When Towers Fall and People Perish

I just looked up the word encourage:

• "To inspire with hope, courage or confidence."
• "To give support to."

"Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and daughters.  But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."  1 Samuel 30:6

I think stoning qualifies as a source of distress and discouragement.  We need to know where to go when things fall apart.  Often times our gracious Lord uses His people to inspire hope and confidence.  Thank you for your consistent encouragement and I want to challenge you to continue to encourage people.  Recently someone sent me this regarding encouragement.

* Encouragers manage to communicate real love and care. Discouragers often make you feel like you're an inconvenience or a bother. The power of encouragers is in their ability to let you know that you matter, that you are important and, are valuable.  Eph. 4:32

* Encouragers manage to communicate that they think you're capable of something good. They do not whitewash your problems. In fact, they quite often are the ones who point out specific failings. But, they don't leave you hopeless. They leave you thinking that better things are possible.  Proverbs 15:2

* Encouragers focus on the right things. Discouragers usually camp out on things that condemn and belittle. Encouragers put their energy into moving you forward, not bogging you down in despair.  Proverbs 10:21

* Encouragers know the right words to say. Perhaps it's because they know you, or because it's just the way they put things, but what they say builds you up instead of tearing you down.  Proverbs 10:11

* Encouragers make you believe they are on your side. Discouragers make you think they'd prefer that you failed, or just went away.  Encouragers accept you and make you feel wanted.  Proverbs 10:20

There is a powerful difference between an encourager and a discourager.  You and I are one or the other?  I pray as His body here at Valley that we would encourage one another to love and good deeds!

I want to encourage you this coming Sunday as we look forward with hope and confidence to the future!  Many will be discouraged these next couple of weeks as we remember 9/11.  "But the Lord reigns let the people rejoice."  We are people of hope and so be encouraged from this time forth and forevermore!

In the name of Jesus,
Glen