| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Living with joy” Our Bible verse for today: “But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus – my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need – since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.” Philippians 2:25-26 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Thank God for the encouragers” I thank God for those with the gift of encouragement. Encouraging someone is one of the most impactful ways to bless a person and it is a major Biblical theme. The Bible is filled with encouraging verses, encouraging examples, and encouraging people. Barnabas has always been one of my favorite New Testament personalities. He was such a source of encouragement for others that the apostles gave him the nickname “The son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Barnabas was such a good example of an encourager that Linda and I once owned a book company that we named after him, “The Barnabas Book Company.” Our motto was, “Encouraging books that will change your life.” I think encouragement is so important that in our church we keep blank encouragement notes in the pew-backs. The idea is for a person to write a note of encouragement to someone and place it in the offering plate. We then forward that encouraging note to the person for them. In Philippians chapter two we read that Paul wanted to send his protégé and associate Timothy to the Philippians to check on them and to bring news to them – as well as to be a source of encouragement and blessing to them. But for some reason, Timothy wasn’t going to be able to make the trip right away. But that was okay because Paul had another man to send who would be an even bigger source of joy and encouragement for the Philippians – Epaphroditus. In Philippians 2:25-28 we learn that Epaphroditus had been ill, almost to the point of death, and that the Philippians heard about it and were distressed by the news. But now he was better – well enough to even travel, and so Paul was going to send the news of his recovery to the Philippians by Epaphroditus himself. Evidently, they were only going to learn about his recovery when he walked through the door and delivered the news to them in person. What a surprise that was going to be. You can picture the startled expressions and the people jumping up to happily greet him. They had been praying for him and for his recovery, and now the answer to their prayers walks through the door! What a time of joy and encouragement. Paul was probably chuckling with delight as he planned it. Is there someone you can be a source of encouragement for today, someone you know who needs a shot of joy and encouragement? Everyone needs to be encouraged. Everyone could use a little more joy. Be the source of that encouragement and joy for someone today. I thank God for the encouragers in life! God bless, Pastor Jim If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2024 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 
How is it that my very post today was on the power of encouraging words?! How good is our God?!! He is so amazing. Thank our loving God for using us to spread His message of encouragement.
Keep up the good work, pastor. You are doing the Lord’s work. Blessings 🙌 🙌 🙌