Thursday, November 19, 2015
The following is a favorite bible verse of pastors everywhere: “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.” (Hebrews 10:25) Pastors love it because they can use it to try to encourage their members to be constant in their church attendance. The truth is, I’ve used it myself for that same reason. Nevertheless, let me make one thing clear: God’s true ministers expound this bible verse not so much because they want to see their numbers grow and have their salary increased as a result, but rather because they know that, like all other things that the Lord asks of us, it will be for their members’ benefit. That being said, today I want to focus on the last half of the verse which is of equal importance to us, the advice for all believers to keep encouraging one another. Who needs encouragement from time to time? We all do!
Many have the mistaken idea that pastors, teachers, evangelists. and Christian ministers of all kinds live on a much higher spiritual level and have no need of prayers and words of encouragement. Not so! Regardless of their place in the body of Christ, all of God’s children need prayerful support and need to be encouraged from time to time, some more than others. The Apostle Paul asked for prayer constantly and one noteworthy thing which he wrote is found in 2 Timothy 1:16. It reads: “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.” Can you see it? The man who was known for encouraging others confessed being himself encouraged by a man named Onesiphorus. I hope you can also see the cycle: Paul’s aim was to encourage others and he in turn was encouraged by them. It is no different for me. My aim is to encourage you through this small blog, and you in turn encourage me to keep on going with your kind words.
There are few things more gratifying than the knowledge that something we have said or done has greatly encouraged someone else. A word of encouragement can lift a downtrodden soul, help mend a broken heart, and be just the little nudge that someone may need to keep on going and not give up. Are you familiar with that feeling? I wholeheartedly endorse it and hope you will try it for yourself. You’ll be glad that you did.
Memory verse for the week: (Isaiah 41:13) “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
