Build Each Other Up

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

The perfect combo: Encourage and build up. As with anything we are preparing for, we need words of encouragement AND building up. For an athlete, building up takes improving skills, stamina, and coaches to keep going. For a new mom to be, encouragement comes with reassurances, classes, mom-to-be blogs, and wisdom from those who have been through this. The list could go on and on. The key is it takes both

For the body of believers in Thessalonica, they were supported by Paul in this letter to remind them that they were in this together. He reminded them to encourage one another. Encourage, with not only personal words, but God’s word to hold on to as truth. Then Paul added they should build each other up. Coming alongside to prepare another believer in their journey or ministry. As he did for them.

In other words, discipleship. Paul set the example of discipleship by staying with the new churches until they were ready to stand on their own or leaving someone to help keep the ministry going for a time. He took different believers with him on his journeys to disciple them and let them go to do the work God prepared them for.

Together we are in this walk as believers. We need each other for encouragement and to strengthen each other’s walk. To come along side someone, build them up and watch them grow in their faith. To someday watch them go…to do the work God has been preparing them for.

Who does God need you to reach out to today to encourage and build up?

God, thank you for the believers who lifted me up and spoke your Word into my life. Use me to encourage and build up those around me.