ENCOURAGE OTHERS LIKE JESUS

 The celebrated Dr. R. W. Dale, used to be fond of relating how he was cheered once by a poor woman's earnest words. He was feeling dejected and as if all his strength was gone, when, passing through a street in Birmingham, he met a decently dressed stranger, laden with parcels, who stopped and said, "God bless you, Dr. Dale!" Her face was unknown to him, and he answered, "Thank you.What is your name?"

"Never mind my name," was the response; "but if you only knew how you have made me feel hundreds of times, and what a happy home you have given me! God bless you!"

Then she was lost in the crowd, but she had encouraged a man whose books are in every library, and whose name is dear to the universal church.

Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)

I did a little study today:

JOHN GILL Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop. Either an anxious care and solicitude about living in the world, as the word (m) signifies; when it seizes a man's spirits, it depresses them, and keeps them down: or a fear and dread of adversity, or sorrow and grief, on account of some calamity and distress; when it gets into a man's heart, it sinks and bows it down, that it cannot take any pleasure or comfort in anything. But a good word maketh it glad; a comforting, cheering, and encouraging word from any friend, that compassionates their distressed case; this lifts up the heart and inspires it with joy; so a word in season, spoken by a Gospel minister, raises up a soul that is bowed down, and gives it comfort and joy: such a good word is the Gospel itself; it is good news from a far country, which is like cold water to a thirsty soul, very refreshing and reviving.

ENCOURAGE!

I was so glad to read this (below) in one of the evening devotions written by C.H. Spurgeon this week about Encourage him! I will share it with you:

Brethren, take Deuteronomy 1:38 as God's message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by his promises; Christ encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening.

👉 Encourage others like Jesus! (John 14:1)