One Sunday morning, my friend Sally announced some upcoming women’s events to our congregation. Sitting in the back, I made sure she could see my smiling face. Later she exclaimed, “You smiled at me the whole time!” I admitted that the “encouraging smile” idea had come from someone else—my friend Suzy. Several months before, Suzy had beamed at me during a short presentation I made to the church family.
The apostle Paul provided just what the early church needed with his encouraging words and actions. In the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas had been unfairly beaten and imprisoned. When officials finally released them, they went to find the believers in Jesus in the area and “encouraged them once more” (Acts 16:40). These believers needed reassurance because they were new to the faith and had seen their city erupt in religious controversy (Acts 16:20-22). Without Paul’s spiritual pep talk, they could have been overcome by doubt and confusion.
Time passed. In prison again, Paul wrote a letter to his Philippian friends, thanking them for the way they had encouraged him. He said, “You Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News . . . . You sent help more than once. . . . [Now] I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me” (Philippians 4:15-18).
Paul was uplifted not only by the gifts he received, but also by simply hanging out with other believers (Acts 28:15) and hearing their stories of progress and perseverance (1 Thessalonians 3:7). So “let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love . . . [and] encourage one another, especially now that the day of [Jesus’] return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 6:1-18
More:
Read the following verses and think of some ways you can encourage other believers: Acts 23:11, Ephesians 4:29, and 2 Timothy 1:16.
Next:
How could you give encouragement to someone today? Where do you go for encouragement? Why?
Gary Shultz on July 1, 2016 at 6:04 am
Hi Jennifer, I like the smile story. It is a reminder that even small things, done well, at the right time, with true meaning, can accomplish much. True it could just be as small as the moment, but we don’t know, for the most part. Sometimes the need for encouragement is rather obvious, other times we have no clue and God picks up the moment and runs with it. Most of you writers will never see who, how, and when your encouragement, guidance or even that reminder fits into others lives. So, take courage, like Paul, and write on. Thanks Jennifer, have a great weekend and holiday.
jim spillane on July 1, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Gary – once again, my friend, as you so often do, you have captured the essence of the daily devotional. When it comes to these wonderful, inspired ODB authors, we can certainly see the application of the Bible’s verse “you will reap what you sow” and like you so eloquently pointed out, they don’t get the satisfaction of seeing the end-result in a reader’s life, but like Paul, they “press on.” May God’s rich blessings shine upon you.
hsnpoor on July 1, 2016 at 12:03 pm
You know, I’ve been thinking lately about how the gift of salvation is THE gift that keeps on giving, BUT ONLY if we, as believers, are diligent about discharging the Great Commission. As I read through your devotion today, Jennifer, it struck me that although salvation is the ultimate gift, we are also privileged to share lesser gifts, such as encouragement. I also thought that your example of Paul & the Philippians is such a confirmation of Galatians 6:7-10; or, as the secular world would say: “what goes around comes around”—both good and bad. Thank you for reminding and spurring me on to be mindful and intentional of what I do and think in my dealings with others today. Hope your 4th is fun and/or restful!
hsnpoor on July 1, 2016 at 12:07 pm
P.S. I don’t know who picked the photo, but that’s my idea of a “smile” that could light up any darkness! Lovely!
godlove on July 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Jennifer, just like in your story, I always attach huge importance to the value of little things in everyday life which can prove to be massive encouragement to someone. It can be simple as following the exhortation in Ephesians 4:29, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Thanks for this encouragement, Jennifer. Blessed weekend to all.