We are doing a bible study on Encouragement the last month. It has really had me thinking a lot. One, to make an effort to speak encouraging words to others, but also to think outside the box of encouragement. <p> One thing that has really been on my heart is being a different sort of a missionary. <p>I think churches have lots of ministry programs, when someone has a baby, people bring them dinner. They volunteer at pregnancy centers, donate food to the food pantry, help the poor people in other countries, and many other such worthy programs. It is all good, but sometimes i think we neglect the obvious.  <p> What about the young mother in your congregation that  looks really tired Sunday after Sunday? Do you ever offer to go and clean her bathrooms for her? <p> When you ask someone how they are doing, do you expect a real answer  or do you sigh when they start to tell you about how they really are, or  maybe not even wait for  the answer really.  I know some people you can reply with "Not so good." and they would say "That’s great!" because they did not really hear you. <p> Sometimes we want to do something great, something big, when really it is the little things sometimes that need to be done <p> It is when your mom is not feeling well and you wash up the dishes for her, you are doing a big thing, ministering for the Lord and encouraging another believer. <p> I cannot believe all the verses on encouragement in the bible and how many times in the NT especially we are commanded to encourage each other. <p> Think of all the ways that you can be an encouragement to someone you know. <p>Can you hold that fussy baby during church sometime, instead of thinking cross thoughts about parents who can’t keep their babies quiet? <p> Can you write a card when you are thinking of someone? <p> Can you, even if you are a busy young mom yourself, send an email to a friend and just say "Hi, i was thinking of you!" ? Sometimes that can really pick up someones day in a big way!<p>
These simple ways do not take much time, one day out of your life spent to visit with someone or 5 minutes to write the card, will add so much to someones life and you will be better for it. <p> If you laundry got put off or your living room is not spotless, what does it matter, if you made a difference for the better in someone else’s life. <p> So, this week, think outside the box, look for ways to be a missionary in different ways than you have thought of before. Think of how you can minister to someone that you never have before.

martyomenko@yahoo.com

Martha Artyomenko is an unpublished fiction author who has published some nonfiction magazine articles and reviews over the years. An avid reader and mother of four sons, she brings her many years of expertise to play when writing realistic fiction about topics of mothering, domestic violence, and childbirth. In her free time, if she is not reading, you will find her walking while musing about her next story to write or traveling to learn history for another story. Martha Artyomenko supports authors by running an active social media group (Avid Readers of Christian Fiction) and newsletter promoting niche fiction authors that would otherwise be unknown. Join me by leaving a comment or signing up for the newsletter.

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  1. loefflermom

    Good word!

    I am not a football fan either! But this couple is and I think they were lonely. We had fun anyway!

    I love the Hide em in your heart tapes. I haven't heard of the other one. I will check it out.

    Have a great week!

    Shari

  2. Roseleona

    Thanks for the encouragement to be an encouragement to others! Too many times we do look for the BIG things we can do, instead of the little things that ARE big things. :-) I think especially us youth have trobles with wanting to be SOMEBODY, not just a so-and-so. We want others to think highly of us, VERY highly.
    Yet, we are doing something big, no matter if it seems little to us, if we only do it for the Lord!
    I posted on my blog, so it's a little "updated", but not much.
    ~Rose

  3. Roseleona

    Hello,Martha! How are you today?

  4. Lilyofthevalley4

    Well written, Martha!! :) Thanks for sharing.

  5. drewsfamilytx

    Great suggestions, Martha!

    I have often called or written to someone that I've been thinking about. I have always been blessed by the conversation and never regret the little effort it took to tell someone that I care for and am praying for them.

  6. homeschoolvideo

    Well said. There are plenty times when I've felt overwelmed and felt better when someone "ministered" to me with kindness. Our actions speak louder than words and many our watching us.

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