Look for Opportunities to Encourage

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (New American Standard)

9For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.11Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New American Standard)

24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (New American Standard)

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of allcomfort,4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in anyaffliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Isaiah 43:5 (New American Standard)

5"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west.

Are you one of them?  They're out there right now.  There are millions of them.  In your city.  In your neighborhood.  In your church.  Perhaps, even in your home. You may even be  one of them  . . . Who are they?

People in desperate need of encouragement.

Let's face it . . . life can be hard.  The Christian walk is a narrow road that can be smooth one minute and bumpy the next, filled with twists and turns and trials and triumphs.  All of us face moments when we feel like it takes everything we've got just to keep going.

In those moments, we need an encouraging word.  We need someone who will speak the truth to us in love.  We need the light of God's love to fill us with the hope, faith and strength we need to rise again.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the Apostle Paul challenged Christians to encourage one another.  As followers of Christ, we should ALWAYS be on the lookout for opportunities to encourage others!  Are you?