Mutually Encouraged

As I sat in the pew yesterday, listening to my Daddy preach, I went from where we were reading in Acts to Romans 1:11-12.  As I prepare spiritually for my trips to South America, I am listening to verses God is bringing my way.  Here is Romans 1:11-12 is several different translations.  I haven't decided which version I am going to memorize yet...

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."  Romans 1:11-12 NIV

"I thank God through Jesus for every one of you. That’s first. People everywhere keep telling me about your lives of faith, and every time I hear them, I thank him. And God, whom I so love to worship and serve by spreading the good news of his Son—the Message!—knows that every time I think of you in my prayers, which is practically all the time, I ask him to clear the way for me to come and see you. The longer this waiting goes on, the deeper the ache. I so want to be there to deliver God’s gift in person and watch you grow stronger right before my eyes! But don’t think I’m not expecting to get something out of this, too! You have as much to give me as I do to you." Romans 1:8-12 The Message 

I am greatly touched by The Message.  The words seem to jump off the page and resonate deep within me. 

Young's Literal Translations says it like this, "for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that ye may be established; and that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine."  Notice the word changed from encouraged to comforted.  Love it! 

I think I will try and memorize Romans 1:11-12 in Spanish; as well. 
^"Tengo muchos deseos de verlos para impartirles algún don espiritual que los fortalezca;  mejor dicho, para que unos a otros nos animemos con la fe que compartimos."
 
"I want to see you and share with you the same blessings that God’s Spirit has given me. Then you will grow stronger in your faith.  What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours."  Contemporary English Version

"For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,  that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine."  NET is very similar to Young's Literal Translation. 

In the message yesterday, my Dad reminded us of our church families' mission statement:

We at C Friends Church exist to bring the love of God to those in the church, across the street and around the world and to help those in the family of God to grow and mature and use their spiritual gifts in ministry.
 

Thank You, Jesus!  The verse He drew me to and the words in our own mission statement repeated and drove home my take-away... We are ministering every single day.  We don't have to go to another country to fulfill our mission but wherever we are called to be on that given day, share a spiritual gift with another so that they can be blessed and then we both will be encouraged and comforted by our own faith.  That is so totally awesome!