encouragement

One of my favorite people in the Bible is a guy named Joseph (not the one with the fancy coat or the one who raised Jesus) but nobody calls him that.  Joseph was his given name, but his nickname throughout history is Barbabas (which means "son of encouragement").

Encouragement means the act of giving someone hope, support or confidence.  It literally means to "give courage."  So if you are scared, worried, anxious or nervous, a word of encouragement would help you find your strength
 
Barbabas must have been so encouraging that they decided to go ahead and make it his name and that's exactly what we see in his life through the book of acts, like in this scripture.  "He traveled through the area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people" Acts 20:2.

I want to be that kind of person, who makes the others around me better through my words and actions.  I want to give people courage so that when I am done talking to them they have more hope, faith or confidence...and not in me or even in themselves; but in God.   

Let's reflect on the words of Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Let's encourage one another so that we are stronger individually and together.


In Christ,
Pastor Scott McDermid