Message topic: Encourage Others Daily
Scripture text: Joshua 1: 6-11
It is quite common among people who attend or even do have membership in a church, and yet they do not have the full understanding of their organization beliefs: it is also common among people that many of the words which we uses daily, we do not fully understand the interpretations.
The topic for our sharing today is a word that we do uses regularly, but, do we understand all the ways in which it is conveying to us?
The word encourage, what does it means to you? For many it reflect building up, edification, it is the act of one who promotes anothers growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness; or a building up of any kind, the difference is, how is it don?
It should be done in gentleness, with kind loving words, patience, and reflecting love and sympathy instead of hash and abrasive words that often stirs up anger.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for encouragement is hazaq meaning to strengthen, prevail, harden to be strong, become, be courageous, be firm, be resolute, be sore, and this is a super common saying in the Bible.
When we encouraging, we are infusing strength, repairing, and holding up our fellow men in times of need, Spiritually and physically, not just some times, but at all times if we are walking in the steps of Christ Jesus who has called us unto himself.
The question we as believers in Christ Jesus, having his attributes in us should be, are we encouragers positively or negatively? Do we build up or tear down? How do you encourage those around you daily? In the work place, at home, and let us not forget the church where we most often have contact with others? ( tell of the woman who sat on the other because she was sitting in her special spot.
When we become members of the family of God by been born again, there will be great changes take place in our lives, we will not only become encouragers, but we will no more give place in our lives to the evil one.
We who once stole, will steel no more, but rather labor, working with our hand for the things which is good that we may have to give him that is in need as we learn to encourage others.
There will be no more corrupt communication coming from our mouths, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice: be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Our relationship with God is a source of constant encouragement to believers as we live in the world while also becoming more and more like Jesus our Savior everyday.
Listen to these words of the leader of the Israelites through the wilderness to the land of promise to their forefathers: in Joshua 1: 9: have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
This is one of the most encouraging promises of God! God promises to infuse us with courage through his presence. Encourage, by putting His courage in us through his presence with us daily.
Psalm 27:14 reminds us to take strength and keep courage expecting God when it doesn’t seem like he is showing up like we think he should: we should remind ourselves of God’s goodness helps us be encouraged as we wait.
The writer of Hebrews 10: 24-25 has these encouraging words for us: let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Christians are to be constantly pushing or encouraging each other to grow in their love and encouragement for each other as we learn to resist the influences of the deceiver of men every- where.
The church is the local gathering place where believers that enacts this mission on earth, but there are lots of other ways fellow believers can gather together and encourage each other both online or in person.
1st Thessalonians 4: 18 reminds us to encourage one another with the words of our Redeemer and Lord: we should do nothing of our selfish ambition, or vain conceit, rather in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the other
When we value others we seek to encourage and build them up, rather than tearing them down through ambition or selfishly, thinking too much of ourselves.
Colossians 3: 1-2 says: since then; you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Practically speaking, encouragement resets our hearts and minds towards spiritual things and helps us not to get caught up in silly arguments or divisive issues.
We the children of the Most-High God, should reflect on these words of the prophet Isaiah which is found in Isaiah 41: 13 -15: for I the Lord thy God will hold your hand, saying unto you fear not; I will hold you: fear not thou worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you, says the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy one of Israel.
Behold, I will make you a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small and shalt make the hills as chaff.