Strive To Strengthen Others!

November 27, 2025

Strive To Strengthen Others!

Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the things for which I am most thankful is the people who have built into my life.  They have mentored me, directed me, and guided me in ways I could never do for myself.  Today, I remember and give thanks for their commitment to and care for me.

There are other people for whom I am just as thankful.  They have encouraged me when I needed lifted up, loved me when I was not very lovable, and strengthened me when I felt weak and inadequate.  Today, I remember and give thanks for their concern and compassion for me.

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of building into the lives of other people.  In the early portion of his letter to the churches in first century Rome, Paul indicates his deep desire to visit the churches in-person.  In particular, Paul wants to share some spiritual gifts so the Christ-followers in Rome will be strengthened.

In Romans 1:11 Paul writes; “For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened…”  Paul recognizes the importance of investing good things into the lives of other people.  Paul mentored, directed, and guided people as well as encouraged, loved, and strengthened people.

In a letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul instructs the Christ-followers in that city to encourage one another and build up one another.  In I Thessalonians 5:11 we hear; “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”  In other words, Paul is instructing the Christ-followers in Thessalonica to strive even more to strengthen other people.

I encourage you take a moment to do three things.

First, give thanks to the Lord God for those who have strengthened you.  As you re-call each person by name, be as specific as you can in describing the way in which they strengthened you.

Second, ask Jesus to reveal where you need to be strengthened?  Also, ask Jesus to reveal someone who might be able to do for you what the Apostle Paul did for the Christ-followers in Rome. 

Third, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to a person who you can ask the Holy Spirit to help you strengthen.  Be clear about how you will help.  Do they need mentoring, guiding, directing, encouraging, loving, or strengthening from you?  Then, set a time to have coffee with that person.

When others build us up, our heart is filled with delight in the Lord.  When the Holy Spirit uses us to strengthen another person, their heart is filled with delight in the Lord. 

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug