Devotions this week based on the Message: “Counterfeit Gods: The Heartbreak of Love”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Tim Keller entitled, Counterfeit Gods.
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“Job well done!”
“You’re amazing!”
“I love your talent!”
“You’ve made such a difference!”
These phrases and many others can fill a soul with encouragement and motivation. In a culture where we are quick to slander, demean, divide, and criticize, words of affirmation and encouragement stand out like a lighthouse on a dark night.
We all need encouragement. We all need affirmation.
Especially individuals whose love tank is filled with words of affirmation. A long, hard discouraging day can be made right with a spouse saying, “I love you and am so proud of you and how hard you work.” A day of frustration and challenges can be overcome with a simple, “You are beautiful and amazing and I love that I get to spend my life with you.”
Words of encouragement fill the soul. Especially words from our loving heavenly Father. Consider how he loves us with words of encouragement.
He affirmed Jesus as his son…he affirms us as his children:
Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Galatians 3: 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
He calls us his chosen, special people:
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
He commends our work in his name:
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
So again we have God’s wonderful example of love by words of affirmation to fill our soul so that we can in turn love others with words of encouragement and affirmation. We need it…so do they. Here’s God’s encouragement to love with words of affirmation:
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Take time today to share a word of encouragement and affirmation to someone who has impacted and blessed your life today!
Apply: Here’s again some ideas on how to love with words of affirmation: Thank you this week to the blog post: https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/love-language-ideas for some great ideas!
For Significant Other
- Leave them a sticky note on the bathroom mirror saying “I love you”
- Compliment a project they’ve recently finished
- Send them a letter in the mail telling them you appreciate them
- Share something nice they did on Facebook or Instagram
- Give them a phone call just to say how much you love them
For Kids
- Give them a bracelet that says “I love you” to wear
- Hang their art on the fridge and tell them how much you love it
- Tell them you appreciate them when they do their chores
- Share five reasons why you love them
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us always and for communicating your love for us in your affirming words of truth and encouragement. Help us to love others with words of affirmation to fill their soul with “gracious words.” AMEN.