Encouragement

DEVOTION

 THE BOOK OF ACTS

ENCOURAGEMENT

Acts 13:13-15

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."

NIV

More travels, more travel log but we are about the see something wonderful. Paul and Barnabas arrive at a place where they visit the synagogue on the Sabbath. We are not sure if the local members knew who they were, or where they had come from, or anything about either of them, but for whatever reason, which we are not told, they ask if they had any message of encouragement for the people and if so, please speak. It is interesting they were willing to hear a message of encouragement. This could lead us to believe it is far better to encourage then it is to be judgmental in our conversations or messages to others. Who wants to hear condemnation? Who wants to hear correction or judgment? Who wants to hear what they have been doing wrong, or that they should be doing more, or they should not be doing this or that? But people do want to hear words of encouragement as these people were open by inviting Paul and Barnabas to speak. We are going to hear the full message as we proceed with Paul’s response, his message of encouragement to them, and it is long, a history lesson of sorts, that brings them to the present and to Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. What greater encouragement can there be then Jesus? It seems we spend a great deal of time concentrating on how we should live as Christians. It seems we always hear messages about what we should be doing, as individuals or as a church in order to show the unchurched the love of God. It seems we hear messages about what the next right thing or step is for us, but seldom do we hear words of encouragement. Do we share words of encouragement with people we know? Do we encourage them with the fact they can escape death, real death, buy accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Those are true words of encouragement. Sure we who attend church know all that and should not need to hear that kind of message, but the fact remains, those people who invited Paul and Barnabas to speak any words of encouragement were attending what they considered church. They were they to worship God in the manner they were accustomed to. But it seems they were looking for words of encouragement. It would be good for us to remember when we share any message to share one of encouragement.