Encouragement for Today

But exhort one another daily, while it is called today.; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. - Hebrews 3:13

As a Christian you should want to fulfill God's plan for your life, pulling from this passage today there's one thing you must do. Don't forsake the daily fellowship and encouragement of other believers. Hebrews 3:13 tells us we need to".. Exhort one another daily.." but what does it mean to "exhort"?



The word for "exhort"that is used in this verse comes from the Greek word Parakaleo. (strongs#3870) it is a compound of the words para and kaleo. The word para means along side, and the word kaleo means to call,to invite, to speak, or to beckon. When you put these words together into one it gives the picture of someone who is coming along side of another person to speak to him, comfort him, strengthen him and to instruct or teach him.


This word is also translated encouragement. How many of you have needed encouragement over the past month or week? I know I have and many of you as well. The Holy Spirit will be our "comforter". See John 14:16.. But oh how nice it is to see it manifest in the human flesh form. We need each other.


The verse is making it clear cut that we as believers need to give and receive encouragement daily. I believe Satan is doing his very best right now looking to heap discouragement on the believer and ultimately looking for the white flag of surrender to go up, knowing that he has but a short time. It will not be enough in these last days to just encourage one another once a week. We are to make it a lifestyle...let it become a daily practice.


Have you ever had someone just out of the blue say."I want to take you to lunch.." or call you on the phone to see how you are doing, or even drop a letter in the mail. It is especially great when you are going through challenging times.! Such as today..


Somebody is saying right now, " I need to be encouraged!" but how can I do the thing I so desperately need myself, try taking your eyes off yourself for a moment and look around and see all in need of strength. I can assure you allowing yourself to be used by God to encourage others will also encourage you. (It is more blessed to give then to receive-Acts20:35).


We all need encouragement from brothers and sisters in the Lord... One might say I'm not that kind of person, that doesn't fit my style. We all have a duty to this area! That's what the body of Christ is all about!


When you are feeling down and out and ready to quit, you need the fellowship with the people of God more then ever. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before His crucifixion He asked Peter, James and John to come pray with Him... Jesus so desperately needed their fellowship and strength that night knowing that the cross was on the horizon. Jesus understood the principle of encouragement and the coming along side or He wouldn't have requested it. Recognize your need for others-and acknowledge that others need you as well, "while it is called today."


Finally "lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness( Greek 'apate'- a false impression made to deceive or cheat, trickey)of sin. In other words avoid the precept and you will now be tricked into believing a lie. We all know with the devil there are no shortage of lies! Oh how sin does deceive us by making false promises of happiness and of safety.