Thank God for Encouragers
by Pastor Bill Pevlor
Have you ever noticed, there are some people who always seem to make you
feel good. They don’t seem to do anything particularly special; yet, being
around them will brighten your day. They always lift your spirit; they always
seem supportive; they always have a compliment. If you carefully studied these
people, scrutinized their words and actions, you will find they are people who
encourage.
Romans 12:8 tells us God has gifted certain people, according to His
grace, with special abilities. Some people have God-given dispositions that
enable them to be “gifted” leaders. Some people are “gifted” teachers,
givers, servants, and prophets. And God gifts some people with a special ability
to encourage others. All great encouragers are not only gifted by God, but also
a great gift from God.
Obviously, not all of us are “gifted” encouragers. Consider yourself
blessed if your close friend is an encourager. Consider yourself greatly blessed
if your parents are encouragers. Consider yourself blessed beyond measure if
your spouse is a “God-gifted” encourager.
Though all of us may not be “gifted” encouragers, we are all
instructed by the scriptures to encourage others. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “...encourage
one another and build each other up....” The apostle Paul also tells
Timothy to “…correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and
careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2) It is important to note “correct,
rebuke and encourage” are mentioned in the same breath. There are times when a
word of correction or a firm rebuke may be necessary, but don’t neglect to
encourage. There is a healthy balance with all three. In many Christian circles
there is an abundance of correcting and rebuking, but very little encouraging.
Too often, believers are regularly beaten down and seldom built up. Parents
often correct or rebuke and neglect the balance encouragement can bring.
If there is no one in your life who encourages you, go to church. In
fact, if you are not attending church on a regular basis, let me “encourage”
you with scripture. Hebrews 10:25 says “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.” The true church of Jesus
Christ is a place of encouragement; a place to go and get “built up.” Church
is the optimal environment for encouragement.
You should look forward to church the way that the apostle Paul looked
forward to going to the church at Rome. In his letter to them Paul said “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 others
faith.” (Romans 1:11-12) Paul was excited about going to church because he
knew that they would encourage him and he would encourage them. Contrary to
common practice, church is not the place for idle gossip and petty squabbles
that only degrade and tear down the human spirit.
Church is the place to be built up and to be building up.
Church is the place where our interaction, enhanced by our expressions of
faith, will bring encouragement to others. Being around other people who walk in
faith encourages you to walk in faith. That is why we all love to hear
testimonies of faith. It’s encouraging! It makes you wonder why anyone would
avoid going to church.
If you were (or are now) going to a church that is not encouraging,
don’t just stop going to church, find a church that is encouraging. Remember,
it was Paul, not me, who said “Lets us not give up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing…” Also remember to do your part to
encourage the others at your church. If your church has been a little weak in
the area of encouragement, maybe it’s time you lift up the standard and
personally lead the charge.
It is great to be in relationship with others who will encourage you.
However, if there were no one around to encourage you there is still Good News
from God’s Word for you. “For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) There are several people who
encourage me in various ways, but my greatest encouragement comes from the
expression of God’s love as revealed in His Word; the Holy Bible. Read 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18 and you’ll be encouraged. Look up Romans 8:37-39 for
supercharged words of encouragement. Don’t stop with those two examples.
Keep reading.
The Bible is packed, from cover to cover, with encouragement and hope.
Make it a point to get your daily dose.
Back for more Good News
Victorious
Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775
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