Today's devotional reading for: Friday, Jan 5, 2024 Be An Encourager “But Barnabas took him, and led him to the apostles.” — Acts 9:27 It is a sin to discourage people from using their gifts. Too often, people will pull down others who are trying to use their gifts by a careless word or stinging remark. Such discouragement is a sin. We should encourage people to use the gifts they have without making unrealistic expectations. What is the point of any accomplishments? The Psalmist gives us the answer to this:  “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). We should encourage each other to use our God-given talents for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. Some people feel so beaten down by life that they don’t use their gifts. That is a great tragedy. Perhaps, you know someone like that who could use some real encouragement. When the Apostle Paul got converted, many Christians were afraid to have fellowship with him because they thought it could be a trap. But Barnabas encouraged him at a crucial time. Many believers accomplish only a fraction of what they could. Yet God has given us numerous resources to accomplish great things for His glory. Unfortunately, these resources are often short circuited by wrong thinking and doubts, including heavy discouragement from others, sometimes well-meaning Christians. Together, we can accomplish many things, and let us be ever mindful to give the Lord the credit for it. Go out and be an encourager. Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us for sometimes discouraging others. Forgive us also for listening and heeding those discouraging and destructive voices that come, not from You, but from below. Lord, give me strength for today to encourage others for Your sake… BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS FOR JESUS’ SAKE.

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