What have you done to encourage someone lately? That may seem like a strange question, but it is an important and valid question for us today. Encouragement is one of the basic building blocks of the church.

During quail season in Georgia, an Atlanta journalist met an old farmer hunting with an ancient pointer at his side. Twice the dog ran rheumatically ahead and pointed. Twice his master fired into the open air. When the journalist saw no birds rise, he asked the farmer for an explanation.
"Shucks," grinned the old man, "I knew there weren't no birds in that grass. Spot's nose ain't what it used to be. But him and me have had some wonderful times together. He's still doing the best he can and it'd be mighty mean of me to call him a liar at this stage of the game!"(*)

In God's word we are told to build up, lift up and encourage one another! One of my favorite passages of scripture is Hebrews 3:13 where the writer tells us, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

You see the point is that each of us needs some encouragement in our lives and sometimes more than others. There are folks in our churches just like that old dog. They may be doing the best they can, but still not doing what some folks think they should be doing. God's word indicates it is our job to encourage Christian brothers and sisters. Hebrews 12:12-13 gives us another thought on this subject. The writer tells us, "Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

Messages from the Heart is sent several times each week written by Russ Lawson.

Books by Russ Lawson

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