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

What a great idea!  Do you have someone who is building you up and encouraging you?  Are you building people up around you on a daily basis?  There’s so much hurt and therefore anger in the world today that it’s not difficult to find someone who will tear you down for absolutely no reason at all, but where are the encouragers?

As Christians, it should come naturally to build others up and be an encouragement.  It is what is in your heart that flows out of you so the more of Him that you have allowed the more others will see Him in your life!  As it says in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”  What comes out of your mouth is a direct result of what is in your heart.  What do you focus on the most?  How much time are you spending with The Lord?  

Let’s begin at home:  how do you speak to each other in your home?  Are the words you are using with your children helping to shape them into Godly men and women as they grow?  How do you and your spouse speak to each other?  Maybe you aren’t married, how do you speak to your parents?  How do you speak to yourself?  

On $10 Tuesday at Papa Murphy’s, Abby and I have a favorite pizza that we like to get.  One Tuesday, I walked in and there was a lady in line in front of me and I smiled and said, “Hi”.  We chit-chatted as we waited and I could tell by everything that flowed out of her that she loved The Lord, it was awesome!  That is exactly what I always want people to sense when they are around me.  Now, I know we all have our days…… some days are much worse than others, but as a general rule, our desire should be for God’s love and grace to flow through us to draw others to Him!

Sometimes something as simple as a smile can brighten up someone’s day!  Ask God to show you how you can encourage someone else today.  Surround yourself with encouraging people if that is an option, if it isn’t then set your mind to be the change.  Sometimes it takes one person to change the mood and attitude so give it a shot.  Ask God for the strength and the words you need throughout your day.  Turn on some positive Praise and Worship music and allow God to love the people around you through you!