Encourage – to give courage. We as Christians are here to encourage one another. We live in scary times, we can use all the courage we can get.
My pastor is down here from Burton Ohio. What an encouragement. When someone is tired, they become Discouraged. Cowardice soon follows. Their effectiveness and personal walk is affected. When they are Encouraged they are brave. Their energy is renewed. Things are good again. When they are in fellowship with others, they have courage. When they are alone, they suffer attacks of fatigue and fear.
Pastor Mike and his team are not only encouraging Winnie and me, but everyone else. They have given courage and built up our staff, our helpers, thechildren we serve, Pastor Astrubal and Maria. All people anywhere near our ministry in Nicaragua has been touched with encouragement this week.
This visitation reminded us all that God designed us, His people, to be a social people. Just being around someone that believes like you, encourages you. The encouragers don’t have to be anything great. They don’t have to be famous, strong, smart, or attractive. They can be mundane and plain. The only thing they need to do is to be present in order to give you strength and to build you up. That’s why it is important that we always seek the company of other believers, no matter how they are packaged.
That’s the beauty of encouraging others. You don’t have to be witty. Sarcasm, competition, slander, negativity, or arguments are ever needed. Encouraging others is fun, and is healthy for you. It’s positive to all parties concerned. Encouraging others is a true win win situation, and is required by God that we encourage others, and build them up. What a deal!
There was a pretty obscure character in the Bible that no one has heard of. His name was Joseph. Although no one knows his name, he was responsible for healing relationships of the disciples themselves. He encouraged the disciples. The disciples went on to fame, and he is remembered only by his nick name, Barnabas, because he encouraged the disciples to do great things, and to work together in the early church.
Acts 4:36
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
We aren’t all going to be famous. We aren’t necessarily talented, nor pretty. We all can encourage others however. Regardless of whether or not we are talented, smart, pretty and famous, we still can encourage others. 100% of all the christians in the world are here for one reason, to encourage and to build up one another. Once we get in the habit of doing that, there will be collateral effects as well. Non-christians will be encouraged and built up. Hopefully to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In the process of encouragement and edification, the lost will see the harmony and the kingdom of God and get saved.
Anyone and everyone should encourage others to follow Jesus and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. This team from my home town has really encouraged me as I am down here to encourage others to do good, and to Love the Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds.
Romans 2:4
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
Dean Peters