Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today as one of our readings, we look at Romans 1: 8-12:

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel[a] of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

Today we will begin what will probably be a fair amount of time in Romans as it is one of our suggested readings for the next few weeks.  Today, we are in the midst of Paul’s introduction to the Roman church.  This is one of the few letters that Paul writes where he has no real relationship with the church or person.  In most of Paul’s letters, he functions as a father or as a mentor, there is a deeply personal relationship there.  That is not the case with Rome.  He only knows them through their reputation and they only through his.  I joking say this is his cover letter before he comes to meet them. 

Today he talks about being mutually encouraged.  He will encourage them by his teaching and preaching and they will encourage him by their faithfulness.  I think this is a great example.  We need that same thing in our lives. 

We need to be encouraged. I hope these daily devotionals are just that to you. I hope they encourage you and help you walk and serve better.  If you are going through a difficult time, I hope they allow you to understand that you are loved, you are valued, and that God will walk with you and will speak to you through all that is to come.  Be encourage today! 

But that isn’t the end of our journey. It isn’t that we need to just receive encouragement today, we need to give encouragement today. Someone in our work, in our family, in our school, in our lives, is going to need the encouragement that we can give.  

We aren’t just to receive encouragement.  We are to give it. When we do that, we are reminded of just how good God is and our faith truly grows them.  It is that beauty of mutual encouragement.  

So, today, be encouraged!  God is with you!  He loves you!  Be encouraged.  

And encourage someone else.  Tell them that exact same thing.  In doing this, our faith truly grows.  

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