WEBVTT 00:04.670 --> 00:11.595 [SPEAKER_00]: in today's verse 15, we're going to look at the role of encouragement in putting our love into action. 00:12.716 --> 00:18.560 [SPEAKER_00]: In a world that constantly seems to beat us down, we're in need of some real encouragement. 00:19.681 --> 00:32.550 [SPEAKER_00]: God has an encouraging word to speak to everyone around you, and if we'll make space to listen, he longs to share that word with us that we might see his kingdom advancing in the heart of another. 00:33.751 --> 00:41.403 [SPEAKER_00]: May God encourage us today and empower us to encourage another as we make space for his loving presence. 00:42.324 --> 00:44.488 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:08.643 --> 01:16.808 [SPEAKER_00]: our scripture for today comes from Hebrews chapter 10 verses 23 through 25 scripture says. 01:18.729 --> 01:26.553 [SPEAKER_00]: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful. 01:28.080 --> 01:44.013 [SPEAKER_00]: and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. 01:48.757 --> 01:52.080 [SPEAKER_00]: When was the last time someone really encouraged you? 01:53.241 --> 01:55.403 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it was a family member or friend. 01:56.973 --> 01:58.034 [SPEAKER_00]: How did it make you feel? 01:59.535 --> 02:01.737 [SPEAKER_00]: How did you view yourself afterwards? 02:03.738 --> 02:08.502 [SPEAKER_00]: If you haven't been encouraged in a while, how greatly do you long for it? 02:10.744 --> 02:12.405 [SPEAKER_00]: Encouragement is powerful. 02:13.506 --> 02:17.489 [SPEAKER_00]: It has the ability to change emotions and trajectories. 02:18.840 --> 02:25.603 [SPEAKER_00]: It has the power to fill someone with courage and boldness to say yes to the plans and heart of God. 02:27.324 --> 02:29.445 [SPEAKER_00]: Encouragement is truly a gift. 02:29.826 --> 02:32.407 [SPEAKER_00]: We've been given for edifying each other. 02:33.903 --> 02:36.284 [SPEAKER_00]: We are meant to encourage one another. 02:37.544 --> 02:46.006 [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible makes it clear that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are meant to both give and receive encouragement. 02:47.407 --> 02:59.630 [SPEAKER_00]: Hebrews 10 verses 23 through 25 says, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful. 03:00.882 --> 03:17.209 [SPEAKER_00]: and let us consider how to stir up one another to love in good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 03:19.930 --> 03:24.412 [SPEAKER_00]: Have you ever thought about how you could change the day of a complete stranger 03:28.884 --> 03:31.366 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus knew the power of encouragement. 03:32.566 --> 03:39.391 [SPEAKER_00]: He loved to use the tool of encouragement to direct His disciples into the life God intended for them. 03:41.032 --> 03:44.374 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus spoke life into the people He encountered. 03:45.574 --> 03:50.137 [SPEAKER_00]: He encouraged the outcasts, the downhearted, the needy. 03:52.058 --> 03:55.020 [SPEAKER_00]: A perfect example of the power of encouragement 03:59.489 --> 04:02.810 [SPEAKER_00]: Luke, chapter 19, verses 1 through 10 reads. 04:04.150 --> 04:10.551 [SPEAKER_00]: He entered Jericho and was passing through, and behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. 04:11.591 --> 04:23.714 [SPEAKER_00]: He was a chief tax collector and was rich, and he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd, he could not because he was small and stature. 04:24.815 --> 04:29.589 [SPEAKER_00]: So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sick and more tree to see him. 04:30.131 --> 04:32.097 [SPEAKER_00]: For he was about to pass that way. 04:33.520 --> 04:43.185 [SPEAKER_00]: And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down for I must stay at your house today. 04:44.545 --> 04:48.287 [SPEAKER_00]: So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 04:49.468 --> 04:51.629 [SPEAKER_00]: And when they saw it, they all grumbled. 04:52.829 --> 04:56.171 [SPEAKER_00]: He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. 04:57.567 --> 05:04.770 [SPEAKER_00]: and Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. 05:05.690 --> 05:10.592 [SPEAKER_00]: And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it for fold. 05:11.872 --> 05:16.554 [SPEAKER_00]: And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house. 05:17.394 --> 05:25.157 [SPEAKER_00]: Since he also is a son of Abraham, for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost. 05:26.935 --> 05:33.358 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus encouraged an outcast tax collector and changed the trajectory of his life. 05:34.978 --> 05:44.222 [SPEAKER_00]: He simply told Zacchaeus that he wanted to spend time with him, followed through with that commitment, and the entire town was blessed. 05:46.220 --> 05:52.742 [SPEAKER_00]: Zacchaeus got his income through overtaxing his own people for the benefit of Rome and himself. 05:53.923 --> 05:58.464 [SPEAKER_00]: He was cast out from society and hated by those around him. 05:59.705 --> 06:07.447 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus, to the dismay of the others, encouraged Zacchaeus, spent time with him, and changed his life. 06:09.328 --> 06:11.409 [SPEAKER_00]: You can live like Jesus today. 06:16.586 --> 06:20.589 [SPEAKER_00]: who needs to be encouraged by you simply wanting to spend some time with them. 06:22.310 --> 06:27.233 [SPEAKER_00]: There's grace on your life to minister to the hurting and lonely around you. 06:28.534 --> 06:30.575 [SPEAKER_00]: There's grace to minister like Jesus. 06:32.536 --> 06:35.118 [SPEAKER_00]: Walk in relationship with your Heavenly Father. 06:35.979 --> 06:43.023 [SPEAKER_00]: Live with the knowledge that you are fully loved and love others through the power of encouragement. 07:16.981 --> 07:23.285 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin, take some time to meditate on what the Bible says about encouragement. 07:24.767 --> 07:34.858 [SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25 says, anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 08:16.563 --> 08:17.064 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 08:18.245 --> 08:21.329 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Lord whom he would have you encouraged today. 08:22.631 --> 08:32.503 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's a co-worker that seemed down lately, a family member going through a hard time, or even a stranger that just needs a kind word. 09:14.492 --> 09:15.092 [SPEAKER_00]: and last. 09:16.253 --> 09:19.114 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God how he would have you encourage that person. 09:20.254 --> 09:25.216 [SPEAKER_00]: It could be as simple as sending a text message, or taking someone out for a meal. 09:26.296 --> 09:29.778 [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe it's a few kind words, or help financially. 09:31.098 --> 09:33.839 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the spirit to help you follow his leadership. 10:14.662 --> 10:18.946 [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible makes it clear that the tongue wields incredible power. 10:20.428 --> 10:29.616 [SPEAKER_00]: Proverbs 1821 says, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 10:31.858 --> 10:33.600 [SPEAKER_00]: Choose to speak life today. 10:34.801 --> 10:37.824 [SPEAKER_00]: Choose to honor those around you instead of condemn. 10:39.292 --> 10:49.805 [SPEAKER_00]: Choose to see the grace God has placed in people around you to see past the facade and tough exterior people put up and speak to the heart. 10:51.547 --> 10:55.411 [SPEAKER_00]: God intends for you to both give and receive encouragement. 10:56.573 --> 10:58.475 [SPEAKER_00]: Who will you speak life into today? 11:22.063 --> 11:24.345 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to today's podcast. 11:24.765 --> 11:26.226 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First 15. 11:27.106 --> 11:31.689 [SPEAKER_00]: As you prayed today, I hope the Lord puts someone on your heart that you can encourage. 11:32.730 --> 11:37.133 [SPEAKER_00]: I want to implore you to take this opportunity right now to reach out to that person. 11:37.773 --> 11:40.495 [SPEAKER_00]: Call them, text them, write them a note. 11:40.895 --> 11:42.476 [SPEAKER_00]: However, you want to encourage them. 11:42.696 --> 11:43.497 [SPEAKER_00]: Don't put it off. 11:44.547 --> 11:50.930 [SPEAKER_00]: and I'll see you back here tomorrow where we'll look at the role of forgiveness in putting our love into action. 11:52.270 --> 11:56.852 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day today and may God bless you as you seek Him.