work in your heart?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“I have no idea how to talk to teenagers today,” our friend lamented as we enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee and he told us about the blue haired boy he had encountered at the mall. “They just seem so out of reach. I think I’m actually intimidated by them! I feel I’m out dated in their eyes and that they wouldn’t give me the time of day.”

My friend is wrong. Every day teens write to TruthMedia with questions about life and faith. Everyday there are opportunities to encourage a teen, be their sounding board and listen when no one in their world seems to hear them.

Teens are facing many of the same things we faced as young adults: peer pressure, moral decisions, career choices, falling in love, questions about God and faith, relationship struggles. Though they often face these things at a younger age, the heart issues have not changed and our stories and experience can encourage them.

Passing the stories of our faith on to the next generation is a strong theme in the Bible.  In Psalm 78 the history of God’s people is recorded and it is noted in verse 4

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.”

Kids are on their computers. More and more they are writing in with their questions and seeking a caring, listening ear.  TruthMedia has a unique opportunity to link these young people with a mentor who can share his or her own faith journey and offer encouragement and resources. We need more mentors to keep up with the demand!

You have the life experience and the faith journey that can encourage these kids. You are not too old or too unqualified. Your own walk with God is the most essential thing you have to offer to these seeking teens. TruthMedia will train you and give you the resources you need. It can take as little as a week to go through the application and training process.  If you are matched with a teen question that you feel is not for you then you can return it to the pool and receive a different one.

You can have a fresh new opportunity to reach the next generation and tell the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD. May I encourage you to try it? You can take as little as one question a week.  You can impact the life journey of a young man or woman seeking some guidance today.  Won’t you prayerfully consider it?

Lord God, I ask that You would spur the hearts of those who You want to reach out to a teen today. Don’t let the opportunity be pushed to the background in the lives of those You want to bless through sharing. Grant courage to those who You are calling. I pray this in the name of our praiseworthy savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Thank you for checking out teen mentoring here:

Questions: So many of the teens have no one to pray for them. Would you be willing to pray for some of them on a regular basis? Would you be willing to share your own faith journey and offer encouragement and hope to some teens online?

About the Author Gail Rodgers
?