Dear Young Christian:
I recently read the following verse on a calendar leaflet of a daily reading that my wife likes to keep on the kitchen table: “And when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed” (Acts 16:40). It made me think of a contrast in the Old Testament where it says of certain individuals, “Our brethren have discouraged our heart” (Deuteronomy 1:28).
Which is it with you? Do we leave those we are with comforted or discouraged? By the end of the week, will someone be able to say that you comforted and encouraged them, or will someone have to say that you left them discouraged? It will be one or the other! We affect others more than we think. “For none of us liveth to himself” (Romans 14:7). Let’s try to be a comfort and help to others this week. We are exhorted, “Comfort one another” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Also, “Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Your Christian Friend,
Jim Hyland
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