Zondervan - Encouraging One Another

2004 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The publishers are grateful to Christa Kinde for her collaboration and writing skills in developing the content of this book.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). 1986 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 60189.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV).

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ISBN: 978-0-310-68261-5

ISBN: 978-0-310-68262-2 (eBook)

First Printing May 2016

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CONTENTS

Who doesnt love throwing confetti up in the air? At weddings, or parties or on New Years Eve, everyone wants something in their hands to throw. Its a way of lavishing our love on people. Whether its paper, rice, or birdseed, its a way of cheering others on. Confetti is a tangible expression of our intangible emotions. Like happiness you can see and throw someones way.

Encouragement is to a relationship what confetti is to a party. Its light, refreshing, and fun. Its cheer you can throw someones way. But even deeper, it is the assurance you are there, that you are standing behind them and supporting them. The time it takes to gather little pieces of love, grace, strength, and hope is well worth it when you see what happens as you shower those gifts on someone else. Its like spiritual confetti, and its the ultimate encouragement.

But how can we encourage someone else when we feel so discouraged? Our temptation is to stand in the corner of the encouragement party. Just hang around the edges and observe everyone else having a good time. But that never works. Its not until we start throwing the confetti on others that we realize how much is landing on us!

As we encourage each other, the Father encourages us. The two are interwoven. As we release the confetti on returned prodigals, we weep as we remember the confetti He threw when we came home. When we help a friend carry her broken heart, our own heart feels a lot lighter. We can encourage others from the overflow of Gods encouragement to us.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a handful of confetti and jump in! But be careful, youre liable to find little pieces of it stuck on your clothes for weeks!

Nicole Johnson

I believe its a mission that God himself has put in all of us. As believers, we do not live on an island. We are part of a great universe of people who are loved by God, and his desire is that, as his children, we care about others.

Luci Swindoll

Sometimes we plod through life with our head down and our back bent under the weight of our load. We feel unimpressive, unkempt, unappreciated, and unneeded. Weve put our hand to the plow, but the theme song that runs through our minds is, The old gray mare, she aint what she used to be. Day in and day out, we push along, struggling to put our shoulders into it, give it a little elbow grease, and keep a stiff upper lip. Joyless existence. Who wants to live that waywithout some reassurance to lift our hearts and steady our hand?

God doesnt want to leave us staggering under such weight of discouragement. Its quite the opposite, really. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much He does His best to cheer us up and cheer us on. Did you know God planned ahead for all of your gloomy days? He knows just when youll need a little lift, and has arranged for encouragement to be right there, waiting for you to discover it! You only need to know where to look. Encouragement comes from personal, little miraclesspirit-lifting blessings from His own hand. Encouragement comes from knowing His promises, and the faith that flourishes from believing them. Encouragement comes from fellow believers, as you reach out and touch one anothers lives. God did not leave us to face life alone. He is with us always, and we are all in this thing together. So lets encourage each other along the way.

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24 NLT

BE ENCOURAGED, YOU WHO WORSHIP GOD.

Psalm 69:32 NCV

CLEARING THE COBWEBS

When would you say you need encouragement the most?

F or our anniversary one year, my husband purchased tickets to a Broadway play at the downtown performing arts center. I had weeks to enjoy the anticipation of an evening out and make sure every detail was taken care of. Grandma was enlisted to care for the children. We planned where to have dinner beforehand, and where to get dessert afterward.

I bought a pair of strappy, black shoes and some sparkling new earrings to lend some zip to the little black dress hanging in the corner of my closet. When the big night came, I withdrew to my chambers to prepare for an evening at the theater (that simply must be said with a certain pinched, aristocratic accent). Though I prefer to primp and preen in private, my sleepy two-year-old son accompanied me throughout my preparations. He oversaw my efforts solemnly, leaning back against the pillows on my bed with one finger in his mouth. I powdered, polished, perfumed, and pinned up, and when I was done, he popped his finger out of his mouth just long enough to say, Youre beautiful, Mama. Then back in went the finger.

I was thrilled by his sweet compliment. I hadnt really needed that encouragement. After all, I felt beautiful, and I was having a really good day already. But we dont need to be having a bad day to delight in a little bit of encouragement. Encouragement is always welcome, even on those days when were in an upbeat frame of mind.