The longer I live the more I realize I need people encouraging me. Have you noticed that? Life is challenging and faithfulness to Christ in our culture has many obstacles. The book of Hebrews gives us guidance to help with the long road of obedience. Notice what it says in Heb. 3:12-13,

“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

When difficulties in life come, it is a challenge to us to continue to believe God’s promises and walk a life of faithfulness. Suffering was the norm for a Christ follower in the first century. Our choice of unbelief is dangerous because it will lead us astray from walking with God.

The way God has designed the Church, is for us to be encouraging one another daily. The word translated “exhort” is a reference to “encouragement.” Logos defines it as “to earnestly support or encourage a response of action.” Other believers can be one of my greatest encouragements in the life of following Christ. This also means that I need to take responsibility for being an intentional encouragement to others on a daily basis.

Why do we need to be doing this for one another? The text tells us that on our own we may allow ourselves to be lead astray from a life of faithfulness due to the deceitfulness of sin. Without the encouragement of others we are more vulnerable. We need each other!

Father, help to not try to live life alone. Help me to be open to others speaking into my life. Finally, help me to daily take the initiative to encourage others.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff