Ok, so confession time. I am no theologian, but this is just something that really popped out to me as I read the book of Acts these past two days. There were alot of things that popped out, important things. But I think this one is one of the more important ones that stood out to me.
As I read through the book of Acts, all 28 chapters and its verses, you can say the main thing that really popped out to me, was the number of times Paul and the other apostles are caught encouraging the church and other followers of God and Jesus Christ.
I counted, counted with alittle help from Bible Gateway and word finder, the word 'encourage.' There are twelve times that this word is used in Acts alone. There are other signs of encouragement, but the word 'encour'age is found twelve times. To me it must be alot to stick out to me.
I do believe that it is to encourage the other believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is important because there are times where this world will tear us down. And we need to build each other up. For we are all being used by God and when we see that God is using us, even if we can't see it on ourselves, it helps when others let us know. Let us know that we are following the heart of God, the will of God. That we are doing our hardest to do what He wants and you know sometimes the devil will try to tell us that we aren't working hard enough to make God proud; well, that is just wrong. God is proud of everything that we do, especially if it is for His will and glory.
I know this is something that I have been trying to do. Doing it whether anonymously or letting them who sent it. I will write letters to my brothers and sisters and let them know that doing a great work for God. I want to tell them that they are beautiful, they are a mentor, they are just like Christ. Anyway that will encourage them. Sometimes I feel corny doing it, or selfish cause I only hope that they would send me something back to encourage me. But you that's ok if I don't, cause everytime I catch myself doing that, those who I wrote those letters to come to me in person saying how much they appreciated that and well, honestly, that's encouragement enough for me. It's just to great to see that even something little like that will make people smile and get them through a day.
So I encourage you to encourage someone you come in contact daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly. Let them know how much they matter to you, cause you never know what that will do for their life.
Will you take the challenge?
**References to Encouraging in ACTS**
Acts 4:37
Acts 9:31
Acts 14:22
Acts 15:31,32,41
Acts 16:40
Acts 18:27
Acts 20:1,2
Acts 27:36
Acts 28:15
