The book of Romans says, “For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11-12). When we come together, it is to impart spiritual gifts to one another, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. If you have been going to church week after week, year after year, it is easy to fall into a routine of six-songs-a-sermon-and-a-prayer. When you do something repetitiously it can become mundane, even wearisome. You have a morning routine that you’ve done so many times you don’t even have to be fully awake. You’re driving to work trying to remember if you did everything you normally do. Attending worship can be the same way if you don’t make a conscience effort to keep in mind the importance of what you are doing. Part of the problem is we have turned “Church” into something we “go to” rather than what we “do.” Worship is not a spectator event, where others serve while you sit back and watch. You may not be preaching or leading the songs or a prayer, but there is a purpose for your being here. You have a duty. We all do. The real reason we assemble is so we “may be encouraged together …, each of us by the other's faith.” God has you here to encourage others. No matter what age you are or how long you have been a Christian, there is someone or several someones who need your encouragement. Look around the room right now and identify someone whose faith you could lift up by sharing about your own faith. Don’t wait for someone to come to you. Take the initiative and see what you can do to brighten the day of a fellow brother or sister in Christ. Go impart a spiritual gift.
Encourage One Another



