Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

The Joy of Encouragement

Dear Friend –

A year ago, I was sitting on a chair in the front of a trout fishing boat casting my line about, fruitlessly. I realized my good friend Dale in the back of the boat, was just relaxing in his chair, looking around.

I said, “Dale, why aren’t you fishing?” He replied, “The scenery is incredible, beautiful, with the surrounding hills, trees of the forest, the blooming flowers along the rippling river. I’m just resting in God’s glory!”

You know, Dale's quiet words of worship and enjoyment really encouraged my own heart!

One of the benefits of good friendship is the joy of encouraging one another.

In this podcast, Lee and I talk with another such friend, Steve Ebling, as we talk about encouragement and the marvelous ministry he is a part of, Altar Fly Fishing. https://altarflyfishing.org

Imagine spending a few days sharing the wonders of God’s creation and the soul food of scripture with a few other people! It’s utterly renewing!

No matter the nature of the stream of life you are floating in now, your best friend, the Lord who loves you, will encourage your heart as you lean on him!

Joy to you - E. Stanley Ott​

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1. Think of a good friend of yours - and list all the ways you can think of that you have encouraged one another.
2. Was or is there a specific action either of you took - something done or something said - that deeply encouraged you or your friend?
3. How will you now adapt that action or those words to encourage someone else in your life today! Be an encourager!

Photo by Greysen Johnson on Unsplash