Daily Devotional For Thursday, August 7, 2025
Good morning Southsiders! I pray your day is one in which you seek God’s kingdom and share the encouraging Gospel with someone. Look at Romans 1:11-12, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— (12) that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (NIV). It is amazing to me in this world of social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and TikTok, that people brag they have hundreds of “friends” and yet they say they are still lonely. Oh my, how far we have fallen so that we define a “friend” by someone on some kind of social media platform.
You may have hundreds, even thousands of “friends” in these social media platforms but sociologists tell us we can only actually have and maintain no more than 5 deep and personal relationships. These are the people who you “let your hair down” with and share your most intimate and personal details. No wonder so many people in the church today are in need of encouragement. In Romans 1:11-12 above, the Bible tells us that when we encourage each other, we get an added bonus, we increase each other’s faith.
his is why we should be intentional about building each other up rather than tearing each other down. In Romans 1:11-12, we see Paul’s humility here even with the topic of encouragement. He says humbly, “ . . . that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong . . .” Meaning, he is the vessel. God is the one who will impart. In the Greek New Testament, “impart” [μεταδίδωμι, metadidomi] is a present subjunctive verb. This refers to action once initiated, continues. The Apostle Paul wanted to visit the church at Rome to encourage them by being God’s vessel in giving them some spiritual gift that the result would be he also would be encouraged.
New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this: “Encouragement comes (1) when we hear from others about God’s faithfulness in times of trouble; (2) when we experience the sacrificial service of other believers; and (3) when we are lifted by others’ praise, knowing that tomorrow they may be lifted by our praise” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary, “Romans,” p. 16).
That’s why it’s important to look for opportunities to remind one another that God is on our side. He is our Provider, our Sustainer, and our ultimate source of strength. Who do you know that could use a voice of encouragement? Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to reach out to someone to ask how they are doing or to send an encouraging note? Let’s break the hold our own self-interest has over us. Let’s look for opportunities to reach out and show genuine concern for the people around us. Let’s become world-class encouragers!
Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes this: “I think many Christians are “dying on the vine” for lack of encouragement from other believers. Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word.” Isn’t that true? It’s a delightful thing to receive a timely word. Proverbs 15:30 says, “Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones.” Now don’t take “fat” literally. It means it will give you emotional prosperity, make your heart lighter, make the day seem more bearable. A little nine-year-old boy got tired of practicing the piano. His mother heard the great Paderewski was coming into town to do a concert. She bought two tickets, one for herself and one for her boy. And she dragged him along, sat him down by her in his little tuxedo, and she began visiting with her friends. He looked up on the platform and there was this giant, ebony black, Steinway concert grand piano. The lid on the keyboard was lifted and the leather bench was there. He looked at this piano, popped his knuckles, and said to himself, “Oh man, I’d like to play that!” So he slipped down the aisle, walked across the front, up the steps, sat down, and started playing “Chopsticks.” Well, the people down front said, “Who . . . who is . . .?” “Quit!” “Hey, kid, stop!” “Where’s his mother?” Of course she was embarrassed beyond words. The great Paderewski, who was back fixing his tie, heard what was going on. So without the boy seeing him, he slipped out on the stage and came in behind the little boy, reached around him and improvised a beautiful melody to go with “Chopsticks.” Then he said to the boy, “Keep playing. Don’t quit. Don’t stop” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale Of The Tardy Oxcart, Apple Books, p. 101, The Tale Of The Tardy Oxcart).
Assignment: Will you covenant the following: “I will hold tight to the hope I affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. I will think of ways to motivate others to acts of love and good works. I will not neglect meeting together, as some people do. I will encourage other people, especially now that the day of Jesus’ return is drawing near” as as Hebrews 10:23-25 says? If so, brainstorm ways you can start doing this today. I would love to hear from you how you encouraged others and as a result, was blessed by the Lord.
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "So encourage each other and build each other up” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Heavenly Father, forgive me for when I have wanted what I wanted more than I have cared about others. I have been focused on me and mine—my well-being, my achievements, my finances, and my status. Help me to see other people through Your eyes of love and compassion. Show me how I can be Your hands and feet in the world. Give me eyes to see the opportunities You have placed before me to be an encourager. Help me to point other people to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly