WAY #4: ALWAYS ENCOURAGE AND CELEBRATE

 
ALWAYS ENCOURAGE AND CELEBRATE. Show gratitude and appreciation by regularly acknowledging the good works you see everywhere.  Look for signs of spiritual growth and maturity among our members and staff. When you see it, point it out and rejoice.  Pass on good reports that you hear about others.
 
a We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.  As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1: 3, 4)
 
b When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. (Acts 11: 22, 23)
 
Ideas for Action: Write a text or a note to someone close to you who just did something wonderful or important. With many details, tell them why you’re grateful or delighted by them.

 

Daily Devotionals

 
MONDAY:

Hebrew 3:13

THINK: Is today “today?” Yes? Then encourage one another. Encouragement has a way of keeping bitterness, selfish-centerness, and self-deprecation at bay. Sin tells you lies about who you are and what you deserve. When we encourage one another we counter those lies with the truth.
PRAY: that the Spirit would reveal the lies sin is telling you.
THINK: Paul begins his letter with encouragement. Before there is any teaching or rebuking, there is an encouragement. We can be quick to spot fault and find it more difficult to find reasons to encourage and celebrate. Before you find fault today, look for what is good and call it out.
PRAY: the Spirit would convict you for how you fault find.

WEDNESDAY:

1 Corinthians 12:22-24

THINK: It’s easy to encourage those that seem most successful, but it is those who are treated without honor that are in most need of honor. Think through the people you will interact will or pass today. Who would normally receive the least honor? Find a place to Encourage and Celebrate them.
PRAY: that the Spirit would show you who needs encouragement.

THURSDAY:

THINK: Most of the time we draw encouragement from our talents, looks, humor, or accomplishments; but the best encouragement is drawn from God. Where those others will fail, we are promised that God will never leave you nor forsake you. How is uplifting to be reminded of the faithfulness of God?
PRAY: that the Spirit would remind you of the encouragement you can draw from Him.

FRIDAY:

THINK: Just as we can find encouragement in our faith, we also need encouragement in our faith. The world and the workweek does its best to dry up our faith. When we encourage one another to hold strong or we celebrate the insights and faithful actions of each other, we give a breath of new life to their faith.
PRAY: that the Spirit would prompt those around you to be an encouragement to your faith.

SATURDAY:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

THINK: You are not alone, and you were never meant to be. In the beginning, God made humans to be together in community. Especially when we fail or when we feel low, what a gift community is! A small word of encouragement can pick someone up who feels like they are failing.
PRAY: that the Spirit would give you the words that others need.

Devotional Guides

SERIES ONE  Printable copy of Way #4 Devotionals (Small Group Guide)
 
SERIES TWO Printable copy of Way #4 Devotionals (Series Two)