Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Be a Paraclete - Come Alongside to Help!                

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Dear Friend,                                    

One of my favorite New Testament words is "paraclete" – someone who comes alongside to help – help us cope, help us get through whatever we are going through.

The term paraclete describes the very character of God.

God the Father is our Paraclete – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort [paraclete].” II Corinthians 1:3*  

Jesus the Son is our Paraclete – “…if anyone does sin, we have an advocate [paraclete] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I John 2:1  

The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete – “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper [paraclete], to be with you forever.” John 14:16

The whole Trinity is our Paraclete, who loves to come alongside us, to help us.

In the same way, you and I are sent to be paracletes to the people in our lives – sent to come alongside them to offer help, encouragement, and presence.

To whom is God sending you? How can you be a more effective paraclete for them? Remember, the key to care is “be there” and your words can put people on their feet!

Thank God for the paracletes in your own life, the people who love you, guide you when the going is tough, who put steel into your backbone when you are afraid, who stand with you in the storm and help you cope.

Joy to you -- E. Stanley Ott            

© Copyright 2020 E.Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

1. Think of a time someone was a paraclete in your life. What did they do and how was it encouraging to you?
2. In what ways is our Lord encouraging to you - a paraclete in your life?
3. Who are people in your life right now who need a paraclete, someone to come alongside to encourage them, to help them cope? How will you be that paraclete?

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash