Daily Devotionals

Mix Tape Week 7 Wednesday

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11

Who is someone who believed in you and supported you when you were growing up? One of the first people who comes to mind for me is my high school English teacher. Not only did she help me grow as a writer, but she also encouraged me in my faith and leadership. She called out skills and strengths in me that I did not even know I had. I’m confident that I would not be where I am today if not for her, and you would probably say that about the person who supported you as a kid, too. These people impacted us greatly because they understood that kids need support. They need to know that someone is always there for them and be encouraged in the gifts and skills that God has given them. This is true of the children in our lives as well. We get to be the people who step up and show support to our children.

The apostle Paul understood the immense value of being people who support each other. He wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 5. In this chapter, he wrote about the good news that Jesus came to offer salvation to all who believe in Him so that they can live with Him forever (verse 10). He then wrote these words, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing (verse 11). In light of all Jesus had done, Paul called followers of Christ to carry on a spirit of encouragement. This encouragement, according to Paul, builds others up. It gives them strength, confidence, and empowerment. When we are encouraged, we feel supported. In the same way, the children in our lives also feel supported when we encourage them. 

This call from Paul is a reminder for you and me of the impact we can have on people, especially our children, when we encourage them and build them up. The question is, will we take this call to encourage and support others seriously? Will we choose to support others, especially our children, building them up, empowering them, and offering strength to keep going? This is the calling you and I have today. We have the profoundly important opportunity to speak words of life and encouragement. May you and I be known for how we encouraged others around us through our words and actions. Let’s be people who lift up the people around us. 

Moving Toward Action

Make a point to encourage others today. If you have kids in your life, be sure to encourage them! Whomever you choose to encourage today, make a point to let them know that you are there for them. Tell them one thing you see them doing well. Make a point to make this a habit, not just a one-time thing!

Going Deeper

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you