Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:10-12

10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


Paul uses the word encouragement time and again in all of his letters. He understood how vital it was for each of us to not just support, but to encourage one another. We all hear the call of God, we hear him tell us to move, yet time and time again we all just look to the sky, head tilted, nose wrinkled, and say " Lord, are you sure you have the right guy?"

I often feel Like Moses; the Lord is clearly pointing me in a direction, yet just like Moses, I have a bag full of excuses, as to why I will not be sucsessful. God gave Moses Aaron for support and encouragement. God put people in my life that do the same for me. It is that encouragement that keeps us driven. The encouragement is not self- gratifying, nor does it make one boastful. It is not an affirmation of our strength; it is affirmation of the Lord’s strength, and his amazing ability to work within us. More often that not the encouragement offers the angel an opportunity to lean over and whisper in our ear, "see He told you that you could do it.........why did you ever doubt?" We live for the Glory of God. If He tells us that we can do it, then you can bet, God will be glorified, you will be sucsessful!

Not only does Paul preach encouragement, God himself urges people to encourage others in Deuteronomy 1:37-39 The Lord tells Moses “38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it.”. The Lord reminds Moses again in Chapter 3 when he tell Moses “28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” In Isaiah we are reminded again in Chapter one. 17 “learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed”.

The Lord also encourages each of us personally. As we see in Romans 15: 5-6 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Or in 2 Thessalonians 2 where Paul reminds us 16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

When we help strengthen others by faith-based encouragement, we are in fact glorifying the Lord. We should all listen for the encouragement, not just form the people around us, but from the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. They call out to us loudly sometimes, but more often with a gentle whisper, “Yes you can”. If the Lord can believe in us, how can we think of not believing in ourselves?

Peace,
\Rev. Thetford