SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN: “Be An Encourager”

*DAILY BREAD- A DEVOTIONAL FOR THE CHILDREN*

EASTERN NIGERIA UNION CONFERENCE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Friday, September 17, 2021

Topic: Be an Encourager

_The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21_

Once, a group of frogs was roaming around the forest in search of water. Suddenly, two frogs in the group accidentally fell into a deep pit. The other frogs worried about their friends in the pit. Seeing how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no way they could escape the deep pit and that there was no point in trying.
They continued to constantly discourage them as the two frogs tried to jump out of the pit. But kept falling back.
Soon, one of the two frogs started to believe the other frogs — that they’ll never be able to escape the pit and eventually died after giving up. The other frog kept trying and eventually jumps so high that he escapes the pit. The other frogs were shocked at this and wondered how he did it. The difference was that the second frog was deaf and could not hear the discouragement of the group. He simply thought they were cheering him on!

Encouragement is one of the powerful tools we have to partner with God to love and serve others. Our words can make a difference between life and death, success and failure. We can criticize and judge and promote death or we can praise and encourage and promote hope. That’s why it is reallly important to think twice the things you want to say before it comes out of your mouth because your words can have a big effect on other’s lives Things I suggest you try.
1. If you can’t say something nice… don’t say nothing at all.
2. If somebody pops into your head who you know needs encouragement call them, write them, or stop what you are doing and hug them! Do it immediately because if you don’t you will forget.
3. Be bold and start practicing the art of saying something nice to people who cross your path. You can simply look at people in the eyes as you pass by them and smile. You will make them smile too.

*Song*
O be careful little tongue what you say
O be careful little tongue what you say
For the Father up above
Is looking down below
O be careful little tongue what you say

*Prayer*
Dear Lord, I pray that you work in and with me today to bring one touch of hope into someone’s life. Help me to be a hope giver and not a not one who groans, complains and criticizes those around me. Amen