Encourage

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, 

just as you also are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)

What do you think of when you hear the word: "Encouragement."?
Who do you think of, that has encouraged you?
How did that person or those people impact you? 

Isn't that verse an encouraging verse?
Paul says, after talking about Christ: "So... encourage each other; Build each other up. In fact, you're doing that right now. So keep it up! :)"

Define: Encourage

Encouragement, honest compliments, appreciation, and praise

is like putting wood and gasoline on a small fire.

That's why it's so important to "catch someone" doing something right.

You may say, "Well, Landon, I need someone to encourage me, in order for me to do a good job."

But I ask you, "When was the last time that you encouraged someone else?"
 

When Will You Encourage?

So many times in family, teaching, managing, coaching, leaders are looking for a roaring bonfire of enthusiasm from their followers. 

But as leaders, WE need to be that burning bonfire, 

and 1 piece of encouragement can be a stick of wood that lights another fire. 

How does that work?

Well did you realize, that God comforts us, for the purpose of sharing it with others? (2 Cor 1:4)

Amazing.

Some people say: "You don't understand, I'm not a leader."

Well here's the part that most people don't realize: 

If you know some valuable things that others don't, 

you can help them out by teaching it to them.

I know for a fact, that EVERY person in the world is better than me at something.

So everyone has the ability to be a leader.

Whether or not you use it, is up to you. 

I believe, as a Christian you SHOULD be a leader. You should be teaching others to be disciples. 

But first you should make sure you have done it yourself.

Do you find it difficult to find something good that someone does? 

Well it's probably the mindset that you have (Phil 2:3-5). So just pray that you would have the mind that Christ had, where He actually esteemed others better than himself.

Guys, as Christians...

The mistakes of yesterday are in the past,

Christians know they're going to heaven in the future,

And God happened to give us His Word, His Spirit, and His people while were here on earth for the present!

So be encouraged! :D 

Be grateful.

Be joyful.

Have peace.

And encourage others.

And do it today. :)

I thank God for the encouragement that I've received from you all.

God bless you all this week,

Landon