A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- Key Verse
- "When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement." (Acts 15:31)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Encouragement gives people the energy to keep following after God's direction for their lives, even in the midst of great hardship.
Reflections
Five years ago I was in the middle of a very difficult trial. A very dear friend had been walking with me through this ”refiner’s fire," but she was scheduled to go on a vacation for a week with her husband. Before she left, she purchased a week's worth of encouraging cards and arranged to have her daughter mail them to me so I would receive one every day while she was gone. During that difficult time her words of support and love meant the world to me. I still have those cards and pull them out periodically to remind myself how important the encouragement of a Christian friend can be.
As I learned five years ago, the encouragement of a Christian friend can have a profound effect on one’s life. In Acts 15:12-35, we see how the encouragement of a group of believers helped the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Some Jews who had become believers in Jesus Christ, being already circumcised, believed that any Gentile who had become a believer must also be circumcised. The apostles and the elders of the church in Jerusalem were assembled together to discuss the issue of circumcision (Acts 15:5-6). However, the discussion focused on the miracles and the obvious move of God in the lives of the Gentiles; they agreed that this was indeed a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy, and it was taking place right before their very eyes! They felt a need to encourage the Gentiles in their belief and to clarify that circumcision was not required for them to accept Christ. So they wrote a letter to the believers and personally delivered it in these three cities. When the Gentiles read this letter, they rejoiced because of its affirmation and encouragement.
As I walk through my hectic daily life, may I truly see those around me who are struggling, and care enough to find a way to encourage them.
Discussion Questions
- In what tangible ways can you be an encouragement to the people in your life?
- Who, specifically, can you encourage today?
Karen
February 17, 2010 09:30 AM
Your words of encouragement and example of a Christian friend have encouraged me to "step up to the plate" and "getcha head in the game."
Joyce Stumpff
February 17, 2010 09:34 AM
Thank you for the reminder Jolene that we can all help strengthen the church by being an encouragement to others. Sometimes it's easy to forget the significance of something so simple. You and James have been an encouragement to us.
Connie Collins
February 17, 2010 11:22 AM
Thanks for your comments, Jolene. As we don't always know what others are going through, this is a great reminder for us to offer encouragement rather than expect to be encouraged ourselves!
Julie
February 17, 2010 07:08 PM
Thank you, Jolene for sharing this testimony of the encouragement of others and how important it is. I thank God every day for those who encourage me and I pray that God's Holy Spirit would put others in my path who need the encouragement of His love.
kelly spencer
February 21, 2010 08:25 AM
Jolene, Thank you so much for a wonderful reminder that know matter how busy our life seems & can be, it is really important to keep an eye out for those who really need encouragement. What a wonderful friend you have! Kelly
Susan Miner
February 23, 2010 10:54 AM
I love what you said, "encouragement gives people the energy..."