Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Taking my next right step

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Because of Jesus - Fee, Holding Nothing Back - Jesus Culture, Love Came Down - Ben Cantelon, None But Jesus - Hillsongs

Read:   Ephesians 1:15-17; Ephesians 2: 11-13; Ephesians 3: 16-20; Ephesians 4:1-2; Ephesians 5:8

Think:  Encouragement.  Pastor Ben spoke this weekend about encouragement. It’s an essential food group in the feeding of the soul.  The Apostle Paul at times admonished (cautioned, warned, rebuked) early Christians, but he also clearly understood the need to encourage (give support, affirm, cheer, promote, hearten) believers in the early church.  In the book of Ephesians (a letter written by Paul while in prison to the Church at Ephesus) Paul provides an ample supply of encouragement to the Church.  As you read through the letter several key themes about how we can encourage one another stand out:

• Acknowledgement – Read Ephesians 1:15-17
  • Knowing and acknowledging someone’s triumphs, no matter how small (not the case here – faith in the Lord is HUGE) is an act of care and love.
• Remembrance – Read Ephesians 2:11-13
  • Reminders of where someone was, and where they are now , can be a great encouragement to a friend.
• Support – Read Ephesians 3: 16-20
  • Ah prayer!!  Who isn’t encouraged by a brother or sister praying for you?
• Useful Instruction – Ephesians 4:1-2
  • Wisdom moves us forward, often out of harm’s way.
• Hope – Ephesians 5:8
  • Our hope is eternal – sometimes we need to be reminded.

Funny thing happened today as I was writing this devotional.  I received a phone call from far away;  a very unexpected phone call from a close friend.  I picked up the phone and it was a friend of mine, Joseph.  Tears came to my eyes and joy lit up my face to hear his voice.  He calls me his “brother from a different mother”.  He just called to say he was thinking about me and my wife, and that he was prompted to call and tell me how much he appreciated our friendship….talk about encouragement!!  Today I am walking on air.

Do:  Ask God to give you an encouraging spirit.  Look for, and listen for ways that you can be an encouragement to others.   Is there someone in your life that you need to reach out to – just to encourage? 

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakechurch.com