"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing"
1 Thessalonians 5:11
It is so important to remember that as we build God's church, it is about building each other up as well. No matter how great or small, how wide or deep, how far or near, whatever you do, we are here to build God's church (people), and to extend His Kingdom (to grow His church). Building each other up seems so easy, but yet, many seems to take it so lightly, expecting that someone else will do it. That's what I used to think.........leave it for other people to encourage the brother / sister.
Friends, God has called you (and me), to build one another up. In our words, in our actions, we need to learn to encourage, we need to learn to speak positively, we need to admonish one another in love, and speak in love with one another. I'm not an expert in communication, but I know that it makes a huge difference when we choose to love the person, no matter how rude they may be to you, but when you still love them with God's love, your response to them will be in love too. You will speak to them with encouragement, rather than anger or frustrations. When I think about it, I prefer people to speak to me with love, rather than in confrontations. I respond better when it comes to me with love. And that's the same that majority of people are, they respond better when it is done with love.
Sometimes we can get negative in our words, and our comments to others. Probably at times, not intentionally, but at times, it is. Such negative words can tear down the confidence of people, and at times, can have a negative influence upon the person. When God asks us to build one another up, it is to remind us that even in our personal negative mindset or situation, we should try to still encourage others. Don't let your love for others be dependent on what you go through in life. Let your love for others be upon God's love for you and them. That's how we can continue to build others up, and as we encourage, we may be encouraged ourselves.
Build each other up - cement each other together, so that there is a lot more that could be build upon (you and me). Don't underestimate the power of unity, that when you build others up, they in turn build others, and it just can keep going. Make that choice to build up others around you, don't wait for others to come to you, but you can do that today, with words of encouragement, with your giftings, with your love and care, with gifts, with acts of service, with time.........there's so many things you can build others up. God has created you with the 5 senses, not just for you, but it is for you to bless others.
With your eyes - see the needs of others and step out to help
With your ears - give time to others to listen
With your mouth - take time to affirm and encourage others
With your nose - take time out to walk alongside others and breath the air with them
With your hands/touch - give others a hug/shoulder to cry on whenever.
Let us spur one another on towards the good works that Christ has called us to. It's not just my job, but yours as well.
