Encouragement - Part II

Through much of the New Testament there is a person who lived a life of encouragement. His name was Joseph and he was a Levite from Cyprus. You know whom I mean. Well you don’t know him as Joseph but as Barnabas, because that is what the apostles called him. The name Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” What would it be like if you were so good at encouraging others, people stopped calling you by your name and instead called you son of encouragement? That is a lofty calling. I pray that I could be that for other people. I wish I had someone named Barnabas living in my neighborhood.

To encourage is not an option but a command, “Encourage one another” (Ephesians 4:32). You can learn how to become an encourager. It's not natural. It's supernatural. But as you allow God to encourage you with His Word and His Spirit, you can become a channel of encouragement into the lives of others.

Ephesians 4 tells us that we should not let any corrupt or useless word come out of our mouths. Not one. We're not to speak discouraging words. We're not to speak demeaning words. We're not to speak words that belittle or put down. He says that instead; speak words that are good for edification that those words may impart grace to the hearers.

You know, everyone needs to be encouraged. Even such a great servant of the Lord as the Apostle Paul needed encouragement. It's amazing as you read through the Book of Acts and the letters of Paul in the New Testament how many references he makes to the value of having other people around him to help him in the ministry.

We need to encourage one another. If we don't have each other, if we don't stick together, if we don't strengthen and encourage one another, we're going to get weary. We're going to get faint. We're going to fall out of the race.

Sadly encouragers are a rare find but hopefully, some encouraging people have come into your life over the years. These encouragers are energy-giving people. Why not be one for those around you today?

Encouragement - Part I

ENCOURAGEMENT - One of the most needed ministries in the church today

What is this forgotten art of “Encouragement?”

Most definitions of “encourage” and “encouragement” stress that to encourage is to inspire with courage, hope, or resolution. Some older versions use the definition “to hearten,” which literally means “to put heart back into someone.”

In scripture, encouragement carries the emphasis of: urging forward, persuading, counseling with, and stimulating others in their deepening walk with the Lord. As we encourage, our goal is always to point people back to the Lord.

That is why scripture admonishes us:
* “Therefore, encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

*“Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).

*“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

*“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25).

The Bible reveals our heavenly Father as an encourager:
*“You hear, oh Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psalm 10:17).

*May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus” (Rom. 15:5).

*God has designated encouragement as one of the spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ. Alongside the more (supposedly) “prominent” gifts such as prophesying, teaching, and governing, there appears the spiritual gift of encouragement (Romans 12:8).

Novelist Charles Dickens reminds us (through one of his literary characters) that, “no one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of anyone else.”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Words, however, do hurt. But thank God that encouraging words also heal, help, and give heart.

Who does the Lord want you to encourage today? Don’t delay.

Discipline vs Delight

I knew I was supposed to get more exercise. I tried to run although I don’t enjoy running like I used to when I was a boy. Actually I have tired to get started in an every other day regime many many times. It always fails before I get very far and never has brought me any long-term benefit because I can’t stick to it. It has been at least three years since I went for a run. I know people who approach devotions in the same way. They know they should be disciplined but they just can’t stick with it very long. They end up feeling guilty and often decide to give up altogether saying this is not for me.

On the other hand, ask me to play tennis and I’m there! Last Saturday I played for three hours. It wasn’t difficult even though I was very tired and my feet were sore. In fact I can’t wait to get out there and play again. Granted I don’t burn as many calories playing tennis as I do if I were running. However, since I don’t run at all I am bringing more benefit to my body playing tennis.

In similar fashion, I spend the majority of my devotional life not in strict discipline but being intimate with God and growing our relationship. It is very rewarding and I love it. I wish I had more time to spend with the Lord in this way. I delight in the Lord and the spiritual discipline is not a problem, it’s a joy. “Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Enjoy the Ride - Delight Part 3

Trust is mentioned twice in the context of Ps. 37:4. Trust has a lot to do with giving you the ability to delight in the Lord. Imagine a person going on his first skydiving jump. There would be a lot of anxiety, and possibly some adrenaline but during the preparation and jump mostly terror. Delight would not come until you were on the ground alive. Our delight will be full when we get to heaven but what about here on earth? Now picture a seasoned jumper who trusted in his equipment. He would be able to enjoy the ride and delight in the fall without anxiety, or worry.

If we put our trust in the Lord fully without reservation we would enjoy this life a great deal more. After all, what can harm us? What can man do to us apart form the will of God?

Ps 56:11, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Heb. 134:6, “So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

The trouble is we trust in our own ability and in our own plans more than we trust in God. We trust in things we can control and manipulate. Trusting in God often feels like free falling. But God loves us more than we can even imagine. He allowed his Son to be sacrificed for our good. Why not trust him fully today and enjoy the ride?