Words To Live By

Encouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV  ^“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” The most common word for encouragement in the Bible in Greek is parakaleo.  Para meaning beside, near, with, or alongside; kaleo meaning to call or summon. A paraclete is someone called alongside another to counsel, encourage, help, and bring comfort.

Why is Encouragement a Game Changer?

1. It is an attribute of God.
2. It is an action of God: Holy Spirit John 14:16 AMP “…I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) to be with you forever.” The Bible Romans 15:4 NIV “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” The Bible is an encouragement handbook. The Church John 13:34-35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.”
3. God uses His Words as an activator: God spoke the world into existence;  Jesus was the Word made flesh; the Bible; our words. Words are important and powerful.
4. Encouragement is an antidote to sin. Heb. 3:13 AMP  But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today”  [and there is an opportunity],  so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication].

Game-Changing Verse: Eph 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Things to Increase Your Encouragement Capacity:  Do it now.  Do it often. The ratio should be 5:1 (5 positives to 1 negative.) Do it everywhere.  You don’t know what someone may be going through. Let God do it to you first. Psalm 43:5 NIV “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,