Corona Devo 866

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.  ~Acts 18:23

~~~

Paul was a follower of Jesus back in Bible days, and he went around telling people all about Jesus and God and the great love and plan that we have in Christ.  But you know what else Paul did?  He encouraged (visited and strengthened) other believers.

Paul was preaching God's word, but he also was specific and purposeful about making time to encourage others as they lived and served God too.

What believers can we visit and strengthen today?

When I read this passage, I got to thinking about our oldest son, who has been away at a church camp/conference this past week.  The speakers had dramatic impacts on him.  The worship team and sessions blew him away.  The sports/games/competitions kept him busy, engaged and connected with other young people who love the Lord.   

In returning, he has shared with me more about his desire to serve God than ever before in his life.  He not only had fun, but he was changed in Jesus' name this week.    

I love what he just experienced at the conference, but all of those events, activities, speakers and sermons didn't "just happen".  

Someone (many someones!) who are believers made this conference happen!  Someone scheduled/arranged/invited/followed-up/drove/donated/cooked/prayed/INVESTED their time, talents and heart into serving God by serving my child (and many young adults) this week.

We should thank them.  

Paul did.  

...Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.  ~Acts 18:23

Have your kids attended a VBS, camp, or conference?  Have we been "fed" through a sermon, retreat, event, Bible study, or speaker?  

Please visit and strengthen all the believers that made it happen, (Acts 18:23), because these things don't "just happen".  They are purposed by God and then willing servants of God step up and make them happen.

If you are a believer "making it happen" today...THANK YOU!

If you have been blessed by another believer recently, visit and strengthen them...or at least write them a note doing so.  

If Paul, one the main characters in the New Testament, purposed time and energy to encourage (visit and strengthen) all the believers that he knew...we can (and should) do the same.  The Bible gives spiritual wisdom but also practical applications.  And when I read this verse, I knew the Lord was telling me to strengthen the believers in my circuit.  

How you do it is up to you (and Jesus!), but I visited and strengthened through some notes of gratitude.  It might be a call, text, tweet or giftcard, but figure out (and take the time) today to visit and strengthen all the believers. 

We need each other as believers, and we are blessed by each other as believers.  Today, strengthen a believer by letting them know what a blessing they are.

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.  ~Acts 18:23

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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