After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. (ESV)

‘The uproars usually cease, so be patient; but be sure to get ready for the next battle.’ Warren Wiersbe

it has been said that the secret of J.O.Y. is: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. It was typical of Paul to put others before himself. He was outwardly focussed, and regardless of his own troubles and needs, he wanted to encourage the churches.

Encouragement seems such an ordinary, unspectacular thing, but who can live with out it, in one form or another? Who can continue in ministry over a long period of time without receiving regular injections of encouragement? We need these ‘booster jabs’. Of course, we have to learn (as David did) to encourage ourselves in God, but how thankful we are for the encouragement given by dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul was very much a ‘team player’, and there is the potential for great encouragement when we share ministry with others.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV)

PRAYER: Lord, in your mercy, forgive our disunity, heal our divisions, mend our disunity, that we may serve you together in a spirit of mutual encouragement, for your glory.