Some years ago I was ministering at a church in Hawaii and I noticed an elderly Japanese couple sitting in the front row. She was literally beaming. It was very noticeable to me. They sat there listening to me preach while holding hands. It was so precious. After the service was over, I walked up to them and asked them to tell me about themselves.

The elderly Japanese man looked at his wife with such admiration and he said to me; “She is my Emperoress.” He saw her as a queen and she never forgot it. He had learned the power of encouragement and she radiated with his love and affirmation. There is such power released in encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 tells us to “encourage one another,” and this is especially true in marriage and in our closest relationships! Have a blessed Valentines Day weekend!