How about an encouragement?

God has ways to encourage us all. The local church is certainly one fantastic way that happens. As hearts are right, people in the pews would attest that as they hear the Word from their pastor and Sunday School teachers they find encouragement, as they fellowship and watch each other serve and grow they are heartened in their faith. A pastor is not exempt either from both needing and being nurtured by encouragement as well.  Its been said the “prince of preachers”, Charles Spurgeon, with a large and successful ministry was prone to regular bouts of discouragement !

I just came from our services this morning and an afternoon church dinner. What a joy to interact with folks there and see how they are doing, to encourage them in and outside of the services. And to watch them serve the Lord without complaint.  Hebrews 10:23-25 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.”     That’s encouraging to me, to see believers holding fast without wavering – week in and week out. And as the verse in essence says we do so by taking our cue from His faithfulness to us.

Not long ago I heard two of our ladies encourage two newer ladies to come to a woman’s activity coming up. Many times people at our church have been an encouragement to me at just the time I need it, they’re wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ !! Think how that makes God proud to hear us doing such spiritual things.  As the passage infers, we had better while we still have time, God is coming back before you know it ! So whether your new to your church, not going to one yet, or you’ve been in one a while – do your part before God to be an encouragement and in turn you’ll find the encouragement that you too need. Encouragement, its a good, and, a  God thing !!