March 19, 2019 - ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Day 78 - (Today’s Bible readings: 2 Samuel 10; Psalm 74; 1Timothy 5:1-16)

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV) 

Encouragement, what a positive word! Encouragement is what an older person needs as they see their bodies showing signs of age. Encouragement is what younger people need as they try to find their way in this life. Encouragement to follow Christ is what all people need.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV) 

Encouraging one another is what a Christian is to do naturally because we have the greatest encouragement of all in Jesus. What encouraging words we hear from His lips... “Your sins are forgiven.” His encouragement is lavished upon us by means of His loving sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. 

We who have received this soul-saving gift now get to share this treasure with others. As Christ has loved us, we now get to love another.

   We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord 
   We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord 
   And we pray that all unity may one day be restored 
   And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love 
   Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love 

    We will work with each other, we will work side by side 
    We will work with each other, we will work side by side 
    And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride 
    And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love 
   They will know we are Christians by our love... 

    We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand 
    We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand 
    And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land 
    And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love 
  Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love. 

Lord Jesus, help me to encourage others by reminding them of Your great love for them. May we never forget the eternally encouraging message of Your forgiveness and grace for all who repent and believe.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!