C O U R A G E    A N D    S T R E N G T H

II Thessalonians 2:16

Who are the people in your lives who encourage your heart and strengthen you to do well?  Take a moment to recall their faces, their encouraging words and their strengthening presence.  What if God was on your list of such people?

In Paul’s second letter to his friends in Thessalonica at chapter 2 and verses 16 and 17 we read, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  Paul’s prayer for his friends is that they would be encouraged and strengthened.

To be encouraged is like getting a transfusion of courage for your heart.  You’re suddenly possessed of more confidence and hope for the situation at hand.  To be strengthened is like the hand of a spotter assisting you with that final rep in the weight room.  Completing your task is made much easier.

That’s my prayer for you as well.  May you be encouraged in every good deed and word.  May your actions and your speech be full of courage, confidence and hope.  May you be strengthened in every good deed and word.  May your behavior and your speech reflect the inward strength of your heart.

Prepare for today’s competition with courage and strength.

Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 5:1-12
Acts 6
Psalms 10