Midweek Encouragement - "Thanks For Encouraging the Encouragers!”

"Thanks For Encouraging the Encouragers!”

     I started writing “PD’s Mid-Week Encouragement” on this exact day in 2004! And ever since, my life has been so richly blessed by encouragers and their words of encouragement! I’ll bet yours has too! Those in the body of Christ who have received the gift of encouragement give strength to others. You know that the enemy tries to discourage God’s servants and His prayer warriors. The devil and his minions keep attacking those of you with the gift of encouragement by telling them it doesn’t make much difference, that no one notices, or that their time would be better spent somewhere else. As someone who has felt the hands of the encouragers push him forward and often prop him up, I’m here to tell the encouragers of this world that your words ARE making a difference!

       It’s been a long time since I’ve been so discouraged that I was ready to quit. When I allow Him, the Spirit keeps me going when I feel like I’ve lost purpose or perspective. God knows when to send an encourager my way to remind me of the fruit He’s producing even when I think my labor is in vain. At just the right time, they point out the “good”! When I think about those times that I’ve felt disheartened, their words have propelled me forward.



“Encourage one another and build each other up….Encourage the disheartened” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 & 14)

       Judas and Silas were encouragers because “they said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers” (Acts 15:32). Encouragers, please keep “saying much”! Don’t let the enemy silence you or distract you! Your gift is powerful! You strengthen this pastor! Behind every preacher, speaker, writer, missionary, or Christian counselor are the voices of their encouragers. They wouldn’t be serving where they are without you. I’ve recently learned that when the enemy takes down an encourager, many others are affected. In the same way, when an encourager is filled with God’s hope, truth, and perspective, many others are strengthened. Encourager, there might be some people into whom you’ve poured many words of hope, but perhaps you don’t see them right now. The apostle Paul said, “Don’t grow weary in doing good, because at just the right time you WILL see a harvest “(Galatians 6:9).

       I’m sure, like myself, there have been moments, days, and seasons when you’ve felt stuck in discouragement. It’s in those times that I’ve learned to call out to God for encouragement, and it always comes in the form of a kind word, a text, an email, a Facebook message, or even a card. And always when I’m unraveling and think I’ve had all I can take. In Psalm 10:17 God actually promises to send us encouragement and He uses you encouragers to do it! “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” If you’re feeling down, discouraged, disheartened, or afflicted today, cry out to God to send encouragement your way. There was in the Bible a man named, Tychicus (try saying that 5 times fast), who influenced many others through his encouragement. In Colossians 4:8, Paul sent him out for the purpose of encouraging, “that he may encourage your hearts.” He’s mentioned again by Paul in Ephesians 6:22, “I’m sending him to you for this very purpose…that he may encourage you.” My friend, God has a whole army of encouragers waiting to be deployed! So if you need a little courage or strength today, ask Him for it!

       Encouragers, thank you for your faithfulness! You’ve helped the rest of us more then you’ll ever know! God says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).  Your words of courage, truth and strength fight against the enemy’s lies of hopelessness and temptation. Your words have power! They’re God’s tools to keep others out of sin and away from believing Satan’s lies!

       “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother (and sister) have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7).

       Thank you, encouragers! You’ve given us not only encouragement but joy and in so doing you’ve refreshed our hearts. May God richly bless you because you’ve refreshed us! May you not grow weary!

       Who are your encouragers? Consider sending them a word of thanks this week. Just like all the other believers gifted by the Spirit, they, too, need encouragement. They need to know that their words have made a difference and that they’ve made a lasting impact!

Pastor Dale

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this email with anyone you choose. And if for some reason you'd like to stop receiving PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send me an email (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.