Encouragement

A while back when we first started this outreach we visited a church called Rochelle Community Church. I had met the pastor's wife at my chiropractors office and she invited us to the church. She said they were struggling. Gary, myself and several in our life group had felt the vision to reach out to churches in our community, so we began to pray for God's will and blessing for their church.

About 3 months later several of us visited their church, hoping to offer some kind of encouragement. Little did we know that the pastor (Ken Morton) had a good word for us.

I am going to share some of Pastor Ken's sermon with you as well as things that I have found to be encouraging since we took the show on the road.

Hebrews 3:12-13 says, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

Why are we to encourage? To keep each other free from the "hardening deceitfulness of SIN".

How can we encourage "one another"?

Romans 1:11 says,  I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—"

So what are these "spiritual gifts" we can impart. Encouragement is one of the gifts of the spirit.


Romans 12:6 -8 says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

When are we to encourage one another? "While it is still Today". In other words today and everyday until the Lord Jesus comes back. I liked what Pastor Ken said here. He said, "If Satan had a favorite word, what would it be? TOMORROW!"

The purpose of OMIA is to make encouraging and edifying others our greatest goal. Our best weapon as warriors for Christ is the full armor of God. If we can help churches to keep their armor on, while reaching out to a lost and dying world with love, our goal has been achieved.

Ephesians 6:10-18 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints".

There are so many powerful, encouraging passages in the Bible: John 14:12-14, 1 John 3:16-21, Revelation 21:6, 1 Peter 2:9 and more and more and more.

Discouragement is not an option.

Love,
The Uhlers