How should we live? 

A core value called 'Encouragement!' 

What's the possibility that you might be renamed by your friends as 'son (or daughter) of encouragement?' In the early days of the church of the first century a Levite named Joseph, from the island of Cyprus, was renamed Barnabas - son of encouragement (Acts 4:36 N.I.V.), by his friends.

Encouragement! Is that just a neat personality trait that some folks have and others don't? Is 'encouragement' a spiritual thing or just a pleasantries habit? Hasn't the practice of 'encouraging' become rather out of fashion, seeming almost patronizing and superfluous?

Isn't it true that "Pollyanna" attitudes are silly and shallow - not the stuff of serious, rational, successful individuals in our intensely competitive world?

Actually, in Isaiah chapter one there is a rather intense address from God that could very well be as applicable to the United States of America as it was to old Israel back in Isaiah's day.

Picking just one verse from the chapter (v 17) we find this mandate from God concerning His expectations of His children:

17. learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Defending the cause of the fatherless and pleading the case of the widow are just two ways of seeking justice and encouraging the oppressed. And, since we aren't always able to pick up on who might be feeling injustice or are being oppressed, we probably ought to develop an attitude of encouragement toward all we meet.

Have you ever been around someone who's a 'downer?' Do you know someone who is encouraging, inspiring and gracious? Whose company do you prefer?

How does one change from being numbered among the downers and become a gracious, inspiring encourager? Change your focus. The downer is focused upon themselves. The encourager is focused upon you.

Got it? Give it!