Be an Encourager
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
2 Timothy 1:16–18
On his first preaching trip to England, D. L. Moody had an encounter with a British preacher named Henry Varley that changed the course of his life. Years later, now as the best known evangelist in the world, Moody returned to England and asked to meet with Varley to thank him for the impact of their brief meeting. Varley later wrote: “Mr. Moody asked me to join him in the vestry of the Baptist Church. We were alone, and he recalled the night’s meeting at Willow Park and our converse the following morning. ‘Do you remember your words?’ he said. I replied, ‘I well remember our interview, but I do not recall any special utterance.’”
Varley had said to Moody, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him.” Though he didn’t recall the words, they made a dramatic impact. Moody said, “Those were the words sent to my soul, through you, from the living God. As I crossed the wide Atlantic, the boards of the deck of the vessel were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with [them]. I felt that I must not let more time pass until I let you know how God had used your words to my inmost soul.” Few people have heard of Henry Varley, but his words of encouragement and challenge sparked a mighty movement of God. We have the opportunity to encourage others every day—and we should do it.
2 Timothy 1:16–18
On his first preaching trip to England, D. L. Moody had an encounter with a British preacher named Henry Varley that changed the course of his life. Years later, now as the best known evangelist in the world, Moody returned to England and asked to meet with Varley to thank him for the impact of their brief meeting. Varley later wrote: “Mr. Moody asked me to join him in the vestry of the Baptist Church. We were alone, and he recalled the night’s meeting at Willow Park and our converse the following morning. ‘Do you remember your words?’ he said. I replied, ‘I well remember our interview, but I do not recall any special utterance.’”
Varley had said to Moody, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him.” Though he didn’t recall the words, they made a dramatic impact. Moody said, “Those were the words sent to my soul, through you, from the living God. As I crossed the wide Atlantic, the boards of the deck of the vessel were engraved with them, and when I reached Chicago, the very paving stones seemed marked with [them]. I felt that I must not let more time pass until I let you know how God had used your words to my inmost soul.” Few people have heard of Henry Varley, but his words of encouragement and challenge sparked a mighty movement of God. We have the opportunity to encourage others every day—and we should do it.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The power of our words to help and encourage others in their Christian lives is a mighty responsibility.
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