“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11, ESV) Joses, whom his fellow believers called Barnabas, was an encourager. That’s how he obtained his nickname. Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” He was the kind of person we would all appreciate having as…
The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia welcomed me to a ladies’ retreat where I had been the main speaker the year before. The pastor’s wife was a dear friend, and the ladies of her church were quite precious to me as well. Only this year, I was not their special…
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8, ESV) I recently read a statement that said, “As you move about this world, be more than just another passing face — be a source of grace” (author unknown). It reminded me that…
Leadership can be draining at times. There is the constant task of keeping people on track with the vision and dealing with challenges and obstacles on a regular basis. One of the greatest challenges of leading people is keeping yourself refreshed with inspiration, motivation, vision, and passion for what God…
“I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.” (Psalm 102:7, ESV) Today, July 11, is “Cheer Up the Lonely Day.” I’ll admit I had not heard of this observance until I read about it in a magazine. I did a little research, and yes, there is…
“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!” (Job 16:2, NKJV) I recently again read the Book of Job. Each time I read this familiar story, I gain new insights (and ask more questions) about the meaning of suffering. Job faced great affliction and loss, yet ultimately he…
One of my favorite words is restore, and a few of my favorite scriptures are Galatians 6:1-2. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness: considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s…
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face.” (Proverbs 15:13, ESV) I discovered something today. The word smile is not in the Bible, or at least not in the King James Version. It does appear a few times in other versions, but usually in supplication for God to smile (shine) upon…
Several years back, the Lord started really dealing with me to study the subject of being an encourager. Though I had spent most of my life in ministry trying to help others, I felt a special need to explore the topic even deeper than I had currently known. One day…