Read:
Think about a time someone had just the right words to say. Maybe they gave you encouragement when you felt defeated. Maybe they lovingly pointed out a blind spot you couldn't see on your own. Either way, they cared enough to help you keep moving forward.
That's one of God's best gifts inside authentic relationships with others.
Hebrews tells us to "think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works" (10:24, NLT). Don't rush past those first few words: "think of ways." Encouraging someone isn't something that happens on accident. It takes intention. We're actually supposed to plan ahead for how we can strengthen someone else's faith and spur them on to keep following Jesus.
That's a big part of why gathering together matters so much. Church is where we encourage each other, pray for each other, speak truth in love, and help one another keep moving toward Jesus. God uses other believers to lift you when you're worn out, challenge you when you're drifting, and remind you what's true when you've lost sight of it—and he wants to use you to do the same for someone else.
So don't leave it to chance. Who in your life needs encouragement right now? Think of one way to give it this week. It might be exactly what someone needs to keep going.
Pray: God, thank you for the people who have strengthened my faith when I needed it most. Show me who you're calling me to encourage this week and help me do it on purpose instead of leaving it to chance. Use my words to help someone keep moving toward you. Amen.