The Word for Today

by Bob and Debby Gass

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‘If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.’ Romans 12:8 NLT

Did you know that there’s such a thing as ‘the gift of encouragement’? There is! The Bible says, ‘In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.’ (Romans 12:6–8 NLT)

And you don’t have to be talented or have a high IQ to demonstrate this gift. Every day you meet people in need of encouragement. They may not show it on the surface, but underneath they’re struggling to keep their head above water. Some of them are at the point of despair, and your words can lift them. Even a smile can do it. Job said, ‘When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.’ (Job 29:24 NLT)

Solomon said, ‘Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.’ (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV) Don’t assume because people exhibit the trappings of status and success, that they don’t need encouragement. David was a celebrity singer-songwriter whose psalms are still read around the world. He was Israel’s most popular king. His victories in battle are still the envy of military academy strategists. But he had days when he felt so low that he was reaching up to touch bottom: ‘I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain.’ (Psalm 38:17 NLT) It’s not just average people who need encouragement—celebrities, kings, and generals need it too. Everybody does! So when you have the gift of encouragement you will never be without a job. So today be sensitive to God’s leading, and when He prompts you to encourage someone—go do it!

SoulFood: Mal 1–2, Matt 2:9–15, Ps 139:1–12, Pro 31:25–27

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2024

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