Encouragement
Urging others to persist and persevere in their efforts to attain their goals; stimulating others toward love and good deeds.
I Thes. 5:11, Heb. 10:24
Jesus knows how much we need encouragement. Heb. 10:24
A Worthy Goal: (a little “Truth in Love” from TBI)
Don’t stop investing wisely into your marriage and family until your children and friends envy your relationship and want what you have…. “faith expressing itself in love” – Galatians 5:6.
Know any body who won’t shut up about a new car they bought, a doctor that greatly helped them, a movie they really enjoyed, or a person with whom they have a super relationship? Apparently, that “somebody” you know was tremendously impacted by the event, purchase, or person about whom they won’t stop talking. Actually, each life is always shouting something to others – good or bad or ugly – selflessness, selfishness, self-reliance …. What are you “shouting from the roof tops”? What do your spouse and children “hear you shouting”?
My encouragement to you and to myself is to so deeply experience the love of God personally that we “won’t shut up about it”!! Truly His love is worth shouting from the roof tops. Most of us won’t get on the roof top to shout, but we can so live and so love that His love becomes our legacy – our identity. When people think of us, wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were encouraged to love as we love and live as we live to the point that they would not stop talking about Jesus and His love.
In Jesus Christ we are given everything we really wanted and always needed: joy, peace, love, worth, meaning, purpose, direction, mission, eternity with God, forgiveness, mercy…all the things that really matter. I encourage you and want you to encourage me to not stop living and loving until we have no more time or breath to do either in this life.
Let’s take some time this week to think about what encourages you and your significant other to live and love this way!
Sincerely, Dave Lewis
Be intentional about setting aside a few minutes this week or planning a date night to discuss Encouragement together.
Husband, would you lead this time by reviewing the statements to be completed or questions being asked so that you know how to make the most of your time? When you are ready, please initiate a “LOVE (Speak)” time with your wife.
As you use this tool – the 52-Week Plan – be sure to make some of the Marriage Staff Meetings fun to lighten things up a bit.
LOVE SPEAK… Light Source #1: Fresh Encounters with Jesus Christ
In Mark 6:7-12 we read about Jesus sending his disciples out to do as He had been doing – healing people, casting out demons, and preaching repentance from sin.
The focus for me today is to help you see how Jesus encouraged and equipped His disciples. They had been with Him for some time as followers, they’d observed miracles and heard His teaching. Now, Jesus was entrusting the ministry to those disciples He loved.
Question: Does Jesus send only first century disciples to spread the news of salvation and healing, or does He still call and send followers today?
Hebrews 13:8 – Since Jesus is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”, I believe we can assume His call is still going out for us to spread His Gospel. Would you read Matthew 22:37-39 and Matthew 28:19-20?
Please take a few minutes to meditate on Jesus – just quietly ask Him to speak His call to you. Picture Him there with you – robe, sandals, bearded face, nail-scarred hands and feet…..
Listen as He says to you what He already said in the Bible – 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
and again…. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in t he name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
When Jesus calls us to do something, He also empowers us to do it. What is your answer to His call? Tell Him. Share your experience with your spouse.
My encouragement to you is that He is our greatest encourager: Ephesians 3: 20-21 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
Light Source #2: Frequent Experiences in the Word (Do The Book)
Let’s Do: Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
1. First, let’s consider our language. What words normally come from us? Are we an encourager speaking enthusiasm for life and love to others? Try these this week: a. “__________(spouse’s name), I have noticed some things that really seem important to you. How can I help you complete that task, reach that goal, or just listen to your dreams and goals?”
b. _____________(son, daughter, grandson, etc), I have been watching your life, and I see greatness in you. What are some things you’d like to see happen in your life – soon, or in a few years, or eventually?”
2. Could you take a few minutes to notice how much encouragement or discouragement is happening around you and determine to be a Hebrews 10:24 person this week?
Light Source #3: Other Jesus Followers – Have Real Fellowship with Your Spouse
Please discuss the answers to these questions during your Marriage Staff Meeting and enjoy having real fellowship and deepening friendship with your spouse:
1. Think about what your spouse’s dream vacation would be. Do the best you can to list details even if you don’t know for sure. After each of you has something in mind, tell each other what you think his/her dream vacation would be. After sharing your guesses, actually tell what your dream vacation is. How closely did you guess your spouse’s dream vacation?
2. What goals have you had in life (spoken or unspoken), that you truly hoped and dreamed might happen one day? Did you share that dream with anyone? Did anyone know and encourage your dream? Did anyone discourage you, even unknowingly?
3. In what areas have you dreamed or set goals? Many people limit their dreams to physical stuff: appearance, possessions, job, salary, retirement, etc. Have you dreamed about relationships with God and others? What goals or dreams might you verbalize about marriage, parenting, love, ministry, serving the less fortunate, and depth of relationships? What would you like to see God do in your life in some of these areas in the next year, 5 years, 10 years?
4. What is your understanding of Ephesians 3:20-21, considering that God wants to “do even more than you had dared to imagine”? Do you think that means He always gives us more money or a bigger house than we imagine? What could it mean as it is applies to relationships, ministry, power over harmful habits, etc.?
5. What does Ephesians 3:20-21 say about your dreams? What does it say about God’s attitude toward you? Should you dream? How does your relationship with God give you the freedom to dream big?
Ephesians 3: 20-21 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
What About the Kids? They have “needs” too!
You can use these questions/suggestions with your own children or another Child of Focus – if you don’t have children of your own. Remember that your children are never too old to have relational needs met.
1. In what ways could you discover the dreams of your children and encourage them without pushing too hard or trying to make them live out dreams you have for them? This topic is a great one for parents whose children cannot yet verbalize their own dreams – but whose behavior, likes, and dislikes may reveal a bent or a direction. What do you notice about the personality, curiosity, and play-pursuits of your children?
2. If you had people who knew you well enough to appropriately encourage you toward a life passion or dream, remember out loud who they were and how their encouragement came along to change the course of your life. Now consider the opposite and describe those who discouraged you. How can you keep from making the same mistakes of lack of involvement or inappropriate levels of involvement in the life of your Child of Focus”? (See Question 2 in the above set of questions for couples.)