A Challenge to the Church

(this is the final post in our series STOP LISTEN LOVE)

If you've been following all these posts on encouragement, we hope that you've been motivated by GOD to change and grow in certain areas of your life, just as we have... if so... then here are two steps to encorporating these principles into your life and church!

1. When people need your time, help, and gifts, STOP. LISTEN. LOVE. You are equipped AND called by God to meet the needs of others, and by doing this, you will become involved in this beautiful thing called the fellowship of believers.

The easiest way to get involved in life around you is to encourage those around you. By being an encourager you will become like a magnet - people will want to be around you and will value what you have to say!

2. When people are struggling, encourage them. When people are doing well, encourage them. When people are nasty, silly and discouraging to you, encourage them. Why? Matt 5:44 Jesus encourages us to love our enemies and love is the third pillar in encouragement.

In the film Semi-Pro, Will Farrell's character stops and shouts at his team – “Everybody love everybody.” As ridiculous as he is, it’s actually quite biblical. We can be very selective in the who we encourage but Jesus reminds us time and time again that He came to save EVERYONE and love EVERYONE and therefore, we need to encourage EVERYONE!