How about some encouragement!!!

This morning in church we were asked to look at the person next to us (which is usually your family) and tell them what you are thankful for about them.  It was actually really neat to look at the person in the eyes and speak truth to them.  I happen to be in the middle of my husband and my daughter.  I looked at my daughter and told her I was thankful for her testimony of God's faithfulness, to which I then turned to my husband who looked at me with a few tears in his eyes and told me; "I am thankful that you are walking this life with me, you are so brave."  Being the woman that I am, I too shed tears, partly because of his words to me and partly because I don't feel very brave.

I have a dear friend who began going through some tough medical issues about the same time we began this unknown leap of faith we are on.  I have found that many times we have called each other, or chatted on facebook, at times when each of us needed it.  Maybe she was scared and God had given me the peace I needed that day to help her.  On rough days for me she ended up being there to encourage me.  I would be blown away that she could lift me up when she was facing upcoming surgery.  Encouragement!  Isn't it just the best?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Don't you find yourself drawn to people that just care about you or your situation without passing judgment?  There is an older couple at the church we have been going to that do just that.  We have talked maybe 4 times, they have prayed with us 3 of those times, prayed for open doors, provision and much more.  This morning we talked to them for a while and he said, "God has really had you guys on my heart this week, I would like your address so that I could send you some support."  I knew the love in his heart when his eyes filled with tears as he looked at us.  I feel drawn to people like this.  They have been such an encouragement to us and I will always be thankful for them. 

Lord, may we all be encouraging to those around us, to our family and friends and those we meet along the way.  Help us not to pass judgment on them, but to love them as they are, sons and daughters of the Almighty God.

Do you know Jesus?  He knows you by name.  He died for you and rose again to give you eternal life.  He is the son of God, your Savior!!!  He is the only way to heaven.  Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  It's as simple as that.