When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. (Acts 20:1-3)
Paul traveled from Ephesus to Macedonia. Bible scholars think he may have been in the province of Illyricum, Macedonia, for more than a year before going to Corinth, Greece for three months. He was supposed to sail to Syria but learned radical Jews planned to kill him. Since the sea is a convenient place to dispose of a body, he traveled by land and backtracked through Macedonia.
Luke summarizes a year of Paul’s missionary journey, during which he wrote his letter to Romans and his second letter to the Corinthians, in this short paragraph that emphasizes Paul’s ability to encourage when he was busy and his life was in danger.
We also have problems and sorrows. Sometimes we wait for people to encourage us when encouraging others also brings joy.
Father, I praise You for the encouragement and promises found in the Bible. Nudge me to love and encourage others during 2022. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
When you are talking to someone you can tell if they need encouragement. I feel that giving encouragement is just a natural thing to do. I pray that when I need encouragement someone recognizes my needs and helps me. right now I feel like I need a lot of encouragement due to health issues, which I am praying about. I hope you had a great conference and had fun as well as learning new things.
Thanks. I had a great time in Tampa and learned new things. I use the word “it” too much, so I will go through my manuscript and correct it. I was also paired with two published authors, one who was excellent at description and pulling people into her story, so I hope I get better at that. The woman whose house I stayed at, Jan, is an incredible editor and helped me with the first couple of chapters in my book, so it was very worthwhile. Then I was able to visit with Jen. Had a great time with her. I hope you will read Dody Osteen’s book on healing that I gave you and do everything that she did to heal. It worked for her and I have faith it will work for you also. Remember, the Holy Spirit nudged me to buy that book for you. I love you Sis, blessings. Jody
It sounds like you got a lot of encouragement while staying with Jan, and at the conference. Sounds like it was time well spent. Then the fun time you had with Jennifer. So happy for you! I thought Jennifer might bring Hubie, but guess not otherwise you would have mentioned it. I have read the Dody Osteen book that you got for me. It is good. I’m pretty sure we talked about it. It is funny that you mention the book, because I was just thinking that I should do a re-read. It is on my nightstand. Love you, Jody!
Jan is a great encourager and so were the two women in my editing group. Will meet Hubie this weekend. It could be beneficial for you to read one chapter of Dody Osteen’s book at a time and do what she did to heal in that chapter. It’s good to hear that the Spirit is nudging you. We didn’t talk about the book, but I would like to hear about it. Love you, Sis. I just prayed for you, included your healing. Blessings.