11月28日
标 题：鼓励人的恩赐
经 节：然而，我想必须打发以巴弗提到你们那里去。他是我的兄弟，与我一同做工、一同当兵，是你们所差遣的，也是供给我需用的。（腓立比书二章25节）
有些人擅于在别人面临苦境时，说一些话或做一些事来鼓励人。他们的话语为灰心的人带来力量，为伤痛的人带来安慰。那些人对神的声音很敏锐，他们不会自我中心，也不会对自己周围人们的挣扎毫无所觉。当我们遭遇危难时，他们是我们立即想寻找的对象。当我们面对紧张压力时，他们是受欢迎的探访者，因为他们的出现扶持我们。
圣经记述了许多人被神使用，去鼓励他人的事蹟。当摩西被自己手上的工，压得喘不过气时，叶忒罗来看他，并且鼓励他。叶忒罗给摩西明智的建议，解除了他的压力（出埃及记十八：1—27）。当保罗被关在监狱中，以巴弗提奋不顾身，去保罗那儿服事他（腓立比书二：25-30）。后来，保罗要提摩太来看自己，保罗因提摩太的到来，得到力量与鼓励（提摩太后书四：9；腓立比书二：19-20）。保罗要提摩太也带马可一起来，马可是保罗在忍受痛苦时，所需要的朋友（提摩太后书四：11；腓利门书24）。保罗也倚靠路加的鼓励，当其他人不在或有事缠身时，路加仍与保罗同在（提摩太后书四：11）。保罗一生曾经历许多试炼，但是神把敬虔的人安置在他身边，他们不顾私利，全心支持保罗。
神要你也成为加添他人力量的朋友。你所分享的话语与你所做的事，可以为你的家人、朋友、邻居及同工，带来安慰和鼓励。
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.
