Daily Devotional from New Life Network

Published: Fri, 05/17/19

A Nugget from New Life Network

(from Rev. Ed & Cheryl Henderson)

Scripture for the Day - May 17, 2019

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:6-8)

The Power of Encouragement

What is God doing in Joshua 1:6-8? He is encouraging Joshua!!! He is building him up with His words. He is sowing courage into Joshua.

Let’s take a closer look at the power of encouragement. The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word encourage as follows: to give courage, hope, confidence, help or support. That is exactly what God was doing with Joshua. He was speaking courage to him. He was speaking hope to him. He was speaking success and prosperity to him.

In my lifetime I have witnessed businesses grow from meager beginnings to billion dollar companies and that growth was mainly due to the encouragement of other people. I have also seen marriages grow and flourish under the same conditions. On the other hand I have also seen businesses and marriages dissolve and break apart due to strife, anger, harsh words, and discouragement. Death and life are truly in the power of the tongue.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21)

The Bible to me is a “Book of Encouragement”. It gives us hope in situations that appear hopeless. It tells us we can be overcomers and more than conquerors. It’s like a grand cheer from God that encourages us to never give up. It lets us know that God is for us and not against us. It tells us that he is thinking about us and His thoughts and plans for us are for good and not for evil, to give us hope.

One of the most defining scriptures of how God wants us to speak to others is in 1 Corinthians 14:3.

But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort. (KJV)

But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of, God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them]. (Amplified Bible)

We all need encouragement. The scripture above shows us the heart of God. It says that when we prophesy (when we speak the inspired Word of God to others) it needs to be for edification, exhortation and comfort. God’s way has worked pretty well over the years and I have seen it work extremely well in marriages and businesses.

It’s His encouragement that led Joshua to success and prosperity. It’s your encouragement of others that will cause people to inherit the land.

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