“Whatever of outward service or obedience we render to God or man, if love is withheld, the law is not fulfilled.”
– F. B. Meyer

First and foremost, I wanted to thank for the overwhelming response to yesterday’s email. That really was not expected, and therefore even more appreciated.

This morning I read those words of Meyer above and could connect them with those that I shared yesterday, urging each of us on towards encouraging others. Yet, the words this morning seemed to deepen the encouragement. Not that any of us offer shallow or less than sincere encouragement, but I know that I need to be watchful that when I do encourage, it is done with sincerity and love. For without love the encouragement is less than Godly.

One of the easiest ways that this is tested is when an encouragement is offered up and is met a question. The clearest illustrations for me comes from teaching and racquetball. “Great job on that paper, ________” is met with “What was great about it?” Or, “That was a really nice shot” is questioned by something to the affect of “Thanks, how could it be better.” These are great questions, but at their core, they remind me that I need to be ready to justify my encouragement. Those responses also mark the recipients desire to move from GOOD to GREAT. And that is sooooo cool.

So, encouragement can lead to discussion and opportunities to share who we are, who He is. That is something I did not think of yesterday. So, then, how much more important is it for us to not only encourage each of us in the faith, but to encourage non-believers? Seems like a non-invasive, gentle way to share God.

But just to state the obvious, may our encouragement also be honoring to Him:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”
-Philippians 1:9-10