11月28日

標 題：鼓勵人的恩賜

經 節：然而，我想必須打發以巴弗提到你們那裡去。他是我的兄弟，與我一同做工、一同當兵，是你們所差遣的，也是供給我需用的。（腓立比書二章25節）

有些人擅於在別人面臨苦境時，說一些話或做一些事來鼓勵人。他們的話語為灰心的人帶來力量，為傷痛的人帶來安慰。那些人對神的聲音很敏銳，他們不會自我中心，也不會對自己周圍人們的掙扎毫無所覺。當我們遭遇危難時，他們是我們立即想尋找的對象。當我們面對緊張壓力時，他們是受歡迎的探訪者，因為他們的出現扶持我們。

聖經記述了許多人被神使用，去鼓勵他人的事蹟。當摩西被自己手上的工，壓得喘不過氣時，葉忒羅來看他，並且鼓勵他。葉忒羅給摩西明智的建議，解除了他的壓力（出埃及記十八：1—27）。當保羅被關在監獄中，以巴弗提奮不顧身，去保羅那兒服事他（腓立比書二：25-30）。後來，保羅要提摩太來看自己，保羅因提摩太的到來，得到力量與鼓勵（提摩太后書四：9；腓立比書二：19-20）。保羅要提摩太也帶馬可一起來，馬可是保羅在忍受痛苦時，所需要的朋友（提摩太后書四：11；腓利門書24）。保羅也倚靠路加的鼓勵，當其他人不在或有事纏身時，路加仍與保羅同在（提摩太后書四：11）。保羅一生曾經歷許多試煉，但是神把敬虔的人安置在他身邊，他們不顧私利，全心支持保羅。

神要你也成為加添他人力量的朋友。你所分享的話語與你所做的事，可以為你的家人、朋友、鄰居及同工，帶來安慰和鼓勵。

The Gift of Encouragement

Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need. (Philippians 2:25)

Come people know just what to say and do to encourage others who are going through difficult times. Their words give strength to those who are discouraged and comfort to those who are grieving. These people are sensitive to God’s voice. They are not self-centered or unaware of the struggles of those around them. They are the ones we immediately seek when we enter a crisis. They are welcome visitors when we are in distress, for their presence sustains us.

Scripture testifies of many whom God enabled to encourage others. When Moses was overwhelmedby his work, Jethro went to him and encouraged him. Jethro gave Moses wise counsel that eased his strain (Exod. 18:1–27). When Paul was imprisoned far from those who loved him, Epaphroditus risked his health and safety in order to go to Paul and minister to him (Phil. 2:25–30). Later, Paul urged Timothy to come and visit him, for Paul found strength and encouragement in Timothy (2 Tim. 4:9; Phil. 2:19–20). Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark also. Mark was the kind of friend Paul needed when he was enduring hardship (2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24). Paul also relied on Luke for encouragement. When everyone else was absent or preoccupied, Luke could be found with Paul (2 Tim. 4:11). Paul experienced trials throughout his life, but God sustained him by placing godly friends around him who provided support in practical and sacrificial ways.

God wants to develop you into the kind of friend who can strengthen others. The words you share and the things you do can bring comfort and encouragement to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers.